Just returned from a trip to Europe, and I have to say this GPS is stellar. I read some of the other comments below and let me offer some advice that clears up some of the problems. pThe backlight is adjustable, there is Bright, Dim, and Off. You change from one to the other by holding the power key down for a few seconds. pThere is a work around for the maps. I was able to download all of german, netherlands, italy, most of poland etc. You need an SD card programmer to do it, and either 128 mb or 64 mb cards. I needed 192mb total to store what I wanted. Each "Region" that you want to store has to be under 16mb. You can store up to 4 regions in a "Map". You can store as many maps as you want to the SD card, but you will need to rename them from "Region00." to "Region01", "Region02", etc. In this way you are able to store multiple 64 mb "Maps". You can change which map you are using by going to card utilities-select map. Waypoints and routes are stored in the GPS, so they will be sticky if you switch cards. pUsing this method you can download all the maps you could possibly need during your trip, and not have to lug a laptop or any software around with you, maybe a couple of postage-stamp sized sd cards. Also note that you'll want to load at least 16mb of the European basemap onto each sd card if you will be using it in europe. pBe sure to format your SD cards before using them! pI think the unit would work with 512mb sd cards, but I don't have a 512mb card to test with. pAnother important note is that magellan is releasing Turn-By-Turn software for this GPS this Month! It will retail @ 149.99 and if you do a cost comparison between the magellan and the garmin software, the magellan will now work out cheaper AND provide turn by turn routing with voice prompting (This is just a fantastic software upgrade, I can't believe it can be done without buying a new GPS. I will have to see how well it works when I receive my copy however.). pSome items that keep this from getting 5 stars: pNon-intuitive user interface for loading multiple maps (workaround described above)pBattery life - I went thru about 4 2100 maH AA batteries a day. I had the backlight auto-off set at two minutes, but wanted the gps on all the time to get accurate routing. I remember by GPS V goes for a couple days on one set of batteries, although it uses 4 batteries instead of two. pNo compass - this makes it kind of tricky to navigate if you're walking. The directional arrow is frequently inaccurate, so you have to cross check the street that you are on. I'd love to see a screw on magnetic compass attachment for this unit. The sport-trak color has the compass, but only allows 10 or so MB of built in maps. pNo built in auto routing - was kind of dismayed to find it didn't have this originally, but with the promised software upgrade, it should be good. I do feel that this should be built into the unit, as a I think every user out there would want it. $150 is a bit much to pay for software that should really be included with the unit. pAnnoying alarm when battery reaches critical - There are some times that you don't want to advertise that you are carrying around an expensive device, and having the alarm go off in the middle of a subway or something could be dangerous. Didn't fully investigate if this can be turned off. pDifficult to tell which button you're pushing if it's in your pocket - a little bump on the power and enter buttons would help for unseen operation. pExternal connector is slow to connect disconnect - you have to turn a screw to connect the external car power or PC interface cables, which takes 60 seconds or so, maybe 30 when you get good. Very difficult to accomplish while driving. pAnnoying alarm when external power lost in car - my car connector kept turning off when bumped with the hand, and then this alarm would go off. A single beep would suffice guys!pExternal power should turn off backlight saver automatically e.g. the backlight should stay on. (or better yet, seperate backlight saver mode for battery and external power). Ditto the auto-off functions although I wasn't using those. pDisplay - the display was pretty good, and the color definitely helps to clear up the map. Street names are a bit difficult to read and certain zoom levels, the detail level/zoom level threshoulds might need a bit of adjustment. pAntenna - Definitely works better when the gps top is pointed up. This is only my second GPS but it seemed a little less sensitive then my GPS V is. pCursor - cursor didn't track correctly when entering in a street name where the second word of the street name caused it to wrap to the second line; the cursor remained on a blank square - annoying, no big deal. pGerman streets - geez, the first 17 characters are the same, can someone figure out how to do the UI so it is easier to get to the right street? I think using the up/down arrows to scroll thru the possible repeat characters would be much easier then the current methods.

I bought one of these because it had a color display. After I received it I noticed the display was practically impossible to see unless the backlight was on high. I drove around with it a little and it tracked where I went very well but I had to leave the light on all the time and it ran the batteries down in about four hours. I was using Duracell 1800 nimh rechargables.br I returned it the next day and got a Meridian platinum for less money and it has a barometer and thermometer. The display is visible in the day and you only need the back light on at night.br Unless you like changing batteries often get a Meridian platinum or a Meridian gold.

Display: brThe COLOR has no-light/dim/bright, as does the PLATINUM. But the COLOR it is only usable with bright lights in daylight and dim during nighttime, with no lights you don't see anything. The Platinum w/o light has still an acceptable display and runs for about 8 hrs, the COLOR on bright runs slightly over 4 hrs (1.850 mAh). pFunctionality: brThe colored display is very helpful together with Topo Send. You can easily distinguish between different graphics by the color; like arroyos and dirt-roads, specially marked arreas and lakes, etc. brWhat is missing on the COLOR compared to the PLATINUM is the baro, thermo and the build in electronic compass (not gps dependent). I thermo and baro I found fun to play around with but never really found a serious application. The compass needs constant alignment and is often considerably off. For all those applications there is way better stuff out there. brThe COLOR has the better software wich might be due to the fact that I downloaded the latest software to it (v. 5.12). After v. 5.xx there is supposed to be a street navigation function to it, which I haven't found yet- maybe only works with MapStreets. pDurability: brAs I pointed out in my earlier review on the PLATINUM this unit is extremely rugged and highly reliable in the field. I figure so will be the COLOR.pDeficiencies:brThe backtrack function is higly deficient. When you wanna walk back you have to hit every single point this function created on the way back. Often you don't do that because you do a shortcut. Neither one of those units does allow you to bypass one single point and from now it desperatly points back to the one point you might have missed by a couple of feets. pMap-Download:brhas certain limitations which are discussed in some other reviews on this side. Even with the latest software I was only able to download 3 regions to one map, but 4 maps alltogether with a total of 120mb over my PDA (Card-Reader might be even better) by doing the following: p1. Without connecting your Meridian to a PC, begin the map Upload process (click Regions; then Upload to GPS). br2. When the map data conversion process is done, MapSend will display a message that it cannot find your GPS receiver to perform the download. br3. Stop the process here by selecting "Cancel". br4. Using Windows Explorer, go to Program Files/Magellan/MapSend/Export and locate the file called "maps.img". br5. Copy this file to the SD card using USB card reader. Do not create any folders within the SD card where you place this file. Your Meridian will always looks at the top, or "Root" level within the card. br6. Rename the file "XXXXXX.img" - Example (SO California.img). br7. Remove the card and place it in your Meridian. You can use your Meridian as you would normally from here. (If you have at least software version 3.12 loaded on your Meridian, you will be able to select a map image to use from the Card Utilities menu - Press MENU to find Card Utilities) pVerdict: pI do recommend both units, but do personally prefer the COLOR for its more consise display even considering the extra functions on the PLATINUM. Because of certain flaws in the software I give both a 4 out of 5.

I have used a downloaded mapping GPS since 1998 and use it extensively.pThe pluses on the Meridian Color are: SD memory cards - I can finally carry the maps I need, uses only 2 AA batteries, well built and waterproof, searchable addresses, extensive points of interest, maps of Canada and parts of Europe, programmable navigation menus. I use a USB 2.0 SD card reader and a 256MB SD card and can quickly download 64 MB maps. Multiple maps can be stored on the SD card up to your storage limit. Using a card reader the map creation and storage process is done in a couple of minutes.pThe misses: the color screen is not a helpful as I expected, in daytime use the screen is very dark and hard to see even with the backlight on draining the batteries quickly, still needs better waypoint management, the Topo maps are not a useful as I expected.pGood unit, but I would probably have been better off with the Meridian Gold due to the Color unit's hard to see screen.

This is my third try at a GPS. Although my other two were companion GPS modules for a Handspring Visor PRISM. This GPS is EXCELLENT! I was up in running with my new device in just a few minutes after receiving it. Satellites locked in quickly, and system is not complicated to use. I would recommend purchasing the MapSend Streets & Destinations USA. The maps built into the GPS are high-level and show major roads and interstates, but the MapSend Streets & Destinations USA provides detailed maps. Although, as with most mapping software, it is not as up-to-date as one would hope. I'm a gadget freak and this is now one of my favorite gadgets!

We purchased this item two years ago when the item was truly hot on the market. At that time, the Magellan website indicated that regular mapping updates would be available for all the Meridian products. On the contrary, NOT ONE update has been produced, and now we see where the Meridian product line is being discontinued. We would not have purchased a Magellen had we known that mapping updates were not going to be produced as promised. Regularly during the course of two years, we emailed the manufacturer of the Magellan products to inquire about the updates. Our replies continually indicated that the mapping updates were 'on the way.' They never were produced! Basically, our investment is now obsolete with no hopes of mapping updates, Magellan obviously cannot be trusted, and we won't purchase another Magellan product again. With so many companies, including Dell, entering the GPS market, there's no need to invest in Magellan again.

This is the 2nd Magellan GPS I own, I also have a 315 series GPS. I had prior experience with GPS's, (my 315 and military GPS's) so it was really easy for me to get comfortable with this unit.
br / Turning on the unit, the first thing I noticed was the VIBRANT color display, which was the main reason I bought the unit. I bought a Sport Trac, but really wanted the color screen.
br / I think there are 7 screen on this unit. Satellite position, the map screen, compass, large data display, speed, position and the road screen. Each screen has data fields that are totally customizable, with no less than 12 different data displays.
br / This unit does just about anything dealing with navigation, map datum, unit of measure, time format, mils versus degrees, it does projection based on time, contour elevation, everything.
br / I bought the software containing elevation, and when maps are downloaded it shows the contour interval, I want to buy the turn-by-turn software, but it is kinda pricey.
br / The software is easy to use, the hard part is getting past the limitations. I used a SD card reader to put the images directly into the card, but I also hook it to the computer with a USB to Serial adapter, as you can download your track history onto your computer and replay your entire trip back in varying levels of speed.
br / Really there is so much this does it is hard to remember everything.
br / Some of the things i don't much like are the fact you have to take the battery cover off and take the batteries out to get to the card, I use a 512mb card, and it is way more than enough space for whatever I need to put on.
br / You can put all your way points in the way the maps are put in, but I have not delved into that to much.
br / Another thing is when it is first powered up, you have to watch the screen for a disclaimer about using at your own risk, then have to hit enter to procede, if you don't hit enter within maybe 20 seconds it powers off.
br / Well, I have used it alot, and I love it, the only thing better would be a Roadmate, but you get about the same thing at 1/3 the cost. I would highly recommend this unit to a beginner or advanced user alike.

After losing an older Meridian Marine, I decided to make use of my software and buy this unit since I LOVED the previous model for a few years. When I received this model it seemed to be working fine when I initialized it. It came with antique version 4.02 firmware, marked from 2002. The unit refused all my software (specifically uploading REGIONS off the Topo, Nav, and World Basemap discs) until I upgraded the firmware to anything above v.5. When I tried to install v5.34 from the CD or v. 5.40 which I downloaded, it kept freezing and wouldn't accept the firmware. I then called tech support (NOT open 24/7!...just California time 6am-5:30pm, weekdays). I spent a total of 3 hours on hold during my 4 phonecalls!!!! The obviously outsourced "tech experts" (trained British accents, probably in Pakistan) then repeatedly walked me thru the same steps to fix the problem as though they were encountering them for the first time! I even got the same guy twice. One said I'd get a callback the next day at 7:30 PM New York time. It never happened. After giving up, one of them transferred me to a "senior-technician" who did no better. After even she gave up, she said she had to look up something and would call me back within 30 minutes. Guess what....It never happened (again)! No matter how great the unit might be, I will never do business again with a sleazy excuse for a professional Company named Magellan (Thales Communications). Even the "worldwide basemap", which I bought the unit for, only gave me an OUTLINE of Panama...no roads, no nothing!! In all my 58 years, with all my toys (boats/radar/stereos,medical electronics, cameras, etc,etc, etc), this is the single WORST response I've ever had to asking for HELP, especially on a BRAND-NEW product!

The Magellan Meridian Color is my first GPS receiver, so I can't compare it with others. But it is an amazing piece of equipment. It is extremely versatile, well made, fun and useful. With the latest firmware upgrade, v5.34, and the excellent optional MapSend DirectRoute mapping computer software (made by NavTech) this is both a great handheld hiking GPS and an in-car, turn-by-turn, street/address routing device.
br /
br /Although the internal memory is only 16 MB, enough for the adequate base maps that are pre-installed, the capability to use SD memory cards for uploading detaled street or topo maps from the computer greatly expands the usefulness. I am using a 256 MB memory card in my Meridian Color, on which I currently have uploaded detailed street maps for most of California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Texas from the DirectRoute software. These have to be limited to no more than 64 MB regions that can be selected on the GPS through the "card utilities - change map" menu, and are available in the GPS at all times. If I want more maps than fit on one card, I can buy another card and swap them as needed.
br /
br /The color screen is very good and can be seen well in a car from the drivers seat position when the unit is held in the optional dashboard suction-cup mounting bracket. Unless the sun is right on it, it is bright enough to be seen in the middle of a sunny day, and can be dimmed at night. The zoom function allows you to quickly zoom out to see your current position in reference to the whole world, or zoom in in reference to as close as a 100 ft scale of detailed street or topo maps.
br /
br /The only negative comment I have is that the output connection from the GPS to a computer is a serial port type, rather than USB. Most newer laptops don't even have serial ports anymore. However, this is remedied by using a serial/USB converter (about $20). The uploading of detailed maps is much faster anyway when done directly to the SD memory card using an SD memory reader/writer (also about $20), which makes it mostly unnecessary to connect the GPS directly to the computer.
br /
br /The GPS receiver goes through 2 AA batteries in about 6 hours of use with screen continuously at full brightness. I bought an AA battery recharger with 6 batteries for about $20 which works great and takes away the cost of replacing batteries.
br /
br /The Meridian Color can quickly convert among all major coordinate systems, and has multiple screens to show you such things as your current coordinates, elevation, speed, heading, and needed bearing toward a chosen destination ("waypoint"). It can store up to 500 waypoints and 20 routes. For hiking purposes it can track your movement and then allow you to use a "backtrack" function to see and re-trace your path back to where you started.
br /

All the power of a car-installed navgiational system, but portable! Incredibly easy user interface. Display as many, or as few information screens as suits your needs. Color display is appealing to the eyes, but it's the functionality of this devise that makes it a must have.pAccessories available include carrying case, bicycle/auto mounts, additional memory, mapping software, all readily available. The unit is waterproof and floats which is a great feature if you're planning to use it while boating. Pocket size and lightweight makes it practical to carry with you anywhere.pWaited a long time to buy myself one of these units, and glad I am that I waited. The Meridian color is Magellan's flagship handheld GPS unit. You won't be disappointed. Highly recommended.

The GPS Magellan Meridian Color Handheld GPS was shipped promptly, and works as advertized. Its color screens are crisp, easy to read and the GPS is very user-friendly. The instructions that came with the GPS are helpful and well organized.

I am Turkish and live in Belgium but have to do a lot travelling to Europe and US. I use a Meridian Color GPS with 512Mb SD card where I store US and European maps together. It works fine and did not have any problem. I have two issues with this device:
br /
br /1- Loading of the maps takes more time than I have anticipated. (A map of 48Mb that covers most of Belgium takes 3hrs to load on a 512MB with full options selected) I use a card writer for this but maybe it is due to my slow laptop computer. But still to long. You should prepare the maps beforehand, not at the last minute.
br /
br /2- Reception is becoming very low especially when driving through narrow streets with apartments and buildings on both sides. GPs Device gives late response and shows your location with bigger error margin. (You can buy an external antenna but I never tried. If somebody knows whether this improves the reception significantly pls let us know)

This is the best hand-held GPS. It is upgradable with new maps which you won't find on some others. The color screen is easy to read, bright and dims easily to save power. All in all, it fits the bill for the serious traveler. This powerful tool actually asists you in navigating your own route, far prefereable for my liking than others which tell you which way to go. I like to make choices, and I have experienced more direct routes and discovered many roads and foot routes less traveled all over the US and Europe with the assistance of this wonderful device. I have discovered marvelous places with my Magellan -- places only the locals know. I have used my Magellan Meridian Color GPS for three years, and I can't imagine how it can be improved upon. I consider it indespensible for traveling. Works great in the car, and then you can take it with you on foot, train or bus. If you apply yourself to learning how to use this device it will increase your satisfaction in traveling and knowledge of your surroundings.

This is my first GPS unit so I don't have much to which to compare it. However, it served me well in the United Kingdom, Italy and in northern California. I am not the most technically gifted person, so it took a couple of readings of the manual and some hands-on experience to become comfortable. I found that downloading maps onto the SD card was the best, and perhaps only, way to have a sufficient number of maps available. Also, I mistakenly expected it to work more like my navigation unit in my car. My mistake. I am still happy with it though and don't regret the expense. It definitely made travelling in Italy easier than previous European trips.

Lost my Color Merridian overboard and had to replace the GPS. When I recieved the new GPS I called Magellan to get a new unlock code so I could load the charts on my replacement GPS. I was informed I would have to purchase a new bluenav CD since they only issue one unlock code with no exceptions. Well my exception is I will never buy another Magellan product Hardware / Software. As for the replacement Color Merridian it is being returned today. In the future I will purchase Garmin.

I am new to the GPS world. As a novice I give Magellan Meridien Color one star for its nice display basic location functions. My main purpose of aquiring this unit was to navigate in Europe as well as in US. Therefore, I opted to buy a 64 Meg memory card, Mapsend Streets of Europe and Mapsend Streets USA. I expected to download regions of interest in USA and Europe into my GPS. First of all, I was shocked to find out that you are limited to a MAXIMUM of 4 regions. Second, but not the last, you can not download regions of Europe and USA at the same time. Typical region of interest to me is about 4 Megs. That is good because it takes about 40 minutes to download 4 regions of 4 megs each. Now let's take a worst case scenario. You have downloaded three regions of 16 Megs each. You do the math. How long did it take you to finish? 2 hours right? Right. Now luck will have it you want to download a new region of 4 Megs. you should be able to figure this one out. As stupid as I am, I did. 10 minutes right? Wrooooong! The correct answer is: 2 hours and ten minutes because everything has to be reloaded from scratch. What does this all mean?br1) Do not buy a 64 meg memory card over $... list price at Magellan. I bought mine for $... at Target on sale. In a way it was a waste of money because downloading anything over 8 Megs is extremely tedious.br2) Do not expect to do much downloading in terms of maps.br3) Do not buy the Mapsend CD's unless you intend to use them in your PC. (A light weight laptop could be ideal)brIf you need to download significant amount of Map data to your memory card, connect a card reader to your USB port, but beware you can only download directly to the card from Mapsend Streets of Europe. You can download regions from Mapsend Streets USA only directly to the GPS .brOther than all of this mambo jambo, GPS is excellent for finding your coordinates in color.brIs this GPS a jewel or a misconceived, wrongly implemented piece of ---- you be the judge.

Slick package and nice color display. Some clever features for boating but doesn't do the one, most important, thing I need; auto-routing. The straight line GOTO function is worse than useless, just a weak imitation of a routing function and more likely to get you to a dead end than where you want to go. I use a GPS unit on a motorcycle to get driving instructions and this is just a portable map. I recommend a Garmin V or StreetPilot instead, they have real auto-routing functions.