I've worked with a couple models of Magellan handheld GPS units, and have ended up happiest with an inexpensive Garmin eTrex. In terms of ease of use, the eTrex wins hands-down. Not as feature-rich as many models, but performed well for what it does.
My experience comes from their use combined with K9 Search and Rescue, primarily from a training standpoint. Amazing how much you can learn about scent by overlaying the track recorded by the handler and hound and the track recorded on the "victim"'s GPS on a topo map of the area.
I also used it to map a series of logging trails in a large wooded area in which we regularly trained, with a reasonable level of success.
My experience has been that none of the lower end ($300) units do well receiving signal under tree cover (although the eTrex was slightly better than the Magellans). No idea if the more expensive models actually do, either, although some are touted as such.
Or, Windows NT 4.0 *networked* (in an industrial control system), as is the case with a couple of machines I have to support at work--need to be able to efficiently move AutoCAD drawings to the things. Upgrading these isn't really an option--upgraded OS will usually require very expensive upgraded controller software. Doesn't make much business sense when what you've got runs the machine just ducky. I keep trying to tell myself that OS variety is a good thing (and in general, it is, my home machines run Linux and OSX), it's just harder convincing myself that multiple flavors of Windows really counts as "variety" in a positive sense of the word.
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I've worked with a couple models of Magellan handheld GPS units, and have ended up happiest with an inexpensive Garmin eTrex. In terms of ease of use, the eTrex wins hands-down. Not as feature-rich as many models, but performed well for what it does.
My experience comes from their use combined with K9 Search and Rescue, primarily from a training standpoint. Amazing how much you can learn about scent by overlaying the track recorded by the handler and hound and the track recorded on the "victim"'s GPS on a topo map of the area.
I also used it to map a series of logging trails in a large wooded area in which we regularly trained, with a reasonable level of success.
My experience has been that none of the lower end ($300) units do well receiving signal under tree cover (although the eTrex was slightly better than the Magellans). No idea if the more expensive models actually do, either, although some are touted as such.
Or, Windows NT 4.0 *networked* (in an industrial control system), as is the case with a couple of machines I have to support at work--need to be able to efficiently move AutoCAD drawings to the things.
Upgrading these isn't really an option--upgraded OS will usually require very expensive upgraded controller software. Doesn't make much business sense when what you've got runs the machine just ducky.
I keep trying to tell myself that OS variety is a good thing (and in general, it is, my home machines run Linux and OSX), it's just harder convincing myself that multiple flavors of Windows really counts as "variety" in a positive sense of the word.