Reviews > Navigation and Map Gear > GPS > Magellan SporTrak Color 2003 > Dennis Shubitowski > Initial Report

Initial Report - Magellan SporTrak Color GPS

Report Outline

Tester Information <back to top>

Basic Product Information <back to top>

Background <back to top>

I am somewhat new to using a global positioning satellite (GPS) unit for navigation. I own a basic yellow Garmin Etrex that I have used for geocaching, navigation both hiking and in the car, and trail mapping for the last year or so. I have a basic understanding of maps, mapping systems, compasses, and coordinate systems that has come from orienteering and general reading for enjoyment. I also have experience with a number of computer programs useful for GPS users including waypoint management and mapping software like G7toWin, OziExplorer, and EasyGPS.

This unit receives data signals from geosynchronous satellites orbiting above the Earth including the United States GPS satellites and the European Union EGNOS satellites. In addition, this unit also receives correction signals from the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) which was principally developed for aviation. There are numerous excellent public and government websites available for learning more about GPS technology.

Website & Packaging <back to top>

Magellan has a very nice website that explains their complete product line very well. The website is fairly easy to navigate and provides both basic and detailed information about their products. There is a large support section where frequently asked questions are answered, product manuals in several languages are available for download, and the latest updates for the firmware on the GPS can be found. Numerous accessories for the SporTrak series are also available and explained at their website. Magellan (Thales Navigation is the parent company) manufactures a large number of GPS units for land, marine, and aviation navigation.

The GPS was delivered in a plain cardboard box, and inside was a packing slip and the GPS in its box as you would it buy at the store. The box was a lot heavier than I was expecting. The box (and all accompanying materials) are printed in both English and French (Thales being based in France). There are two main sections in the box - the GPS and all accessories are packaged in a plastic clamshell, and all manuals and paperwork are packed in a folder behind the plastic packaging. Inside the clamshell is the GPS, a wrist strap lanyard, a cable for connecting the GPS to a computer, and two alkaline AA batteries. The folder is made of a heavy, plastic-like paper that opens like a book. The folder is white and the printing is mostly red and/or black. On the front of the folder is a title that says, "Read Me First," a picture of the SporTrak Color GPS, and Magellan's contact information. The binding of the folder says, "SporTrak Color GPS Receiver," and the back of the folder is a diagram of the GPS describing the buttons and their general function. The inside of the folder is printed in French, but there is a basic starter pamphlet in English made of the same material as the folder and printed in the exact same manner as the outer folder. This pamphlet is titled, "Getting started with your SporTrak Color GPS receiver is as simple as 1...2...3..." The pamphlet outlines the six basic steps to start using the GPS: 1- make sure you have everything on the packing list, 2- put in the batteries, 3- turn it on/initialize the unit, 4- capture satellites, 5- review the manual for information regarding the screens, creating a waypoint and a GOTO route, and 6- then you are ready to go with the manual available to you as information is needed. There are several other slips of paper inside the folder - the packing list mentioned above, a product registration reminder, a pamphlet describing the (numerous) accessories, a slip of paper describing compatibility of accessories between the Meridian and SporTrak line of receivers, an extended warranty offer card (US$49.95 for two additional years on this model), and two separate manuals in English and French that are over 85 pages each.

The GPS comes with just about everything in the box that one needs to begin using the GPS. The one nitpick right off the bat is that the PC data cable requires a 9-pin serial/COM port on your computer. Most late model computers no longer have serial ports and instead have switched to using USB ports. If your computer does not have COM ports, one would either have to install a serial card or purchase a serial/USB converter cable. Magellan does not indicate in their printed or online information that the cable supplied with the GPS is a serial cable. Magellan offers a serial/USB converter cable for US$49.99, but cheaper alternatives may be found through online sources or local electronics stores. Just keep in mind that a proper connection (at additional cost) will be needed in order to connect the GPS to a computer which highly increases its capabilities and ease of use in regards to loading additional maps and in large scale waypoint, route and track management. Also, being a PC user, I am uncertain of compatibility with Macintosh-based systems - it would appear on cursory examination of the manual that they are not compatible.

Manual <back to top>

The SporTrak Color manual (English version) is 86 pages long and quite packed with information and illustrations. It is 5.5 x 8.5 in (14 x 22 cm) in size, paperback, and comfortable to hold. The manual is divided into six chapters: (1) Introduction, (2) Setting Up the SporTrak, (3) Basic Operation, (4) Reference, (5) Frequently Asked Question, and (6) Appendix. The manual is generally divided into two parts with the first part being for initial/first time use and the second part being for advanced use and reference. Before I first used the GPS, I read the manual from cover to cover. There is a lot of information in the manual, but it is presented in an easy to read and understand format. As far as the "look" of the manual, the font is a touch small, but sections are well titled and set off in a bold font. There is plenty of space between section so it does not look busy or crowded, and the illustrations are crisp and helpful. I have not read the manual thoroughly for inaccuracies (mainly due to my general unfamiliarity with Magellan GPS units) but will pay attention to the full content as the review progresses and my familiarity with the GPS increases.

The first couple pages of the manual are the warnings and warranty description. The warnings are predictable but interesting - do not use the unit while driving, do not rely on it as a sole navigational aid, and use only Magellan equipment and cables. The limited warranty covers general defects for one year from purchase date. If the unit is returned for repair, they will tack 90 days onto the warranty if less than that time is left on the original guarantee. Exclusions to the warranty include any installations, batteries, damage from shipping, abuse, or negligence, and unauthorized servicing. Two of the more interesting exclusions also include any damage to the GPS that is resultant from inaccurate satellite transmissions and any service that would be required if there was a change in the global GPS system.

Next is the "Introduction" which is a general thank you, the unit will serve you for years to come, and general information on the history of Thales Navigation (making GPS receivers since 1989). "Setting Up the SporTrak" describes information from installing the batteries to initializing the unit. The unit does not lose information on a battery change - it will hold information for about 12 hours with dead or no batteries if they cannot be changed right away. There is also a warning not the remove the batteries while the unit is turned on. Initialization of the unit involves turning it on, cycling through the two start up screens and a warning that the unit is not initialized, entering your general location (ie country and state), and setting the time and date (although this is immediately updated from the satellites when the signals are received). The unit will then locate satellites based on that information from information permanently stored in memory.

"Basic Operation" is essentially a diagram of the unit and key descriptions along with their function when pressed. This section also tells you how to turn the GPS off and on, adjust the backlight, adjust the contrast, and get a position fix from the satellites. The next section describes the "Navigational Screens." The SporTrak Color has nine display screens that can be cycled through using the NAV button represented with the "globe" symbol:

When I write that the data fields are "customizable," the displayed data fields are generally interchangeable for each screen. The manual also defines most of the abbreviations and terminology used for these fields:

The final sections in the basic portion of the manual include "Saving a Waypoint," "Using GOTO Routes" and a "Summary." Waypoints are very important for GPS navigation - they are a named and known position on the map. The SporTrak Color has a "push pin" Mark button that is used to mark a waypoint. When this button is pressed, a dialog box pops up - the icon that marks the waypoint can be changed, the waypoint can be named (up to eight characters), the location and elevation adjusted if needed, and a 30 character message can be attached to the waypoint. This unit can store up to 500 waypoints, and 200 of these waypoints can have a message. Waypoints are used in many of the features of the GPS including GOTO routes. This unit has a button dedicated for GOTO routes - it is a walking "stick figure" graphic on the button. When this button is pressed, the database of waypoints is displayed, and the waypoint that you want to "go to" can be selected, and the GPS points you in the direction of that waypoint in a straight line or "as the crow flies." Finally, this section of the unit is closed with a "Summary" that wraps up everything that was just described along with words of advice and encouragement.

First Test Drive <back to top>

When I took the GPS out of the clamshell packaging and unwrapped it, I was initially surprised at the size and weight - both a lot smaller than I expected. The GPS is silver-gray in color with a tannish-silver border around the screen. All the buttons (nine of them plus a Four-Way Directional button) are silver with a black graphic for each one save the power button which has a red light bulb. The GPS fits very comfortably in my hand; it can be held and operated in either hand as there are no buttons on the sides. This is very nice as my other GPS unit pretty much required that it be held in the left hand so the buttons where within easy reach. The unit is rubber coated on the bottom half of the sides and wrapping around the back over the battery compartment exactly where my hand needs to hold it to press the buttons. The rubber coating offers a nice grip to it without being intrusive. There is also a band of rubber that encircles the unit like a gasket between the two halves of the case and appears to act as a slight bumper guard. I next wanted to attach the lanyard that was provided but did not notice any particular place where it should be attached. I looked on the bottom, on the sides, and then in the manual. This may seem basic, but attaching the lanyard is omitted from the manual and it is not really intuitive where it goes. I stared at it again and found a small hole in one of the recesses for a screw that holds the case together - the lanyard can be fed and attached through that hole, and that is apparently the only attachment location. Next, the battery compartment is opened from the back of the unit by a small tab. The cover is nothing special and in fact seems a little flimsy - I wondered if this area was really waterproof as a first thought. There was a security tag in the battery area which I removed. The contact terminals for the batteries are quite beefy - they are wound stainless springs that certainly appear that they will remain in very firm contact with the batteries. The correct orientation for inserting the batteries is well labeled, and it take two AA batteries (provided, even). There is also a sticker with the model, product number, serial number, and date of manufacture. To close the battery compartment, the cover is first hooked on the bottom like a hinge and pressed quite firmly at the top near the small tab until it audibly snaps into place. I felt like I was going to break something, but it eventually snapped into place and appeared to seal very firmly.

The buttons on this GPS are on the front of the unit at the bottom third of the GPS and below the screen. It is easiest for me the hold the GPS with the bottom of the unit in my palm and to operate the buttons with my thumb. I immediately decided I did not like the buttons on the unit. They are very close together, the buttons are quite small, and they barely stick up from the main surface of the GPS. If you look at the unit from the side, you cannot even see them sticking out - they are that flush. Without even turning the unit on, I found I was "finger mashing" the buttons while trying to get the feel for each one. There is a barely audible click when a button is pressed and the feel is quite soft instead of having a positive click. I found myself having to use my thumbnail to try to press the buttons accurately. I should note here that I do not have fat fingers regardless of how this might read; my hands fit into medium gloves and my work requires very fine motor skills. I certainly feel that I will get used to motions needed to operate the unit and will become comfortable with it, but these were my first impressions out of the box. I will comment on button feel in later reports.

Turning the GPS On <back to top>

The GPS is turned on by pressing the red light bulb button on the bottom right. When this button is pressed, the backlight on the screen and under the keys automatically lights up and the unit beeps. The backlight gives all the keys except the power key a soft, orange glow. This is a color GPS unit as the name implies, and the screen indeed displays in color. The screen covers roughly half of the front of the GPS and is 2.2 x 1.4 in (5.6 x 3.6 cm) in size. The unit takes about a second or two to come to life, and a welcome message pops up identifying the GPS model along with Magellan's website address. At the bottom of this screen is also the version information of the installed firmware and basemap. The current firmware version available at the website is 5.01 but version 4.10 is installed on my test GPS unit. The permanent basemap is NA Marine version 1.08. This message displays for about 5 seconds or it can be exited out of right away (if impatient) by pressing the "Enter" button which is located in the middle of the Four-Way directional button. The Enter button has a return arrow graphic like the return/enter key on a computer keyboard. A second screen then appears giving the GPS Database Copyright information (Navionics and Woodall's are the copyright holders). This screen also stays visible for about five seconds and can be exited out of by pressing the Enter button. I am then asked to select the display language (English, Francais, Deutsch, Nederlands, Suomi, Español, Italiano, Portugúes, Svenska, or Norsk) - there is an very loud beep every time a button is pressed and it gets annoying pretty quickly. A "Warning" screen then displays a notice that "All data provided is for reference only. You assume full responsibility when using this device." You must press the Enter key to acknowledge the warning or else the unit automatically powers down after another 5 seconds. Next a "Key Legend" then appears showing the graphic and label of each button - Enter is pressed again to exit this screen as it does not seem to exit automatically after any amount of time. Finally, an "Attention!" message is displayed informing you that the GPS is not initialized and you must press Enter to continue. The manual states that the GPS will automatically power off in 10 seconds if Enter is not pressed, but my unit stayed on this screen for several minutes (while typing this report) and did not shut off. After pressing Enter, the GPS will walk you through the initialization process automatically.

There is a brief display (about a half second) of the overhead satellite graphic, and then a prompt for entering your region is displayed listing all the continents and the Atlantic and Pacific. I selected USA and it then takes me to a list to select my state (Michigan). A coordinate screen then pops up showing approximate latitude, longitude and elevation - this screen is also where the date and time are entered. Finally, the unit is initialized and you are taken to the satellite graphic display. The first thing I noticed is that I am typing this report inside my home on a laptop, and the GPS unit is acquiring satellites - nine of them in fact plus a WAAS satellite, inside my home! I cannot emphasize that enough - INSIDE my house and not even near a window! This is amazing! I am so used to my other GPS unit that seems to lose satellite communication if a stray leaf is in the way or a cloud interferes. I have never acquired a satellite lock (let alone ten of them) inside ANY building or with any significant overhead obstruction with my GPS unit I have owned for about a year. I am duly impressed. A GPS that loses a satellite lock is worthless for navigation during that time and that area of data collection is lost until satellites can be re-acquired. This receiving antenna appears to be exponentially better than the antenna in my other unit - I think I will be very happy with it.

I shut the unit off by pressing the Power button once. A screen pops up telling me the unit is shutting down in 5 seconds and begins to count down. There is also a note that the shutdown can be aborted by pressing the Escape key. The Escape key is a circle with an X through it and it is located on the right directly above/next to the Power button. This seems like it would be handy feature due to the "finger mashing" possibility of accidentally hitting the power button since it only takes a single press to turn the unit off as default (There is also an option for a "protected" power button where you must hit Power then Enter to turn the unit off). I want to check what screens now appear since the unit is initialized - the screens are the Welcome, Database Copyright, and the Warning screen. The GPS seems to return to whatever screen was last visible when the unit was turned off.

Finally, I attached the data cable provided to hook the GPS to a computer. The back of the GPS has a brass screw hole receiver directly above the battery tab. There are four flush stainless steel contact points (two on each side) around the screw hole. As stated earlier, the data cable connects to a serial port on the computer and it connects to the GPS by a corresponding very small screw with a wire bail turn assist on it. I had a tough getting the screw aligned with the hole and turning it to attach at the same time. It seems like there could be a modification here for sure, but I will dwell on it in case I am doing something wrong. I have three programs installed on the computer for communicating with my other GPS unit - OziExplorer, G7toWin, and EasyGPS. All of these programs recognized the SporTrak Color with no problems (they are all recent program downloads/updates), and I was able to easily move waypoints, routes, and tracks back and forth between my computer and the GPS.

Exploring the Options <back to top>

As I browsed through the various navigational screens, I quickly realized that this GPS is much, much more complicated and feature laden than any GPS I have used previously. There is a lot of stuff going on, a lot of features are available, and there are a lot of terms and acronyms used that I am not familiar with. This GPS has a pile of specifications and customization options. Even though I have never seen or used a Magellan GPS before, I found the buttons very intuitive. The NAV button (with globe graphic) is used to cycle through the nine display screens. If Escape is pressed, the screens are cycled through in the the opposite order. The other buttons are very self-explanatory - the Plus and Minus Magnifying Glass buttons are used to zoom in and out of the map on display, the Mark button marks a waypoint, and the Stick Figure starts a GOTO route. I like the fact that the Enter button is in the middle of the Four-Way Directional movement buttons, but I find it too easy to press accidentally while using the arrow buttons just due to the small size in general of all the buttons. The final button is the Menu button which has a "open book" graphic. This button is equivalent to the right mouse click for those familiar with the Windows PC operating systems. When the Menu button is pressed, a selectable list appears with all the options that are available for that screen plus any standard menu items. This is a very important button as this is where all the customizations and GPS settings are accessed.

Here are some of the options available through the Menu button:

Compass

Two of the features described above make this GPS unit unique from others in the SporTrak line. This GPS has a Weather feature that tracks temperature and pressure and gives pressure history over a 48 hour period, and it also has an electronic compass. Each of these features are described in an eight page appendix in the manual. The compass is a 3-axis electronic compass. Because of this, the SporTrak Color is different from all the other units in the SporTrak line. This electronic compass is used to calculate Bearing, Heading and COG (Course Over Ground) displayed in the data fields instead of using GPS satellite data. Heading is calculated based on the direction the antenna on the GPS unit is pointing - to get a correct heading claculation, the GPS must be pointing in the direction of travel. COG is similar to heading if you are hiking or driving (usually Heading and COG  read the same), but it is much different when boating where you can be pushed by currents. In either case, COG is the true indication of the direction of travel. Bearing, as defined above, is the direction you need to travel to reach the destination. The electronic compass is used to calculate this and it is displayed only when a route is active. To navigate using the electronic compass screen, all you have to do is align the Destination Pointer on the screen and the COG Pointer together. When these are aligned, you are moving on a straight line toward the destination.

The electronic compass has a requirement that it be calibrated every time the batteries are changed. If this is not done, there can be large errors in the calculations that rely on the compass. To calibrate the compass, the Menu button is pressed and the "Compass Calibration" option is selected. The calibration needs to be performed on a flat surface away from any metal. When the calibration is selected, a bubble level appears so you can ensure the surface is level. You press Enter again, and the GPS gives you the directions it needs to perform calibration. An arrow appears and starts to move, you then rotate the GPS to keep the arrow pointed toward you. After about a turn and a half or so of not too fast and not too slow movement, the GPS beeps and tells you to flip it over so the screen is on the table and not to move it until it beeps. Once it beeps, the calibration is completed. In addition, there is an extended calibration procedure that can be completed. The above steps are repeated, but when the bubble level appears, you press the Zoom In button. Two options then appear - Factiory Defaults or Extended Calibration. If Factory Defaults are selected, the programmed defaults are applied and the unit returns back to the bubble level screen to procede as above. If Extended Calibration is selected, a long, complicated procedure needs to carried out:
1. Lay on a flat, non-metallic surface.
2. Turn 90 degrees and wait for beep.
3. Turn another 90 degrees (to 180 degrees) and wait for the beep.
4. Turn another 90 degrees (to 270 degrees) and wait for the beep.
5. Place the unit on its side with the antenna pointing toward you and screen on your right, make sure it is steady and wait for the beep.
6. Flip the unit over on its side so the antenna is still pointing toward you but the sceen is on the left, make sure it is steady and wait for the beep.
7. Stand the unit straight up with the screen toward you, hold it steady and wait for the beep.
8. Turn the unit upside down with the antenna on the bottom and the screen facing away from you, hold it steady and wait for the beep.
9. Place the unit face down with the antenna pointing toward you and wait for the beep. The calibration is finished.

There are some limitations on the electronic compass, one of which includes operation near metal objects, such as a automobile. The electronic compass can be turned off by selecting Menu, Setup, and Compass Orient to change it to GPS course like other units in the SporTrak line. Another limitation is that whenever the electronic compass is active, it is consuming extra battery life. The compass needs to be held relatively flat for best results. However this is a 3-axis compass, so the unit does allow some tilt to the GPS in your hand. Magellan writes, and other non-biased sources concur, that this is the finest electron compass on the market today.

Weather

The second unique feature of this unit is the barometer and temperature capabilities. The Weather screen is accessed from any navigational screen by pressing the Menu button and selecting Weather. The temperature is displayed in a thermometer graphic in the upper left side with the degrees displayed below the thermometer. The pressure is displayed in a dial graph next to the thermometer in inches mercury (in Hg). Each of these readings can be calibrated for greater accuracy. The Menu button is pressed while the Weather screen is active, and the correct temperature and pressure (perhaps taken from the local news or online source) can be entered. The barometer history can also be accessed by pressing the Menu button from the Weather screen. The high, low and barometric trend for the last 24 hours is given along with the reasons for any gaps in the data (unit off, no altitude calculation). The barometric readings are shown on the bottom of the main Weather screen for a 48 hour period. Interestingly, the temperature sensor is inside the GPS as expected, but the sensor records the internal receiver temperature and not the ambient temperature. Mathematical formula compensations are applied to the internal temperature to represent the ambient temperature. I will monitor the temperature and barometric setting for accuracy as the test procedes.

Detailed Specifications <back to top>

Included below is a table of detailed specifications if you want the gory details. This list was pulled from the Magellan website where hitting the print button give you over three pages of data. I have edited out some of the specifications already mentioned or included above. For the complete list, I refer the reader to Magellan's website:

Testing Plan <back to top>

This GPS will be a constant companion with me for the test period. I will use it on my daily commute by vehicle, my daily walks, and my hiking trips. My usual stomping grounds are in both peninsulas of Michigan utilizing the state parks, national forests, and local woodlots. One of the main uses will be to assist in mapping a confusing local trail system. This project will use most of features of the GPS in itself. I will use the SporTrak Color to record the routes, mark all the significant locations, and use various programs to overlay this information on topographical maps. This is an ongoing project that will be greatly aided by the advance capabilities of this unit.

Most of my GPS usage to this point has not included pre-hike planning with digital maps and GPS. I plan on exploring those features and will move waypoints and routes onto the GPS for upcoming hikes (most likely using OziExplorer of which I am a registered owner). By doing this, I will better be able to explore the extra features available especially as they relate to evaluating the Data Field information that I am unfamiliar with (like Cross Track Errors, Velocity Made Good, Course to Steep and Course Over Ground). I plan to comment on the user-friendliness of the GPS, the usefulness of the screens and menus, the accuracy of the basemap, and how the GPS holds up to the environment as far as screen scratches, getting wet in the rain or snow, and battery life. Sincere thanks to Thales Navigation and BackpackGearTest for allowing me the opportunity to test this unit and offer my feedback.

Biography <back to top>

I was born, raised, and currently live in Michigan. I have been camping with family since I was a young tot. I have been backpacking since the early 1990s and have gotten out much more over the last several years as life has settled down. I also hunt, geocache, horseback ride, ski, orienteer, and canoe. I backpack in every season - rain, snow, or shine. My hiking philosophy is definitely moved toward lightweight to ultra-lightweight backpacking over the past couple years from my "backbreaker" days. I now sleep under a homemade tarptent shelter or in a hammock, I usually wear a frameless backpack, and I cook on a homemade alcohol or Esbit stove with a titanium pot. My average three season load for a multi-day trip, including food and water, is less than 25 lbs (11.3 kg).

Reviews > Navigation and Map Gear > GPS > Magellan SporTrak Color 2003 > Dennis Shubitowski > Initial Report