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Subject: TWL: Magellan 6000
From: C. Marin Faure (cmfaure@XXX.XXX)
Date: Sat Feb 01 2003 - 01:19:06 EST
With all the discussions about various types of handheld GPS systems, I'm
surprised I haven't seen any comments about one of the best handhelds I've
ever encountered. This is (was, it's no longer made, apparently) the
Magellan 6000. This unit is a full-function miniature chart plotter, and
it uses C-Map NT cards. Yes, it has a very small screen compared to what
most of us want in a chart plotter. But the image is extremely sharp, and
I have found that in operation, it's one of the most user-friendly pieces
of navigation electronics I've ever used.
We purchased one a about three years ago to use on the flybridge of our
trawler (the large dedicated CRT plotter in the cabin does not have the
ability to feed a slave unit), and we wanted something we could also use on
our 17' Arima fishing boat. At that time, the 6000 was the only small,
portable GPS plotter on the market that used C-Map NT cards. Our theory
was that since our big plotter in the cabin used C-Map cards and we had
about $2000 worth of cards on board, the 6000 would let us use the same
cards and not have to fork out more money for some other mapping data base
system.
In practice, our theory has worked to perfection. We can switch the unit
back and forth between the two boats, and we haven't had to buy any
additional cards or other mapping database system. The fact it can run on
its internal batteries has come in handy every now and then, although on
the boats we use external DC power.
I realize that since then, several manufacturers have come out with small
chart plotters that would suit our needs, although none of them are as
small as the 6000 (a good thing as far as the screen size is concerned),
and I don't believe any of them have internal battery capabilty, but I
could be wrong on that. I'm not familiar with every new GPS plotter on the
market these days.
I am rather surprised Magellan discontinued the 6000, although perhaps its
price (it listed for over $600 a few years ago although you could buy them
for considerably less) put off a lot of potential buyers looking for a
handheld GPS. Or perhaps people in the handheld market felt it was too
complex for their purposes. Or they didn't want to pay for the C-Map NT
cards- they're cheaper now, but back then they were about $200 a card. Or
maybe people felt the screen size was just too small. But in our opinion
it's a great little unit, We even use it sometimes in the floatplane,
where marine charts are actually of more value than aviation charts, at
least around here in my opinion.
I guess it's silly to praise a piece of equipment that's not available
anymore, or at least not available new, but if you need a small, handheld
GPS that does a heck of a job as a multi-function chart plotter/GPS
navigator, the Magellan 6000 is worth looking at if you come across a used
one. In my opinon, anyway. Other's opinions may vary.
_______________
C. Marin Faure
GB36 "La Perouse"
Bellingham, WA
_______________________________________________
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