Product Description

The ruggedly handsome, compact, lightweight (6.1 oz/170 grams) and waterproof, Magellan SporTrak Pro GPS receiver offers an excellent value for the outdoor enthusiast. Accurate to within 3 meters, the SporTrak Pro features a 9 MB mapping database, 23 MB free memory for downloading street-level maps. Seven large navigation displays allow you to view your position and all the information you need to get to your destination and back, safely and securely, adding a new level of enjoyment to your adventure. Your SporTrak Pro GPS receiver is an indispensable navigation companion when hiking, biking, boating, hunting, fishing or on any outdoor adventure.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13268 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Magellan
• Model: Pro
• Dimensions: 3.00" h x 6.00" w x 9.00" l, 1.65 pounds

Features

• 12-channel GPS receiver; WAAS enabled for up to 3 meter accuracy
• 9 MB North American basemap of roads, waterways, parks, and more
• 23 MB memory for additional map downloads
• Large, easy-to-read display; 9-key keypad for quick access to software features
• Rugged, waterproof design; Quadifiler Helix antenna for superior tracking in harsh environments

Amazon.com Product Description
The Magellan SporTrak Pro is a feature-rich, fun, and easy-to-use GPS receiver designed for the serious navigator. Its rugged, waterproof, and ergonomic design is perfect for the outdoorsperson needing a compact but powerful navigator.

Included in SporTrak Pro is a 9 MB North American basemap of highways, major roads, parks, waterways, marine navaids, buoys, lighthouses, and more. An additional 23 MB of built-in memory is included for downloading detailed maps from Magellan's MapSend line of CD-ROMs. With Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) support, the SporTrak offers readings with up to a three-meter accuracy.

The large display, along with a front facing 9-key keypad, makes it easy to use in any environment. SporTrak Pro software includes seven graphic navigation screens, storage for up to 500 waypoints and 20 routes, a best fish and game time calculator, and BackTrack for finding your way home after a long trip into the woods.

The SporTrak Pro runs on two AA batteries for up to 14 hours. It's housed in rubber-armored, impact-resistant plastic that's waterproof and also floats.

The WAAS difference

100 meters: Accuracy of the original GPS system, which was subject to accuracy degradation under the government-imposed Selective Availability (SA) program. 15 meters: Typical GPS position accuracy without SA. 3-5 meters: Typical differential GPS (DGPS) position accuracy. Less than 3 meters: Typical WAAS position accuracy.

WAAS is a system of satellites and ground stations that provide GPS signal corrections, giving you even better position accuracy. How much better? Try an average of up to five times better. A WAAS-capable receiver can give you a position accuracy of better than three meters 95 percent of the time. And you don't have to purchase additional receiving equipment or pay service fees to utilize WAAS.

How it Works
WAAS consists of approximately 25 ground reference stations positioned across the United States that monitor GPS satellite data. Two master stations, located on either coast, collect data from the reference stations and create a GPS correction message. This correction accounts for GPS satellite orbit and clock drift plus signal delays caused by the atmosphere and ionosphere. The corrected differential message is then broadcast through one of two geostationary satellites, or satellites with a fixed position over the equator. The information is compatible with the basic GPS signal structure, which means any WAAS-enabled GPS receiver can read the signal.

Who benefits from WAAS?
Currently, WAAS satellite coverage is only available in North America. There are no ground reference stations in South America, so even though GPS users there can receive WAAS, the signal has not been corrected and thus would not improve the accuracy of their unit. For some users in the U.S., the position of the satellites over the equator makes it difficult to receive the signals when trees or mountains obstruct the view of the horizon. WAAS signal reception is ideal for open land and marine applications. WAAS provides extended coverage both inland and offshore compared to the land-based DGPS (differential GPS) system. Another benefit of WAAS is that it does not require additional receiving equipment, while DGPS does.

Customer Reviews

SporTrak Pro vs. Garmin's eTrex Vista
I did a lot of research before purchasing a GPS receiver. The choice came down to Garmin's eTrex Vista and Magellan's SporTrak Pro. I purchased both with the intention of returning one. There was definitely a difference, not only in quality, but also in price. I am VERY pleased with the SporTrak Pro. Let's face it the two things that matter most in a receiver is 1) ability to pick up and hold satellite signals, and 2) accuracy. For this reason, I was VERY disappointed in Garmin's eTrex Vista (which I will be returning).

From my experience, the SporTrak Pro is far more accurate than the Vista and I rarely have problems holding satellite contact (even in our home). The Vista, on the other hand, kept losing my position even in minimal tree coverage. The SporTrak directed me right to the position I was searching for (within 1-5 feet). The Vista had me far off the mark and my position kept jumping around. When you do lose satellite contact with the Vista, it does not track your route. The SporTrak fills in those gaps if you lose contact.

The Vista is definitely "cooler" looking and a bit smaller, but smaller is not always better. Save yourself money and headaches and choose the SporTrak Pro.

NOTE: One reviewer noted that his SporTrak pro made a humming noise when the backlight was on. I have noticed that too, but it's not that loud and it does not bother me.

Just an amazing technological marvel
After researching handheld mapping GPS units for weeks, the choice came to this or the Garmin Etrex Vista. The latter got eliminated after I read all the horror stories about the problems it has catching satellite signals. The Garmin unit has a couple of extra features (such as "road lock" and an aneroid barometer), but also costs at least [more money]. And anyways, I couldn't understand what the point of having those extra features was if I was not going to pick up any satellite signals!

This is one impressive piece of hardware. It is very ergonomical and has a good feeling in one's hand. You can operate it with one hand, and the wrist strap comes in handy so that you don't have to worry about dropping it. The buttons are laid out very logically and the operation is simple and easy to understand. The screen is easy to read and you can adjust the level of detail on the map screens to eliminate unwanted clutter.
The unit is amazingly sensitive and manages to get signals from 8 or 9 satellites under most circumstances (including inside my house). It is frighteningly accurate both in terms of position as well as speed. Backtracking back to my vehicle after a long walk was a breeze with this unit (though, to be honest, I already knew the route. I just used the GPS for fun and made sure it wasn't asking me to do stupid things!).
You do have to remember that this unit can not do automatic routing for you using its built-in or uploaded maps. If you want units with those capabilities, you have to go for dash-mounted units that cost $$$ more. But the map information in this unit is good enough for most reference purposes. The 9MB basemap is quite detailed with most major roads and highways well-marked. The 23MB additional space for maps uploaded from Mapsend CD's is quite spacious. I uploaded the rectangular region bounded by Milwaukee in the north, Peoria in the south, Galena in the west and Grand Rapids in the east into the unit and it occupied only 11MB (it did take 20 minutes to do the upload because of the slow serial connection).
My only complaint regarding the unit is that it sometimes shows me driving where there is no road, and then the road gets displayed when I go into a higher level of zoom. I don't know what the criteria are for whether a given road is displayed at a given level of zoom, but the algorithm is not very intelligent or adaptive.
Also, make sure you stock up on rechargeable batteries. I have to recharge my batteries after every 10 hours of use (the manual says 15 hours, but I think that is only with alkaline batteries).
Bottomline: I think this is the most capable GPS unit at this price point.

Too cool.
I just received my Magellan SporTrak Pro GPS unit, and after about three hours of non-stop twiddling with it, I can safely say "WOW!" I powered up the unit for the first time INSIDE my house, and it started acquiring satellites. Pretty amazing.

Highlights:

- Easy to use
- Dead accurate
- Surprisingly detailed base map
- Well worth the money

The only Down Sides I've noted are:

- PC cable securing screw has a small, floppy D-ring-type handle on it, which makes securing the PC cable to the GPS somewhat finicky. The same type D-ring is used for the lanyard loop/battery compartment screw. It's OK, but nothing I'd design.

- Magellan doesn't make a carrying case for it, but a slightly modified Nokia 5160 leather case works very well!

- The backlight makes an annoying hum. It is barely noticeable at the Low setting, but on High, it sounds like a mosquito. Good thing I detest backlights to begin with.

If you want a GPS, go buy this unit. Don't mess with the "toy" GPS systems that only use "patch" antennas. The quad helix on the Magellan systems is FAR superior.