Magellan Meridian repair costs

3 years approx

Thats my philosophy if some companys put the balls on the line and come up with a good price then some other mob matching it doesnt cut it

It is a "Grey Import" - I bought it from the US. It cost me $AU600 landed complete with car cradle, laptop connection , cover and a couple of other bits. The equivalent price here was $1800 for the same list of items.

It doesn't surprise me that they pull a stunt like this - I had a chat with the Magellan bloke at the Caulfield show earlier this year and definately got the impression that they were in business to rip off Australians -

I mentioned then that the DiscoverAus maps worked fine on the US Meridians, and he stated that the ability to do that was now over in the Explorist models - they have specifically programmed the map software to check for where the device originated. If you have a non Australian model, the Australian maps will not work. Too bad if you came from the US and brought one with you.

I haven't ruled out sending it to the USA for repair - should be a lot cheaper.

"they have specifically programmed the map software to check for where the device originated."

Yes and no - my understanding is that SOME of the new mapping programs (well actually have only heard of one = DiscoverAus Street by Street ) needs an Australia basemap to work - it doesnt matter if its a US source device that has had an Australian basemap installed - that should work (though I could be wrong on that) - you can take your US device in to ND and they will happily change the basemap for you, for +$300 or something - ouch.

I would probably contemplate getting a Garmin myself but mapping of out of town areas is substandard compared to DAST products.

What is wrong with your GPS?

Cheers
Greg

The GPS fails to boot up - the screen lights up but no display. The service dude muttered something about some core being burnt out but I was driving at the time and didn't catch it exactly. Then he stated the repair cost and I informed him I would not accept that extortionate quote.

It died on the OTL last year - one minute it was working fine, next minute dead.

I will never buy another Magellan product, I'd rather buy a USB GPS and plug that into the laptop and user Ozzie Explorer or similar software. Total cost of this way is maybe $300, as I already have a suitable laptop.

If they had been happy with $250 for the new circuit board (probably worth about $30 to them) I would have accepted, but because they are so greedy, they didn't get a cent from me.

And they had to pay the freight to send it back, so they were actually out of pocket.

"and they had to pay the freight to send it back, so they were actually out of pocket."

Good work.

Sell it on eBay - you may be surprised what you get. Though, then again, you might not:)

Cheers
Greg

I will certainly also put in a bad word for them whenever possible!!!

I might even dob them in to AVG for using their Antivirus product illegaly - below is a cut & paste of the email I got from them after enquiring on their web site. AVG Free edition is for use by individuals only, not for business use. So in addition to being thieves they are also thieves!!!!

At 11:05 AM 21/05/2007, you wrote:

Dear Administrator of Next Destination,

A customer sends a contact us form. Below are the details:
Name: Gerhard Petersen
Email: tpcs@optusnet.com.au
Comment: Hi, I have a Meridian Color GPS with screen not displaying. Please advise RMA / Address for repair.

For repairs, please send to the address below.
Quotations take around 2 - 3 weeks from receipt.
No RMA # issued.



Thank you,

Next Destination Team

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.6/813 - Release Date: 20/05/2007 7:54 AM
NEXT DESTINATION SERVICE DEPT.
PO BOX 262
MT. HAWTHORN
WA 6915

Kevan James
Service Manager & Survey Instrument sales
Next Destination Pty Ltd
www.nextdestination.com.au
k.james@nextdestination.com.au