One of us had never used a GPS (Global Positioning Satellite receiver) before. The other, however, had used them extensively. As you might expect, we had different experiences with this device.
The purpose of such a piece of equipment is to tell you where you are on the surface of the Earth. It does this by referencing GPS satellites that are in orbit. The Magellan Sport Trak Pro will tell you where you're going, how far it is to the next waypoint (like a street intersection or a nautical buoy, whose position you enter before you start a trip) and the compass heading to the waypoint. It updates this info in real time as you're moving.
Download street maps from a product called MapSend, also available from Magellan, and you can have your GPS track your location as you drive through city streets. You'll know if that intersection coming up is Hollywood and Vine, or Broadway and 42d Street.
SportTrak Pro can really shine for maritime use. Go to the map setup menus, and you can set the device to marine use, and it will show you navigation buoys and shoreline details.
It's a bit tough to set up, although the advanced reviewer thinks it's no more difficult than it is with any GPS receiver. There are lots of options and screens (map, compass, two position screens, a road screen, and the satellite status screen. We both think the display and the menus are familiar and intuitive, after a little bit of use.
The power source is two AA batteries that last only about 4 or 5 hours. Get the power cable ($49.99), which lets you connect to a car battery or a boat battery through the cigarette lighter. The device is at home as a handheld or mounted in a vehicle, but you cannot connect to an external antenna.
This GPS receiver will not give you an estimate of your position error, which varies with the number of satellites it can "see." This is helpful for many situations, as it will tell you how close you are to where you think you are.
