Magellan FX324 Map Color

Magellan makes a creditable comeback with this colorplotter. We found the ergonomics good, but viewing the cartography in direct sunlight was almost impossible.

The Magellan FX324—button ergonomics, user interface, and cartography are good, and receiver sensitivity seems excellent. Just give it some shade.

We last reviewed color GPS chartplotters in the April 15, 2003 issue. In that review, the Standard Horizon 150C came out on top, with the Si-Tex Nautilus and Garmin 182C virtually alongside. We thought then, and still do, that the Garmin’s BlueChart is the best choice in vector cartography. It's not necessarily more accurate than other vector charts, but it mimics the NOAA chart look closely, and is thus more familiar-looking. Trouble is, it's proprietary to Garmin. It would be nice if it ran on other platforms, too.…