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OutsideMagazine has picked the Magellan CrossoverGPS as its 2007 gear of the year pick in the GPS category. This unit escaped my attention when I wrote recently about multi-function navigation systems, but it looks like a really nice unit. Like the Garmin GPSMAP 276C, the CrossoverGPS has modes for marine navigation, driving and outdoors.

The Magellan unit adds touch screen technology and an icon-based user interface that, according to Outside, is simple to use and intuitive. The unit is also multifunctional and can receive live traffic updates using Magellan’s TrafficKit(TM) subscriptions service. No word on whether this service can also receive weather updates, particularly NOAA marine weather and radar.

The unit has an SD card slot and can serve as a media player for viewing pictures and listening to audio files. This is a major plus since the unit is waterproof to IPX-4 standards so you can leave your iPod at home (which is definitely not IPX-4 waterproof). I wonder what kind of proprietary music player software Magellan bundled with the unit and if it doesn’t suck too much. As I said before, one my mayor gripes with these multifunctional navigational units is the inability to run the third party software of your choice.

I would also like to see some more pictures of the unit or hold one in my hands. One of the few issues I have with the 276C is that it is awkward to hold for use while walking. The elongated shape of the unit would make it easier to hold in portrait mode rather than landscape but that is not an option. The Magellan unit looks more square and I wonder if this helps. 

 At $499, the unit is cheaper than the 276C. I will have to wait until I have a chance to compare the two up close before I make a judgement on which one is better. I may be prejudiced towards Garmin products having owned several; however it seems to me that, despite the extra features, the Magellan unit will probably lack some advanced features that mariners and other “power” users may prefer over the more flashy features that are bound to impress casual users.