Hi there,
I have been using a 2800 for a couple of years now and am generally pleased with it. In my naivety I bought it second hand and was therefore unable to register it meaning that there are features I haven't been able to use (printing, downloading tracks, etc). However, that's not the main point of my post.

I am considering upgrading to the larger 3500, mainly as my eyesight isn't what it was and it's a faff putting glasses on every time I want to look at the screen! But also, the fact that it's fully waterproof means I won't have to demount it and stick it in my pocket every time it rains. And, of course, a new purchase opens up the other areas of Memory Map usage such as printing maps (I screen dump at the moment), and downloading routes.

My concern is that I've seen an awful lot of posts suggesting the 3500 doesn't measure up to the 2800 in terms of performance. Are there any happy customers out there who'd like to reassure me?

BTW, I use it mainly for off road cycling.

Thanks in advance.

Just personal here but if your eyes are having trouble with the 2800 you will get an advantage with the bigger, brighter screen of the 3500. But reading posts on here, there is a doubt that the 3500 is quite as stable as the 2800.

Bri

Waterproof - 1 metre for 30 minutes = OK in the rain
as for upgrading, just look at the post for the 3500 and the troubles some are having, I bought mine for kayaking (with marine charts) and touch wood mine has been OK …..so far, but if I had the money I would have changed it for a Garmin it does seem that there is many problems with the software that runs these GPS's

I owned both units from launch, i believe my old 2800 is still doing the rounds up the lakes.
In my opinnion, moving up to the 3500 was a godsend, didn,t like using my glasses for walking or biking.... so the bigger brighter screen really made such a difference.
With regards the software problems.... well i,m not really sure i've had any, there were small problems when first launched, but if you can get over how the dam thing operates...this shouldn't present you with any problems, they both feel very stable units.
With regards upgrading... well its another bucket of money, but i haven,t been at all disapointed with the 3500, and i have used it considerably.

Thanks very much for the responses chaps. I am still debating what to do but I think the glasses issue may just tip the balance for me.
@ Yakdiver - I read many similar posts WRT the 2800 before I bought it. I had a few issues initially (it's not the most intuitive to use) but once I'd mastered it I found it a fantastic tool.
I guess what I really want is my 2800 with a bigger screen - perhaps I should just buy a magnifying glass!
Thanks again for taking the time to respond and if anyone else has any comments to share please feel free.
Cheers

I,ve used the 3500 for 12 mounths+. Also used Garmin oregon, satmap10 and MM2800. Also where glasses on the hills.
Use walking and multi day expeditions

For MM3500
Big screen
Bright Screen
Can use my large collection of MM Mapping and third party mapping
long battery life (8Hrs+)

Against MM3500
Poor quaility of build.
Sometimes the unit goes busy and unresponsive for several minutes after unlocking screen
Unit has crashed and corrupted software requireing a reload in the field (if you carry the software on a spare chip with you which I now do and a paper clip!!)
Screen scratched very easily
Quirky methord of comection to PC
Quirky upgrade proceedure
No option to use normal dry cells

My verdict - The 2800 was more reliable than 3500. Only disadvantage is smaller screen.
My next model probably Satmap. (Gramin is best build quaility but map scrolling is slow when looking ahead - requirement for trecking!)

I didn't have to buy any of these units so I've no axe to grind - just how I found the unit in the field.

I strongly urge you NOT to buy the Adv3500. I had one from launch and it was nothing but trouble with many of the issues mentioned on this Forum. I won't depress you or me with the details. After a crash it finally went back to Cotswold outdoor who very kindly gave me a full refund after 6 months, without question. I now have the superb Satmap Active 10 which I use in conjunction with Memory Map Desktop software. They both use GPX files for route creation and Track uploading to the Desktop Computer. GPX files are common to Satmap Active 10 and Memory Map-no problem.

Memory Maps mapping products are brilliant. It is a pity the MM Adv3500 is not anywhere near the same quality. Memory Map should stick to what they do best -- MAPS. Forget the GPS market and leave it to Satmap or Garmin.

williamkeithwaugh,

Do us a favour and leave this forum for people who genuinely support this unit for all its faults, like i said my unit was also bought from launch, and has delivered on the whole a superb unit in the field, i find people like you do not understand the principle operation of the ad3500, balls it up yourself and blame others for your shortcomings, users like you need to be spoon fed information, your too lazy to do the work yourself.

I would also urge the op to research more, the satmap is not without faults of its own, and its own mapping is more expensive.

Just a reminder. This is NOT a democratic process. This is a forum run by a business in an effort to support customers. When the posts become attacks against the business or its customers, they WILL be removed.

Typical of MM. They can not stand any criticism. Just remove/ censor any posts they do not like. Why not address the issues raised and give us a proper reply and build some goodwill instead of alienating even more customers!