Magellan eXplorist 200 Water Resistant Hiking GPS by Magellan
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Digital camera reviews of Magellan eXplorist 200 Water Resistant Hiking GPS
Digital camera Review: Magellan X200 Si! Garmin E trex No!
Summary: 5 Stars
I went elk hunting with my new Magellan eXplorist 200 and 3 buddys who all owned Garmin E trexi (Plural of E trex). I was able to mark spots and name them before my buddys were even able to mark them. Accuracy was essentially the same.Digital camera Review: Magellan eXplorist 200
Summary: 4 Stars
I use my hand-held GPS units mainly for geocaching, hiking and hunting. I don't download any data into my GPS units, so I prefer more "basic" models. I started with a basic yellow Garmin eTrex, and it worked fine, except for losing satellite signals indoors, under heavy tree cover, and sometimes in the car. I just got my new Magellan 200 the other day, and it works great. I think it has several advantages over the Garmin: larger display screen, easier data entry, and it maintains a satellite signal indoors, under tree canopy, and in the car. Both my Garmin and Magellan work fine, but I would recommend Magellan if you are going into dense woods or into any other areas that might interfere with the satellite signal. My only complaint is that the Magellan doesn't have a carry strap like the Garmin.Digital camera Review: Mediocre Quality GPS
Summary: 1 Stars
Being an owner of both the Garmin eTrex, and the Magellan 200, I find that:
DOWNSIDE
1) The Magellan is slow to lock on and frequently cannot get 3D accuracy with even 4 satellites.
2) The carrying case *blows chunks*. A _cheap_ zipper bag that you have to take your belt off to wear it or remove it. Garmin's is form-fitting with a belt clip, clear viewing port, and velcro-- much better.
3) The Magellan has *no* interface for a PC, which even the most basic Garmin eTrex has, which is important because the PC interface is used for (cigarette power adapter, PC data uplink, and firmware ugprade to GPS downlink).
4) The battery compartment holdig-bolt requires numerous turns to to loosen, whereas the Garm etrex requires 1/2 turn.
5) No lanyard comes with the unit, although it has a molded place for one to be attached to. eTrex' come with lanyards.
6) Screen has a tendency to repaint, even if you're not moving
7) GUI interface is clumsy, and has a "cluttered" look to it.
8) the 'joystick' or jog-stick too easily depressed causing you to select something when you were only trying to scroll.
9) It has an option to erase the contents of the unit entirely. Why? there is NO WAY TO RELOAD IT.
10) This does not show you *where* the satellites are in relation to you, which the Garmin eTrex does.
UPSIDE:
1) Backlight is very nice
2) Screen is larger
3) Has a field in it to put identity info or "reward" message
PRICEWISE:
Pricewise, the basic eTrex costs $89, whereas this ran me $139. I don't care for the mapping function, it's annoying. I don't use it for road navigation. And I don't know how it would update the maps anyway, without a PC interface to upgrade it.
OVERALL:
Overall, not worth the money. It falls down in almost all the areas a serious, fast-paced user requires. I rate it about $60 too much in comparison to the Garmin.
As it is, I disliked the crummy carrying pouch so much, I found it will barely fit in the extra Garmin eTrex Holster I had. Garmin's are also smaller on the hip. I would not have bought this, but lost my Garmin.
I have to say I found the Garmin to be much more professional, functional, and useful, and will end up buying one again. this Magellan goes up on eBay, today.
Digital camera Review: No PC Connection
Summary: 3 Stars
The major drawback of this model is that it CANNOT be connected to a PC. My primary application of a GPS is to hook it up with my laptop with Microsoft Street and trips running. Therefore, I would recommend a Garin model at similar price which Does come with a PC cable.Digital camera Review: Not for travelling hiways and biways
Summary: 5 Stars
5 stars for trail use, 0 for travelling roads. while this gadget would work well for trekking offroad, its not great for roads.
Dont get this thinking your going to use it to navigate roadways.
While it does show interstates etc it does not map your route, so you better know how to get where your going already. It simply draws a straight line from point A to point B and indicates where you are.
The menus are also to slow to navigate, I drive for a living an need fast inputs, I need to put in street address's not just a city. I work long hrs and need an external power source as well. There is no connectivty to palm or laptop.