Magellan eXplorist 300 Water Resistant Hiking GPS
by Magellan
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Our Price: $92.99
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Category: GPS or Navigation System
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Digital product summary information
Manufacturer: MagellanBrand: Magellan
Edition: Electronics
Model: EXPLORIST 300
Color: blue/black
Publisher: Magellan
Studio: Magellan
Music Label: Magellan
Product features:
- Features Barometer, Altimeter and Electronic Compasss
- Built-in 8MB basemap of North America
- 3 navigation screens plus built-in map display
- 14 parallel channels with WAAS enhancement for greater positional accuracy
- Full keyboard with joystick for quick and easy access
- Magellan eXplorist Vehicle Mounting Bracket
- Bracketron UFM-300-BX Nav-Pack Weighted GPS Dash Mount/Carrying Case
- NAVGEAR Universal Dash Mount
- GGI International LCD Screen Care Kit, with Overlays, Care System Microfiber Cloth / Wipes
- Bracketron UCH-100-BL Universal Cup-iT Mount with Grip-iT for GPS
Digital camera reviews of Magellan eXplorist 300 Water Resistant Hiking GPS
Digital camera Review: 4.5 Stars for a Great GPS Unit (Former eTrex Legend Owner)
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had the eXplorist 300 for a while now. I had a Garmin eTrex Legend for over a year until it fell down a cliff while I was hiking. I'll get into that later. Naturally, this review will include some comparison of the two units. They are in the same class and price range, and both units and companies are great.
First off, if you want a PC interface, the eXplorist 300 doesn't have one (but the eXplorist 210, 400, 500, etc. do). If you want detailed street-level maps (eXplorist 300 has only major roads and highways), this unit doesn't have that either. My main use of the unit is for hiking, so those points are not an issue for me.
When it comes to the strengths of the Garmin eTrex Legend in comparison to the Magellan eXplorist 300, I can think of two. One is that the eTrex does have a PC interface. If this is a necessity, I would suggest the eXplorist 210, eXplorist 400, or the Garmin eTrex series itself. The other strength of the eTrex Legend is minor in that the eTrex showed me Average Speed (in addition to Current Speed) and Stopped Time. Those are two neat measurements that the eXplorist 300 doesn't have.
The eXplorist 300 is much more user-friendly than the eTrex Legend. The beautiful simplicity of the eXplorist comes in the form of several great buttons that are right on the front on the unit. Whatever can't be accessed directly with a button on the unit CAN be accessed in a menu through a button that IS on the unit--the Menu button. Because of this, you are almost always 1-2 button pushes and joystick clicks away from what you want to do.
When it comes to reception, the eXplorist 300 is exceptional and surpasses the abilities of the eTrex Legend. My eTrex Legend would lose reception easily, even out in the open sometimes. Any heavy clouds or tree canopy above me would make the reception of my eTrex intermittent. The eXplorist is much more resilient to losing reception and much better at getting it.
We're finally at the part where my old eTrex falls down a cliff. In another comparison review between the eTrex series and eXplorist series, a reviewer said that one of the advantages of the Garmin eTrex over the Magellan eXplorist was that it took only half a turn to unscrew the bolt on the eTrex battery cover versus about 10 turns for the eXplorist series. That person may think that is an advantage, but I do not. I had my eTrex on a caribiner attached to my backpack, and all it took was that half turn of the bolt to leave the battery cover attached to my backpack while the rest of the unit fell down a several hundred foot cliff in Glacier National Park. I will gladly spend the extra seconds to open the battery cover of the eXplorist versus having a unit that might unscrew itself from its backing.
Unique features of the eXplorist 300 include an electronic 2-axis compass (so you don't have to be in motion to get a reading), a weather thermometer, barometer, and a barometric pressure altimeter. The eTrex Legend has none of those features. The build quality and styling of the eXplorist series are top notch as well.
I think it's obvious by now that I do indeed recommend getting a Magellan eXplorist 300. Most importantly, have a great time no matter what GPS unit you end up with!
Summary of Magellan eXplorist 300 Water Resistant Hiking GPS
MAGELLAN Explorist 300 GPS Handheld System - The eXplorist 300 adds a trio of advanced tools to the built-in nationwide background map for easier navigation: a barometer, an altimeter and an electronic compass, which eliminates the need to be in motion to get a direction to a destination. Like the eXplorist 200, the eXplorist 300 contains a background map with roads, parks, waterways, airports and more, plus three navigation screens and the ability to save five track-log files with up to 2000 points each. The ideal choice for outdoor adventures, the blue-cased eXplorist 300 is a robust GPS receiver delivering all of these major features, at a most-affordable price. Requires 2 AA Batteries (not included)Amazon.com Product Description There's a lot to Magellan's small, cool eXplorist 300 handheld GPS navigation device beyond its vibrant blue exterior. Inside and out, the eXplorist is built to provide real GPS (global positioning system) abilities for serious outdoor use--from its tough, impact-resistant, waterproof exterior to Magellan's proven, powerful, and easy-to-use technology, the eXplorist 300 rewrites the rules by proving you can spend less and actually get more.
 Map page. View larger. |
 Mark waypoint. View larger. |
 Weather display. View larger. |
 The Magellan eXplorist 300 packs GPS navigation into a tough, impact-resistant device. View larger. |
Explorers will appreciate Magellan's one-button access, which takes you directly to the functions that matter most: the menu, navigation screens, personal points-of-interest, "go to" routing, and backlight. In addition, the eXplorist 300 stores up to 500 waypoints, 20 routes, and five track logs with up to 2,000 points each, providing ample storage even for avid navigators.
The unit also supplies a built-in North American background map, which offers convenient access to roads, parks, waterways, airports, and more. Going beyond the step-down eXplorist 200, the 300 adds a trio of handy tools to simplify navigation: a barometer, an altimeter, and an electronic compass, which frees you from needing to be in motion to get a direction to a destination.
Designed for compact, fit-in-your-pocket convenience, the eXplorist receiver measures just 4.6 by 2.1 by 1.3 inches (11.7 by 5.4 by 3.3 centimeters) and weighs less than four ounces (115 grams), yet still has room for a large, 2.3-inch (5.8-centimeter), four-level grayscale LCD. A zoom capability and an amber backlight ensure optimum viewing, even at night.
The unit's rugged exterior is cased in a rubber-armored, impact-resistant shell that is waterproof to the rigid IPX-7 standard. The eXplorist 300 is ready for adventure in all conditions and terrain, whether you'll be hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, or simply finding your way around a new area.
What's in the Box
eXplorist 300 GPS navigator, manual, and quick-start guide.
GPS System Accessories
Cameras and Photo
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