Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I believe I read every review on the web and in magazines.It appears they were dichotomous for either a great gadget or junk.
I purchased an explorist 600 and immediately after receving the box I suspected the unit I had was a returned unit by someone else.The unit was not purchased from Amazon.com, rather from an interent company whom guaranteed the product was 100% brand new.I worte an email stating I had doubts about the unit being brand new or it was possibly refurbished, but I would still try to use it.
Immediately, the unit temperature read 518 def F.I was unable to reprogram the temp.Customer service was very polite and able to walk me through a recalibration process.As stated in many reviews, I waited for 1hr and 15 min.I'm glad I had speakerphone.But we solved the problem.
I did not have any problems installing the software or with the computer identifying the SD drive.After loading regions of maps, limited to a region size of 246mb per region, I started experiencing "Checking Media" problems.The unit would cycle and restart during startup into a "checking media" phase.Eventually, the unit would continue doing this and would not work.I called tech support and only waited about 20 min.I spoke with a very polite and helpful person.We performed a hard reset and she gave me her company email if I had anymore problems.Unfortunately, I did. I sent an email stating the problem seemed to be getting worse.Tech support was very prompt in replying to emails, (within 6 hrs).She stated the problem was not common and to return the unit.
I returned the unit to the internet store where I purchased it.After paying shipping to and from, they stated they would send me another unit, but to get the unit faster I should just return the defective unit and order another unit and repay the twenty dollars in shipping again.No thanks.What looked like a bargain in lowest price turned out to be expensive in shipping cost.I declined the second order and purchased the next unit from another company with free shipping, though the unit cost a little more.
The new Explorist 600 unit works flawlessly.It works how one would expect a $350 GPS unit to work.This is my first GPS unit and I think it is very easy to operate. Allow me to list the pros and cons.
Pros:
1) Very easy to use IF you read the directions once through. The rest is intuitive for a novice GPS person.
2) The software (purchased separately) and unit are very accurate for location and details
3) The unit is light-weight and small enough for one hand operation.
4) The satellite lock is very strong, even indoors, in bad weather conditions.
5) Tech support is very helpful and experienced.
6)There are many features including some I have no intention on using.
7) SD card.This is HUGE!I use a 1GB SanDisk.Using Topos 3D USA, a 246mb region is the entire southeast from below VA and as far west as the Mississippi river.The new unit works without error moving from one area to another.I do have to switch detail maps manually when crossing into VA into my north region.Very easily done.I have plenty of room that I could actually cut a region of the map for the entire east coast if the width were narrow enough.
8) The background maps is adequate for general navigation.
Cons:
1)The first unit seemed to be an older firmware version.The new unit is AWESOME.I was seriously considering purchasing the similar garmin unit.After previewing the software for garmin, I noticed several inacuuracy.I also really wanted to have SD capabilities.If you purchase an explorist 600 unit and experience problems, you may have an older unit.
2)Waiting for tech support on the phone is time consuming.Email is great, but make sure you enter info accurately and be polite!!
3)The Map Send V1 Topo USA 3D software is not easily transferred to the unit in terms of direct connect.You must use a conversion program for all map regions, routes, POI's.The program is included, but it is an extra step.
4) As many reviews indicated, the temperature indicator is not 100% accurate.No big deal.I feel it is close enough though after it has been in the environment for a period of time.The purist will have issues though.I do not require the use of an altimeter, so I never use it.
5) The additional software needed to use the unit for back country is expensive ranging $70-$150.Shop around.They sell road software as well, but i would have to research other units if I were to primarily use the unit for highway navigation.The Map Send Topo 3D software is fairly detailed with streets already and I do not anticipate purchasing the road version.
In summary, I would recommend the Explorist 600. You need patience to work through data transfer, but once you do it, it is quite simple.The unit itself is quite easy to use.If the unit starts acting up right away, don't allow a long testing period, send it back and get another one. I hope this helps your decision making.
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Magellan eXplorist 600 Water Resistant Hiking GPSProduct Description: Complete with 8 MB built-in mapping and unlimited flash-memory expansion, Magellan's eXplorist 600 is one of the first handheld GPS receivers to deliver PC-like file management, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, and a PC application designed specifically for transferring geocache information from the Internet to the eXplorist in case you want to participate in the popular Web-based outdoor activity called geocaching (essentially a treasure hunt where the challenge isn't finding the treasure, it's getting to it).
The eXplorist 600 is an ideal GPS guidance tool--both in the city and in the country. It's the first in its class to deliver unlimited SD card memory expansion through a built-in Secure Digital memory card reader/writer. The handheld also provides unlimited storage of waypoints, routes, and track logs via SD card. Any available memory can be used to store whatever you want--a refreshing change from those receivers with fixed and limited waypoint, route, and track-log storage.
The exclusive PC-style file-management feature lets you create multiple files, folders, and directories so you can store and navigate information in a PC-like structure. Also a first: the receiver gives you the ability to calculate an area and perimeter simply by marking points on the map screen.
Magellan geocaching manager software greatly simplifies geocaching (one of the fastest-growing GPS applications) so you no longer need to print information from a Web site only to have to manually enter the GPS coordinates into your receiver. Instead, you can load that information to your eXplorist so its accessible where it's needed most--to guide you right to cache treasures.
A high-speed USB data port lets you upload geocache coordinates and optional maps. Other features include a color transflective TFT screen, a barometer, an altimeter, a thermometer, and a 3-axis electronic compass (which eliminates the need to be in motion to get a direction heading).
Despite the eXplorist's wealth of features, it nevertheless resides in a compact, waterproof housing (IPX-7) at a weight of less than 4 ounces for fit-in-your-pocket convenience. The receiver boasts a large, 2.3-inch-diagonal backlit display; built-in maps of major roads, waterways, parks, and airports; the ability to calculate vertical profiles for elevations of roads, and trails; and a WAAS/EGNOS-enabled, 14-parallel-channel GPS receiver that delivers 3-meter accuracy with fast, reliable position fixes.
The Magellan eXplorist 600 is compatible with most Magellan MapSend software products (so you can add street detail, topographic data, marine navigation information, and other info), including
MapSend Topo 3D USA, MapSend Topo Canada, MapSend Lakes USA, MapSend Worldwide Basemap, and
MapSend DirectRoute, plus international titles.
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