Product Description

The Magellan eXplorist 210 from Thales expanding on the popular line of Magellan GPS handhelds, the eXplorist 210 brings map expansion capabilities to the entry-level range of eXplorists with its high-speed USB data port. The Magellan eXplorist 210 is the only GPS handheld in its price range to offer users the ability to download and store up to 22 MB of maps from compatible software. The new Magellan eXplorist 210 proves that powerful GPS navigation does not have to be expensive. A large 2.3” grayscale display, precise three-meter positioning, high functionality, and a shockproof and water resistant case combine with simple handling to make the compact GPS an indispensable navigation companion for all outdoor activities, from mountain sports and backpacking to cycling, hunting, and fishing.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27410 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Magellan
• Model: 980771-72
• Format: CD
• Dimensions: 1.00" h x 4.00" w x 2.00" l, 1.00 pounds
• Native resolution: 160 x 120

Features

• Compact 14 channel WAAS GPS receiver with rugged, outdoor-sports design
• 22 MB available memory for downloading optional MapSend maps and digital content
• 10 MB built-in basemap includes roads, parks, waterways and more
• Includes Magellan Geocache Manager software
• 2.2 x 4.75 x 1.3-inches (W x H x D); 6.1 ounces; and 2.3-inch backlit display

Amazon.com Product Description
The Magellan eXplorist 210 proves that powerful and reliable GPS navigation can be affordable. With a compact, shockproof and water resistant design, this baby is built to withstand whatever the back country can throw at it. At a mere 6.1 ounces, and with the ability to download and store up to 22 megabytes of maps while providing precise three-meter positioning, this pocket-sized 14-channel WAAS GPS receiver is an outdoors enthusiast's dream.

Map screen in position mode. View larger.

GOTO route screen. View larger.

Customize map information. View larger.

The Magellan eXplorist 210 delivers GPS navigation in a rugged, handheld device. View larger.

If you have a passion for the outdoors, there's no reason you need to be a GPS expert to be able to take advantage of GPS tracking capabilities. The eXplorist 210 features Magellan's easy-to-use operating system, so you can concentrate on your activities without compromising your safety. When you connect the unit to your PC, the folders on the eXplorist 210 can be accessed just like any drive on your computer, and from there you access the information as you would a folder on your own computer. In other words, if you know how to navigate your PC, you'll feel right at home with the eXplorist 210.

The unit offers 32 MB of memory, which includes 10 MB taken up by the basemap of major highways, airports, interstates, parks, rivers and lakes across North America. The remaining 22 MB is reserved for you to download and store Magellan MapSend programs and maps, or specific waypoints, routes and tracks for your next excursion. A USB PC cable is included, which will allow you to perform software updates, as well as download additional maps. This convenient feature allows you to download exactly the maps and data that you need for your excursion. If you're hiking a section of the Grand Tetons, you'll want to have the area's hiking trails, ranger stations, and elevation contours at your disposal. The eXplorist 210 lets you fine tune the data that you'll need for your trip.

And don't let its compact size fool you. This handheld -- at a mere 2.2 x 4.75 x 1.3-inches (W x H x D) -- will let you create and store up to 190,000 personal points of interest and waypoints, 150 files with 20 routes each, and 150 track logs with 2,000 points each. The included Magellan MapSend Software DVD will help to optimize and manage your data and keep track of updates to new versions of MapSend maps. In other words, Magellan couldn't have made it much easier than this.

The eXplorist runs on two AA batteries that last up to 17 hours. A large, 2.3-inch grayscale, backlit display features an amber glow that makes it easy to read at night. Other features include a vertical profile, a celestial table, and a best-fish and hunt-time calculator. The eXplorist 210 comes with a one-year manufacturer's warranty.

What's in the Box
Magellan eXplorist 210, user's manual, quick start guide, and PC interface cable.

Customer Reviews

Good Value PC Compatible GPS, Scratchable Display Plastic
I have not had this device long, but we did spend a day geocaching with it. It performs very well.

I chose this model because I wanted a GPS unit that I could access with my PC through USB and this seems to work very well. Included is a small application that will convert .loc waypoint location files to the .gs files that this unit uses.

When I plug the USB cable into the unit and then into my USB hub and power up the GPS unit, it appears as drive H:/ and I can move/rename/copy/etc. the files in the GPS unit without having to use the GPS interface, which is a time saver.

It has a nice readable map that can be zoomed out to see the whole planet, or zoomed in to a 100ft scale. It recognizes primary roads and highways in my town and knows the name of the lake I live near. Apparently I can also purchase and download custom maps from mapsend, but I haven't tried that yet.

Without even reading the manual, just by fiddling with the gizmo, we were able to figure out how to find our geocache destinations, set a route, add waypoints, and choose custom icons for the waypoints from a selection of maybe 20 or 30.

I can't comment on battery life because I haven't worn out a set of batteries yet, but I think other people have commented on that.

This unit is accurate enough that it can tell when I *turn around in place and face a different direction* which is pretty amazing to me. I am very pleased with the performance.

I did take one star off because already the clear plastic over the display has gotten scratched. BE WARNED: the display is VERY EASY to scratch. I'm going to have to find a little leather case or cloth bag or something for it. As a comparison, I have carried my nokia cellphone around in my pocket with my car keys for about three years and there is no significant scratching on the display, but with this GPS unit, whatever plastic they chose, it got scratched up quite a bit with just a few hours in my pocket (with carkeys). I realize that wasn't too bright of me, but I know there are more durable plastics out there because of my experience with my nokia, so... just be careful! Now the screen looks like its got dust on it that can't be wiped off... :-(

Other than that, I am very pleased and feel that this unit is a good value.

A Low Cost GPS with USB Connectivity
I have owned the Explorist 210 for 3 weeks and have no complaints. The accompanying Geocache Manager is simplistic but effective for loading geocache data into the GPS. It certainly beats entering it by hand like the 200 and 100 models require. The unit is light and the dual level amber backlight is effective in low light situations. I have not taxed the reported 22M of memory yet. I bought this unit specifically for geocaching and it definitely fills the bill.

Easy to use device but a bit quirky
After a few hours of research, I chose the eXplorist 210 as my GPS unit of choice for geocaching. I have only played around with a GPS unit once, so don't really have a lot of experience with other models. The 210 was chosen for it's PC capability and 22MB of space for background maps. Non-PC capable GPSs don't sell for much less, but you've got to plunk down a lot more money for a unit like the 410 that has an SD card interface.

The price here is really good, but I took another user's advice and looked online for the Outdoor Bundle - it saves you a lot of money if you want the PC cable, the car charger, the carrying case, and the Topo-3D software. I view all of these as essential, and highly recommend that you get them with the GPS unit.

Overall usability of the unit is great. I was able to figure out how to use the unit in little time without much use of the manual. The first boot was a pain, probably due to the residential neighborhood that I was in that offers a limited sight line. According to the manual, the device should search for a few minutes and ask you questions to help if it doesn't work in that timeframe. I found one sattelite only, so there was no chance to get to this magic screen. While driving to work the next day I was able to get signals and it's worked fine since then.

On my first geocache trip, I was able to about 30 feet of accuracy in thick woods. Sometimes it would be less accurate, but judging by the reviews of others, seems it performed rather well. 7 hours of use left me with a little more than half ot he battery life left.

I feel that this unit misrepresents a bit in it's claim of being USB capable. While the cable does use USB to connect to your computer, it's really a serial interface with the unit. This makes it MUCH slower than a USB interface - a 20MB background map took about 7 minutes to download to the unit. Also, the serial connector is symetrical, so you can connect the cable to the GPS upside down, making it fail to work with your computer. The special design of the port means that you've got to buy their cable - you can't use a much cheaper off the shelf cable. The manual doesn't say the correct orientation to use. If you connect the unit and get an "unrecognized device" message from Windows, flip the connection around so the cable is pointing to the bottom of the unit.

The Topo 3D software that came with the bundle was Version 1. I'll review it separately, but thought I should mention that it doesn't natively support this device. You need the eXplorist's own software to convert files - a big inconvenience. I thought the software was also flaky.

The cable interface and the software are the reason why I took away 1 star.

Overall, I'd say that with the Outdoor Bundle you're getting the best GPS value for under $200 total. If you've got more money to spend, take a look at the eXplorist 410, which offers an SD card to save larger maps to the unit. The Eastern Shore of MD, DE, and VA (Delmarva) takes up about 20MB total. For my trip to Canada this summer, I'll likely have to use a laptop several times to change maps during my travels.

The 410 unit is only about $30 more right now. Once you buy the essential accessories, you'll be spending about $150 more total.