Reviews for Magellan MAGELLAN Explorist 200 GPS Handheld System

Magellan MAGELLAN Explorist 200 GPS Handheld System

Strengths: Low cost, effective for Geocache, and easy to use

Weakness: No computer downloads

I have recently been introduced to the hobby - Geocaching. This 'sport' requires a handheld GPS unit to input waypoint coordinates. This model is good in that it is cheap ($120's) and easy to use. The only downside is that you can't use your computer to update points or install maps. Some of the features include a compass with distance traveled and speed. Also there is a map over view that can be accessed - not really detailed though.

Over all its good for hiking in the woods or just walking around the neighborhood. Not a unit for someone that is traveling across country and needs GPS for routing assistance.

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Magellan MAGELLAN Explorist 200 GPS Handheld System

Strengths: Easy to use i really like the joystick and rugged design.

Weakness: b/w screen and not very many roads on the map

I am very pleased with this product, it is a great size. good for a beginner or an expert GPS user. Has a nice rugged design for outdoor use. I would reccomend this product to all.

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Great Unit for the Price

Strengths: impressive number of features, accuracy, price

Weakness: durability, lock in time

This is my first gps receiver. I wanted a basic model as I wasn't sure I would like geocaching and also my budget wouldn't allow me to go "all out" on a fancy unit. I did a lot of research and settled on the Magellan Explorist 200 because of the impressive number of features for the price which I feel blow the competition away.

I found it is quite easy to use even for a newbie like me. I did download the manual and discovered additional features I didn't realize it had. I don't find it much of a problem to manually insert waypoints as this was a concession for the price. I must also mention that it has great accuracy! At a recent event I was second closest to pin for the Magellan units (less than 2 feet).

Now for the downside. I listed durability as a question because the screen went bad on my first unit after less than 30 days use and only 21 caches. It had absolutely NO abuse whatsoever not even a knock. I also had a problem with the upward movement of the joystick on that unit. My second unit has had no problems at all after almost 2 months use and 45+ caches.

I also feel that the lock in time is quite long especially when in the car driving to the cache site. I use a neck lanyard and the attachment should be on the other end of the unit--the strap is in the way where it attaches now when trying to read the screen.

Overall I think this is a great unit! I feel because of its impressive features and price that it is the best value on the market for a GPSr in this category. I would have given it a 5 if the first unit hadn't gone bad on me.

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Low Cost, Magellan Explorist 200 GPS

Strengths: Small size, low cost, and ease of use.

Weakness: Needs better maps and replaceable memory cards.

This is my first GPS, I found it easy to use, and like the low cost. For the money it is the best GPS I found. I used it on my deer hunt and found it useful to retrace my track and find more direct routes back to points of interest. Battery life was more than adiquate. The menus were easy to use. Needs to be able to save more routes. More detailed maps would be useful, but the basic map was usable and has many major roads and all Interstate highways. I had a lot of fun using this GPS and would recommend it to anyone who wants a basic, low cost GPS. The Magellan Explorist 210 GPS costs a little more and can add detailed MapSend maps (using high-speed USB connection) to the available memory for topo or street navigation. So spend a little more and get a better low cost GPS. All in all I loved the Explorist 200 GPS, just wish I had known about the Explorist 210 GPS before I bought it.

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Compact and does the job!

Strengths: Compact, AA alakine batteries, Good signal strength, Good for beginners!

Weakness: No expansion slot, Slow response time, Limited material

Bought this for $120. Signal strength is quite adequate outdoors. Screen is of medium size. Good navigation capabilities. Does not have an expansion slot which may be a weakness. Looks rugged but may not be all that weather resistant.

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Magellan MAGELLAN Explorist 200 GPS Handheld System

Strengths: Easy to opperate.

I bought this hand held GPS for my 7 year old son because they use them at his school for treasure hunts. He requested one for Christmas and was so excited to get it. He had some experience with other models and within 5-10 minutes he had this one figured out! The satalite reception was excellent even indoors. This was a very affordable GPS and my son loves it.

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Magellan MAGELLAN Explorist 200 GPS Handheld System

Strengths: Strong Connection even indoors / durable

Weakness: Didn't come with strap or case

Great Gps for the money, This is my first Gps, I have never even worked one before now. I can tell you, this one is very user friendly. EASY EASY EASY..! If I can figure it out this fast anyone can...Even You.!

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Magellan GPS eXplorist 200

Strengths: Easy to use, widest range of features and super accuracy for the price, nice looking exterior design, has a few additional cool features not mentioned in on-line descriptions of this model.

Weakness: Most city streets are marked with road number not sreet name, roads are limited to main streets and highways only, no wrist strap or lanyard included, complete manual must be downloaded from website.

Don't let my negative comments fool you, this GPS has by far the best balance of neat GPS features for the price and I am VERY pleased with it!
I did alot of research before deciding on this model, as my budget was only about $100. (I know now that I would not have been able to afford a GPS unit with so many features if a more detailed map database, lanyard(s), and the detailed manual (it's 83 pages on-line) were included).
This is my first GPS unit and it is very easy to use. The simple instructions included were excellent, though basic. Just one of the cool surprise features I didn't expect was continuous altitude readout.
This GPS is, in my opinion, the very best value among the units selling for around $100. I also think this GPS is the best choice for anyone buying a GPS for the first time, on a limited budget. It can be used for outdoor sports, driving on main roads, and marine use as well.
(BTW there is a special hole at the top of the GPS to attach a lanyard or wrist strap.)

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Magellan MAGELLAN Explorist 200 GPS Handheld System

Strengths: Rugged construction, Compact, Lightweight, Inexpensive, Accurate, Water proof, WAAS-enabled.

Weakness: No external connection for battery, 12V Power Adapter/Data Cable, Antenna.

I am impressed with the accuracy of this unit, accuracy was less than 5 meters.
No external Antenna connections, need a clear view of the sky.

On the map page, the dotted line is your track log, or the path you've just traveled, good for back tracking. 8 MB of built-in North American maps provide a convenient way to navigate while viewing roads, parks, waterways, airports.

Battery life is very good until you use it for hours at night. It does have a good backlight, and if it is used often, eats up batteries within 8 hours at night.

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Magellan MAGELLAN Explorist 200 GPS Handheld System

Strengths: Simple and easy to use, really accurate, great price

Weakness: Buttons kinda small, difficult to use with gloves in cold weather

For the price this is a great GPS. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a accurate easy to use basic GPS without the bells and whistles. I decided to get this over the eXplorist 100 because of the built-in map. Which I don't regret at all. The detail ain't great, but I don't plan to use it in place of a street map. It does work fine just sitting on my dash, and I was able to find out how accurate my spedometer really was!

I have been able to get accuracy to within 10 feet once the WAAS has kicked in (Avg. 12-22 ft). It seems to get better and more accurate the more I use it. I put in a waypoint at my work front door, and it took me back to within two feet of it, though the accuracy readout said it's accuracy was 12 feet. Great compromise between price and features.

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Magellan Explorist 200 GPS Handheld System- LOVE IT!

Strengths: very user friendly nice and compact- fits in pocket waterproof

Weakness: Haven't found any thus far

I gave this to my husband for Christmas and he absolutely loves it!! He's had a hard time putting it down since I gave it to him. I didn't think he'd get so much use out of it at home- he's had a blast playing around with it, figuring out what all it can do. We're excited to take it on fishing and backpacking trips with us and it will be nice knowing that we won't have to worry about getting lost when we're backpacking. Every day he shows me different great features that he's discovered on his new GPS.

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Magellan Explorist 200

Magellan Explorist 200 receives an overall TopTenREVIEWS score of 2.05 out of 4.00. It is ranked the #44 recreation GPS of all time. The overall rating represents an intelligent balance of features, value as a function of price to features, and a summary of reviews from a variety of sources. The TopTen REVIEWS' formula gives a picture of important consumer features, market value, and a product's...

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