Magellan Explorist 200 GPS Receiver

Pros: Lots of bang for the buck in a simple GPS.
Cons: No new maps. Hard to place in car in car. Dpad hard to use.

As I was about to depart on my leave from home to college (a trip of over 600 miles) I was a little nervous. This was going to be my first time on the highway and freeway system. I frantically started looking for a decent GPS unit on my limited budget. I ...

Pros: Easy to use Good backlight. Sensitive. Great input screens for naming. Inexpensive. Magellan reputation.
Cons: Highway by my house is inaccurate. Used it to "see" towns, airports, waterways, roadways, though.

I have been studying various units available to me (other namebrands and other Magellans), borrowing them from friends and squadron mates. I was very pleased that initial acquisition right out of the box took only about five minutes. Have had to ...

Pros: Easy, inexpensive intro to GPS, clear screen, advanced features, waterproof design, battery life.
Cons: Limited street mapping, no computer link, AA batteries, skimpy printed manual, slow when acquiring satellites

Allow me to give some context. My family is not very outdoorsy. My father was a boyscout, and enjoyed the outdoors, but has not actually done much hiking in the last 25 years. My mother's idea of roughing it is going to a cheap hotel. My sole experience ...

Pros: Good outdoor use. Good price. Good markers.
Cons: Sometimes I want a smaller screen and more roads listed. Listing trails would be nice.

It's mainly for outdoor use I think. It does have the main highways and some major roads on it. I wish it had more, but that might clutter the small screen. I'm not sure I'd want a bigger screen though, because I use it for hiking. It's pretty good ...

Pros: Rugged, accurate, easy to use, inexpensive
Cons: None - considering it's price

This small unit is surprisingly good and considering its low price it is an outstanding buy. It holds up well (I've dropped it more than once) and acquires satellites very quickly. It also holds the satellite signal when other units (in this price ...

Pros: Easy to hold, screens are easy to read. Easy controls, quick loadup.
Cons: Canadian maps aren't too accurate. Orange backlight, No external power or Data

I bought this GPS since that is what I could afford. I would have preferred the Garmin Legend. This one lacks the ability to plug into any external power so you have to run it off batteries. It also does not have computer hookup so you have to live ...

Pros: Easy to use and understand, I found the geocaches!
Cons: Limited capability, does not hook to computer for additional software applications.

The Magellan Explorist 200 is a great starter gps. It features only basic maps, so probably not the best unit for drivers. I does however serve its purpose for geocaching, and other activities. You can store the coordinates where you are heading, where it will guide you the entire way. It also allows you to store where you left from, just in case you get lost, it will guide you back. Along with those two features, it allows you to mark your trail along the way. It features a compass, sunrise and sunset times, and a barometer. Some features I find you can use at an instant, but others, like programming waypoints for geocaching can take a little longer "if it only had a keyboard" I overall like this for the price. It serves its purpose for me. And for other geocachers, I do find them with this. I would recommend highly for geocachers, hikers, hunters, outdoorsman etc.
Update: Feb 2006
I have since bought a second unit for when a friend goes geocaching with me, so we won't fight over who gets to use the darn thing.

Pros: Good battery life, easy to use joystick, easy to carry.
Cons: Base map not updated, sometimes slow to respond.

I love this little GPS! My family wanted to get into geocaching, so I found one of these on Ebay for $80. OK, the base map is not perfect, updated nor complete, but I didn't buy it for road directions. It's good enough to follow me on major highways and roads, and let me look for alternates if things get backed up.

Reception seems to be excellent, and accuracy is pretty good. My next GPS will probably allow me to hook it to the computer, but for now, this one is perfect!

Satellite search can be a little slow, and the joystick is a little difficult to use sometimes, but there aren't many negatives about this inexpensive gem.

Pros: Great Sat. Tracking Easy to use Large Screen
Cons: Would like to see the ability to download maps and Locations

This is one of the best GPS units that I have had the pleasure of using. I have tried the Garmin E-trex series and they may have more features in them but the tracking is lousy. Magellan really put together a fantastic basic gps unit with wonderful sat. tracking. On average the 200 tracks anywhere from 5 to 9 sat. Does really well if your under heavy trees etc.. The e-trex just looses the signals.

A must have for any person who wants an entry level gps unit. The button and screens are easy to navigate and you are up and running in only a few minutes. No large learning curve.

Great for Kids and beginners who want to have more than just the basic.

Pros: waypoint storage, color, size, easy to use and learn how to use.
Cons: beginners unit, not great for urban travel

I recently became interested in geocaching, which requires a gps. So, I purchased this one because of the ability to put in a good number of waypoints(coordinates). There is a very basic map(only main routes), a compass, and comes in a colorful compact package. You can save your waypoints, routes, etc. There is no mapping capability, no ability to upgrade software or download from computer. So, as I said before, it is a basic, good, starter unit. For geocaching, it works great, but for traveling cross country or if you get lost in the city, forget it. I think it would be great for students to learn how this type of technology can be useful in many ways.

Pros: Not worth the money.
Cons: There is no way to download detailed maps.

The Explorist 200 is a waste of money. The North American map is already installed with no way to upgrade it. There are highways missing as well as residential roads.