Review on 🧭 Magellan eXplorist 110 Handheld GPS: Your Ultimate Outdoor Navigation Tool by Kevin Webb

Magellan eXplorist 110 is my first GPS navigator so I can't compare it to other models and manufacturers. I used to use an Android app for geocaching, but it was draining the batteries after long use (i.e. several hours). The Model 110 seemed suitable; I don't need the bells and whistles of more expensive GPS units, and the eXplorist GC felt a little too focused. I'm an occasional geocacher and all I needed was something entry level and a cheap price. I haven't had the device for a long time, but my first reaction was pleasant. It starts up quickly and after the first initial search for a GPS satellite, it locks onto the signal with minimal latency. It appears to be durable, but I don't want to specifically test how accurate the durability and waterproofing claim is. I found the quick start guide and full user guide to be vague and unhelpful, so I fiddled with the settings and various features for a couple of hours to learn how to navigate and use the GPS. Here are a few things I've learned (most of which seem obvious now but were very frustrating at the time): I set the map orientation to "North Up" so I don't get lost looking at the map screen; autoscaling and night mode disabled; and lengthened the backlight and pause timers so I don't have to keep pressing buttons to see the screen (although the battery drains faster). However, this is a personal preference. Loading caches was a simple and painless process. It's true that a premium membership is required to take full advantage of geocaching features, but a free one-month trial period is included with purchase. Caching is still possible with a basic membership, you just don't get much information other than size, difficulty/terrain and location on device; Just make sure you read the description, tooltip, and latest logs before exiting the game. Also, I didn't realize how new I was until I was able to enter the correct waypoints several times. It eventually became a breeze as I learned different shapes to represent the same location/coordinates. Creating routes on the device can be an issue, but I decided to try the VantagePoint app from the Magellan website, which allows me to create routes. on the computer and transfer them to the GPS navigation system. While it's easier and simpler as long as I remember that eXplorist can only show the first 25 legs of the route, longer routes need to be broken into multiple parts. Note on accessories: Conflicting information: The box that the eXplorist arrived in has the text "USB cable sold separately" but the product description says the USB cable is included. Be aware of this confusion because I did not receive a telegram with my order. I did not order a cable because I found that the cable for my digital camera also fits the eXplorist. My advice to anyone interested in purchasing the eXplorist 110 is don't waste your money on the recommended small carrying case or strap. The case is large enough for the GPS to fit comfortably. I realized that when I unplug the lanyard I can always leave the smaller piece attached and it will fit into the GPS housing. All I had to do was click the buckle as I took the device out of its case and it was ready to go. I quickly got fed up with the hassle and sent both the case and lanyard back. I have no complaints about the quality of the lanyard; I just found it a little bulky and expensive for what it is. Instead, I found a half price camera bag with a much roomier interior at a large store nearby. I'm very happy because now I can easily stow a GPS (plus a wrist strap), extra batteries and a few other miscellaneous items. This is preferable for me because everything I need is in a neat little package that allows me to take it with me and go.