Sign in Pro
Magellan eXplorist 310
Editor’s Conclusion
The Magellan eXplorist 310 has been designed for long road or hiking trips across the country, including remote areas.
With user-friendly navigational features, a compact, durable design for hand-carrying, reader-friendly screen even in sunlight. This GPD is pre-loaded with the World Edition base-map & geocaching capability. With IPX7 waterproofing to ensure use in all weathers and terrains and around 18 hours of battery life.
Magellan has been producing GPS systems since 1986 and is a popular GPS option on the market.
With user-friendly navigational features, a compact, durable design for hand-carrying, reader-friendly screen even in sunlight. This GPD is pre-loaded with the World Edition base-map & geocaching capability. With IPX7 waterproofing to ensure use in all weathers and terrains and around 18 hours of battery life.
Magellan has been producing GPS systems since 1986 and is a popular GPS option on the market.
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
Preloaded maps
Transflective screen
Compact size and light
IPX7 waterproofing
18-hour battery life
Cons
512 GB built-in storage space
No MicroSD
No battery charger
No barometric altimeter to track altitude
No smart features
No bluetooth
Key Features
Good For
Road trips
Hiking/Trekking
Cross-country skiing
Orienteering
Expeditions
Features and performance
The Magellan works via the GPS satellite system (USA) to fix your location; this makes speed a little slower than if connecting to the GLONASS (Russia) and GALILEO (Europe) system.
The compass does not compensate for tilt and is not 3-axis capable; you need to keep the device flat when using the compass. This GPS device is already loaded with the World Edition base-map, which includes all roads in North America. Australia and Western Europe. Including all major waterways, cities, and rural lands. If you want geocaching, you can download Magellan’s Summit topographic maps containing more specific details.
This GPS has 2 GB of internal storage, but a drawback is that you can only use 512 MB for geocaching, additional tracks, and uploaded maps. This model does not offer a microSD for extra storage space.
You can store 50 tracks, 10,000 geocaches, 50 routes, and 1,000 waypoints which is usually enough.
Geocaching: The Magellan performs good for paperless geocaching capability. You can download files via a USB cable connected to a PC or laptop.
WaterProofing: This model has an IPX7 waterproof rating and can stay waterproof for around 30 minutes in water one meter deep.
Batteries: Powered by two AAA batteries which will give around 18 hours performance. If you are on a long trip, it is a good idea to bring reserve batteries. A slight drawback is that this model does not contain a feature for recharging batteries.
The Screen: A reader-friendly size at 2.2 inches, although many users suggest a larger screen would be good. The screen has a transflective display. A technology that means it is readable even in direct sunlight, with a 240×320 color resolution. It does not have touch-screen use; operating is done via a multidirectional joystick and buttons for menu, back, zoom in, and out.
Road trips
Hiking/Trekking
Cross-country skiing
Orienteering
Expeditions
Features and performance
The Magellan works via the GPS satellite system (USA) to fix your location; this makes speed a little slower than if connecting to the GLONASS (Russia) and GALILEO (Europe) system.
The compass does not compensate for tilt and is not 3-axis capable; you need to keep the device flat when using the compass. This GPS device is already loaded with the World Edition base-map, which includes all roads in North America. Australia and Western Europe. Including all major waterways, cities, and rural lands. If you want geocaching, you can download Magellan’s Summit topographic maps containing more specific details.
This GPS has 2 GB of internal storage, but a drawback is that you can only use 512 MB for geocaching, additional tracks, and uploaded maps. This model does not offer a microSD for extra storage space.
You can store 50 tracks, 10,000 geocaches, 50 routes, and 1,000 waypoints which is usually enough.
Geocaching: The Magellan performs good for paperless geocaching capability. You can download files via a USB cable connected to a PC or laptop.
WaterProofing: This model has an IPX7 waterproof rating and can stay waterproof for around 30 minutes in water one meter deep.
Batteries: Powered by two AAA batteries which will give around 18 hours performance. If you are on a long trip, it is a good idea to bring reserve batteries. A slight drawback is that this model does not contain a feature for recharging batteries.
The Screen: A reader-friendly size at 2.2 inches, although many users suggest a larger screen would be good. The screen has a transflective display. A technology that means it is readable even in direct sunlight, with a 240×320 color resolution. It does not have touch-screen use; operating is done via a multidirectional joystick and buttons for menu, back, zoom in, and out.
Comparison
An interesting comparative option from the same makers is the Magellan eXplorist 110.
Both GPS systems have a 2,2 inches color screen with transflective tech for a readable screen in direct sunlight
Both options run on AA batteries, and both systems can run for 18 hours before needing to change the batteries. The 310 and 110 both have the same weight, and both are water-proof. They are comparable to Geocaching.
The 110 has a lower price tag, while the 310 offers more for your money.
You get a built-in base map, more track logs and routes, more geocaches, and waypoints storage space. As extra, you also get audible proximity alerts and a picture viewer.
Both GPS systems have a 2,2 inches color screen with transflective tech for a readable screen in direct sunlight
Both options run on AA batteries, and both systems can run for 18 hours before needing to change the batteries. The 310 and 110 both have the same weight, and both are water-proof. They are comparable to Geocaching.
The 110 has a lower price tag, while the 310 offers more for your money.
You get a built-in base map, more track logs and routes, more geocaches, and waypoints storage space. As extra, you also get audible proximity alerts and a picture viewer.
Verdict
GPS systems are an excellent must-have device when traveling by road or out trekking/hiking back-country.
If you are looking for a lightweight, user-friendly GPS with a few extra features, the Magellan eXplorist 310 is a good option.
There are a good number of pros and a few slight drawbacks. However, factoring ineffective performance in a durable user-friendly package. With a balanced price tag, this is worth trying out.
If you are looking for a lightweight, user-friendly GPS with a few extra features, the Magellan eXplorist 310 is a good option.
There are a good number of pros and a few slight drawbacks. However, factoring ineffective performance in a durable user-friendly package. With a balanced price tag, this is worth trying out.
Related Reviews:
See Deal 