Features:

• Features Barometer, Altimeter and Electronic Compasss
• Built-in 8MB basemap of North America
• 3 navigation screens plus built-in map display
• 14 parallel channels with WAAS enhancement for greater positional accuracy
• Full keyboard with joystick for quick and easy access

Editor Reviews:

Product Description:
MAGELLAN Explorist 300 GPS Handheld System - The eXplorist 300 adds a trio of advanced tools to the built-in nationwide background map for easier navigation: a barometer, an altimeter and an electronic compass, which eliminates the need to be in motionto get a direction to a destination. Like the eXplorist 200, the eXplorist 300 contains a background map with roads, parks, waterways, airports and more, plus three navigation screens and the ability to save five track-log files with up to 2000 points each. The ideal choice for outdoor adventures, the blue-cased eXplorist 300 is a robust GPS receiver delivering all of these major features, at a most-affordable price. Requires 2 AA Batteries (not included)

Amazon.com Product Description:
There's a lot to Magellan's small, cool eXplorist 300 handheld GPS navigation device beyond its vibrant blue exterior. Inside and out, the eXplorist is built to provide real GPS (global positioning system) abilities for serious outdoor use--from its tough, impact-resistant, waterproof exterior to Magellan's proven, powerful, and easy-to-use technology, the eXplorist 300 rewrites the rules by proving you can spend less and actually get more.

Map page. View larger.

Mark waypoint. View larger.

Weather display. View larger.

The Magellan eXplorist 300 packs GPS navigation into a tough, impact-resistant device. View larger.

Explorers will appreciate Magellan's one-button access, which takes you directly to the functions that matter most: the menu, navigation screens, personal points-of-interest, "go to" routing, and backlight. In addition, the eXplorist 300 stores up to 500 waypoints, 20 routes, and five track logs with up to 2,000 points each, providing ample storage even for avid navigators.

The unit also supplies a built-in North American background map, which offers convenient access to roads, parks, waterways, airports, and more. Going beyond the step-down eXplorist 200, the 300 adds a trio of handy tools to simplify navigation: a barometer, an altimeter, and an electronic compass, which frees you from needing to be in motion to get a direction to a destination.

Designed for compact, fit-in-your-pocket convenience, the eXplorist receiver measures just 4.6 by 2.1 by 1.3 inches (11.7 by 5.4 by 3.3 centimeters) and weighs less than four ounces (115 grams), yet still has room for a large, 2.3-inch (5.8-centimeter), four-level grayscale LCD. A zoom capability and an amber backlight ensure optimum viewing, even at night.

The unit's rugged exterior is cased in a rubber-armored, impact-resistant shell that is waterproof to the rigid IPX-7 standard. The eXplorist 300 is ready for adventure in all conditions and terrain, whether you'll be hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, or simply finding your way around a new area.

What's in the Box
eXplorist 300 GPS navigator, manual, and quick-start guide.

Rating : - hard to handle and broken faceplate
I am in the infantry and we use what is called a Plugger. It is huge, slow, and no good. For Iraq I used an E-Trex by Garmin. The face plate cracked, but it still works.

When I got home I bought a new GPS. We were switching to the DAGGER, another horrible and unfriendly to use military GPS. I don't have time in the field to use twelve steps to work a product. Hence, our reliance on civilian model GPS units.

This model worked fine when I used the demo version in the store, yet I should have worn gloves when I did so. I often wear either tactical gloves or gloves for weather and to operate the buttons on this unit with gloves on is nearly impossible. My gloves are a skin tight tactical glove and I have good dexterity with them. Still no dice.

The e-trex model is better because it is large buttons on the side that you just have to squeeze. You can do it one handed and keep the other hand holding a map, light, rifle, binos... but not the Magellan 300. It is cumbersome to operate in any high tempo environment.

Due to the nature of things I do I have to stow the device away and drag it out often. A friend had a GPS wristwatch and it worked great. To compensate for my high rate of putting it up and taking it out I opted to keep it in a small pouch on the outside of my body armor. No dice. When I took it out yesterday to go Geocaching with I saw that the liquid crystal display had been squeezed or something and had a large black spot on it.

This GPS works fine if you are just out geocaching and can use two hands and so forth and can take your time. If you find yourselves moving in a high tempo environment, at night, with gloves, multiple items to keep your hands on, and several things demanding your attention at once... I reccomend you pass on this model.