Garmin vs. Magellan

[Bill in IL]

I would like to hear opinions on which GPS you would buy. I was looking at the Garmin etrex Legend and the Magellan Explorist 200. Both are about the same price. I plan on using it for traveling, hunting, and fishing.   Also, ease of use would be important. Has anyone tried both of these? Any help would be appreciated.

[Graybeard]

Test to bring this thread back to the forum.

[Longawn]

I just purchased an eXplorist 200 last week - less features than the Legend, but I couldn't beat the price ($104.99 shipped).  The newer eXplorist 210 is more comparable to the Legend in both price and features.

I really like the 200; the lack of a PC cable hasn't been an issue so far. For about the same price as the yellow eTrex and the eXplorist 100, I gained a nice base map.

[Siskiyou]

A good base map is a selling point.  :-)  I have had an eXplorist 100 in one hand and a Garmin Legend in the other.  What I like about the eTrex(Legend) series over the eXplorist series is the ability to hold the unit in one hand and operate all the controls with that hand.  

Because you travel the base map is an important feature.  I prefer gps units with a basemap.

My list:  Base Map of North America
 Â           PC connection
 Â           Available Manufactures  mapping software.
 Â           Controls-location
 Â           AA battery power.  Allows for rechargable or over counter bats.
 Â           8MB of availabile memory or more.  More, more, more!

With every answer there is a conflict.  I chose a Garmin Legend over the Garmin 76.  Both offered 8MB of memory.  I preferred the controls of the Legend.  A couple of years later I was in love with the Garmin 60C w/56 MB of memory.  I was ready to buy one when my wife asked a simple question.  She knows me very well, is there a model with more memory.  I told her about the Garmin 76C with 115 MB of memory.  She told me that I should consider it.  With a rebate and sale price I was able to a 76C for the price of the 60C.  I am happy with it but think the 60C is a great gps.

But none of them provide the fit in my hand like the eTrex series.  If I had the money and was a travelling hunter, I would take a very serious look at the new Legend Cx model.  While it comes with a 32MB micro SD card, one can buy additional cards or buy larger SD cards. This is a unit that gives you a lot of memory and outstanding battery life.

[Bill in IL]

Siskiyou,
You got me checking when you did not see a base map listed. The first place I checked did not list either.  I checked the Magellan website and it says it has the base map. http://www.magellangps.com/en/products/product.asp?PRODID=1112
Thank you guys for the good info on things I should consider. I am rather new to GPS and don't want to spend a ton of money nor do I want to buy something useless.
What is your opinion on the need for a GPS that has an altimeter?

[Siskiyou]

Bill in IL:  You are correct and I will edit my earlier reply.  I got my information from Magellan's comparisome chart.  Magellan needs to take a look at that page and  update it.  For the same price the eXplorist 210 offers more.  I still prefer the Legends key set up.

I do not consider the additon of an electronic compass or altimeter important.  I carry a magnitic compass and a map.  I also have a FRS/GMRS radio with NOAA weather fregs.  The altitude display on a standard gps normally puts you within 100 feet or less.  The use of the two option cuts back on battery life.  From what I have read the 3-axle compass in the Magellans is better then the 2-axle compass in the Garmins.

[Bill in IL]

I finally purchased the Magellan explorist 210. I found it rather helpful on a trip to Wyoming prairie doggin'.  Still learning all the things it can do. Also used it to try my hand at Geocaching. So far I am happy with the purchase.

[Siskiyou]

Bill in IL:  I am looking forward to hearing more about your eXplorist 210.  From looking at the data I think the 210 is a good choice.

eXplorist 210 North America
An incredible value: 22 MB of available memory, USB port and MapSend compatibility for topo or street navigation. Large backlit display and customizable navigation screens show your GPS information the way you want it. Easy-to-use keypad and joystick.   More
Featured Highlights
22 MB available memory
USB connectivity
Large high-resolution display
See The Flash Demo 
Price: $ 149.99*

*Copied from Magellan.

It would be interesting to hear about your experiences starting out with this new unit, loading maps, and other details.  I am sure there are others out there wanting to read about how the unit works.  The bottomline is we need some detail Magellan experience.

[EsoxLucius]

For some reason Magellan changed their website and now include less information about their units.  Why, I don't know.  You can get a little more information from some of the vendor sites.

http://www.thegpsstore.com/detail-magellan-explorist-210.asp

http://www.tigergps.com/magellanexplorist210.html

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BGVYYE/103-3937239-1847009?v=glance&n=172282

http://gpstracklog.typepad.com/gps_tracklog/2005/12/magellan_explor_1.html

[quickdtoo]

FWIW, Field & Stream in their August issue published the results of a field test by 4 readers of 4 handheld GPS units.

1st. Garmin eTrex Venture CX (rated best of the test)

2nd. Magellan eXplorist 600 (Included  USB connector for PC)

3rd. Lowrance iFinderH20 C (the biggest and clearest screen)

last. Brunton Atlas MNS (high price for the features)

Tim

[Siskiyou]

Quickdtoo:

After reading your post I tracked down a copy of the Field & Stream that you referred to.  I agree.

[BoarHunter]

I have been using a Garmin 60CX for three months now and it is the best in its class and its receiver picks signals even in the densest humid forest ! This is a prime consideration for a hunter, the ability to track in the woods and not that many GPSR can do it.

You can use it for the road too and get TOPO maps of decent quality.

The 60CX (no need for the 60CSX with compass) cost is about 320USD on the Internet with the current cash rebate.