Magellan Explorist 210

$179

by Kevin Arnold

Mark Wiens

If you thought real GPS navigation was beyond your budget, you haven't seen the cell-phone-size 210. It's not the only player in its price range, but it stands out for its internal 22MB memory—essential for digital mapping. The 210 ships with a built-in North American base map that shows major streets and landmarks. Connect it to your PC via the included USB cord and you can add local detail—streets, topos, trails, and landmarks—from Magellan's maps database.

Bonus: The sweet price also includes advanced features like four navigation screens and 14 satellite channels—including two dedicated to WAAS and EGNOS (geekspeak for accuracy-improving technology usually reserved for more expensive units). Bummer: Paddlers, beware—this unit is not waterproof. 4 oz; www.magellangps.com

• The Goods: Road Trips
• Women's Essentials: Travel Gear
• The Goods: Hiking

2009 Summer Buyer's Guide GPS Devices Reviews

Garmin Oregon 400t	$599

2008 Summer Buyer's Guide GPS Devices Reviews

Garmin Colorado 400t	$600
HP iPAQ 310 Travel Companion	$450

2007 Buyer's Guide GPS Devices Reviews

Magellan CrossoverGPS Gear of the Year	$549
Garmin eTrex Venture Cx Killer Value	$249
BlackBerry 8703e	$450
Bushnell Onix 200	$250

2006 Buyer's Guide GPS Devices Reviews

Garmin GPSmap 60CSx Gear of the Year	$500
Magellan Explorist 210 Killer Value	$179
Brunton Atlas MNS	$359
Magellan Explorist Xl	$449
Garmin Rino 530	$500
Suunto X9i	$549

2005 Buyer's Guide GPS Devices Reviews

Garmin eTrex Legend C	$375
Magellan eXplorist 500	$399
Motorola i860 with Trimble Outdoors	$300

2004 Buyer's Guide GPS Devices Reviews

Garmin GPSMAP 60C	$482
Magellan Sportrak Topo	$269
Suunto X9	$699
Lowrance iFinder Pro	$209

Related Gear Features

• Rising and Converging Outside Magazine June 2003

  Intro

• Go-Go Gadgets Outside Magazine, July 2008

  On road or trail, the best navigators do more than just keep you on track

• Revolutionary New Gear Outside Magazine, October 2009

  Outside's guide to the best new concepts in gear, garb, human performance, and green.

• I, Cyborg Outside Magazine May 2004

  With these intelligent devices, going digital is the fastest way to hotwire that great big analog world outside

• Because It’s There. (Sort of.) Outside Magazine, June 2008

  GPS units in hand, obsessed adventurers are roaming the world to claim a new set of firsts: 16,232 places where major lines of latitude and longitude intersect. Sound geeky? Not when your sweet spot is at 17,000 feet on the side of a remote Bolivian volcano.

• Magellan Crossover GPS Away.com

The Gear Guy on GPS Devices

• What’s the best altimeter for a winter ascent of Mount Rainier?
• Is there a GPS/distress beacon/text messaging device out there?
• Which GPS will allow family to track a cross-country bike trip?
• What’s the cost/benefit ratio of sat. messengers and personal locator beacons?
• What’s the best way to track how many miles I’ve hiked?

Recent Gear Blogs

• Simms G3 Guide Waders ( Clothing )
• Dakine District Bag ( Accessories )
• Bianchi San Jose ( Bike )