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Magellan eXplorist 310 Review

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Magellan eXplorist 310 Review (The Magellan eXplorist 310 has a small screen and difficult joystick.)
The Magellan eXplorist 310 has a small screen and difficult joystick.
Credit: Max Neale
Price:  $199 List
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Manufacturer:   Magellan
By Chris McNamara and Max Neale  ⋅  Aug 1, 2013

Our Verdict

Magellan discontinued the eXplorist 310.
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Good battery life
REASONS TO AVOID
Small screen
Toggle button is hard to use
Slower than other units
The Magellan eXplorist 310 is a budget, low-performance entry-level GPS unit. Its cramped button configuration makes it difficult to operate efficiently and the directional toggle is jerky and imprecise. The screen is also small and the performance slower than most other units we reviewed. If you're looking for the best value GPS unit, get the Garmin eTrex 20 because it draws maps faster, the button configuration is easier and faster to use, and the included mapping software is slightly better and Mac compatible.

Our Analysis and Test Results

Likes


The Magellan eXplorist 310 is the entry-level eXplorist model and the lowest rated GPS we tested. There are a few good noteworthy features: the screen, despite being small, can be read in the sunlight easier than a touchscreen of the same size. A small GPS like the eXplorist 310 weighs more than a larger GPS and can fit in your pocket well, and takes up less space in a backpack.

Dislikes


The main drawback to the eXplorist 310 is its button configuration, which is very difficult to use compared to other push button models and touch screen units we've tested. The buttons lie in a small area, which makes them hard to use with two thumbs and the directional toggle is jerky and imprecise. The screen is also the smallest those tested. And the unit is slower to draw maps than most other units. Of the budget models we reviewed our testers always grabbed the Garmin eTrex or Dakota and not the eXplorist 310.

Value


Poor value.

— Chris McNamara and Max Neale
 
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