Magellan eXplorist 500LE Color Handheld GPS
By: Thales Average Rating: 2.5 Total Reviews: 15
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 On: 2008-04-28
This is my 1st GPS and bought from Costco for [...]. I figured if its as bad as they say I can return it. First off, the entire connection to the USB port is a non-issue once you figure out that the moron that developed it put tabs on the plug that lead you to install it upside down. After an hour of messing with it, I tried it the other way and it instantly worked and has ever since. I think this is why so many people have problems connecting it to the PC. The unit seems to be accurate, but sometimes gives screwey distances. If you scroll thru the menu it corrects itself (dont know if all GPS units do this or not). The "windows file system" is very difficult to figure out where files are sent to and how to find them again. Its much easier to use points of interest and locate them by area, alphabetically, or by distance. This unit can use AAA or the li-ion battery which I dont have but will soon get because like other reviewers, it eats batteries quick.
All in all, it seems like an OK product with some glitches. Without another GPS to compare it to I give it a 3 due to the poor file navigation interface.
 On: 2008-04-13
I bought this as an impulse buy when I saw it on clearance at Wal-Mart for $110, marked down from $199. I had been contemplating upgrading from my explorist 210 (which I still love).
OK, the battery life on 3 AAA is not good. I have used it maybe 2 hrs and have devoured 2/3 of the battery life (according to the battery indicator). All of this with the back light off. I doubt the enviroment can afford this type of battery waste.
Accuracy. The unit I have has a serial number that starts with 0133. This comes preloaded with the latest firmware frim April 2007, ver 5.2.17. It will not lock, or track onto the WAAS satellites for improved accuracy. Dont expect accuracy better than 20 feet as a result. The version of firmware does not allow me to downgrade, or load in a version that works for the euro versions (and is only supposed to be used for euro ver). I understand that units with a serial number which starts with 011 do not have this problem.
If I knew then what I know now, I would not have purchased this unit.
 On: 2008-04-04
I have been using the Magellan eXplorist series for 3 years and have owned several different models. Comparing other units with the same feature set the Magellan eXplorist 500LE is by far the best bang for the buck. I have not had any problems with the unit being recognized by a PC or a MAC (I have used both). The file system is great, I can set up different routes, waypoints, and geocaches on seperate SD cards and then load the SD card into the unit for the area I am going to. Very easy.
The software that comes with the 500LE is very basic, and the detailed manual is on the CD that comes with the unit (not printed). However, I have found several 3rd party applications that work great with the eXplorist series.
I use Lithium-Ion batteries and find that I can get 8-10 hours of use if I watch how I use the tracking and back light features. In one of my units I use the optional rechargeable battery an I get about the same usage.
I am happy with the eXplorist 500 series the unit is durable and I can trust it.
On: 2008-03-31
The Magellan eXplorist 500LE is my first GPS, before Ive used only Garmin GPSs. Ive decided to purchase a GPS to support my work as an RF Engineer and this GPS does it jobs well. Few things I dont like about this thing, but its very minor. If you have this, you need to purchase the battery pack too so that you wouldnt need to open its back cover to have it powered because youll be able to recharge the battery while its impossible if youre using 3xAAA batteries. In overall, Im satisfied with the Magellan eXplorist 500LE.
 On: 2008-03-26
I purchased another 500 because they have been discontinued and they are really good for caching. The color screen is very bright and the unit is straight foward to use. And the Magellan program to download pocket queries is excellent. Keeps satelliate signals under heavy tree cover and is plenty accurate. The LE takes three AAA batteries instead of the rechargeable battery, but everything else is the same. And yes, the Magellan customer service is crap, no bones about it.
On: 2008-03-15
I have been waiting over Three months to get maps that I orderd. they are out of production Nice going Meggellan. poor poor poor .
On: 2008-01-26
I have absolutely no problems with the actual device. Its my first GPS and I had pretty much figured it all out in the first few days. What I do have problems with is the difficulty of the software. Its not as straight forward as you would suspect and according to just about everyone else when u try to get support for it the company is pretty much useless. Ive figured it out fairly well now, but its taken me awhile. Overall, great GPS, crappy software and service.
 On: 2007-12-01
this is the second gps I have owned. the usb cable is a major problem,It wont let your computer recognize it.I rebooted everything to no avail. what a piece of junk!!!
The 210 model is a better unit.I bought the 500Le thinking it would be easy and a good upgrade NOT. I am buying a Garmin. Allen
On: 2007-11-26
I purchased this unit from REI. They always stand behind their products. Thanks goodness! If you read a couple of the other reviews youll see... SD Card door broke off, battery hard to remove, downloading cache info is difficult and transfers with limited info. Been there, done that! Battery door removal is a joke. Taking mine back today and buying Garmin eTrex Vista HCx. $50 more but not designed like a toy. Buy Garmin if youre looking for a hand held. Oh, and if you need help with your Garmin, youll be speaking with someone who speaks English.
On: 2007-11-04
The gps works good but comes with very little instructions. However most can be downoaded as a PDF from the Magellan website(of course they dont tell you that anywhere in the package)
I suggest not using the backlight, it will run out the batteries in 3 hrs and without it you get a little more time from AAs, go for the lithium. I purchased all the chargers for the gps, however all must be plugged into the usb cable with is a bit cumbersome to attach.
Would still recommend this for the hunter and outdoors man.
On: 2007-10-25
Purchased Explorist 500 in September 06. Unit lasted 6months, then started shutting off during computer uploads. Customer support recommended that I update the software (bad idea). During the software install the unit shut off and would not start again. Habib then directed me to send the unit in for repair. They sent me a refurb unit that had numerous software glitches. Unit has once again died. Because it is refurbed I am being charged for repair. Go Garmin!! If you still end up buying this P.O.S you will need to learn to speak punjab or whatever language the speak in India. After trying to communicate with the customer service rep for at least 45 minutes I had to self medicate with several stiff gin gimlets.
On: 2007-07-24
Software is not compatable with Vista, offerd Li-Ion Battery deal for $19.99 is not available - this is the worst company I have ever dealt with. Good thing I have a product protection plan on my CC
On: 2007-05-05
I bought this and needed some help understanding the software. Confusing websites. When you call, you cant understand the service people who speak English very poorly. Its a real headache to figure out what they are saying. Magellan is not a customer-friendly company, and they dont seem to say much more than scripted comments. I just didnt like dealing with Magellan.
The unit worked well until the SD cover broke off. Battery compartment is hard to remove to get to the SD card. I returned the GPS to the store for a refund and am trying to figure out what to buy next. Maybe I should wait for a company that will make their GPS Mac compatible. The GPS industry overall seems ten years behind the times on dealing with the public.
On: 2007-04-26
Unit has a great display, is accurate, and easy to navigate, fast response time recognizing movements, but. . .
The optional maps are very inadequate for my fishing interests. Too few lakes, dont even have floating nav aids along northern Lake Huron, no water depths there either.
I am pretty computer savvy, but its taken me over a month to get the file system and POIs/geocaches organized and working right. Im not sure what is going on with the "computer style" filing system, but while it is a good idea, it appears unreliable, with files mysteriously disappearing, only sometimes reappearing. There may be something about the setup or use of the device I havnet figured out yet, and the support web site is useless.
Here is an example of the problems: I couldnt get my computer to recognize the unit (USB connection). I tried and tried everything I knew, and finally tried their phone support. I kept getting put on hold for long periods, then finally called their sales number for a RA to return it. I said I either needed to return it or get a computer expert to help me. They got me a computer expert who spent over 45 minutes with me to no avail. I finally inadvertently disconnected the phone line, waited 15 minutes for her to call me, she didnt, so I called again. I asked for the same person, but the person on the line said she would connect me but wanted to ask a question first: "In what direction is the USB cord going out of the connection to the GPS, across the unit or out away from the unit?" I said away from the unit. She said reverse it. I did and the computer recognized it in an instant, and has every time since. Why should a cord be installable in two directions, work only in 1?
On: 2007-04-17
Unreliable pile of you-know-what. Worked fine for about 2 months then refused to power up. Fresh batteries, no go. Called customer "service". Outsourced call center to India; rep followed generic script telling me to: 1) use lithium-ion batteries, and 2) press "power + NAV" simultaneously. As suspected, bogus advice. Fresh batteries metered out to 1.62 volts each / 4.84 volts total. Yes, I tried lithium-ion batteries anyway. Still no-go. Am still waiting for Magellan/Thales to respond. Am still owner of unreliable GPS. Still have about $400 invested in unit plus software and maps. Still kicking myself for buying a Magellan product. Dont do it. Really -- dont do it.
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