Team TeeKay

Well, I attempted the upgrade and my CO 300 is now functionally "dead". The upgrade never took, it froze my computer while upgrading and now the CO is froze. Removed the batteries and rebooted the CO. Now whenever I attempt to hook up to my computer, it freezes right away. My computer also is not noticing the CO, keeps referring to it as an unknown device. When I check the Software page it is still showing 2.40. I have tried everything to get it working properly. Also, I have to remove the batteries after each attempt to hook it up to my computer as it freezes. Have tried a cold reset, reinstalling the drivers, reinstalling software, etc. and nothing is working. Very upset and will be returning unit tomorrow. This thing has been "buggy" since I purchased it. Every cache I have done has been blind using this thing as the navigation has been none existant. Should I exchange it or change to a 60CSX? I love the idea of paperless caching, just not into the headaches. Tried the Triton 500 before the CO and found it even worse. Hate to say it, but my Explorists 500 was an excellent and trustworthy unit. Just unable to upgrade the firmware, the charging/usb cable is broke and the battery is shortlived. Team TeeKay

I had the Triton 500 and an Explorist 500. The Triton has been returned. It is very akward to use. My Explorist is way better in my opinion. Didn't notice any difference in accuracy while using both in the field. When entering and naming waypoints, I found the Triton was hard and cumbersome to add names and coordinates. The Explorists was much easier. I replaced my Triton for a Garmin Colorado and will continue to use my Explorist (or my daughter will) when we are caching! Tee

Good idear!!! I must say that the 500 is one excellent unit. I purchased a Triton 500 and will be returning it. My Explorist 500 out shined it on every level.

That is so funny about the screw. Mine was just pulled out from a long storage last week and I initially had to tape the charger cable on as the screw didn't work anymore. I ended up taking off the little washer thingy from the screw and now it connects without problem....

I understand that part, however, if you are trying do use the speedometer feature on a GPS to record speed at certain intervals, it won't be correct. The speed of the car can decrease/increase more rapidly then the GPS can refresh. I've stopped my vehicle to a dead stop from a reasonable speed and it takes my Explorist at least three to four seconds to catch up?

Believe it or not; Mattel is offering a mail in promo right now for a radar gun. Apparently, it really works with decent accuracy, both for 1:1 vehicles and 1:64 toys. Go Figure?

I use an Explorist 500 on my dash and it is extremely accurate for a speedometer. I actually refer to it more then I do my regular speedometer. My only worry would be on the refresh rate. You could have the finish set as a waypoint, and have the screen set at Speed and Distance to the waypoint and get an accurate reading at certain distances from the waypoint. Ex. 120 km @750 m. from Waypoint, 160 @500 m. from waypoint, 210 @250m. from waypoint,etc. You definately wouldn't need an external antenna if it is mounted on the dash. I would check the Explorist 100 or 200 series if you don't need mapping capabilities and want it strictly for the stated use. Have fun!!!

Embra, Thanks, tried that one too. I had all the secret menu codes and tried the majority of them (that were safe) and none worked. The techs from Magellan attempted to help me out and they were stumped too. They requested that I send it in for work. They were about to give me a RAN until they realized I live in Canada. They then gave me the Canadian number to call and it is just a recording service. So, I have the names of the supervisors from Magellan who authorized the Return and the case number and I am sending the unit off too Ontario on Tuesday morning. A little disappointed as geocaching time is back again!!!!! I don't like caching in the elements, I seem to slowly melt! Team TeeKay

Thanks Embra! I first cleared the memory, even did a "hard" erase using the goto+out+power. I exchanged the file I downloaded more then a dozen times and even downloaded the one for the 600 (which is the same file for the 500. Baffled!!!! It is going through the whole process and even says that the firmware upgrade is complete, the GPS unit however never does restart or shut down on its own as stated in the instructions. I thought about the USB cable and tried transfering my latest GPX. query to the unit with no problems. I am out of ideas and hope that Magellan tech support gets back to me as the said they will when they find a fix? I was looking forward to the firmware upgrade, mostly for doing projections and the other good worthwhile upgrades it has. I'll continue trying.

Anybody? I even called Magellan Tech Support and they were like talking to a brick wall. Spent many hours today with no results.

Do the map sizes have to be smaller then 32 megs, like on the Magellan line of products?

Hi, I have been trying forever to do the firmware upgrade on my Explorist 500 and it is not working. I have been following all the posted instructions to the Tand it won't work. Any ideas? I think the problem is coming on step 13. Once the upload is complete the unit should restart and then power down again within a minute and it is not doing this. I am getting extremely frustated with this and would appreciate any help or ideas! Thanks Team TeeKay

Canadian Tire

I found that out with Mapsend Streets and Destinations Canada. I can use the software to upload my POI's and my Track logs only. I can also use it to download routes onto the 500. Just no maps can be downloaded. Trying to decide now between Mapsend Directroute or Mapsend Topo3D Canada? TeeKay

Yes Redgreen!!! Whacky woods is a must do also. Dogbreath, that one is in between Paved Paradise and the Resstop Cache. One of the Islands great kept secrets! TeeKay

Dogbreath, Here are some good ones and all close to the highway: Mountaintop Pitstop **** Awesome, awesome view Underwood just off of highway. Park on shoulder or light 4x4 The Beach Boys near my house, beautiful area for lunch They Paved Paradise Reststop Geocache I left Parksville and Qualicum off the list because there are soo many good caches in the area, you would never leave. Once in the Courtenay area, any MikyMac cache will keep you occupied. He puts alot of thought and effort into his caches. Also, any Team caches (Team KFWB/ aka X-Treme Team GPS) are worth doing and are usually well put together. Also, a neat cache to do if you have alot of time is Hit! You Sank my Bathtub by Geoscavenger. Haven't had time to do it "officially", however, I have devoted alot of time to converting all the Co-ordinates into exact locations in the city of Nanaimo. I have scouted a few out when I goto Nanaimo. Soon I'll put it all together and complete it. Anyways, have a good time!!!! Team TeeKay

How do you know that? The thing will start beeping like there is no tomorrow and it'll display "poor satellite coverage". Team TeeKay

I have the Explorist 500 and it is my first GPS. I am curious to try out a Garmin Map60c too compare the two. Many little quarks I dislike about the Explorists and many that I love. My buddy and I just did a photocontest and he used his Garmin and I my Explorist. The idea was too find the object and mark the UTM. It was neat how most of the time are UTM were the same or a metre or two different; however, my accuracy was reading 3-9 metres and his was reading 9-18 metres. Needless to say we one the contest and the $980 cash prize. I think it was summed up best that it is like comparing Mac to IBM. Too each his own, and chose on what you think has the better features that you would want. For me it was memory upgrade, battery type and geocache manager. Oh, it was $35 cheaper then the Garmin Map60c. To end, my Explorist has always been extremely reliable in telling me when sattelite coverage has dropped. Team TeeKay

Mine says Rev 5.153 Jan 17, 2005. Team TeeKay

The basemap on my Explorist is the same way. It frequently places caches that are on the coast a couple hundred metres into the water. No biggie though, have learned to live with it. TeeKay

Wow, I'm torn on this one! I live in B.C. Canada and Marijuanna is the biggest money making industry in the province even though it is illegal. Almost every neighbourhood in the province has at least one or two grow ops (i'm not exaggerating). I would have to sleep on it! TeeKay

Here is my cache mobile.

Here is mine. A 2005 Nissan Pathfinder 4x4. Just what I need to get me too all those well hidden Island caches. Could be better on the fuel! Hopefully this picture works! Team TeeKay

First post here! I just purchased my Explorist 500 today from Walmart. They price matched my best price found from online source. Had to have store Assistant manager approve it, he wasn't too impressed. Anyways, it was there only one and am glad to have snagged it, otherwise I would have had to online order one. Just waiting for it to charge up, then I'll teach myself how to use it. It is my first GPS and I'm excited to put it to work. A little disappointed with the included manual. I guess it'll serve as a starting point. Thanks for the awesome thread on the subject. It helped me pick between the Meridian Gold and the Explorist 500. Picked Explorists because of color screen, USB , SD memory expansion size and Geocache manager. Islander