moritz_ocko Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 I have decidebd to buy either the new Magellan explorist 500 or 600. I would like to know from current owners if you would still spend the extra money to get the baro., alt, and compass? Most of what I have read from owners says the baro. and alt don't work that well. So is the extra money worth it to only get a compass that probably doesn't work as well as one bought from an outdoors shop? Quote Link to comment
+Zzyzx Road Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 (edited) We have used ours for only a little while, but the altimeter seems to be fairly accurate, and while I am not a weatherman the abrometer falling each time has accurately predicted rain coming in. (We have had some spankin' rain lately too!) THAT is why we got the 600. I like the color screen, SD card, PC upload ans all that, but this last year we went camping/hunting and the weather reports via Yahoo weather (cell phone) were NOT accurate based on the rain we waded through, so the GPS barometer will hopefully assist in a little more realistic view of rain in the forecast... Oh, and I got it brand new on eBay from a seller, with the SD card and TOPO 3-D map software (a help) for about the same price as the 500 by itself from a retail store... Edited January 23, 2006 by Zzyzx Road Quote Link to comment
+EScout Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 I have the 500. I always carry a compass. It is accurate, better at taking bearings, and a back up to your GPSr. I have tested the accuracy of elevation and cannot see how barametric can be an improvement. I have compared the computed elevation shown on screen, to the elevation on the Topo 3d installed, to the elevation of benchmarks to the elevation from the waypoint loaded to Topo! on my PC. The computed position elevation is very accurate, often within 10 feet, usually within 25 feet and never more than 50 feet. How accurate do you need? Quote Link to comment
+weakfish Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 (edited) Heheheh... I don't need a barometer to predict rain or snow.... my knees tell me far enough in advance! Now if I could only get the plates in my head calibrated to point me North I'd be in business! Edited January 24, 2006 by weakfish Quote Link to comment
+Zzyzx Road Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Heheheh... I don't need a barometer to predict rain or snow.... my knees tell me far enough in advance! Now if I could only get the plates in my head calibrated to point me North I'd be in business! Good one! I have a finger I have broken twice - it will give me an accurate forecast also! Quote Link to comment
+BadAndy Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 I didn't actually pay for my ex600, it was an award from my job. I do however appreciate a unit that has all the bells and whistles. I'm a gearhead. Thats why geocaching, scuba, climbing etc appeal to me. Quote Link to comment
+weakfish Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Sorry for the hijack but I nearly fell out of my chair when I noticed "Bad Andy's" avatar!!! You win my vote for Best Avatar of 2006! Quote Link to comment
moritz_ocko Posted January 24, 2006 Author Share Posted January 24, 2006 Good answers to all. Hey weakfish- just stick your forehead on one side of a car battery and that plate in your head will be polarized. Than all you have to do is float your head in a toilet bowl and the let the earths magnetic field turn your forehead in the correct postition to tell you north. I believe the science behind this is 100% accurate. Well maybe your forehead would point south. I'll get back to you on that. Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment
+Old Sailor Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Love my 600.....I also like bells and whistles. Quote Link to comment
arthurking83 Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Spend the money you saved, by purchasing the 500, on a good quality compass/barometer/altimeter/temperature/time device (like my Suunto Vector watch!) Quote Link to comment
+Jhwk Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Q: E600 Owners Would You Still Pay The Extra Money, 600 vs 500? A: Yes. Quote Link to comment
kenneth978 Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 I have decidebd to buy either the new Magellan explorist 500 or 600. I would like to know from current owners if you would still spend the extra money to get the baro., alt, and compass? Most of what I have read from owners says the baro. and alt don't work that well. So is the extra money worth it to only get a compass that probably doesn't work as well as one bought from an outdoors shop? I like mine, but be warned that the temp sensor is inside the unit, so it's sensitive to sun light and body heat Newegg has a deal on them http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16858108019 Quote Link to comment
+volleygod Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Yes i would, yes yes yes. The compass itself is worth the extra costs. I can stand still and the built in compass will point in the right direction! No more walking in decreasing circles to find the cache. Quote Link to comment
+geognerd Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Yes i would, yes yes yes.The compass itself is worth the extra costs. I can stand still and the built in compass will point in the right direction! No more walking in decreasing circles to find the cache. Do I sense JohnnyVegas enlightening us about the cost-effectiveness of good baseplate compasses? Quote Link to comment
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