Explorist 500 Vs Legend Cx

[+markp99]

I am wrestling with the comparsion of these two handheld units in my price range.

 

My intended use/needs:

1. Normal geocaching activities

2. Load/save cache & waypoint data easily to and from my WinXP laptop

3. City/Street mapping a secondary concern

 

I simply cannot find a clear or compelling difference between the two units. For me the following are basically equivalent:

 

 

(Legend Cx) vs (eXplorist 500)

 

Physical

1. Size - (2.2 x 4.3 x 1.3 ) vs (2.2 x 4.7 x 1.3 )

2. Weight - (5.6 oz) vs (5.4 oz)

3. Display - (1.3 x 1.7) vs (1.8 x 1.4)

4. Color Depth - (256 colors) vs (16 colors) - not a factor when viewing maps

5. Resolution - (220 x 176) vs (160 x 120) - this might be a factor for topo

6. Backlit - Yes

7. SD Card Support - Yes

8. Battery - (AA Battery) vs (Li-Ion) - not a big deal for me

9. Baterry Life @ 70deg - (36) vs (17)

 

Performance

1. Channels - (12) vs (14 Channel, WAAS/EGNOS Enabled)

2. Internal Memory - (32 MB) vs (8 MB) - eXp utilizes SD Card to save

3. Acquisition Time, warm - (15 sec) vs (< 1 minute)

4. Acquisition Time, hot - () vs (< 15 seconds)

5. Update Rate - () vs (1 second continuous)

6. Accuracy, WAAS - (3 meters) vs (3 meters)

 

Navigation

1. Waypoints - (1000) vs (500) - eXp can store waypoints on SD Card, Legend cannot??

2. Routes - (20) vs (20)

 

Best Price, Shipped - ($260) vs ($310)

 

So, I guess I must really compare on usability and function. This cannot be gleaned from spec sheets and really to depend upon personal preference. I've read a few reviews and I find good and bad on both units, but nothing glaringly bad, except:

 

Negatives

1. Legend Cx - can only use the SD Card to save MAP data

2. eXplorist 500 - Weak geocaching function, limited screen and customization

 

I think I have a slight preference for the form of the eXp with its center mounted display and "joystick" control. But, other than this, I just don't know for sure. I visited my locale electronics superstores (BB, CC, CompUSA), NONE have demo units I cold actually get my hands on, so I am flying a bit blind on the form thing.

 

I am looking for GUIDANCE for those of you who have selected one of these units. Or, even better has actually tried/compared both of these units. Any other points to consider??

 

Can you help me decide??

 

Thanks!

Edited February 23, 2006 by markp99

[+out12]

I'm looking at the same thing as you are. I am thinking of upgrading form my b&w legend. I've been looking at the Legend cx, Vista cx, Explorist 500/600. I haven't found any real good comparisons either. I like the Vista, but not for $100 more than a Legend, for an electronic compass and altimiter. I like my Legend and I have Garmin Topo software already, that's some of the reason I am leaning toward Garmin now. I would like to see some opinions from people who have experience with some of these to compare them.

[+DangerJudy]

I'm looking at the same thing as you are. I am thinking of upgrading form my b&w legend. I've been looking at the Legend cx, Vista cx, Explorist 500/600. I haven't found any real good comparisons either. I like the Vista, but not for $100 more than a Legend, for an electronic compass and altimiter. I like my Legend and I have Garmin Topo software already, that's some of the reason I am leaning toward Garmin now. I would like to see some opinions from people who have experience with some of these to compare them.

 

Just got a Legend CX; cheapest price shipped I could find was via GPSNow with 2 day Fed Ex.

[k1w1t1m]

My wife and I just upgraded from Legends to Legend Cxs. We bought Merigolds first and hated them. Replaced them with the b&w Legends which were better and now the Legend Cxs. This is all since Christmas. What's more we love the Cxs. They do everything we want them to and are easy to use. We bought ours with Mapsource CS from GPSnow....best price we could find. They also called me to check against fraud (Ihave an out of state ph #)

 

We originally bought them to use as a cheap autorouters and then found out about geocaching, so they get used for auto routing and caching. I could not be happier with my Cx as it does everything I want it to.

Edited February 23, 2006 by k1w1t1m

[+dino_hunters]

the "weak" geocaching function of the explorist is far better thatn what the garmin has. for every cache, you get the following info in your gps

 

Cache Name

Cache waypoint

Name of Cache placer

Date placed

Date last found

Type of cache

Difficulty

Terrain

Coordinates

the HINT !!!

 

It also uses the same cache icons as GC.com a ghost for virtuals, green box for traditionals, 2 orange boxes for multis etc....

 

also, the explorists will allow you to put every cache in the state into the gps. Yes, the garmin can do that with the POI loader, but with much less info & abilities.

 

Also the receiver in the explorist is far more sensitive & accurate than the garmin. Its more on the order of the Sirf *III in the gpsmap 60 CSX. I get waas locks all the time with accuracy under 10', sometimes a small as 6'. It will also hold a lock better in adverse conditions than the garmin.

 

I have used a vista C, but own the explorist 500. Its not as customizable, but will take care of the nesseseties, plus unlimted waypoints & tracks & lots of cache info built in.

[vagabond]

For autorouting the garmin is going to be better, for reception and sensitivity the 500 should be better.

I've had my 500 for about 7 months and found over 1000 caches with it, with out a single problem with the unit. I use multiple files to keep different area geocaches in, that way the screen doesn't get too cluttered with all the icons.

[+markp99]

Thanks for the firsthand experiences. This is exactly the type of info I had hoped to get here.

 

vagabond,

 

Glad to hear your eXp has served you well through your first 1000 caches! Nice.

 

dino,

 

I wouldn't know good from weak geocache features , this was just something I read in a user review. Your note helps describe just what it can do, which appears to just fine for my purposes, especially in comparison to the Legend Cx.

 

Glad to hear reception and sensitivity are good in the eXp 500.

 

I'm leaning a little more toward the eXp 500 at the moment. I guess I need to hear stuff about the Legend Cx.

 

Thanks!!

[vagabond]

Just one more thing to remember, no matter which unit you end up with there will always be something that bugs you about it.

The perfect gps has not been made and maybe never will

[+markp99]

vagabond, I am fully expecting the very day I receive my GPS unit, I'll see or read about something better that will make me sick to my stomach! . This is why I'm doing a bit of homework to minimize this effect - color screen, SD memory card, etc.

 

I've read "complaints" about the proprietary maps with the Magellan. Is this a real concern? Are maps/mapping software FREE with other units?? Or are the free ones not worth much?

 

Also, can the eXplorist 500 utilize any sied SD memory card? I have several arund the house from old cameras. Does it actually use the full available memory, or only limited 16MB blocks (as I've read somewhere).

Edited February 24, 2006 by markp99

[+JohnnyVegas]

One other function the exlporist 500 offers is the ability to have your caches/waypoints stored in seperate files on the SD card.

You can have a file for caches based on what geographic area they are in

You can have a file for caches based on the type of cache

You can have a file for caches based on difficulty of the cache

You can have a file for caches based on the terrain involved

You can have a file set to reflect what ever you want about the caches/waypoints on that file.

 

Garmin has nothing that even comes close to the file managment system offered in the upper end Explorist GPS units.

[RabidJack]

true dat. I also find the white background display much sharper and cleaner than garman's mustard military color, and the infinite expandibility with the SD slot saves you the trouble of having to reload your GPSr's memory too frequently.

 

I have a gig SD so I keep topo and directional guidance maps for the entire states of california, nevada, washington, oregon, and arizona in my unit at all times with plenty of memory left for POIs and routes. And with the ability to swap memory media, you can specialise by swapping between different cards for different tasks. Which is basically a macroscopic extension of JohnnyVegas' point, and almost just as nifty.

 

Also: someone mentioned that the garmin had better direction routing, can someone elaborate on the differences.

[+GOT GPS?]

the "weak" geocaching function of the explorist is far better thatn what the garmin has. for every cache, you get the following info in your gps

 

Cache Name

Cache waypoint

Name of Cache placer

Date placed

Date last found

Type of cache

Difficulty

Terrain

Coordinates

the HINT !!!

 

You can do all the above with the POI Loader on the Legend Cx and of course my 60Cx, and you have up to 40 characters for the name field and 80 characters for the comment field of the POI files.

 

You can save Different types of caches under different file names in the POI Loader, like TRADITIONALS, MULTICACHES, etc, and save these for different areas, like Ann Arbor MI, Detroit, Pontiac, etc.

 

You can also have a separate file for the HINTS for all caches, under a file name of HINTS.

 

When you find the Cache just select SAVE at the bottom of the particular POI window, and make sure you save it as an OPEN Cache Waypoint, and enter the date and time in the Discription field.

 

- - - - - -

 

The Explorist 500 will do a little better in the woods than the Legend Cx.

 

Both GPS units are good for caching

 

I know you can't plug in the Garmin as an external Drive, or edit the MicroSD card from the GPS itself, this is the reason for getting the Explorist 500.

 

If you are more into Fitness activities, and like to track yourself on the Trip Computer page, then the Legend Cx is a better choice.

 

Like playing CHESS, both are in a Stalemate, but neither has put the other in Checkmate yet.

Neither Garmin, or Magellan has Checkmated the other yet.

Edited February 24, 2006 by GOT GPS?

[+DocW]

(Legend Cx) vs (eXplorist 500)

 

Physical

5. Resolution - (220 x 176) vs (160 x 120) - this might be a factor for topo

 

Just a little correction: screen resolution for explorist is 220 x 176

(product specification )

[RabidJack]

vagabond, I am fully expecting the very day I receive my GPS unit, I'll see or read about something better that will make me sick to my stomach! . This is why I'm doing a bit of homework to minimize this effect - color screen, SD memory card, etc.

 

I've read "complaints" about the proprietary maps with the Magellan. Is this a real concern? Are maps/mapping software FREE with other units?? Or are the free ones not worth much?

 

Also, can the eXplorist 500 utilize any sied SD memory card? I have several arund the house from old cameras. Does it actually use the full available memory, or only limited 16MB blocks (as I've read somewhere).

 

Yea, according to the Magellan webside, the eXplorist's SD compatibility has been tested up to 2 GBs, but it can supposedly handle even more. I'm using a one GB card myself.

 

The default memory size limit for directroute maps is 64MBs. With Topo maps I'm not quite sure, but most of my regions are about 128 megabytes still sticking with the default settings. Apparently you can adjust the upper limit, but that would cause longer loading times, and potential errors depending on how much you decide to exceed the standard limit. Hope I helped.

[+geognerd]

Also: someone mentioned that the garmin had better direction routing, can someone elaborate on the differences.

This topic is quite good at explaining the differences between autorouting in the Garmin and Magellan. As for the comparison under discussion here, the only areas where I would give the Garmin the edge are autorouting and trip computer screen. I'm not saying the Legend Cx is bad, just that for what my opinion's worth, I'd pick the eX500.

[+markp99]

More good info!! Thank you all!!

 

I finally had a chance to "touch" a Legend and eXp. The eXp was just an empty shell (demo unit), so I could not get a true impression of it's weight/feel. The Legend was a real unit, but did not have batteries.

 

I do have a couple initial impressions:

 

1. The Legend felt pretty solid/rugged. The rubberized body elements felt pretty good in my hand. The shape and button locations seemed a bit off for my hand, but not too bad. I presume this unit intends one-handed operation, which is kind of what I expect. There were no batteries, so I could not see the display/contrast/resolution. Bummer.

 

2. The eXp 500 (empty shell) felt pretty good in my hand with its egg-shaped form factor. This unit had less in the way of rubberized body elements and felt just a bit slippery and maybe a bit less rugged. The button/joystick location on the front of the unit seems like it would be very difficult to operate one-handed. The buttons were small and a bit cramped.

 

Questions for the geocachers in the bunch:

 

1. How often do you actually hold/look at the unit while caching?

2. How often do you find yourself operating the buttons?

3. Is one-handed operation desirable/necessary?

4. Any daylight-visibility comparisons between the units?

 

Current Status: Neutral to somewhat leaning to the eXp 500.

Edited February 24, 2006 by markp99

[+Belleterre]

Questions for the geocachers in the bunch:

 

1. How often do you actually hold/look at the unit while caching?

2. How often do you find yourself operating the buttons?

3. Is one-handed operation desirable/necessary?

4. Any daylight-visibility comparisons between the units?

 

1. LOTS - almost continuously for a relatively short walk, less often for a hike

2. LOTS - zoom in/ zoom out/ pan/change screens - lots of opportunity to push buttons

3. YEP - gotta have that geo-stick in the other hand

4. can't help you on this one.

 

FWIW I got a Garmin Vista when I started caching over 4 years ago. It's the only GPS I've had, so I can't compare it to the newer models. The only gripe I have is the skimpy antenna that doesn't hold a lock very well in the trees. If I ever upgrade, it will be to something with a GOOD antenna.

[+out12]

How do the Etrex cx's and explorists compare at aquiring sats and maintaining lock in tree cover. One thing I don't like with my Legend is it is slow to gets sats when first started and sometimes loses lock in heavy cover.

[+Jamie Z]

The button/joystick location on the front of the unit seems like it would be very difficult to operate one-handed. The buttons were small and a bit cramped.

I thought this too when I first got my Explorist. Trying to operate the buttons one-handed seemed to make the GPS want to squirt out of my hand. In use, that's never happened, and I don't even think about pressing the buttons anymore. It's just natural.

 

The buttons are small, too.. but that's the tradeoff for a small unit. That said, would you believe I can operate the buttons, albeit slowly, with winter gloves on?

 

Jamie

[+markp99]

Well, without any really compelling rationale, I pulled the trigger today and bought the eXplorist 500.

 

I looked around for the best price (dang, I missed the $50 rebate by a week!) and found best price to be from LLBean and Vanns:

 

LLBean - $299 + $11.95 shipping

Vanns - $310 + free shipping

 

I did find a vaid coupon code online for LLBean for free shipping (2301100 - got to love the internet ), so I went with LLBean. Living in the Northeast, not too far from Freeport, I have lots of history and great luck with this company with a few no-question returns/replacements.

 

I am looking forward to receiveing this unit and chasing my first cache!

 

Woohoo!

[vagabond]

Well, without any really compelling rationale, I pulled the trigger today and bought the eXplorist 500.

 

I looked around for the best price (dang, I missed the $50 rebate by a week!) and found best price to be from LLBean and Vanns:

 

LLBean - $299 + $11.95 shipping

Vanns - $310 + free shipping

 

I did find a vaid coupon code online for LLBean for free shipping (2301100 - got to love the internet ), so I went with LLBean. Living in the Northeast, not too far from Freeport, I have lots of history and great luck with this company with a few no-question returns/replacements.

 

I am looking forward to receiveing this unit and chasing my first cache!

 

Woohoo!

 

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