Magellan eXplorist 500 GPS

[thechubbybunny]

Just thought I'd let everyone know that the Magellan eXplorist 500 GPS is on sale at London Drugs for $199.99 until November 12, 2006. I think this is a really good deal if anyone is out in the market for a new GPS handheld.

 

Magellan eXplorist 500 GPS London Drugs link

[+DocMagoo]

I picked one up. This is a pretty good deal. GPSCentral has it for $329.95 and Crappy Tire has it for $459 at our local store. I still like my Garmin, and I've only found a handful of caches with the eXplorist, but the bearing/compass is far more receptive. The unlimited waypoint storage on the SD card is great to have...

[thechubbybunny]

It's a great deal compared to other online retailers and it's available at the closest London Drugs.

 

The only downside I found, with the eXplorist 500, is that it has a rechargeable Li-ion battery pack. I prefer to have NiMH AA' or AAA' batteries instead. They are readily available anywhere just incase you don't have spare batteries or a car charger. However, the eXplorist 500 LE includes a 3 AAA' battery clip adapter but no AC adapter plug. I would've bought the eXplorist 500 LE instead at that price. Even then, $199.99CAD for eXplorist 500 is still turns out to be a better deal.

 

Edited November 8, 2006 by thechubbybunny

[+Half-Canadian]

It's a great deal compared to other online retailers and it's available at the closest London Drugs.

 

The only downside I found, with the eXplorist 500, is that it has a rechargeable Li-ion battery pack. I prefer to have NiMH AA' or AAA' batteries instead. They are readily available anywhere just incase you don't have spare batteries or a car charger. However, the eXplorist 500 LE includes a 3 AAA' battery clip adapter but no AC adapter plug. I would've bought the eXplorist 500 LE instead at that price. Even then, $199.99CAD for eXplorist 500 is still turns out to be a better deal.

 

 

You can purchase a battery clip adapter from many online retailers. I bought one for my Explorist 500 from Cabelas.com for about $8.00 US that I keep loaded with batteries in case my Li-ion battery fries itself again. You just remove the Li-ion battery and put in the clip loaded with 3 AAA. The Duracells only last about 4 hours, though

[thechubbybunny]

It's a great deal compared to other online retailers and it's available at the closest London Drugs.

 

The only downside I found, with the eXplorist 500, is that it has a rechargeable Li-ion battery pack. I prefer to have NiMH AA' or AAA' batteries instead. They are readily available anywhere just incase you don't have spare batteries or a car charger. However, the eXplorist 500 LE includes a 3 AAA' battery clip adapter but no AC adapter plug. I would've bought the eXplorist 500 LE instead at that price. Even then, $199.99CAD for eXplorist 500 is still turns out to be a better deal.

 

 

You can purchase a battery clip adapter from many online retailers. I bought one for my Explorist 500 from Cabelas.com for about $8.00 US that I keep loaded with batteries in case my Li-ion battery fries itself again. You just remove the Li-ion battery and put in the clip loaded with 3 AAA. The Duracells only last about 4 hours, though

 

Maybe NiMH batteries will last longer instead of Alkaline batteries. I know that Energizer has Lithium AAA' batteries available but they are not rechargeable. It's always good to have an alternative power source with Magellan or any other handheld gps.

 

Thanks for the heads-up on those battery clips though! That is helpful information.

 

Cabelas.com link to Magellan eXplorist 400, 500 and 600 AAA battery clip.

[+High IQ]

They are clearing out their inventory because this model is being discontinued.

 

I think the replacement is the "cross-over" 2500T which is coming out soon.

 

http://www.magellangps.com/products/product.asp?segID=391

 

Still, it's a good price and I just might pick one up.

Edited November 21, 2006 by High IQ

[+AV Dezign]

They might be getting rid of the portable line? I know that my 600 has malfuntioned and I have been trying to get it repaired for the last three weeks and can't seem to get any good response from Magellan. I have not received my 50$ back from the coupon I sent in when I purchased my unit back in June either so I don't know what the heck is wrong with them. Me thing the next unit will be a Garmin.

[+High IQ]

I went to the Magellan site today. The 500 is gone!

[QuigleyJones]

The eXplorist 500 LE is still there

[+DocMagoo]

Now Canadian Tire has the same offer in their latest flyer and on their website:

 

eXplorist 500

 

I purchased one when London Drugs put them on sale. While Magellan has presumably sold them at this price because they are being discontinued, I've been pretty pleased with the unit so far.

[+2happy2gether]

I just replaced my 10 year old Magellan 2000XL with the eXplorist 500LE. I'm extremely impressed with this unit. I like the battery clip and it seems to be working quite well with the Duracell rechargeables that I have in there now. I will be keeping some spares and old faithful handy though...for the first little while anyways. I may or mat not opt for the Li-ion cell. The receiver came with a coupon for the battery but who knows if it is still valid.

Edited December 17, 2006 by 2happy2gether

[+tenulp]

Now Canadian Tire has the same offer in their latest flyer and on their website:

 

We just picked one up at Wal-Mart on sale for $199.99 as Cdn Tire was sold out but would have given us a rain check.

Tenulp

Duncan, BC

[+maleficarum]

I rencently got a Magellan Explorist 500LE for 219CDN$, and have been extremely impressed so far other then the basemap being sparse....looking forward to purcashing Canada Topo for it soon...

Tomek