Magellan eXplorist 310 Waterproof Hiking GPS User Manual

1. Introduction

The Magellan eXplorist 310 is a robust GPS receiver designed for outdoor navigation, hiking, and geocaching. It features a high-resolution color screen, a waterproof design, and preloaded mapping capabilities. This manual provides essential information for setting up, operating, and maintaining your device.

Image: The Magellan eXplorist 310 GPS device, highlighting its compact design and user interface.

2. What's in the Box

Verify that all items are present in the packaging:

• Magellan eXplorist 310 GPS receiver
• Standard mini USB cable
• Quick start guide
• 2 AA batteries
• Geocaching.com 30-day free trial flyer
• Energizer Battery coupon

3. Key Features

• Brilliant, Sunlight-Readable Color Screen

  A vibrant 2.2-inch color transflective screen ensures optimal readability even in direct sunlight, enhancing visibility during outdoor use.

• Rugged and Waterproof Design

  The device is submersible and tested to IPX-7 standards, capable of withstanding depths up to one meter for 30 minutes. This robust construction allows you to focus on your adventure without concern for device protection.

• High-Sensitivity GPS

  Equipped with an integrated SiRFStarIII GPS chipset, the eXplorist 310 provides up to 3 meters of accuracy with the assistance of WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS, ensuring precise location information globally.

• Preloaded World Edition Map

  The device comes with a preloaded World Edition map, featuring a detailed road network in North America and Western Europe, major roads worldwide, water features, urban and rural land use, and realistic shaded relief.

• Paperless Geocaching

  Download and view over 20 unique characteristics for each geocache, including name, location, description, hider, size, difficulty, terrain, hint, and recent logs. The device allows for viewing, searching, and filtering of geocaches.

• Extended Battery Life

  Enjoy up to 18 hours of battery life using 2 AA batteries. The device also features a suspend mode to conserve power by turning off all functions except GPS tracking, allowing for quick reactivation with a single click.

• 500 MB User Memory

  Ample storage for additional maps (such as Summit Series topo maps), geocaches, waypoints, and tracks.

4. Setup

4.1 Battery Installation

1. Locate the battery compartment on the back of the device.
2. Turn the locking mechanism (usually a screw or latch) counter-clockwise to unlock the cover.
3. Carefully remove the battery cover.
4. Insert two AA batteries, ensuring correct polarity (+/-) as indicated inside the compartment.
5. Replace the battery cover, aligning it properly. For a secure seal, connect the bottom of the cover first with a slight upward motion, then lower the top half and turn the locking mechanism clockwise until tight.

Note: The device ships with two Energizer lithium batteries. Using high-quality alkaline or lithium batteries is recommended for optimal performance and battery life.

4.2 Initial Power On

Press and hold the power button (typically located on the side or top) for a few seconds until the screen illuminates. The device will boot up and begin acquiring GPS satellites.

4.3 Connecting to a Computer

Use the provided standard mini USB cable to connect your eXplorist 310 to a computer. This connection allows for data transfer, including maps, geocaches, waypoints, and tracks.

• Connect the mini USB end to the GPS device.
• Connect the standard USB end to an available USB port on your computer.
• The device should appear as a removable storage device on your computer.

5. Operating Instructions

5.1 Basic Navigation and Menus

The eXplorist 310 features an intuitive menu system with a simple main menu and contextual menus. Use the directional pad and selection buttons to navigate through options.

• Main Menu: Access core functions like Map, Geocaches, Waypoints, Tracks, and Tools.
• Contextual Menus: Press the Menu button within an application (e.g., Map screen) to access specific options for that function.
• Dashboard: Utilize the dashboard for quick access to statistics like distance traveled, average speed, elevation, and time.

5.2 Geocaching

The eXplorist 310 is optimized for paperless geocaching. Follow these steps to load and use geocaches:

1. Download Geocaches: Obtain GPX files from geocaching websites (e.g., Geocaching.com). Ensure files are unzipped if downloaded as a .ZIP archive.
2. Transfer Files: Connect the GPS to your computer. Copy the .GPX geocache files into the "Geocaches" folder on the device. Copy any associated .WPTS.GPX files into the "Waypoints" folder.
3. Device Settings for Geocaching:
   • Go to Map, press Menu, select Map Options. Turn Auto Zoom OFF to prevent the map from constantly re-centering.
   • Go to Map, press Menu, scroll to Geocaches. Set this option to "Not Found & Not Attempted" to display relevant caches.
4. Viewing Geocaches: From the main menu, select "Geocaches" to view a list. Select a cache to see its details, including description, hint, and logs.

5.3 Tracking and Recording

The device can record your path as a track, allowing you to retrace your steps or review your journey.

• Start Tracking: Tracking typically begins automatically when the device is powered on and has a GPS fix.
• View Track: Your recorded path will appear as "breadcrumbs" on the map screen.
• Track Summary: Access the track summary to view statistics such as distance traveled, average speed, elevation gain/descent, and total time.
• Saving Tracks: Save tracks to preserve your route for future reference or analysis.

5.4 Battery Management

To maximize battery life, utilize the power-saving features:

• Suspend Mode: This advanced power-saving mode turns off all functions except GPS tracking. To activate, navigate to Tools > Settings > Power and select Suspend Mode. Wake the device with a single button press.
• Backlight Timer: Adjust the backlight timer in Tools > Settings > Brightness & Volume to automatically turn off the screen after a set period of inactivity.
• Battery Type Setting: Ensure the correct battery type (Alkaline, Lithium, or NiMH) is selected in Tools > Settings > Power for accurate battery level indication.

6. Maintenance

6.1 Cleaning the Device

To clean your eXplorist 310, use a soft, damp cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners or solvents that could damage the screen or casing. Ensure the battery compartment is securely closed before cleaning with moisture.

6.2 Battery Care

• Remove batteries if the device will not be used for an extended period to prevent leakage.
• Always use fresh, high-quality AA batteries.
• Do not mix old and new batteries, or different types of batteries.

7. Troubleshooting

7.1 Device Does Not Power On

• Check if the batteries are inserted correctly with the proper polarity.
• Replace with fresh batteries.
• Ensure the battery compartment cover is securely closed.

7.2 GPS Signal Acquisition Issues

• Ensure you are in an open area with a clear view of the sky.
• Allow several minutes for the device to acquire satellites, especially during the first use or after traveling a long distance.
• Avoid operating near tall buildings, dense foliage, or indoors, which can obstruct the signal.

7.3 Geocaches Not Appearing on Device

• Verify that the downloaded geocache files are in .GPX format and have been unzipped.
• Ensure the .GPX files are copied into the "Geocaches" folder on the device.
• Check the "Geocaches" filter setting under Map > Menu > Geocaches. Set it to "Not Found & Not Attempted" to ensure all relevant caches are displayed.

7.4 Map Auto-Zoom is Annoying

• To disable automatic map zooming, go to Map > Menu > Map Options and set Auto Zoom to OFF.

8. Specifications

9. Warranty and Support

For warranty information, technical support, or service inquiries, please refer to the official Magellan website or contact their customer support directly. Specific warranty terms may vary by region and purchase date.

You can often find additional resources, software updates, and FAQs on the manufacturer's support pages.

Note: The product includes a Geocaching.com 30-day free trial flyer. For details regarding this offer, please refer to the flyer provided in the box.