t''s way stiffer, not quite as damp but still doesn''t really chatter. Crazy pop, floats sweet and is way quicker edge to edge but still stable hauling ass on ice. truck repair services

None . .

I have taken my gps on numerous backpacking trips, including a trip to Algonquin Providencial Park in Canada. It never failed once on recieving a signal the whole trip. There are free programs that you can use to transfer cordinates from PC to GPS or vise versa. I use EasyGPS. It's simple and it gets the job done.

very frustrated! on a recent trip to maine and resetting it several times it multipled my hiking and paddling distance by two and pointed in wrong directions. It works fine in PA and up in Maine it gets even more satellites and becomes confused. Damn useless in Acadia National Park

Customer Service

excellent- replaced it once. Now I have to do it again.

I have used the 315 for almost a year and taken it on numerous pack trips. It is very accurate and easy to learn (compared to the other brands). It keeps the signal pretty well even under forest cover. You can''t download waypoints from your computer software like more expensive units. In order to enter a waypoing before going into the field, I have to get onto topozone.com and bring up the map I want, place the mouse where I want the waypoint to be and then manually type in the numbers off the screen into my GPS (UTM is easier than Lon/Lat!). Creating a waypoint in the field is just a simple keystroke. I have used it in light rain without problem. I have found it to be accurate within about 20-25 feet. This unit does not have memory to download maps into, but when hiking the woods I would MUCH rather look at a full size map than a 2 inch display screen of a map, and the 315 will very quickly give you the coordinates that will pinpoint your exact location on that full size map within 20-25 feet, and that is close enough for the hiking I do.

Customer Service

None Needed

None

I have this Magellian 315 GPS for over a year and used it basically while hunting and also some hiking,and car trips,which I tracked from one point to another although it said say 10 miles,if the road varied it would show more but when I arrived at my Waypoint it counted to zero distance,also the speed traveling is very accurate.I also took it to Alaska on a 14 day cruise,at each destiation I got the Cordinates almost Immediatly.When we departed Vancover Br.Columbia,Approx 3000 miles away from home,it took some time to lock on maybe because the ship was moving, after that it was great.At Denali Nat.Park I asked the one employee if she knew the elevation of the lodge,She said 2000 ft.My GPS said 1995 ft.I''m a down hill skier so I don''t think I''ll use it for Cross Country but maybe.I checked the cordinate I got with the one stored in the unit say Vancover and Fairbanks Al. plus the other destinations we stayed at they were almost identical.I think it''s very easy to use compared to the Garmin Mod.12 and much better grapics I recomend it highly.

Customer Service

Haven''t needed their service as of yet

Similar Products Used:

Garmin Mod.12

None

None

I love my GPS 315. It is very easy to use, locks onto a signal immediatley, and has intelligent and useful screens that make it easy and fun to use. I find that the sun and moon locations on the screen are very helpful. I have dropped it in snow several times when skiing, and have never had a problem with its water resistance.

Customer Service

10 days before the 1 year warranty expired, I slammed my GPS315 down on a cement step, and put a crack in the display. Just days after I sent it, I recieved a brand new GPS in the mail, the best custo

Similar Products Used:

Garmin GPS 3 (too heavy, too long to acquire position)

This is a great unit, and in my opinion better than the Garmin GPS II plus, which I also have at the office.

The graphics are better, and the sun/moon icons mean you can tell the direction of travel without having to move a couple of hundred feet. (This is an under rated feature, that even Magellan doesnt play up the way they could)

As far as not being weaterproof, that has not been a problem. I use this unit regularly in rain, fog, and in the winter it is always mounted on my snowmobile - lots of snow and moisture. Never had a problem. The screen tends to scratch easily - put a strip of wide packing tape over it and problem solved.

Dont leave it in the cold overnight - the LCD doesnt like that, but luckily the one night I left it out on the snowmobile(it went down to -15C that time) after an hour in the warmth of the cabin it was fine.

I will eventually purchase a unit with mapping capabilities, but this unit wont be entirely replaced.

Similar Products Used:

None

I received this as a gift from my parents, who apparently don't want me to get lost and die in the woods, which I appreciate. I haven't been disappointed. I have had great luck with this receiver. While it may take a little while to acquire satellites, it does a good job of holding on to them. I have had no problems with accuracy. I've only actually needed the unit once, but generally carry it with me just for practice, in case a situation arises. Nothing beats a map and compass, and the knowledge to use them, but the GPS makes a good backup, mostly to check myself. At the time I got the GPS, I didn't know much about navigation, so the manual was nearly useless. The video helped quite a bit, though. Since then, I've had quite a bit of map and compass training, and everything makes sense now. I can now use nearly every funtion of the GPS, and know how it works. My point is, learn to use a map and compass. If you feel you can use something to check yourself in the event of an emergency, get this unit. It works, and it works well.

Customer Service

Never had to actually call customer service, but check the web site for software upgrades, because they won't tell you.

Similar Products Used:

Silva compass and USGS quads. Don't leave home without them.

This is a handy unit. I have used it on some car trips and find it useful. I have checked the repeatability on this unit and find it good (down to showing different sides of the interstate). I have yet to try it in the woods but believe that it will be good. I have some concerns about reception in tree cover. I was under a bunch of power lines and had some difficulty getting a fix. Hopefully that won't bear out on trees. The resolution is impressive compared to the Garmin, and the battery usage is impressive as well. This unit will find a place in my pack!! I look forward to getting some decent software and a data cable for up-loading. The only down that I could find is you cannot adjust the resolution on pan and that can be a bummer when the object is real far away. I still recommend this unit over the comparable prices units. It offers the most bang for the buck!! Get one you won't regret it. If you want to contact me after 9/18 for some hiking experience with it, do so. See ya in the woods!!

Similar Products Used:

None

There is a dirty little secret with all Magellan handheld GPS, and that is water resistance. The 315 like other Magellans is only rated IPX2 in standard water resistance testing - it can only withstand a 'light misting' without malfunction. The next time someone tells you 'my Magellan floats' ask them how it's going to survive use in light or heavy rain, snow or an accidental splashing in a puddle.

Fact is, Garmins do generally cost more for the same features, but in return you get IPX7 water IMMERSION rating (1 meter of water), in all their outdoor handheld models, plus Garmin will honor the warranty if it doesn't. Try getting that with a Magellan. You could use a plastic bag or case that allows use while sealed inside, except that locks in condensation - which can also put the 315 out of commission. For outdoors use, I would not recommend a Magellan until they upgrade their water resistance.

Similar Products Used:

Various Garmin, Lowrance