More than just a handheld GPS receiver, the Magellan eXplorist 300 is also a weather predictor. Its built-in barometer provides more accurate elevation readings than GPS and can indicate when the weather is changing. But even if you get caught in a storm, you don't have to worry about the receiver getting wet, since it's waterproof.

Besides the barometer, the Magellan eXplorist 300 also has a built-in electronic compass. These additions solve two problems with regular GPS receivers. GPS elevation readings can have about twice as much error as horizontal readings. And your current direction can only be known with GPS, if you're moving. But the electronic compass can show your direction all the time, just like a mechanical compass. In addition to providing elevation readings, the barometer can warn you of an approaching storm if it shows the air pressure is dropping.

A barometer and compass aren't the only things built into the eXplorist 300. There's also a North American or European basemap. The basemap shows roads, cities, lakes, and parks for getting to your favorite recreation area. And if you're flying, airports are shown too. For planning your trip, there's storage space for 20 routes with 500 waypoints. If you should take an unplanned path, the track log will record your every movement. So if you want to retrace your steps or repeat the path at a later time, it's saved for you. And you can store 2000 track points in 5 track files.

Backing up the basemap is an accurate 14-channel receiver. When receiving Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) signals, the Magellan eXplorist 300 has a position error of less than three meters for 95% or more of its readings. And its 14 channels lets it find GPS satellites more quickly than older 12 channel receivers. You can monitor which satellites signals are being received and their strength using the Satellite Status Screen. And to provide protection for the receiver, the case is made of a impact resistant plastic with rubber cushioning that can stand up to rough handling.

Despite its advanced features, the eXplorist 300 is easy to operate, even for the first-time user. Its central rocker key acts like a computer's mouse to quickly select one of the three navigation screens with the information you want. And if English isn't your mother tongue, you can choose to show the text in one of nine other languages. You also can choose which map datum and coordinate system is used. Since the map screen has both zoom and pan control, you see as much detail and area as you want.