Magellan eXplorist HACK

Magellan eXplorist HACK !!

I like messing around with things, and I had a bit of time to waste tonight so.... I decided to see if I could turn my GC into a 310. Well it turns out you can, and here's how...

** Disclaimer:
The procedure I will describe works for me, but you are the one that ultimately takes the risk while crossflashing your GPS. This likely will void your warranty although as it turns out it is possible to turn it back into a GC easily enough.

HACK the Magellan eXplorist GPS 

Free GPS maps

http://www.gpsfiledepot.com has a pretty extensive selection of free maps. I have loaded them on my old Garmin Etrex Legend CX. I wonder if they would be able to be loaded on the GC somehow. I am going to try the conversion soon. I don't use the map on GC anyway because it doesn't give turn by turn so it's really just a reference - but I have my iPhone 4 so I generally have full mapping and satellite capabilities on that if I need a visual. The GC gets me to the GZ once I'm already in the vicinity.

free GPS Basemap

I did the procedure as described and everything went well! I did some more research and realized that there are all sorts of licensing issues with converting Garmin maps to Magellan, etc. so that seems like it's not really an option. HOWEVER - I did find this site: http://maps4me.net/b...maps_explorist/ that has a lot of downloads for Magellan devices. It looks like there is a small yearly fee for downloads over a certain size or something, but it's a start.

Triton500 update from magellan

A half decent basemap can be found in the Triton500 update from magellan. Just download the one you want or both, (NA or EU), then unpack the files and look in the \HDD\MAP_DATA\ folder and take the mgi file from there. Drag the map onto Vantagepoint and use the install maps button to send it to your gc/310. Or you could just place it in the \Maps\ folder of the gps manually. This is a much better basemap than the "detailed basemap" that comes with vantagepoint .

The eXplorist Series

Xplorist GC 2.2" screen; high-sensitivity SiRFstarIII GPS; dedicated to geocaching; paperless geocaching; pre-loaded world map of major roads, parks, rivers, lakes, major city points; waterproof to IPX7 standards; picture viewer; 18 hours battery life; compatible with VantagePoint; saves 1 track, 500 waypoints, 10,000 geocaches

eXplorist 110 2.2" screen; high-sensitivity SiRFstarIII GPS; paperless geocaching; pre-loaded world map of major roads, parks, rivers, lakes, major city points; waterproof to IPX7 standards; picture viewer; 18 hours battery life; compatible with VantagePoint; saves 10 tracks, 500 waypoints, 500 geocaches; audible proximity alarms

VantagePoint Crash with Magellan GPS

VantagePoint on Windows 7 64 bit

I had hoped to sync Geocaching GPX files with my Magellan GPS, however the VantagePoint software would not load and kept Crashing.  After connecting the eXplorist handheld GPS device with the USB cable and trying to launch or start the VantagePoint software with a Windows 7 64bit I was unable. 

I have read many forums and information website.  In summary they all discuss problems with Windows 7 64bit running the VantagePoint software Crashing with Magellan GPS.

Conclusion:  This is a crap software. The Poorest I have ever seen/used.

Problems with:
VantagePoint on a Gateway with an Intel Video Card in Windows 7 – 64bit
See more at: http://www.exploristforum.com/forums/vp-bug-reporting/vp-crashed-again/#sthash.bM5Tj71N.dpuf


VantagePoint software is a unique application that allows you to manage your Magellan outdoor GPS experience
http://support.magellangps.com/support/index.php?_m=downloads&_a=viewdownload&downloaditemid=380&nav=0,358,350
VantagePoint had an update


VantagePoint crashed again! | VantagePoint Bug Reporting
http://www.exploristforum.com/forums/vp-bug-reporting/vp-crashed-again/


VantagePoint Download:
Download - VantagePoint (as of date - MVP_232.exe)
http://www.magellangps.com/VantagePoint

Factory Reset Magellan eXplorist

The GC has a firmware emergency mode, that can be accessed by:
1) remove batteries, replace with fresh batteries
2) plug into USB while still off.
3) Press "UP", "Menu", and "Power" AT THE SAME TIME until the spin-wheel appears, then release

This will put you into a mode where you access the GC's files from your computer. From here you can restore your unit back to "official" firmware.

Magellan eXplorist upgrade

This Russian site has all the details needed to upload new maps to a Magellan eXplorist 300, 200, or 100. Inside the battery case are four pads that can be used for serial communication. You will have to use a MAX232 to shift the voltage levels. Since this occupies the battery space you’ll need to provide power as well. This can be tapped from a USB port. Once the cable is built you can download waypoints using OziExplorer: 

Magellan eXplorist 110 BaseMap

eXplorist BaseMap

Magellan eXplorist 110

explorist 110 hack

I was able to copy the basemap from my magellan explorist 500 to my magellan explorist 210 by copying and pasting the basemap folder. 

Convert Decimal Coordinates

10.2. Convert Decimal Coordinates to DDD MM.MMM

If you would like to convert Decimal Coordinates to DDD MM.MMM, take the integer (whole number) - positive is North and East, negative is South and West - and set it aside. The remaining decimals would be multiplied times sixty to get minutes.

Example: the Sears Tower in Chicago is located at 41.878928° -87.636415°. For the latitude...