Magellan’s eXplorist 500 handheld color GPS unit is now available in North America. The 500 is a recreational GPS with a rugged and waterproof design. Despite the device’s size and weight (4.6 x 2.1 x 1.3 inches, four ounces) it packs an impressive feature list.

The eXplorist 500 is a 14-parallel-channel, WAAS/EGNOS-enabled GPS receiver which is accurate up to three meters. The 2.3” LCD is a full-color, backlit, high-resolution screen with good directional viewing. Another neat feature to note is the software that allows you to calculate area, perimeter and vertical profiles for trails and more.

To expand your GPS it includes a SD memory card reader/writer which supports up to the highest capacities available. To manage your files such as waypoints, track logs, and routes, you can easily move the files around through the 500’s PC-like file management.

Also included in the device is geocaching manager software. For those of you who don’t know what geocaching is check out www.geocaching.com. It is an evolving outdoor activity where users hide and seek caches via GPS co-ordinates; think of it as a hike with a purpose.

The Magellan eXplorist 500 should set you back around $400 US.