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Magellan GPS 310 1.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

27 August 2010 5 Comments

  • 12-channel GPS receiver
  • NMEA 0183 output
  • 100 waypoints, 1 reversible route with 10 legs, trip odometer
  • 3 graphic screens, backlight for dim conditions
  • Quadrifilar antenna for better reception

Product Description
Affordable, rugged and pocket-sized, the Magellan GPS 310 adds a new level of fun and safety to your adventure. The GPS 310 lets you explore the outdoors with confidence; you’ll always know exactly where you are and where you’re going to within 15 meters or better. Save your route with up to 10 legs while the trip odometer tells you exactly how far you’ve traveled, making it easy to find your way back. Advanced power management and weather-proof construction make the GPS 310 a reliable GPS receiver under any conditions.Amazon.com Product Description
The Magellan GPS 310 is an affordable 12-channel global positioning system receiver with an NMEA 0183 output for downloading map data from optional CD-R… More >>

Magellan GPS 310 1.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

5 Comments »

  • Fan in Arizona said:

    The Magellan 310 holds 100 waypoints in memory. Higher priced units hold 500, but since I am not a “world traveler” 100 is fine with me. The unit does not come with an NMEA cable to connect to a PC, but Magellan will send you one free if you pay the 5 dollar shipping charge. The owners manual explains all of the features of the unit in sufficient detail that even I can operate it.

    The manual is overly pessimistic in regard to the time the unit takes to “fix” a location. The manual says 2 to 5 minutes for a location fix, but I get a “lock” in 30 to 50 seconds most of the time. Sitting on my sofa, in front of a window, the unit obtained a postion fix in 45 seconds with the venetian blinds only partially open. Venturing into a desert canyon the unit performed even faster. With most of the horizon blocked by the canyon walls the 310 locked in a postion fix in 30 seconds.

    The 310 also performed well in a moving car, with the unit propped up on top of the dashboard. In the moving car the 310 maintained a lock on enough satellites to register speed of travel and a working “North” arrow.

    It doesn’t have the bells, whistles, moving maps, etc. of the higher priced units, but it does what I wanted it to do when I bought it.
    Rating: 4 / 5

    # 27 August 2010 at 7:32 am
  • Steven Dennis said:

    If you want a GPS that will tell you where to turn left to get on the Turnpike, this isn’t it. But if you want to know exactly where you are on the planet, the Magellan 310 and 315 do an excellent job of it, with full 12-channel satellite tracking, the highest available. The nobs are complicated at first, but most guys like learning that sort of thing. This is basically the perfect gift for geeky dads or hikers.

    BTW, the screen on the 310 and 315 as well as the features are superior to the eTrex basic model, although that model is far more ergonomic.
    Rating: 5 / 5

    # 27 August 2010 at 8:11 am
  • KENNY said:

    I WORK FOR A POLICE DEPARTMENT,WHEN OUT ON SEARCHES IN THE WOODS WHERE EVERYTHING LOOKS THE SAME AFTER AWHILE IT WILL TAKE YOU BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM!I DEMONSTRATED THIS UNIT TO A VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR GIVING LIFELIGHT OR AIR EVAC COORDINATES TO LAND TO PICK UP SERIOUSLY INJURED PATIENTS AND THEY LIKED IT SO MUCH THEY BOUGHT IT FROM ME AND I BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE TO REPLACE IT.I ALSO LIKE TO TAKE DRIVES IN UNFAMILIAR AREAS AND MANY TIMES IT HAS GUIDED ME HOME WHEN I WAS LOST.ITS BEEN PROVEN AND FOR THE MONEY AND USER FRIENDLINESS I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS UNIT TO ANYONE!
    Rating: 5 / 5

    # 27 August 2010 at 9:13 am
  • Scott A. Miller said:

    The Magellan 310 is an old, discontinued GPS receiver. I bought the Magellan 310 at $30 at a local chain department store. As I suspected, the unit displays the coordinates in only 4 digits of “minutes” (A.K.A. DD MM.MM format). Modern GPS receivers display 5 digits of minutes. Unfortunately this means the Magellan 310 can only display coordinates to within +/- 60 feet in each dimension (North/South and East/West).

    When I hooked the Magellan 310 to a laptop computer with a serial cable, the 310 outputs up to 6 digits of Minutes – more than sufficient for any task. So if you’re looking for a bargain priced GPS receiver for use with a laptop for something like NetStumbler or DeLorme Street Atlas, I think this is a good bargain if you can find it under $50. Be sure to budget for extra cost of a serial cable (about $20) as the cable is not included.

    Unfortunately, you can’t transfer saved waypoints between your computer and the 310 with the serial cable.

    I also think this GPS receiver is perfectly suitable for situations where high precision isn’t required. For example, finding your way back to your car after hiking in the woods doesn’t really require 3 Meter precision like modern GPS receivers have – the Magellan 310 should get you within 20 Meters (about 65 feet). That should get you close enough to see your car.

    One of the most popular reasons for buying a GPS receiver is for geocaching. Most people that want to try out geocaching look for a low-priced GPS receiver so they can try the sport and decide whether or not they like it. While it might be tempting to buy the Magellan 310, I strongly suggest spending a few more dollars on a GPS receiver with 5 digit minute precision like the Magellan 315 or the Magellan Sportrak. It is technically possible to geocache with the Magellan 310, but you’ll have to manually adjust for the 4 digit minute precision. Explaining how this adjustment works is beyond the scope of this review, but trust me when I say you want something better than the Magellan 310 for geocaching.
    Rating: 2 / 5

    # 27 August 2010 at 11:53 am
  • Anonymous said:

    Small,handy,user friendly. very fast lock time. lighted display for night time use for either going into or coming out the woods. 100 memories(landmarks) for all those important places you need in the woods or cities. never had less then 8 satellites in any given terrain so far.
    Rating: 4 / 5

    # 27 August 2010 at 2:29 pm