Magellan eXplorist 600 North America GPS Receiver

Bait and switch issues on upgrades

By IceMan  Dec 31, 2005 | 6 out of 6 found this Magellan eXplorist 600 North America review helpful

Pros: features as all in one data center Plot weather etc

Cons: MFG does not uphold ISO standard of quality service or adhere to verbal agreements on order upgrade units and refuses to honor upgrade recommendations that they have made

I wanted to uopgrade software to Topo 3d emailed magellan tech support and was told that my current sportrak map was not compatible and that if I wanted to use topo3d software that I could upgrade my sportrak map unit to the explorist series. I opted... for the 600 unit because of all the bells and wistles. As a geologist plots w/ weather data would save me from purchasing the kestrel hand held weather system and lugging around another expensive piece of equipment. I called tech support to upgrade my sportrak to explorist 600 and was adamant w/ the tech that I wanted the following: explorist 600 w/ usb data cable, power cable, li-ion battery and 3d software w the addition of a belt clip carry case. the case would of course be a extra charge. the tech assured me that the 600 package would come w/ the 3d software. the upgrade cost $269.00 for the 600 package + 14.95 for the case and $6.00 freight which was taxed for a total of $313.66. When I received my 600 package it came with everything so I thought. when I installed the Mapsend software dvd it gave me options as to what software I could install. I installed the 3d portion, after installation the software manager screen came up and prompted me for an unlock code when I attempted to unlock it it asked me for my credit card number so that I could pay an additional fee of either $149.00 oir upgrade at a price of $99.00. After this startling revelation I called The San Dimas office and talked w/ customer service and asked for a manager. The customer service rep aske dwhat the problem was and I explained and she said that I had a valid Case and that a manager would call me between 4:00 and 5:00pm. I received a call from the manager who would not give his name and I explained what the issue was and that I would like my 3d software that I was assured by his technical staff email and confirmed by the technician via land line. The manager was extremely rude in saying that his tech would have never said that the 600 package came w/ 3d software and that it was only available thru retail outlets and not an option for upgrade and that my only course of action was to send the 600 unit back and get back my old sportrak... Read more Less