0ur opinion:

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lt's the kind of handheld GPS that outdoor enthusiasts have long been searching for: rugged, reliable, versatile... plus precision GPS+WAAS navigation with electronic compass and barometric altimeter features!

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Rugged, reliable, and versatile, the Lowrance iFinder Explorer is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. This compact navigation system combines precision GPS and WAAS navigation with an electronic compass and barometric altimeter features. The dual Easy and Advanced operation modes mean user-friendly operation, and the bright, three-inch, 240 x 180 resolution, white LED backlit screen delivers excellent direct sunlight and low-light or night viewing. But it's the built-in, detailed continental United States and Hawaii background map with interstate exit services that makes the Explorer the perfect trip companion on your next hike or biking excursion.

The Explorer includes a 12-parallel channel GPS and WAAS receiver, as well as an antenna port for connecting an external GPS antenna. Dual processors deliver high speed screen updates, and the unique 'Scout Me' feature lets you mark area perimeters and create borders. The system also offers one MMC/SD digital media memory card slot for mapping and recording capabilities and up to 100 savable and retraceable plot trails, with up to 10,000 points in any trail. To help save you save, you can also access 1,000 waypoints, 1,000 event markers, or 100 routes.

Extremely easy to use, the Explorer offers 40 map zoom ranges (0.02 to 4,000 miles), 42 graphic icons, and an easy point-and-map cursor navigation/route planning process. The system is also compatible with optional Lowrance FreedomMaps, Fishing Hot Spots Elite, LakeMaster Pro Maps, NauticPath USA, and Navionics electronic charts. Built to last, the Explorer is also waterproof to lPX7 standards, with a sure-grip rubber seal. lt operates up to 12 hours or longer on two 'AA' batteries (not included).

The Explorer comes with a full, one-year warranty.

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Buyer's feedback: - * Such a great GPS ...
Lowrance is the most consumer oriented GPS on the market. I bought the iFinder when they first came out quite a few years ago. After nearly ten years of perfect service, my old unit started to show its age - being bounced around in suitcases, dropped, scratched, and generally abused, it was time to replace it. Lowrance provides free firmware updates for this unit, which let me take advantage of the latest features and tweaks. The new iFinder has all the buttons in the same places and operates identically to my old unit, so I didn't need to read the manual again. They've added a few improvements. The buttons are easier to press, it's faster, it locks onto position better - in fact, once I had a lock it continued to operate indoors without loosing its position. In addition to the MMC card, it now takes SD cards as well - and, up to 1gig in size. The backlight on this unit is brighter and the battery cover is more secure than the old unit. The memory cards are easier to swap in and out. They even threw in a DC power cord for the car because it does run through batteries - also customizable, you can conserve battery power but dropping the sample rate.

What sets Lowrance apart from others is that there aren't any gotcha's. My original unit was bundled with MapCreate which allowed me to add map details - almost obsolete now, since I'm no longer trying to squeeze everything to fit on a tiny 64meg card. All my old routes, points, and map details were read without the need for software upgrades. I just dropped in my old memory card, loaded my files, and I was running. Even sweeter is the new firmware which can find a street address or display addresses along a long stretch of road. They made little tweaks, like the street pop-up name is anchored to the lower right corner instead of where it used to be - blocking the road detail right under the cursor.

And, the MMC card reader which comes with add-on MapCreate package can read any MMC card, such as my PDA's storage card. This was one of the best purchases I've made since I purchased my old iFinder - and, if you have an old unit you'll love the faster navigation and little enhancements they've made.