Hi Tortoise.
Sorry, I don't check my inbox on this site so probably a good time to start
For the $400 I spent I am more than happy with my unit and the Tassie Topo map.
It is my first unit so I have no idea what speed others are capable of.
My 2 big dislikes are the loss of tracks when you zoom out (very annoying) and the absence of huts being marked.
I don't find it slow and it never freezes up.
It does what I want it to do (I don't get lost), it was cheap and there are more tracks marked than I'll ever walk.
The GPS positioning with the Magellan is accurate (it's the loaded tracks that appear out in some places).
Some tracks are older variants (Quamby Bluff) and some appear incomplete but that does not cause an issue as the track gets remarked as you walk.
On a recent walk I was off trail on the GPS by 20 meters but I was clearly on the marked track.
I have no idea if the GPS was inaccurate due to thick canopy cover or if the track on the GPS was positioned wrong.
It was no way an issue as you do not walk step by step to what is on the screen.
If a track was marked over some water I am not going to walk through the water because the GPS says to
It functions for me to show me where tracks are and if I have gone the right way at an intersection, simple.
I am not that critical of the the track accuracy, I really like the Tasmania now in the palm of my hand.
The walks I now see possible from the GPS are a great inspiration to go and explore our beautiful state more.
The reason I bought a Magellan is because I refused to pay the $700 to $800 I would have had to spend if I went for a Garmin.
The map set is very expensive and making your own custom maps can be difficult and a lot of work.
For $40 Magellan, you get all of Tasmania in one hit.
I read Garmin are good for road maps but not walking tracks and that sealed the decision for me.
I purchased the 510 and I am so glad I did.
The Explorists are by now means a cutting edge hand held GPS units of today but access to the Magellan Topo Summit Series makes up for this.
The best feature is the camera that I use to quickly save waypoints by simply taking a photo.
The instruction manual doesn't appear comprehensive but I have learnt that is because the unit is so easy to use.
I have heard of people struggling with Garmins but my 8 year old could use the Magellan with minimal instruction.
Battery life using Energiser Ultimate Lithiums is amazing.
I hope this answers a few questions.
If only all the people who helped us get to where we are, were here to save us from where we are.
Me