Magellan eXplorist GC GPS handheld device

GPS device maker Magellan introduces the eXplorist GC, the first dedicated GPS device for geocaching. The handheld device features -the-box paperless geocaching and is pre-loaded with the most popular geocaches in the world.

The eXplorist GC utilizes SiRFstarIII GPS chipset that provides 3-meter accuracy and features a 2.2-inch color display. It rugged, waterproof, and submersible (IPX-7). The device is powered by two AA batteries that is enough for 18 straight hours of outdoor adventure. It comes with a 30-day free premium membership to geocaching.com and is priced at $149.99.

Magellan eXplorist GC is built for a premium geocaching experience. Whether you're a seasoned geocacher with more than a thousand finds or a newbie that's interested in getting in on the action, eXplorist GC provides all the tricks of the trade.

Probably most important, eXplorist GC supports paperless geocaching, which allows you to download more than 20 unique characteristics of each cache, including name, location, description, hider, size, difficulty, terrain, hint, spoilers, attributes, and last 20 user logs among a number of other details.

Magellan eXplorist GC comes with the most popular geocaches pre-loaded to provide a unique out of box experience. You can literally "turn it on and go!"

To customize your geocaching experience with caches that meet your specific criteria, the eXplorist GC has seamless connection to geocaching.com. This allows you to search more than one millions caches worldwide. With a click of the mouse, you can transfer the information with the Send to GPS feature. Additionally, with a Premium Membership to geocaching.com, you can create custom Pocket Queries and update your device with fresh cache information easily on a weekly basis.

Did we mention that eXplorist GC comes with a free 30 day pass to geocaching.com premium member services? Yes it does! Get access to full GPX file downloads, pocket queries, member only caches, and a host of other great features.

Now that you're hooked up with a premium membership to geocaching.com, download thousands of geocaches to the eXplorist GC. The device can hold up to 10,000 geocaches so you can continue to load new caches for each and every new adventure.

Searching for the right cache is easy by setting your search preferences: by nearest, by name, by type, by date, or by geocache ID. Also, you can customize your cache list. For example, show all regular size, traditional type caches that have not been found.

To support all your geocaching adventures, the eXplorist GC comes packed with tons of helpful hardware features. Most striking, the vibrant color screen is transflective, which allows for the best readability in direct sunlight. To zero in on the exact location of a hidden cache, the SiRFstarIII GPS chipset provides accuracy of 10-feet (3-meters). To keep your fun going all day long, the device is powered by two AA batteries for 18 hours of constant usage. Finally, to keep your new favorite toy safe as you explore the outdoors, eXplorist GC is rugged, waterproof, and submersible (IPX-7). All of this is packed into a small and attractive handheld form factor that can be hung around your neck or attached to your pack with the built-in carabineer hook.

eXplorist GC provides unmatched assistance with navigation, such as the combination of the world's two most useful navigational tools - a compass and a map! Overlay a series of different transparent compass styles on top of a pre-loaded worldwide map that show roads, water features, parks, and city centers. Access the dashboard screen that shows a mini-compass for quick reference and customizable navigation data fields, such as latitude, longitude, heading, bearing, distance to end, trip odometer, and many more. Go back to the map screen and view your active track, which is a series of digital breadcrumbs to record all yours movements. Mark your starting point (car, trailhead, parking lot...) with a waypoint and easily navigate back to that location once you've unearthed your fill of caches. eXplorist GC will not only find hidden treasure, but it will also help you find your way back.

Compete with your friends with the unique geocache tracking features. The "time to find" cache feature records the time is takes to find each cache. eXplorist GC will keep a record of the time it takes to find each cache in the geocache details page and average all finds in your user profile. The device also tracks the number and type of geocaches found. Keep track of your finds on the geocache awards screen and stats page.

Reference your Trip Summary to keep track of your distance travelled, complete travel time, moving time and stopped time, and average time to find. Easily reset your Trip Summary statistics to track the details of your next geocaching adventure.

Whether you are searching for treasure in the Nordics, the Orient, or in the West Indies, eXplorist GC will provide accurate GPS signals thanks to the Satellite Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) of WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS, which is identified in the GPS status bar. eXplorist GC also displays coordinates in a myriad of different global systems, including UTM and WGS84. Geocaching is a worldwide phenomenon and eXplorist GC will help guide you accurately to treasures all over the globe.

eXplorist GC has the ease-of-use to help a novice geocacher discover the world of high-tech treasure hunting and the sophistication to keep an experienced hunter satisfied with loads of advanced features. "X" marks the spot and eXplorist GC can help to find it!

Intelsat Re-establishes Contact with Rogue WAAS GEO Satellite

Intelsat announced that on 23 December 2010, the power from the Galaxy 15 battery completely drained during its loss of earth lock and the Baseband Equipment (BBE) command unit reset, as it was designed to do. Shortly thereafter Galaxy 15 began accepting commands and Intelsat engineers began receiving telemetry in their Satellite Operations center.

According to the announcement, they have placed Galaxy 15 in safe mode and reported that it no longer poses any threat of satellite interference to either neighboring satellites or customer services. After completing initial diagnostic tests, we will load updated commanding software to the satellite. They expect to relocate the satellite to an Intelsat orbital location where engineers at their Satellite Operations Control Center will initiate extensive in-orbit testing to determine the functionality of every aspect of the spacecraft.

Galaxy 15 contained one of two WAAS GEO transponders leased by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to transmit GPS integrity and correction data to aviation and ground users.

On April 5, 2010, Intelsat reported it had lost communications with Galaxy 15. Shortly thereafter, the FAA announced that Galaxy 15 (PRN 135) would discontinue transmitting WAAS GPS integrity and correction information within a few weeks. Surprisingly, the uncontrolled Galaxy 15 ended up staying on track well enough to continue broadcasting WAAS integrity and correction data until 16 December, when broadcasts ceased. During that period it had drifted from 133°W longitude to 98°W longitude.

On 29 December, the FAA confirmed that they are considering bringing Galaxy 15 back into WAAS service, but that it depends on how long it takes to move it back to its intended orbit location. The FAA said It also depends on the results of the testing efforts in pinpointing the initial failure.