I would have to throw my vote over to the Garmin Oregon 550. Its so easy to either dowload Pocket Queries, or individual caches at the click of a button and cable to the computer. Its very geocaching friendly. The camera is also very handy to have, and nothing beats its ruggedness and waterproof design. I also use my Android EVO 4G phone with the Groundspeak app and the c:geo app. The phone is great for on the fly cache runs and also excellent turn by turn navigation, along with up to the minute updates on caches and being able to post logs from the field. I think the use of both technologies has made our experiences great and very easy for us entering this hobby. I’m a tad Garmin biased, having a NUVI and the Garmin Approach G5 (Golf dedicated GPS unit), but its so simple and self explanitory to use, we love it.

My vote would be for the 550 also, but I would not spend the extra on the Terrain Maps, unless you do a boatload of mountain climbing, you can download free maps (routable) that I think are great.

There is also the Delorme PN-40 and 60. Very easy to use as are the Newer Garmins.

i vote against the explorist gc. we are on #4 since end of july. can provide more info if needed. or take some time and search on gc.com forums. some like and some hate it.
i bought a 62s after the 2nd GC stopped working my gf uses the GC and likes it. i like aspects of it alot, but i just do not like it overall.
i think the x10 series have promise though so if you want to go magellan it might be ok. the 610 and 710 have alot of good things going for them as far as features go. the x10 series also can hold 10,000 caches with all the info you want. the 510, 610 and 710 also have cameras built in.

i had looked at the 450 and 550 from garmin as well as the pn60 from delorme and the 62s.
i wanted magnetic compass and 3 axis.
i debated camera or not as i use my blackberry alot for pics as it is always with me.
i felt if i wanted topo maps i would get the free ones online so i didnt care for the t models from garmin or the top 62 model. it is nice that the delorme models come with those. so that is something that makes them appealing. if memory serves me correct the delorme models have the ability to use a rechargeable battery that you can chargs in the unit. it just costs for the battery and cable. i think….
i wanted the ability to get turn by turn.
i wanted ability to add maps

some say go for the 76 or is it the 78 garmins? they are waterproof and will float not sink like the others. they are made for boating if memory is right.

depends on money

the new 310 from magellan is supposed to have the bells to a point of its big brothers and none of the GC issues. but idk what was stripped to get price down. i do know it has buttons like the GC. where as the 5,6 and 710 are touch screens.

some say the touch screens are not as bright in the sun. and hard to use in cold with gloves…. something to consider.

mayb get out with other cachers and use what they have to give you more of an idea.

i went to bass pro shops and played with various units to see how responsive they were as well as if i liked the feel of them in my hands. yes i was in demo mode so could get sat lock, but i was ok with that. i was more interested in feel and how the menus worked in person rather then readin specs online.

good luck

Monty