I've got the new Explorer+ and while I haven't held the old one, this seems much nicer from looking at pics of the older models. Very comfortable to hold in the hand. The user interface is nice once you get used to it and quick to navigate around. The GPS works well and it comes preloaded with Garmin's topo map. It may be because I am used to looking at USGS maps, but I still prefer using Gaia on my iPhone with the USGS maps for checking on location and getting a bigger view of things (more screen on the iPhone compared to the Explorer+), etc. Also easier to scroll around maps in the iPhone vs the directional arrow on the Explorer+. But, a couple of weeks ago I was camping and hiking in the Utah desert and the GPS/maps on the Explorer+ has a bunch of old roads that were not on the USGS maps, and were not even used as roads anymore - but were nice to use for a trail, etc. So that was nice added info. It was actually nice to have both that map and the USGS map on my phone.
Using Earthmate on my phone (paired or not paired) gives me a larger more useful map that the Explorer+ alone - and you can add a basemap of public lands so you know when you are on public lands - nice for camping.
I have played with messaging, getting weather reports, etc and very pleased with all of it. Battery usage is pretty minimal just using at 1" log of route without sending location or checking messages. I have used it some (to test it) for uploading my route in real time and it still seemed pretty good on batteries - but I don't really need this feature so went with the safety plan. If I want to get real time tracking for a trip I can upgrade for a month.
I plan to use if for emergencies and to keep a track of my route when hiking in case I need to retrace my steps. The Explorer+ at 1" log interval is pretty similar in distance to my Suunto GPS watch at 1 sec interval tracking. Not sure how that works. When I track at 1" on my Suunto, it is way off in distance from tracking on my phone GPS. So Garmin has done something right there. Tracking on the iPhone uses too much battery, so nice to be able to keep a track on the Explorer+.
I will like having the emergency, weather info, and communication ability of the Explorer+, and having it and my phone to use as GPS's as needed. A little back up is good