Garmin eTrex Handheld GPS | List Price: $139.99 Discount Price: $69.95

| Brand: Garmin Binding: Sports
Features: - Global positioning system (GPS) receiver continuously tracks and uses up to 12 satellites
- Calculates current and average speed, time of sunrise and sunset, trip distance, and more
- Automatic track log--10 saved tracks let you retrace your path in both directions
- Tough waterproof case; runs for 18 hours on 2 AA batteries
- Compatible with optional Garmin MapSource software for downloading trip and waypoint data (not map compatible)
Basic Gps, Does the Job. [Posted on 2008-01-18] We use this GPS when snowmobiling. Makes it easy to get back to your starting point.
Doesn't work [Posted on 2008-02-17] I bought this unit to take with me deer hunting. It did not track the satellites initially so I returned it. I had the same difficulty with the second unit. The seller couldn't explain why both malfunctioned so I just got my money back. My advice is to take 2 AA batteries with you, open the package, install them and test the unit before you leave the parking lot. I guess there are no satellites over Gray, Georgia.
A fantastic legacy GPS [Posted on 2008-04-18] The eTrex is a FANTASTIC little unit that has served me well for years.
It has great battery life, quality construction, and solid durability.
My last trip was a three weeks backpacking trip in the mountainous New Mexico. I made a list of waypoints using notepad and the internet and input them to my device, while on the train. Of course, I still had a compass and paper topo maps, but this GPS made it a lot easier to find my way back to camp, during my day-hikes!
Four caveats:
FIRST: Keep in mind GPS units are only for SUPPLEMENTAL information. You must still be able to navigate with a compass and paper map if you're going backpacking!
Keep in mind, this unit is IPX7, meaning it is water RESISTANT, not waterproof. Despite what you may read in eBay auctions, Garmin does NOT make one waterPROOF unit. IPX7 means that the unit will sit just below the surface of non-flowing water for 30 minutes. Anything more than that is not guaranteed to be covered by warranty.
Also, DO NOT BUY THIS UNIT. Buy the newer, but nearly identical, eTrex H. The high sensitivity reciever is a HUGE improvement over the old 12 channel gps recievers. High sensitivity recievers acquire satellites much faster and have much better reception. With an "H" unit, you can leave your GPS under a thin lid on the top of your backpack or use the unit under heavy tree cover.
Finally, if you can squeeze just a little more out of your checkbook, I would recommend a COLOR unit. Color units have a longer battery life (TFT screens use less energy than the black and white LCD) and most colored units share the same interface as other colored units... a much simpler interface than their odd-ball black and white counterparts.
Great Deal [Posted on 2008-06-16] For the money this is a great GPS. Easy to use and keeps us from getting lost as we cut trails on our wooded acreage. Works well in heavy trees.
adequate for the task [Posted on 2008-08-11] The Garmin eTrex is a no frills GPS that is perfect for new geocachers and hikers who need coordinates but not road maps.
Click here for more details and discount information...
|