Garmin eTrex Legend C Waterproof Hiking GPS Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Two months ago my family and I joined about 2.3 million others in leaving the Texas Gulf Coast as Hurricane Rita came our way.The road system could not handle that much traffic and a 3 hour drive turned into a 16 hour nightmare.Roads were clogged beyond capacity and I used a county map to navigate along back roads (gravel, shell, dirt and cowpath) to get ahead of a few thousand cars stopped on highways.That worked fine until the map ran out.Then we were stuck in traffic and melting heat.As we sat there I saw other people using nearby roads with confidence and I assumed they had better maps than I did.I was right, but their maps were on their GPS devices.The decision to buy a GPS was made then and there.

I did a lot of research trying to decide which device I wanted to buy and soon found myself lost in a sea of varying opinions.Right after reading a review that extolled the virtues of one unit I would read another that completely trashed it.Eventually I decided that the reviews here and at other sites were not going to give me the answer I was looking for and I would have to buy a device and try it for myself.Using reviews and some common sense I decided that the Garmin eTrex Legend C was a good bet for a trial and ordered it from Amazon.

After giving it a real workout this last week I have to report that this device is a dream.When I chose the Legend C it was my intention that be our introduction into GPS navigation on road and off as well as to use for Geocaching.

We began using it the day we got it by entering an address and navigating to a friend's house on the other side of town.What amazed me was that it chose the same route I would have used, (from among several that were not as desireable).A few days later we used it on a 300 mile trip and it performed flawlessly.It even found our destination, a place in the middle of nowhere, past the end of the last marked road and in a pasture accessible only by a ranch road with no name (that was on the map I downloaded into the device from Garmin City Select Map CD).We used it in the field for several days and my son played with it almost constantly.Before we left to return home we used it to find our first geocache.

The Pros - Great battery life.I do recommend the 12 volt car power cable option because the backlight times out to conserve battery life.We used it for a week (kids sat there and played with it for hours trying to discover all of the features) and it's still on the first set of batteries.

- Easy to read display.Like most other color displays it washes out a little when direct sun is shining on it, but unlike the color display on my cellular telephone it only takes a small adjustment in angle to see the readout well. The display is sharp and automatically changes at dusk and dawn to make itself easier to view in different light conditions.

- Amazingly accurate.When navigating, the device provides warning of upcoming turns by beeping and changing the display.As you get closer to the turn it displays a countdown to the number of seconds before the turn.We were astounded by how accurately it marked the turns to the second.

- Quality of optional maps from the City Select CD.We were out in rough country where even the marked county roads are unpaved and barely maintained.The number of no-name ranch roads scraped out by graders, or are trails marked only by the track of other vehicles that use it, are how people get around once off the highway.Other than some of the smaller tracks this map found every gravel or shell private road we came across.We even found some roads that we had not known existed before as we saw them on the map display while driving around.

Ability to maintain contact with satellites.If you plan to use this in the car I recommend that you turn it on outside the car first and let it find the satellites.It seems to work faster that way.However, while it may take longer for the Legend to find the satellites from inside a vehicle, no matter how it finds them once it acquires the satellite signals it hangs on to them from inside the car.The only way we ever got it to completely lose the signals was to hold it down well below the line of sight from any window.I purchased the optional vehicle mount that suction cups to the windshield and I always had a great signal.Outside, under medium cover, it held signals without a problem.I did not have major cover to deal with so I can't say what would happen in a forest.I expect that the Legend would have the same problems as any GPS would when used under a heavy canopy of trees.

Cons - The device uses a small pointer button to maneuver through options on many of the menus.When trying to manipulate the pointer and then press it to enter an option, it is easy to make mistakes and make the cursor move when you meant to press "enter".A minor hassle but one you should be aware of.

The display is small for use as in vehicles.I could read it allright, but if I were using the device only for in car navigation I would a larger readout.But, as I said I chose this unit to perform a variety of GPS jobs.

Pro and Con - The maps from the CD were fantastic.I have yet to find an error.The "unlocking" process was not as much a pain as I expected from reading other reviews, but it was not as user friendly as I would like.

Maps are loaded by sections and urban areas really eat up a lot ofmemory.My next unit will have more memory or an expansion slot to add memory via SD or CF cards.

Final analysis.If you are looking for a GPS device to perform a wide variety of tasks on and off road then I highly recommend the eTrex Legend C.As an entry level unit it is expensive, but the cheaper devices had limitations that I was not prepared to live with.More expensive units offer more memory and other things that are nice to have, and of course you can find devices that are more specifically designed and useful for more narrowly focused applications.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin eTrex Legend C Waterproof Hiking GPS

Product Description:
Garmin's pocket-sized eTrex Legend C handheld GPS unit enhances Garmin's popular eTrex Legend with a color screen, automatic routing, and longer battery life, making it one of the smallest, least expensive waterproof products to combine a color TFT display with advanced GPS auto-routing abilities. You won't miss a thing when you take this lightweight, easy-to-use handheld out hiking, biking, boating, or geocaching.

Compass indicates direction. View larger.
An easy-to-read color map. View larger.
Displays nearby attractions. View larger.
The eTrex Legend C packs advanced GPS navigation into a compact, waterproof device. The unit offers a bright, transflective color TFT display for easy daylight viewing, automatic route generation, off-route recalculation, turn-by-turn directions with alert tones, and icon-driven menus for finding points of interest (when combined with Garmin's optional MapSource CDs). You'll get up to 36 hours of use on two AA batteries. The unit offers 24 MB of internal memory and its mini-USB port lets you download map data rapidly from Garmin's library of MapSource CDs (not included) with your PC.
You'll enjoy outstanding accuracy of less than three meters (10 feet) when the device is enabled to receive enhanced GPS signals from the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) in the United States. Like on all eTrex units, the primary controls are located on the side of the unit, so you can operate it with one hand. An innovative rocker switch on its face makes inputting data easy, and with it you can scroll through menus or pan the map page.
Other key features of the eTrex Legend C include an auto-route basemap (featuring general map data like highways, major roads, rivers, lakes, and borders); a waterproof design (to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards--submersible in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes); 500 waypoints/routes/tracks (with graphic identification); 50 reversible routes; 20 saved tracks; 10,000 trackpoints; TracBack technology); alarms (proximity waypoint, anchor drag, and off-course, as well as a built-in alarm clock); a GPS patch antenna; selectable audio tones and color schemes; a stopwatch; a hunting/fishing calendar; sun/moon calculations; and a trip computer.
The Legend C includes a built-in, permanent basemap, Americas Recreational, which cannot be altered. The Americas Recreational Routable Basemap v2 includes the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central and South America, and covers an area from longitude 30 to 180 degrees west and latitude from 60 degrees south to 75 degrees north. It includes a high-level, worldwide map featuring borders and major cities.
Standard map coverage includes oceans, rivers, lakes greater than 30 square miles, lakes greater than five square miles in the U.S. and southern Canada, lakes greater than 10 square miles in central and northern Canada, principal cities, some smaller cities and towns, major interstates, principal highways, political boundaries (state and international borders), major airports, and a database of Interstate exits for the Federal Interstate highway system. This last includes many establishments within about 0.25 mile of exits, including restaurants; diesel and gas stations; hotels, motels, and inns; overnight RV parking; dumps; campgrounds; truck stops; medical facilities; shopping and outlet malls; ATMs; and many more such attractions.

What's in the Box
eTrex Legend C GPS receiver, basemap (Americas Recreational), MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager CD, PC/USB interface cable, wrist strap, quick reference guide, and owner's manual.

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Lowrance iFinder Expedition C Waterproof Hiking GPS Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First I would like to say that this is my first GPS unit and that I have been researching several different GPS brands and models for about a year and a half. I travel quite frequently to South America and I wanted a unit that I could view (and navigate) major cities and roadways in SA. I also wanted a compass, color screen and overall, an easy to use unit. I was first interested in the Magellan eXplorist series 300 thru 600. The 600 had all of the features that I wanted but when I called for some pre-sales support, they told me that the unit will work in SA but there are just no maps available for the unit. So for $349.99 (MSRP) you can get a 600 with the North American base map installed. To get any sort of detailed maps add another 149.99 for Mapsend. And after reading the horrible reviews about eXplorist series on cnet and Amazon, I decided to check out other units. I then looked at the Garmin eTrex Vista Cx. However, the unit has a small screen and again, numerous reviews complaining about battery issues and accuracy. When I called Garmin for some pre-sales support, I was on hold for 43 minutes and when someone finally took my call, I was disconnected. So I decided to keep searching.

Researching Consumer Reports, I came across Lowrance. The name sounded familiar since we used their equipment onboard naval vessels. After a few weeks, I settled on the iFinder Expedition C.

THE UNIT: The color screen measures approx. 1.75 X 2.25 inches and the image is excellent. Good color, street names, roads, and boundaries show up very well. It is a solid unit and fits well in the hand and it's very easy to navigate thru the screens using just your thumb. Buttons are rubber and easy to push. Uses 2 AA batteries (unlike the eXplorist 600 that uses a special battery...you can get AAs all over the world) and so far my Energizer NiMH rechargeable batteries have been working just fine. It also has a slot for a standard SD memory card (1 GB Max). It is waterproof up to 1 meter in water for 30 minutes (IPX7 Standard). It comes with a 12 volt car adapter and a pretty good, easy to understand manual. It can track up to 16 satellites at one time but I have only seen as many as 9 on my unit at one time. The unit can play MP3s (only with a special adapter cable sold separately).

THE MANUAL: I skimmed the PDF manual before I purchased my unit to be sure of certain features and ease of use (you can learn a lot about a product by reading the manual first!). It seemed fairly easy and basically self explanatory. Reading PDF page 28 gives you a quick and easy reference to get you on the road or trail fast. However, anything other than the basic features, it will take some time to memorize menu locations and options. So if you really want to utilize the full potential of the unit, you will need to read the manual with the unit on hand (If you don't want to utilize the units full potential, don't buy the Expedition). The manual is quite lengthy but well written and highly detailed. At this time, I have not found any typos or wrong information in the manual. It will just require patience reading page after page.

THE SOFTWARE: The unit comes pre-loaded with a basic map of the entire world. What this means is that you can only see US state boundaries, major US freeways and roads, cities, major bodies of water, and country boundaries. Since I wanted some detailed maps of South America, I wanted to purchase the Freedom Map of the world but the service technician who I spoke with over the phone told me that it is not worth the $99.99 investment since the extra details are not quite there yet. I purchased the USA Topo Map Create Series 6 accessory package (includes an SD card, Card Reader, and 6 CD ROMs) for $95.00 from LEI. The SD card is 64MB (58.5 MB after formatting) and the CD ROMs are series 6.3. To my surprise, the USA Topo Map Create 6.3 does come with the entire world. However, only the 48 US states and Hawaii have the detail down to the street level (Alaska only shows major roads and cities). So for the rest of the world, cities, major lakes, major roadways and waterways are present...far better detail than what comes preloaded with the unit. So I am thinking that the Freedom map of the world would have been a waste of money because I am completely satisfied with the detail of South America. The Map Create is extremely easy to work with. I have yet to read the manual about the software and I have loaded quite a bit of maps to my GPS unit. I purchased 2 512 MB and a 1 Gig card and on one 512 MB card I loaded the entire South American continent, Central America, Wisconsin, Illinois, California, Washington, and Florida. Europe takes up only 4 MB of space (But remember, it's the details that take up the space). As far as the mapping software is concerned, you are able to select what details you want to load onto your GPS unit. For example, if you like railroading, you can choose to have all the railroads displayed. You can have all the restaurants or lodging facilities to show. It's up to you. But the more you want the more space it takes up. There are 21 categories (and numerous subcategories) you can select from (Highways, landmarks, elevation, structures, and hunting and marine navaids just to name a few). The state of Colorado takes up 125 MB with all 21 items selected. With 16 items selected it takes up 27 MB. South America takes up 3.86 MB (again, you're not loading all the roads and restaurants either). Map Create 6.3 comes with 6 CDs and you need to install all 6. After the installation, you will need to keep the first CD in the drive each time you open up the program. The LEI card reader was somewhat difficult to install (yes you need the special LEI card reader if you are going to download maps onto SD cards for your unit). My first two attempts trying to get the mapping software to recognize the reader failed. The third time I used the drivers off Lowrance web site and that didn't work either. I then extracted the drivers off of the CD ROM and finally I got it to work. You cannot save any maps from Map Create 6.3 without the card reader and SD card installed. But once the files are on the SD card you can transfer them to a folder on your PC for backup. Once you have downloaded your specialized maps from Map Create to an SD card, all you have to do is install the SD card into your unit, turn the unit on and it loads the maps, with all its details, automatically on boot up. You are only allowed to have a maximum of 5 SD cards. I don't know what you can do if an SD card gets stolen, lost, or destroyed since I have not had that happen to me yet.

Before installing MapCreate, any running anti-virus programs need to be disabled. Even at that, when I installed Map Create, it totally corrupted Norton Anti-Virus. I had to re-install Norton and all its definitions.

ACCURACY:

The unit itself is very accurate. When I'm driving on a freeway, the MPH on my screen is dead on (probably a little more accurate than the cars speedometer). Also, with the zoom at 0.05 miles (the width of the freeway is around ¾") the unit detects when I am changing lanes. When I am walking in the street with the unit, it detects when I walk around parked cars. I am very impressed. However, the maps are not always that accurate. There is a park behind my house and the map shows it over and down two blocks. According to the map on my GPS, I live one street to the west of my actual location. The GPS signal is probably dead on but the map isn't. Sometimes when I am driving down side roads, it shows that I am about 2 or 3 blocks off (but other side roads it is very accurate). But on major highways and even major roads, it lines up well. Now realistically, being a few blocks off probably isn't that bad. It will get you where you need to go and back again.

WHAT I LIKE:

The unit finds satellites very quickly and the unit is very accurate.

Hardware and software are easy to use

Search feature allows you to search an address, a street, or a restaurant.

Battery life is more than acceptable to me

Screen is very crisp

Unit is very sturdy and durable

Lowrance customer service (and pre-sales support) is excellent

WHAT I DON'T LIKE:

I don't like the fact that I have to extract the batteries in order to remove the SD card. It is very annoying, especially during the experimental stage.

The unit does not have a standard headphone jack

There is a rubber flap on the back of the unit that covers the external antenna port. The rubber flap does not seat very well and keeps popping off (I'm sure the carrying case that you can buy separately will solve that problem but the case looks cheap).

I wish that the manual came with a laminated card (or a PDF that you can download) with a brief description of the menu options. Sort of like a quick reference page that you can carry with you instead of bringing the entire manual along. I am in the process of making one but it is taking some time.

You now have my ten cents worth. As far as I can tell, Lowrance is the way to go. Good Luck!

Five Months Later:

Now that I have had my unit for awhile, I would like to add and subtract a few things that I mentioned in my last review.

The unit is still awesome and learning how to use it is fairly simple and I have no regrets about my purchase. There are just a few things I would like to mention that will hopefully help you determine if this is the unit for you.

LEI

LEI is a Lowrance subsidiary that provides software and accessories for products that Lowrance makes. Their web site can be accessed via the Lowrance home page or http://www.lei-extras.com/store/default.asp. Be careful...Read more›

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lowrance iFinder Expedition C Waterproof Hiking GPS

Product Description:
Find your way to your destination in lavish color with the iFinder Expedition C 16-channel handheld mapping GPS. This compact and portable GPS system offers everything you could want or need when either planning or taking a trip, including the unique "Scout Mode" option to mark area perimeters and create borders, an electronic compass, barometric altimeter with weather predictions, built-in microphone, MP3 player capabilities through the MMC/SD digital media memory card slot, and more. There's even a built-in microphone for recording voice notes to waypoints. Watertight with a sure-grip rubber welt seal, the Expedition C comes with a classic black and silver case.
Reliable, accurate, and user-friendly, the Expedition C features a bright, 2.83-inch diagonal color TFT display with 320V x 240H pixel resolution and a white LED backlit screen for excellent direct sunlight and low-light or night viewing. But it's the built-in continental United States and Hawaii background map (with interstate exit services) that makes this model the ideal travel companion. And because the Expedition C is compatible with optional plug and play Lowrance FreedomMaps, Fishing Hot Spots Elite, LakeMaster ProMaps, NauticPath, and Navionics electronic charts, it can easily accommodate any additional navigation tools you need.
Full of helpful and time-saving features, like dual processors for high speed screen updates and dual Easy and Advanced operation modes, the Expedition C makes trip planning a breeze. In addition, this system gives you access to 1,000 waypoints, 1,000 event markers, and 100 routes, as well as up to 100 savable and retraceable plot trails, with up to 10,000 points in any trail. You can also take advantage of the 40 map zoom ranges (from 0.02 to 4,000 miles) and 63 graphic icons for noting special spots or points.
For added convenience, the Expedition C includes an antenna port for connecting an optional external GPS and WAAS antenna, as well as a 12 volt plug power adapter for in-vehicle or ATV use. It also operates up to 14 hours or longer on two "AA" batteries (not included) and comes with a full, one-year warranty.

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Garmin eTrex Vista Cx Waterproof Hiking GPS Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I love this GPS.

Previously, I had a Magellan handheld GPS (with dim black and white display).It worked well for about 5 years... getting me from point A to point B while I drove my family around California to visit relatives.Recently, I decided that I wanted more so I bought an eTrex Vista CX.

Important features of this GPS are:

(1)it uses a Micro SD card.This allows for storage of A LOT of maps on the GPS.Buy a larger Micro SD card at Frys or eBay and you will be a happy camper.128 or 256 megs will do the job.We recently took an Alaskan cruise, and I was able to upload all of California, Oregon, Washington, BC Canada, and Youkon onto the GPS with some room to spare.Having the ability to use a mini-SD card is very valuable if you are a traveler like me.

(2) Turn by turn directions **IF** you buy the correct software to go with it.I bought the MapSource® City Navigator North America DVD to get this feature.The key is to make sure that the map that you buy comes with "fully routable detailed maps" as Garmin likes to say. When you "upload" to the GPS, upload both maps and route info and you are set.By the way, don't bother trying to steal (ie BitTorrent) the maps from the internet.It won't work since maps are sold by Garmin and MATCHED TO THE SERIAL NUMBER OF EACH GPS.Just save some time, and buy the DVD online.

For those that don't know, most GPS come with a "base map" that just has the basics (highways, points of interest).If you want every street and turn by turn directions, then you need to buy a map CD or DVD from the manufacturer.An exception to this are the Magellan Roadmates (and others) which come with a built in hard drive that has maps included.Read the box carefully for whatever you decide to buy.

(3)Legend vs. Vista and C vs. CX.Garmin makes models that are somewhat similar, and somewhat confusing.Here's a quick way to tell them apart.VISTA is the same as the LEGEND, but with an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter.An Electronic compass allows the compass to work well when you ARE NOT moving.This is important for when you are on foot and want to stop and get a good compass reading.The barometric altimeter uses pressure difference to check your altitude.The "C" in all Garmin GPS systems stands for color, "CX" means it is both color AND allows for a Micro SD card beyond the built in memory.This allows you to get more memory in the future as you need it, as maps become more detailed, and as micro SD card prices drop.

Various random thoughts:

(1)This GPS does a great job in the car.It does *NOT* give you the sort of "turn left here" verbal directions.If you need that, get a Magellan Roadmate (or TomTom, etc.) that will speak to you.The Garmin beeps at you in advance of a turn, and beeps again the moment when you should be making the turn.It also changes the display to show you a closeup diagram of what you should do next.It also has a screen which give you turn by turn TEXT instructions (turn left 0.5 miles onto highway 5, etc) very similar to what you get with Google Map driving directions.

(2)The map has a good sized display, assuming you DON'T have vision issues.Mounting the GPS on the windshield helps make it easy to see.The Magellan Roadmates have bigger displays and are designed for road use without looking at the GPS as much.Garmins like this one are "multiuse" designed to do a decent job in the car AND as a handheld for camping and backpacking while on foot.It also works great in a boat, and I've used it on cruise ships, ferries, etc.

(3)This GPS works great as a handheld.If you are on vacation, you can use it in the car AND then get out and walk with it (try that with a not as pocket sized Magellan Roadmate).The eTrex Vista easily fits in a pants pocket or around the neck on an lanyard, a Roadmate might fit in a pocket, but it'd have to be a bigger jacket pocket.Often, people mistake it for a digital camera around my neck.

(4)Battery life is awesome (using rechargable AAs) *IF* you have the backlight off.I would suggest using the backlight only when you have the GPS hooked to car or computer power.The TFT display looks good outside anyway without backlight.So use sunlight when walking.

(5)The user interface is much better than the current Magellan handhelds.It is more logical, and there are many more settings for the geek in us all.Unlike the Roadmate, it doesn't have a touch screen.A small "joystick" and four buttons are used for all actions.

(6)The eTrex Vista CX connects to a computer using a standard usb to mini-usb cable.Transfer speeds are good, and much better than my old serial cable Magellan.Uploading and downloading to/from the GPS is straightforward and logical.

(7)More car info.The car power cable, coupled with the suction windshield mount works great.The backlight is very important while driving (day or night really), so get the car power cord.I have used this GPS 20 or more times with various rental cars.I just attach the suction mount to the car windshield, attach the GPS and power cord, and I'm off and driving.Before a trip, I use the Garmin Mapsource (Garmin Bobcat for Mac) software to set up "waypoints" for the trip.Once on the ground, I just tell the GPS to create a turn by turn driving directions and calculate a route to any waypoint I want.Works like a charm.

(8)COST:For this GPS, I bought the GPS itself, then a car power cable, then the Mapsource DVD, then a bigger mini-SD card, and finally, a suction mount for the car windshield.The GPS was about $300 (2005).The DVD was about $100.The rest, about $50.So I'm about $450 into this GPS.As of June 2008, I've used it for about 3.5 years with no problems.It's still in perfect condition and still going strong.Just added a 2GB Micro SD card to the GPS.Now it holds the ENTIRE North America Map set!

Bottom line:

If you only want to use a GPS in your car, with audible turn by turn directions and a touch screen... get a Roadmate or TomTom or Garmin NuVi.If you want a smaller rugged "pocket sized" multi-use GPS (car, camping, backpacking, walking, boating) this great one and you will be very happy.

UPDATE 2010:Have moved over to a Garmin Nuvi 765T for use in the car.Still have the Etrex Vista as a backup and for use on foot.Still going strong.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin eTrex Vista Cx Waterproof Hiking GPS

Product Description:
With the Vista Cx, Garmin has updated a much-loved device withexpandable memory on microSD card so you can load optional map data for your hiking, hunting and other outdoor excursions. Add to that a bright, full-color TFT display, automatic routing, and long, 20-hour battery life, and you've got a great companion for your next outdoor or boating adventure. Plus, the Vista CX adds a barometric altimeter and an electronic compass.


The main menu feature icons. View larger.

Crisp, color display for easy map viewing. View larger.

Altimeter display provides elevation information. View larger.
The Vista Cx features a bright color display, electronic compass and a barometric altimeter and much more. You can use the Vista Cx's memory card slot with preprogrammed microSD cards from Garmin (sold separately) that provide topographic maps, city streets, and nautical charts. In fact, the unit is compatible with most Garmin MapSource products including BlueChart, City Navigator, U.S. Topo 24K, and U.S. Topo and Recreational Lakes with Fishing Hot Spots. The unit comes preloaded with an Americas autoroute basemap that provides automatic routing capabilities including highways, exits and tide data. You can even get turn-by-turn directions when you're driving and an integrated trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed and more.


The Vista Cx's barometric altimeter system features automatic pressure trend recording while providing current elevation, ascent/descent rate, minimum/maximum elevation, total ascent and descent, and average and maximum ascent and descent rate. Meanwhile, the unit's electronic compass allows you to get accurate headings while standing still.


Like on all eTrex units, the primary controls are located on the side of the unit, so you can operate it with one hand. An innovative rocker switch on its face makes inputting data easy, and with it you can scroll through menus or pan the map page. Fast USB connectivity makes loading charts and maps quick and easy, while navigation instructions can be shared with repeaters, plotters, and autopilots using NMEA protocols through the dedicated serial port. Additionally, the case is water-resistant to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards (can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes).


Another key feature of the Vista Cx is the 10,000 point automatic track log; 20 saved tracks (500 points each) let you retrace your path in both directions. Meanwhile, there's a large numbers option for easy viewing, as well as a dual position display mode. Lastly, the unit includes built-in celestial tables for best time to fish and hunt, plus sun and moon calculations.


If you like the features of the Vista Cx, but don't need an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter, check out the Garmin eTrex Legend Cx



What's in the Box
Vista Cx unit, 64 MB microSD card, USB interface cable, bike mount clip, MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager CD, lanyard, owner's manual, and quick-start guide

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Garmin GPS 76CSX Handheld GPS with Barometric Altimeter and Electronic Compass Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)UPDATE: June 30, 2010 - This GPS is still great! Waiting on whether to update it to 2010.

UPDATE: September 4, 2008 - Still very impressed with the 76CSx unit.It has come in real handy recently shopping for a house.All my opinions stated previously are still current. One very handy feature the unit doesn't have that I wish it did was the ability to choose an alternate route while your are traveling.This can come in handy in the event there is a detour or you want to calculate a route around a traffic jam.This would create a by-pass route on-the-fly.Many street specific GPS units can do this. Although, this unit can re-route if you go off course which is something different.

The '2008 City Navigator Map Update' is not much to be desired. I have not noticed any significant improvement in calculated routes or updated points of interest (POI) data over the 2007 maps release.The same errors that I have encounter initially are still there in the 2008 release(PA, NJ, NY areas).I am hesitant to purchase the 2009 update.I will probably wait until the 2010 Update.

The Foarm(R) case is the best protection out there still.

I am completely satisfied with this unit I have purchased & recommended other similar units by Garmin. Overall, the 76CSx is still a great unit.

UPDATE: August 23, 2007 - After reading reviews about the 2008 release of the Maps I decided to get.One special note: If you buy the update DVD make sure you get the correct release.For instance, if you have previously installed City Navigator North America v8 you need City Navigator North America 2008 UPDATE.If you own City Navigator North America v8 NT you need City Navigator North America 2008 NT.Get it?I found out the hard way but Garmin came through!

UPDATE: August 21, 2007 - A year has gone by and I still very much like my GPSmap 76CSx. Top notch!!! Garmin support has been great too. It's been great on on the road, on the trails and even on a plane! Whether I am walking, driving or riding my bike.Actually, there isn't much I would change on this GPS unit. The button placement you get accustomed to very quickly and the menu-page layout is genius. It's been so easy to use this GPS. Once you read what each feature does the book really isn't required anymore.Using the menus to get around to all the features and functions is easy and self-explanatory. Since my initial purchase, I have upgraded the expandable memory to 2GB (SanDisk microSD $22 on Amazon) and managed to fit the 48-states and some parts of Canada.

I see that there is a 2008 version of the North American maps replacing version 8. I am reluctant to purchasing this newer version since I have found quite a few out of date points-of-interests in the v8 maps. On a positive note, using the maps I have had many successful finds.

Battery life using Duracell alkaline batteries while the GPS is set to "Alkaline" will last about 12 hours. I have tried 2500mAh Energizer rechargable batteries with the GPS unit set to "NiMH" but I only seem to get about 3 hours of use out of them.

Recently, I have purchased a Garmin Nuvi 350 for my father from Amazon (price was great) and he really likes it but that unit is primarily for the road. Just what he wanted. The GPSmap 76CSx is loaded with so much more for so many other uses.ORIGINAL review July 29, 2006 -
Having the Foarm rubber protective case has kept the GPS looking and functioning as new. It's dropped a few times.
I highly recommend Garmin GPSmap76CSx unit to anyone looking for a GPS unit for the road, hiking and/or boating.The numerous menus and features are very intuitive and easy to use. The hi-res color screen may be small compared to in-car GPSs but is very clear.The time for the satellite lock is relatively quick.Even while indoors, I can get a lock on at least 3 or 4 satellites.Buildings with metal roofs or concrete floors above may not get any reception.This is expected of any unit.

For the road, I would highly suggest purchasing the City Navigator North American v8 Maps ($112).The map extends the features of the GPS with turn-by-turn directions, millions of points-of-interests (POI) such as fuel stations, garages, attractions, restaurants and shopping venues.You can even upload your own POIs to the unit as well.Don't be surprised if some of the route calculations it comes up with seem a bit odd.It will get you there though. If you miss your turn it re-calculates a new route very quickly. There are numerous websites that provide POI files that you can upload to your unit.You will notice that some of the pre-installed POIs may not be up to date.

Unlike other handheld GPS units, the memory is expandable.I installed a 1GB microSD card ($45) in order to store vast amounts of map data or tracking that you may have done.The entire US is about 1.5GB of information. The unit comes with a blank 128MB microSD memory card that I moved to my cell phone (bonus).

The sensors included are the electronic compass and barometer.Having an electronic compass allows one to determine ones (N,S,E,W) direction without moving.Many GPS units determine direction by changes in position coordinates.Therefore you must be moving.Optional sensors such has for water temperature may be plugged into the back of the unit.

To protect your unit I recommend the Foarm textured, rubberized (~$20) case.The case comes with a few transparent protectors for the screen.If you don't get this case go out and at least buy some PDA screen protectors. If the protected screen gets scratched you can peel off the overlay and stick on a new one.Since the screen is a bit small and with hi-resolution you want to keep it clear. The GPS unit floats with or without the case.That can come in handy while hiking or boating.

Based on all of this I would highly recommend any other Garmin unit as well.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin GPS 76CSX Handheld GPS with Barometric Altimeter and Electronic Compass

Product Description:
Aimed squarely at boaters and marine users, the Garmin GPSMap 76CSx ispacked with features that seasoned mariners crave. The 7.6-ounce 76CSx now features an insanely accurate, high-sensitivity GPS receiver by SiRF that tracks your position even in tree cover and canyons. Plus, you get a bright, sunlight-readable color TFT display and an included a 128 MB microSD card for storage of optional map detail. Add all that to the 76CSx's integrated barometric altimeter and electronic compass, and you've got a highly capable unit. Simply put, the 76CSx is ready to take you anywhere on the water. Landlubbers will find much to like about this unit, too, as it packs great GPS mapping capabilities into a compact device.


The 76CSx features a removable microSD card for detailed mapping memory and a waterproof, rugged housing. View larger.

The GPSMap 76CSx features the powerful SiRF GPS navigation chip, as well as an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter.

The trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more. You can use the 76CSx's memory card slot with preprogrammed microSD cards from Garmin (sold separately) that provide topographic maps, city streets, and nautical charts. In fact, the unit is compatible with most Garmin MapSource products, including BlueChart, City Navigator, U.S. Topo 24K, and U.S. Topo and Recreational Lakes with Fishing Hot Spots. The unit comes preloaded with an Americas autoroute basemap that provides automatic routing capabilities including highways, exits, and tide data. There's also a preloaded marine point database. You can even get turn-by-turn directions when you're driving, and an integrated trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more.


The 76CSx's 2.6-inch, 256-color TFT color display is designed to present mapping and trip information clearly and accurately in any lighting conditions. Plus, the case is lightweight, rugged, and water resistant to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards (can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes). Marine users will also like the fact that the 76CSx floats. When using two AA alkaline batteries, you'll get up to 20 hours of battery life from the unit.


Another key feature of the 76CSx is the 10,000 point automatic track log; 20 saved tracks (500 points each) let you retrace your path in both directions. Meanwhile, there's a large numbers option for easy viewing, as well as a dual-position display mode. The unit also includes built-in celestial tables for best times to fish and hunt, plus sun and moon calculations. You also get audible alarms for anchor drag, arrival, off-course, proximity waypoint, and clock. The unit's barometric altimeter system features automatic pressure trend recording while providing current elevation, ascent/descent rate, minimum/maximum elevation, total ascent and descent, and average and maximum ascent and descent rate. Meanwhile, the electronic compass allows you to get accurate headings while standing still.


The 76CSx's trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more. Meanwhile, a fast processor allows the 60Cx to provide quick auto-routing, turn-by-turn directions, and audio alerts when you use the optional MapSource software, which can be stored on the unit's included 128 MB microSD card. Downloading information is quick with the USB or serial port interfaces. Using the dedicated serial port, the 76CSx can share navigation instructions with repeaters, plotters, and autopilots.


If you like the features of the 76CSx but don't need an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter, check out the Garmin GPSMap 76Cx.


What's in the Box
GPSMAP 76CSx, Americas Recreational Basemap, 128 MB microSD card, USB cable, MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager, Wrist strap, Owner's manual, Quick reference guide

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Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx Handheld GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I still own my Garmin GPS 10.It's a wireless bluetooth gps device for a Pocket PC/Laptop.This product is so awesome, I decided to stick with Garmin.This led me to the 60Cx.

The biggest con to this device is that the maps are very basic.Notice on all the 60Cx product images, it'll say in small print "Shown with optional MapSource data."This might be bearable for hiking but is horrible for automotive use.You will need to buy detailed maps that can run over $100.

The extra features such as information on sunrise/sunset or fishing/hunting conditions are very convienent.This device is definately a dream for anyone who love gps functionality.

The color screen is also very nice.In direct sunlight, I was able to see it with clarity.The brightness of the screen is at a perfect level for night use.It's not too bright and not too dim.

The controls are clumsy at times but i guess you'll get use to it.The sensitivity is great!I never got signal in my house with my GPS 10.The 60cx picked up signal with no problem.My customization:

Garmin City Select North America v6 was included with my Garmin GPS 10.I registered the device online.Through Garmin's site, I was able to generate a 2nd unlock code.I used this unlock code to installed City Select North American v6 onto my 60cx.It's funny that Garmin's site doesn't mention it was compatible with City Select.My 60cx now has detailed maps and added functions such as being able to search for addresses which wasn't possible with 60cx's basemaps. I am also very happy with the performance of the device.It basically does everything my Pocket PC and GPS 10 does. Once i installed the detailed maps, this device has been a dream gps device.I used it in the car and for hiking.It will be great when I go visit New York for the first time.

Conclusion:
Overall, I think this is a great gps device.It is solidly built and waterproof at that.Everything about it is great EXCEPT for the horrible basemaps.You will have to shell out over $100 for detailed maps but if you add up the total it still comes out cheaper than my Pocket PC + GPS 10 combo(about $640 for me).I think the 60cx is worth every penny.

EDIT:
May 2006

I've had the 60Cx for 3 months now.It is still an awesome device.One thing I want to comment on is battery life.I do not use regular alkaline batteries.I use Energizer Rechargables, 2500mah, and slow recharge at 8 hours per session.I entered in an address that was 2 hours from where I was started.It tracked my position, estimated time til turn and estimated arrival time.When I got to my destination, the GPS battery meter was at HALF. the GPS will only last on average of 4-5hours while on a route.This is still pretty good comparing it to my Dell Axim + GPS 10 combo.I am not sure how long it will last if you're just using it without being on a route.

I was a bit dissapointed that Garmin did not state how it got the 30 hours battery life.They might just mean 30 hours on standby.

Also, the 60Cx does drain your batteries even while it is off.I had my unit stored in the drawer for a week.The batteries were drained.So it is highly recommended you get rechargable batteries for this device.If you are taking it with you on a trip, bring at least two sets of battery.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx Handheld GPS Navigator

Product Description:
The venerable Garmin 60C just got a whole lot better. The 7.5-ounce GPSMap 60Cx now features an insanely accurate, high-sensitivity GPS receiver by SiRF that tracks your position even in tree cover and canyons. Plus, you get a bright, sunlight-readable color TFT display and an included a 64 MB microSD card for storage of optional map detail. Simply put, this powerful unit is ready to take you anywhere on land or sea.


Main menu. View larger.

Map page. View larger.
The GPSMap 60Cx features the powerful SiRF GPS navigation chip for supreme accuracy in all conditions. You can use the 60Cx's memory card slot with preprogrammed microSD cards from Garmin (sold separately) that provide topographic maps, city streets, and nautical charts. In fact, the unit is compatible with most Garmin MapSource products including BlueChart, City Navigator, U.S. Topo 24K, and U.S. Topo and Recreational Lakes with Fishing Hot Spots. The unit comes preloaded with an Americas autoroute basemap that provides automatic routing capabilities including highways, exits, and tide data. There's also a preloaded marine point database. You can even get turn-by-turn directions when you're driving, and an integrated trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more.
The 60Cx's 2.6-inch, 256-color TFT color display is designed to present mapping and trip information clearly and accurately in any lighting conditions. Plus, the case is lightweight, rugged, and water resistant to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards (can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes). When using two AA alkaline batteries, you'll get up to 30 hours of battery life from the unit.
Another key feature of the 60Cx is the 10,000 point automatic track log; 20 saved tracks (500 points each) let you retrace your path in both directions. There's also a large-numbers option for easy viewing, as well as a dual-position display mode. The also unit includes built-in celestial tables for best times to fish and hunt, plus sun and moon calculations.
The 60Cx's trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more. Meanwhile, a fast processor allows the 60Cx to provide quick auto-routing, turn-by-turn directions, and audio alerts when you use the optional MapSource software, which can be stored on the unit's included 64 MB microSD card. Downloading information is quick with the USB or serial port interfaces. Using the dedicated serial port, the 60Cx can share navigation instructions with repeaters, plotters, and autopilots. The four-position rocker pad and dedicated high-use buttons make navigating through the unit's features easy, even when your fingers are cold or wet.
Finally, the GPSMap 60Cx is packed with some extra fun features. An integrated outdoor calendar provides ideal hunting and fishing times, as well as moon rise/set/location information. There is a dedicated geocaching mode for those of you into the hot GPS community treasure hunt game. Finally, there are indoor/outdoor GPS games to help you and your friends enjoy the outdoors.
If you like the features of the 60Cx but require an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter, check out the Garmin 60CSx.
What's in the Box
60Cx unit, 64 MB microSD card, belt clip, USB interface cable, MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager CD, lanyard, owner's manual, and quick-start guide.

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