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| Title: |
Great little navigational tool |
| Score:
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| Written by: |
Hiker Boy |
Created Time:3/14/2007 2:30:20 PM |
| Strengths: |
Simple to use |
| Weaknesses: |
Looses signal strength under cover easily |
| Conclusions: |
This is a pretty straight forward GPS that is easy to use. It packs small. The eTrex hooks up ok with my computer and its mapping software.
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| Review Based on: |
7 Year(s)
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| Title: |
You get what you pay for ... |
| Score:
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| Written by: |
ChuckLW |
Created Time:9/4/2008 12:44:03 AM |
| Strengths: |
Cheap, light & compact |
| Weaknesses: |
Spotty reception & few features |
| Conclusions: |
This was - and remains - my only GPS. I decided I should start cheap and simple and then upgrade later because the technology was evolving so fast. 4+ years on, I'm still waiting to upgrade.
Things I like: relatively small, light and weatherproof. Also, with the purchase of e-topo maps, I can easily up and download way points.
Things I don't like: Number 1 is the spotty reception. Any kind of tree cover and this unit really struggles. Even in open alpine it can take a very long time to lock on to satellites. Number 2 is that I find the buttons are hard to operate (impossible with gloves). It also lacks many desirable features of more expensive units such as map downloads, electronic compass, altimeter/barometer etc.
In spite of all of that I've stuck with it much longer than expected. This unit does do what I really want it to do which is tell me where I am (and where I came from) in the trail-less alpine.
However, the reception problems are an increasing point of frustration that have me in the market for a new unit (even the currently available version of this unit offers a substantially improved chip set for improved reception). A modern replacement is also desirable for USB rather than serial cable connectivity.
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| Review Based on: |
5 Year(s)
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| Title: |
A good basic GPS |
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| Written by: |
scottN |
Created Time:1/8/2008 5:51:08 PM |
| Strengths: |
Reliable |
| Weaknesses: |
Poor reception in forest |
| Conclusions: |
I've had my original Garmin eTrex for a number of years now. It doesn't have any bells and whistles, but provides good basic information (like your positions, elevation, sun/moon rise/set times, etc). I've always been happy with it's performance in the alpine, which is where I need a GPS most of the time anyway. Under any sort of forest canopy it's virtually useless unless you are in a significant clearing. Once locked on, it can track alright going into light forest cover but forget about trying to pick up a signal from a cold start in the bush.
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| Review Based on: |
8 Year(s)
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| Title: |
Not too bad... |
| Score:
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| Written by: |
flatlandnomore |
Created Time:6/4/2009 4:44:41 PM |
| Strengths: |
inexpensive, weathertight / water resistant |
| Weaknesses: |
poor reception, map software is as expensive as the GPS itself, adapter cable for PC hookup pricey through Garmin |
| Conclusions: |
I've had this unit for about a half a year, and I have used it mostly on well marked trails where I run little risk of getting lost. I also wanted to use it to record routes for others, but I have been foiled by the high price of maps. Why can't I just download my routes to my PC without paying $100.00+ for mapping software?
An unpleasant surprise was the price of an adaptor cord to hook up the eTrex to my newer PC. They wanted 60.00, which is total robbery. Turns out they are cheaper at local electronics stores, and even cheaper at Futureshop and Bestbuy (or so I was told).
Reception is spotty, as others have mentioned. Tree cover sometimes foils it, and rocky/hilly terrain is no help either.
I do like the ability to mark waypoints, and custom label them. The scroll and zoom in and out features on the map section are a nice touch.
I haven't gone through the owners manual from beginning to end, so I am not totally familiar with what else it can do.
I give it 3 stars, because of it's price and relatively easy to use features. It loses marks for losing reception easily, and the map software price.
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| Review Based on: |
6 Month(s)
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