Garmin etrek

[onaXR]

Anybody use the Etrek? Should I buy it? Whats the ups and downs of this one?
Thanks
Ed

[Toddy]

Had great fun touring Europe on a GS with an Etrex and all I loaded was the hotel co-ordinates which left, with a simple arrow pointer, lots of interesting route decisions to be made.
Worth every penny but bought a Garmin Quest and a Starcom1 for the next trip.
Have fun,
Dave

[funkydrum]

My Etrex Vista has been great for what I do. I primarily ride Michigan singletrack and just need something to drop tracks and mark POI. It is small and compact but with that, it has a small screen. With the woods riding I do, it's not an issue as I am never looking at it while moving. MANY great threads debating various GPS models and their virtues. Just do a search...

[Manchu]

Which eTrex are you referring to? I've got the original one and I just recently picked up the Vista model as well.
For a quick rundown, the base model just offers a directional compass, waypoints and routes, recorded track log, speedometer, elevation, etc. The downside is that the compass only determines direction once you're moving. I used this one on a daily basis while deployed to Iraq. Never had any problems whatsoever in the three or so years I've been using it. It's without a doubt the best $100 I've ever spent on this type of equipment.

I bought the Vista because I got a really good deal on it, and liked the idea of the additional features. It appears to have waaayy more memory than the other one, has some sort of magnetic-based compass which is definately a plus (IMO), coes stock with a base map of the States and can upload more detailed maps as well.

They both have a rather extensive selection of map datum to choose from, as well as the various types of map-styles. Regardless of which one I would advise anyone to either get a 'C' battery adaptor or hardwire kit if you're going to mount it on a motorcycle (like a dumba** I ran the original one straight off of AAs and it started the whole turning off thing occasionally). Also don't even bother with the Garmin handlebar mount, save your time and money in having to replace it and get the RAM to begin with. I've got both and the RAM is completely above-and-beyond the Garmin.

[LongWays]

Originally Posted by Manchu

Regardless of which one I would advise anyone to either get a 'C' battery adaptor or hardwire kit if you're going to mount it on a motorcycle (like a dumba** I ran the original one straight off of AAs and it started the whole turning off thing occasionally). Also don't even bother with the Garmin handlebar mount, save your time and money in having to replace it and get the RAM to begin with. I've got both and the RAM is completely above-and-beyond the Garmin.

Second and third the opinions on the Etrex - have done ~50k miles on three different bikes (and a couple of kayaks), not without issues but those are mostly of my own doing. Word of warning with a "hardwire kit", the Etrex is a 3 volt device and you can not connect directly to you electrical system. I fab-ed up my own kit by tearing apart the 12volt car adapter and hardening it (resoldered every connection on the board). Keep a small tube of dielectric grease handy and apply occasionally to the connector - especially on a thumper!

[onaXR]

The one I am looking as is the base model $100.00
I would like to see more info on the hard wiring, does it have a plug in hole or do you have to fab up a internal plug?

[onaXR]

Any info on the hard wiring ?

[dirty dave]

the cycoactive website has alot of great info on gps mounts and how to wire it. i have the etrex vista and it has been great.

[funkydrum]

Originally Posted by MrGFY

I fab-ed up my own kit by tearing apart the 12volt car adapter and hardening it (resoldered every connection on the board). Keep a small tube of dielectric grease handy and apply occasionally to the connector - especially on a thumper!

I did the same and mounted inside a Radio Shack hobby box and installed an in-line spade fuse holder. I didn't re-solder any of the connections but I did 'harden' it with silicone on the major components so they wouldn't rattle loose. Works like a charm !!

[jlsworks]

I've had the etrex legend for about 30,000 miles. Its inexpensive, I have it hooked up with a Ram mount and cigarette lighter and it has been zero troubles. I wish for a larger screen on the next GPS I get, but for the money I cant imagine a better choice.
James

[SteveAZ]

Too small though. With mapping units, the screen is prolly 70% of the unit and the mapping eTrex screens leave tons to be desired.....


And the buttons are nearly impossible to use on a moto in motion.

They are ok for holding in your hand; hiking/hunting stuff, but pretty weak for most other uses compared to what's available.

The receive isn't as good as most other units too....

[Redne Dab]

I've had my eTrex Legend for about two years. For hiking and geocaching it's ideal. On the bike it was a great way to have instant info on distaces and an extremely accurate speedometer.

I thought it was the complete and utter schnizzle until I got to play with a friend's Garmin 60CS. This thing has:
--A far more useful screen. Color and size matter!
--An easier interface, no having to hit those pesky side buttons!
--Far, far, far more options!
--Navigation assistance. This one was fun to discover.
--Far more storage. I haven't pegged mine but it'd be nice to not worry about it.
--Easier interface with a PC. USB is far better than serial and a gender-bender!
--Better battery life. I can go through two AA's in a day. He'll get at least four days worth.

Not to simply rave this model -there are lots of different models out there.

Finally, a word of warning: once you buy one, stop looking!

B

[mikeyb]

I've had the base model etrex for a few years now and I've gotten a lot of good use out of it.
The biggest limitation I've found is the 50 waypoint limit. Just this weekend I went out on a 250 mile trip and only having a waypoint every 5 miles meant that there were a lot of branches in the road where the direction arrow wasn't clear enough to choose the right branch. I ended up backtracking a bunch of times.
I'm planning to buy myself a new GPS unit for Christmas and having at least 500 waypoints is the key feature I'm looking for. I think that feature alone will make it worth the extra money.

[funkydrum]

Originally Posted by Redne Dab

I've had my eTrex Legend for about two years. For hiking and geocaching it's ideal. On the bike it was a great way to have instant info on distaces and an extremely accurate speedometer.

I thought it was the complete and utter schnizzle until I got to play with a friend's Garmin 60CS. This thing has:
--A far more useful screen. Color and size matter!
--An easier interface, no having to hit those pesky side buttons!
--Far, far, far more options!
--Navigation assistance. This one was fun to discover.
--Far more storage. I haven't pegged mine but it'd be nice to not worry about it.
--Easier interface with a PC. USB is far better than serial and a gender-bender!
--Better battery life. I can go through two AA's in a day. He'll get at least four days worth.

Yeah... I like the 60CS too. I have been waiting for the price to come down (which it has), so I should just suck-it-up and buy it. The eTrex has been a great first unit and for the $125 I paid for it used, it has been a great value.

[RXone]

Originally Posted by Manchu

Regardless of which one I would advise anyone to either get a 'C' battery adaptor or hardwire kit if you're going to mount it on a motorcycle (like a dumba** I ran the original one straight off of AAs and it started the whole turning off thing occasionally).

I have experienced this as well. The eTrex shuts off, especially during accelleration. Is it the battery vibration. If I hardwire or cig. lighter, will this resolve?

Thanks,
Dave