I have the opportunity to get a GPS unit for free. At my work, if we sell a product called Trex (a synthetic decking product) and for every board that we get, we get points. In the end, our points are added up and we can redeem them for stuff. The one thing that I want and will probably get is the Garmin ETrex GPS unit. I was wondering what people can tell me about this. It is the only "affordable" GPS system there (the other is the Garmin GPS V). I really like the ETrex, because it looks simple, yet enough for me. I don't do much offroading, but will do some as soon as I can find some trails, but I will also use it for hunting/fishing, etc. Is this a good unit? Will is be sufficient for my use? I would like to have the latitude/longitude feature, in case of an emergency, also the compass is a good feature. Does this unit have that? I know that there are better units out there, but I will get this bad boy for free, so I am stuck with it. Is it a good unit (reliable, strong, sturdy, precise, etc.) Any info you can give would be great. Thanks alot! :fireman:

 

Ryan, I really like my yellow E-Trex. It was the first model to come out.
Todd has the same unit.

Works very well. However I am going to upgrade to their top of the line Vista model some day because it has 24 MB of ram.

Plus it has a real time compass that works while standing still.
You have to be moving for my compass to work on my model.

All the E-Trex units allow you to use it with a laptop PC for in the rig real time navigation.
Ask Yoda how that works.
He borrowed mine two summers ago, and got to try it on a laptop.

But the simple one I have tells me what elevation I'm at, how to get back to where I want, ect.
It's a very good unit.

 

I too have the eTRex and love it!

Who knows if you get one you may end up finding a new hobby such as Geocaching

 

Yea!
I liked Corey's so much, I won an E-Trex Legend last fall. It works awsome! IIRC mine has 16 meg memory. I loaded the topo maps on it (of coarse they are not up to date). The city and highway maps are more recent.

What I like:
Shows where I am
Shows where I was
Shows elevation (by satelite, not altimeter)
Shows speed (current and average) (calibrate those big tires)

It has shown my max speed as over 2000 MPH. PROOF that I must have been abducted by aliens.

 

Garmin has finally released their Rino 110 and 120 radios (GMRS with GPS, can send your location to fellow users). The 110 is about $150 at Cabelas, the 120 is about $249 at Cabelas.

Just an FYI...

Chris

 

Cool, thanks. Now I just have to do all of the paperwork and get this thing. Can't wait. Thanks alot for the info. I am really excited! :fireman:

 

Hey there Ryan.
I'm going to be in the market for a bunch of Trex here next year.
Can i order from you

Last night i was out at our property that we are getting ready to build.
There is an area that i needed to measure the height of a slope.
I used my Etrex and started at the top and took an altitude reading and went to the bottom and took a reading.
My 6 year old son took the readings as we walked around.
I wanted to get a rough idea and the Etrex worked out great.

I use my Etrex for mountain biking also. There has been a couple of times i've been lost so i just back track using the map i just made on the Etrex.

So would i get any type of discount on the Trex:walk:

 

Yeah, but the delivery fee is out of this world! Pa to Wa, that is like...3000 miles. LOL...

I do have a ? though. I really would like to the Latitude/Longitude feature. Does the ETrex have that. I mean if someone would ask for my position, would I be able to tell them that with this ETrex unit and the LAT/LON feature? Does it have it? Thanks!

P.S. Trex is good stuff...go for it!

:fireman:

 

Yes it does. It has that feature.
It also has a clock on it that runs off the satts, so you can tell the time.
It even tells you what time sun up and sun down is.

It's upgradable from their website too if you get the serial cable for your PC.
You can also get a 12v adaptor for it to run from your rig.
Corey

 

Mmmm....
Maybe i'll take a road trip out your way:eek:
How much Trex will fit in my 4runner

The Etrex is a great GPS for the money.
I would like to get one like the one Corey is going to get but it seems the Etrex does everything i need it to do.
The only thing i dont like about it is that you need to be moving(walking or driving) in order for it to be working.
The newer GPS's you dont need to be on the move.

 

Cool, thanks guys! Now I am really excited to get this. I will have to get all of the paperwork together and get going! Thanks again.

Todd, Trex is some heavy stuff, so who knows how much will fit. I think one piece (16 ft?) weighs like 70 pounds or so. But hey, I will cut you a deal if you drive all the way here!

Corey, what do you mean by upgradeable? What do you get and what does it cost to do it? Thanks!

:fireman:

 

Ryan, software upgrades.

From time to time Garmin releases patches just as for your PCs OS from Mr. Bill, the Garmin is patchable too with the serial cable.

You DL the file from Garmin's website, and then patch your GPS.
Corey

 

We should be clear that the eTrex is also the name of a family of devices. I guess "eTrex" refers to the base model. I have an eTrex Vista and LOVE it!

There are the;
Camo
Summit
Venture
Legend
Vista

Each has a slightly different feature and capability set.

SEE: eTrex Family Comparison Chart

 

Ahhhhh, you have the Vista, the one I want.
I'll have to check yours out sometime if we meet up again, if I have not already bought one.
Corey

 

Thanks guys. That is cool. Like I said, I am not big into offroading and all, at least yet, so this should do the trick. The big thing is that it is free, and from what I hear it will be more than capable of fulfilling my needs. Thanks for all of the info. :fireman:

 

Personally I like my eMap...main reason is because I can load additional memory into it :^)

 

You will have to try Geocaching its awesome and loads of fun.
Where is Boyertown located .
Im located in Pittsburgh maybe hook up some day and tell some war stories

 

Boyertown is between Philly and Reading, more towards Reading. Did you ever hear of Pottstown? I am near there. About 5 miles from Pottstown and 25 from Reading and 50 from Philly. :fireman:

 

i just got the externa arial for my emap and it makes a big difference as now i can mount it just about anywhere it my rig and not up by the screen but i would not be without my emap the whole garmin range are pretty good its worth having a look at their web site www.garmin.com and you want to look at the outdoor stuff its great

 

Hey Corey, it may be a good time to get the Vista now. Garmin has a $50 rebate on it right now.

http://www.garmin.com/whatsNew/curre...ons/index.html

Not sure how much you are willing to spend, but if you shop around you could probably get a deal.

I have been using the 12Map for over 3 years and love it. I use it all the time, and I would never go into some of the areas I do without it. The only thing I don't like is it's LIMITED memory size.

I'm not ready to upgrade yet, but the GPS Map 76S or Vista are the ones I'd consider because of thier 24MB RAM. Though, the new GPS V Deluxe may have all the features anyone could want in a handheld unit!

--Mark