Garmin Etrex Legend GPS Receiver
by Garmin
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List Price: Our Price: $197.87 You Save: $2.12 (1%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $50.00 (click here) Category: GPS or Navigation System See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin Etrex Legend GPS Receiver
Customer Review: Small size, BIG technology!
Summary: 5 Stars
Just a few years ago a mapping gps would have cost you over 350bucks, today you can get this pocketsized unit for under 150(after rebate).This thing is fantastic for hiking, kayaking, geocaching, cycling and perhaps driving...but this is not an auto navigation system! It does not provide automatic routing, or verbal nav instructions. If you preenter a route using waypoints it will display "approaching turn" and the compass arrow will preview the direction. So it's not really functional for driving, it IS entertaining to use as a speedo/trip computer however.
Where it really shines is in the great outdoors. it's the ultimate pointing device! mount it on your bike and it's the most full featured cyclocomputer ever! I use it kayaking to waypoint fishing spots and measure my route. I use it walking/jogging to measure my route. and just for fun you can take the kids geocaching! I haven't used it on the golfcourse yet, with average accuracy of 20ft it may not be accurate enough.
Unit is very solid feeling, easy to use (my five year old can navigate to a cache with it). the click stick is simple to use, but options are hidden in submenus...so practice will make perfect. Waypoints can be managed and uploaded easily using mapsource or easygps...and the included serial cable(though USB would be preferable!).
Compared to the Magellan sporttrak(yellow) this unit is smaller and more feature packed for approx the same money. This unit's size makes it more versatile to me, for use on the bicycle and kayak. The magellan may have a bigger antenna, but my test showed the same accuracy side by side, under tree cover.
I've yet to get the 3M accuracy they claim. It averages about 20ft, but I've never seen below 15, Even with WAAS enabled.
The basemap of this unit is very crude, and not very accurate, so for mapping you'll really need to invest in a Mapsource CD.
All in all a great gadget for the outdoor enthusiast!
Customer Review: Wonderful for the price
Summary: 5 Stars
I am really enjoying the eTrex Legend. As one reviewer said, the map is similar to those provided by the rental car agency. But it includes enough streets in Los Angeles to keep me oriented, and has kept me from getting lost in rural areas. You'll notice that the roads are simplified to save memory so that the GPS tracking may accurately show a dozen curves where the GPS map shows one. (Which is actually kind of fun to watch.) But that allows the software to include a LOT of roads. My Americas version covers North, Central and South American highways and basic city street maps for large cities in the USA. I can even scroll over and create waypoints for old world cities with over 200k population, although other functionality is limited outside the Americas.) The GPS tracking itself is very accurate and maps precisely to my TOPO maps. I am primarily writing to respond to an earlier reviewer who found the unit inaccurate under cover. The eTrex is certainly as accurate as my Garmin GPS 12, and comparisons on the internet rate it fairly highly. The problem with cover seems to be general to handheld GPS units. You can't expect a tiny antenna to find satellites through several layers of leaves--although the eTrex makes a valiant effort.
I do have one complaint, however, with Garmin rather than the unit. Garmin promotional materials would leave you with the impression that the unit only works with the Map Source maps. My TOPO map (from National Geographic) not only works fine, but even recognizes the model. The older software doesn't download the graphic map (roads and topography), but it uploads and downloads waypoints and routes just as it did on my old GPS 12. And downloading just waypoints doesn't overwrite the existing data the way I understand that downloading maps from MapSource can.
Hope that helps with your decision. This is a fun unit that will do the job.
Customer Review: Still works like new after 3+ years!
Summary: 5 Stars
This has been one of the best purchases I have made.
I have put this unit to the test for over three years, as my GPSr for geocaching, on the handle bars of my touring and mountain bicycles, on the dashboard of my truck (with the 12 volt power cord) and interfaced to my computer, using Mapsource software, GSAK (geocaching Swiss army knife) via the "can't live without"Keyspan High Speed USB Serial Adapter ( USA-19HS )!
The only bit of a problem I have encountered was with the rubber gasket coming loose, but fortunately for me I live within driving distance of Garmin headquarters and since my unit was still covered under warranty, the folks at Garmin replaced the unit and there has been no problems whatsoever thereafter.
I do highly recommend getting a transparent screen protectorUniversal Digital Camera LCD Screen Protectors for All Screen sizes up to 3.50" X 4.25" for the display and aGarmin Carrying Case for eTrex and Summit (010-10314-00) and aVehicle power adapter for 010-00190-00 and of course Mapsource software from the manufacturer.
I am hoping to get a Garmin GPSMap 76CSx Mapping Handheld GPSfor Christmas, but I will still be using the Legend on my bikes and as a backup for geocaching trips.
Of course this GPSr works fine with a PC (using the Keyspan adapter) but as far as I know will not "talk" to a MAC.
See ya'
Customer Review: Average Everyday User
Summary: 5 Stars
...I hike, geocache, canoe and mt bike and this unit fits all of those needs. It's accurate enough to fit my needs and its easy to transfer to and from PC mapping programs with the supplied PC cable. I also have a Venture that my 5 yr old son uses (yes it has features that easy to use) and I can honestly say they're both great units for the outdoors types and those who travel a lot.
Here's what it can do: Take a hike or bike ride, transfer every step back to your PC map program to show your adventure; want to know your average hiking speed, how long you stopped and how far you hiked, it will do it; looking for a particular location, say a restaurant, shopping center or business meeting location, find its coordinates using a PC mapping program and plug them into the GPS unit and let it show you the way; want an accurate speedometer and altimeter, it will do it; want an accurate clock, moon phase, and best fishing times calendar, it does that too; taking a road trip with the kids and they keep asking "Are we there yet?", with this unit, you can tell them how long and exactly how far you are away from being there; If you're lost and you need to backtrack or find help, it can supply enough information to possibly save your life and provide a way out.
Now, there is some clear line of site issues that affect it's accuracy, but for the most part (95% of the time), it will find and maintain communications with the necessary satellites to provide accurate information. It does take some practice on how to use these features but if you can set and program a VCR, you should have no problem understanding the features and functions of the Legend. If you bike, the handle bar mount is a must have option.
Customer Review: So many uses for such small unit!!
Summary: 5 Stars
My eTrex Legend is always in my briefcase and comes in handy in many ways. I've owned a couple of GPS units and this one offers the best balance of size, performance, price, and features I have found. For those of you who think GPS is interesting, but aren't quite sure how you would use it, here's a short list of my applications:ENTERTAINMENT: There are number of fun uses for GPS, including "Geocaching," which is an activity that involves finding hidden caches all around the world. Typically a piece of tupperware hidden in the woods, the tradition is you take something, leave something and write in the log. "Somethings" tend to be little souvenirs, toys, and odd items. This is a great family activity. To learn more, check out Geocaching dot com.
SAILING/BOATING: I never leave the dock without my Legend. It is incredibly useful in conjunction with Garmin's Bluechart product. Essentially, I have all the charts for my area (the Puget Sound)on my laptop and in my pocket. Other nautical uses include a second knotmeter, being sure I'm not moving at anchorage, and finding my crab trap after a few hours out sailing.
TRAVEL: This unit has a base level set of maps for the entire US, it is similar to the level of detail you get on a rental car map. I have enhanced that with the Garmin MetroGuideUSA, which allows you to load highly detailed streetmaps onto the handheld. This feature saves me a lot of time and stress when I visit a city for the first time.
My only criticism of this unit is battery consumption...it really chews them up. You can save on batteries by buying a cigarette lighter adapter. Cheap ones are available from third party vendors.