Garmin Etrex Legend GPS Receiver
by Garmin
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Category: GPS or Navigation System
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: GarminBrand: Garmin
Edition: Electronics
Format: CD
Platform: Linux, Mac, Mac OS 9 and below, Mac OS X, Windows
Model: 010-00256-05
Color: Blue-10
Publisher: Garmin
Studio: Garmin
Music Label: Garmin
Product features:
- 8 Mb Of Available Flash Memory
- Download From Metroguide Usa Cd-Rom (Not Included), Detailed Street Map Info, Addresses & Points Of Interest With Phone Info
- Smallest GPS On Market With North & South America Basemap
- WAAS-Enabled
- Perfect For Outdoor Person & Adaptable To Be Fully-Functional For Vehicle Use
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- Bracketron UFM-300-BX Nav-Pack Weighted GPS Dash Mount/Carrying Case
- Case Logic GPSS-4 Professional GPS Travel Kit (Dark Blue)
- Mizmi G11000 GPS Dash Mount
- MOBI 70069 Universal GPS Vent Mount
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin Etrex Legend GPS Receiver
Customer Review: Garmin Legend
Summary: 4 Stars
Before I begin, I would like to describe the way in which I got this to interface with my computerand TOPO USA 2008. Connect to serial port and run 'hyperterm' give it any name and set the properties to 4800 baud, flow control to none. Set your serial data format on the garmin to NMEA from the main menu, go to setup, then interface. If you get something that looks like basic programming language, you are good to go. For example, if you get lines starting with something that looks like $GPGSV it is a good connection. IF you got a serial in to USB out adaptor cable and you get nothing but random characters, check your USB driver on the Hardware manager in System tab of the Control panel. It may not work with windows XP or just be corrupt. This will not let you 'find device' in GPS software. Be sure to reset the serial data format to GARMIN or HOST when done to work with map sofware. If hyperterminal says that there is another program using the telephony device (com 1) what you need to do is shut down any pda sync software or as I found out your UPS software that even if connected to a usb port may still be connected using com 1. You can use "process explorer" (seperate software) that can help you find whats using com 1 up in the Find->processes and DLL's box. Type 'Serial0' (serial zero) and search. Go to task manager and shut it down. If that doesn't work, just shut down everything that says owner EXCEPT explorer. Topo usa should now see the gps in the 'find device' box. After it found it the first time, I have not had any more connection problems on subsequent bootups. :)
When I got this, I was mostly interested in that it had tracking coordinates (panning of the map) for use in finding locations out in the desert near Ft. Hancock, TX. I find that out of the box it was not very detailed other than the interstate and some larger roads but no help away from them as it displayed a blank. One thing I would like to have is that the unit have bigger number display of the numerical coordinates either on the map screen or in the navigation screen where the user is able to select various functions such as coordinates, bearing, heading, max speed, etc. Unfortunately, if you choose 'coordinates' for two of the large fields, you get two small coordinate displays instead of seperate N-S, E-W seperately which could be bigger and easer to read.
Using the map screen, while using the selected panning function accessible by clicking on the 'list' next to the X button up top, the numbers are very small but take up only about 1/5 of the top of the screen. I would also like the unit to be able to change the orientation sideways to have a wide screen rather than tall so it could have room for larger numbers.
As is out of the box, it is good if you are using it for hiking as you can simply get overhead shots of the land and get coordinates of the POI and you can enter them manually into the garmin using the joystick unless they are very many. Its like using your keyboardless phone to text one letter at a time. It looks similar to the screen pictures of lower end magellan units as seen on the box with only a waypoint and your present position. This is of course for visual reference of the screen picture only. The resolution is better of course. There is no display of rivers and lakes due to the small fixed memory (8mb) which is definately a minus as you can't expand it with external cards and can be a pain to figger out why it won't connect to the computer sometimes. Some say the TOPO USA software is also very pricey but its needed if you want any kind of detail in your map. Out in this area, it will show a limited amount of dirt roads and some of the ranches. I have not figgered out how to add some not shown for a more detailed map. It does however, show detail on elevation quite well.
Now, for city use, it again is very limited out of the box showing major highways and avenues. If you want greater detail down to the street you are at, the TOPO USA does show this level of detail. However, it can look a little cluttered in such a small space with streets and LARGE labels. The elevation is now displayed with much detail.
It does seem that now that I have about 5 Mb of maps ranging from Anthony Tx, down to Van Horn Tx, that it takes a little longer to acquire the gps satelites.
One thing I have not figgered out or if its possible is if this unit can be synced with a camera for geocoding.
Again, some features I would like to see in such units is the ability to turn the display 90 deg and have a watch like strap available for this model for use on a motorcycle, larger coordinate display in the navigation menu, and most of all, a less complicated interface that does not require "special" cables that makes it an exercise in frustration.
Description of Garmin Etrex Legend GPS Receiver
With an eTrex series GPS is by your side. The eTrex is a basic GPS with a built-in electronic compass and barometric altimeter. These smart little handhelds are tough, waterproof and feature simple, one-hand operation.Amazon.com Review There are now enough handheld global positioning system (GPS) receivers on the market that you can be choosy when it comes to price, features, and design. Garmin--a leading manufacturer of car, boat, and personal GPS receivers--has a complete line of eTrex handheld receivers, with our Legend falling about midrange.
With Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) support, the eTrex Legend offers extremely accurate readings (rated to within 2 to 3 meters). (For more on WAAS, see the Frequently Asked Questions section.) A good-size screen--288 x 160 pixels--makes it easy to see location details, and the Legend redraws maps quickly when zooming in or out of a position.
 The eTrex Legend provides precise GPS positioning using correction data obtained from the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). |
 The Satellite page shows satellites being tracked, and their corresponding signal strength. View larger. |
 The internal trip computer provides a range of data about hikes and drives. View larger. |
But one of the most striking attributes of the Legend is its comfortable and efficient design. While it rests easily in the palm of either hand, it's most suited for the left hand, where its handy click-stick can be manipulated with the thumb. The click-stick works like the pencil-eraser nubbin on laptop PCs and is handy for moving through screen icons and menus. It also works as a button when pressed down.
The Legend is coated with a waterproof, rubberized plastic shell that grips nicely. Weighing in at only 5.3 ounces, it fits into a pocket or clips onto a belt loop, going almost unnoticed.
The internal trip computer of the Legend provided a range of data about our hikes and drives, including current speed, average speed, trip distance, and time traveled (both moving and stopped). For those interested in checking out their foot pace and distance traveled, it's a handy GPS to have in hand.
Our only major beef with the Legend is that the receiver sometimes seemed to grow weak. Even when it wasn't in WAAS mode (which can be tough to maintain a signal in), it dropped the signal from time to time. We even lost the signal once while walking along the streets of San Francisco--it seems that the medium-size buildings were enough to interfere with the reception.
But this only happened on a few occasions. Most of the time the well-designed Legend was able to keep us in touch with up to 12 GPS satellites for a strong-enough read to maintain a tight handle on our location. --J. Curtis
Pros
- Comfortable, compact design
- Click-stick for interface navigation
- Bright backlight
- Handy distance-traveled feature
- Sporadic reception within urban areas
- Can take several minutes for a cold fix
Amazon.com Product Description There are now enough handheld global positioning system (GPS) receivers on the market that you can be choosy when it comes to price, features, and design. Garmin--a leading manufacturer of car, boat, and personal GPS receivers--has a complete line of eTrex handheld receivers, with our Legend falling about midrange.
With Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) support, the Legend offers extremely accurate readings (rated to within 2 to 3 meters). (For more on WAAS, see the Frequently Asked Questions section.) A good-size screen--288 x 160 pixels--makes it easy to see location details, and the Legend redraws maps quickly when zooming in or out of a position.
Easily look up nearby services with optional downloadable details from MapSource CD-ROMs. Its 8 MB of memory means there is also plenty of room for waypoints, routes, and saved tracks. The Legend will hold up to 500 waypoints, complete with a name and graphical symbol, 20 routes with 50 waypoints each, and it contains slots for 10 saved tracks. You can also download maps from Garmin's MapSource CD-ROMs (thorough but expensive accessories for the GPS receiver) to see street-level or topographic detail (depending on the CD-ROM title).
But one of the most striking attributes of the Legend is its comfortable and efficient design. While it rests easily in the palm of either hand, it's most suited for the left hand, where its handy click-stick can be manipulated with the thumb. The click-stick works like the pencil-eraser nubbin on laptop PCs and is handy for moving through screen icons and menus. It also works as a button when pressed down.
Built-in exit listings show services at U.S. interstate exits. The Legend is coated with a waterproof, rubberized plastic shell that grips nicely. Weighing in at only 5.3 ounces, it fits into a pocket or clips onto a belt loop, going almost unnoticed.
The internal trip computer of the Legend provided a range of data about our hikes and drives, including current speed, average speed, trip distance, and time traveled (both moving and stopped). For those interested in checking out their foot pace and distance traveled, it's a handy GPS to have in hand.
Our only major beef with the Legend is that the receiver sometimes seemed to grow weak. Even when it wasn't in WAAS mode (which can be tough to maintain a signal in), it dropped the signal from time to time. We even lost the signal once while walking along the streets of San Francisco--it seems that the medium-size buildings were enough to interfere with the reception.
But this only happened on a few occasions. Most of the time the well-designed Legend was able to keep us in touch with up to 12 GPS satellites for a strong-enough read to maintain a tight handle on our location. --J. Curtis
Pros
- Comfortable, compact design
- Click-stick for interface navigation
- Bright backlight
- Handy distance-traveled feature
- Sporadic reception within urban areas
- Can take several minutes for a cold fix
The Garmin eTrex Legend GPS receiver is modeled on Garmin's popular entry level eTrex, but adds the same base map found in Garmin's III+ and eMap models, along with 8 MB of memory, making it a solid midlevel offering in the eTrex line just behind the eTrex Summit. Housed in a translucent blue case, this powerful, 12-parallel-channel, global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver weighs only 5.3 ounces and measures 4.4 by 2 inches. It literally fits in the palm of your hand. The Legend boasts the ability to hold up to 8 MB of amazingly detailed information that you upload for the area you plan to navigate. In addition to all that detailed information at your fingertips, the Legend actually gives you a higher-resolution screen than the slightly better equipped eTrex Summit. The massive 10,000 track log points of the Legend compare well to the 3,000 track log points the Summit model offers and the 2,048 that the Venture offers.The eTrex Legend's 8 MB memory enables you to download points of interest and map data from optional Garmin MapSource CD-ROMs to make your GPS unit more useful. The built-in base map of the Americas displays city and interstate highway information for North, South, and Central America, as well as U.S. highway exits. Address and business listings are displayed with data downloads. It also provides points of interest along lakes, rivers, and coastlines.
The Legend has a front-panel rocker switch that allows for quick and accurate map panning. View maps on a liquid crystal display with a resolution of 288 x 160 pixels. The unit is waterproof to an IPX7 standard, so it can withstand a dunk.
The Legend maintains a tight satellite lock, even in a forest. The unit can store up to 1,000 user waypoints with graphical icons, and it boasts Garmin's own TracBack feature, which reverses your track log and helps you navigate your way back home. The eTrex Legend also uses animated graphics that will help you identify your marked waypoints quickly and easily.
Garmin makes some of the accessories to help you integrate your GPS with your life and your priorities. Keep your GPS at the ready while protecting it from knocks and bumps with the carrying case. If you'll be on the road, you'll want to have access to the most detailed topographical maps of the United States available: The Garmin MapSource CD-ROM (USA TOPO). And don't let the product's many abilities overwhelm you--train yourself in all the eTrex's ins and outs with a handy instructional video.
The Garmin eTrex Legend comes with a PC interface cable, a manual, and a quick-reference card, and it's covered by a one-year warranty.
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