Garmin Etrex Legend GPS Receiver
by Garmin
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List Price: Our Price: $149.99 You Save: $50.00 (25%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $72.99 (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: Garmin eTrex Legend
Summary: 3 Stars
This was a gently treated unit that had never been dropped or in any way abused and only used occasionaly on weekends. The more serious problems noted below developed only after a few months.
pros: Inexpensive, nice small size, easy to carry. I've used it traveling around various cities, geocaching, camping, etc. The ability to change parameters of the display is a nice feature.
Very good accuracy, I've gotten readings as close as a few feet from target.
Cons: dimly lit and low contrast screen not good for older eyes, especially at night.
Serious flaw---randomly turns off on its own for no reason, even with new batteries.
Display developed missing lines and dark lines usually after pressing the side buttons. The only way to get the display back was to gently shake the unit or tap on the screen.
Drops signal too easily in urban areas-even around relatively short buildings (two and three story). Light tree cover kills it as well. The unit requires you to hold it in your hand, out and facing skyward. It will not work if it is around your neck.
If you want to add any waypoints at all, forget the tedious button entry and get a cable and gps software and upload points from your computer. But to be honest on this point, any device without a keyboard is tedious to enter information into.
This unit will not hold up under anything but very gentle treatment, in my opinion.
Despite some serious drawbacks and poor design decisions, the eTrex has potential, if Garmin can fix some issues with the unit.
You get what you pay for...
Even given the above negatives, I would buy garmin again.
Customer Review: Go For the Next Level Product, Not This One
Summary: 2 Stars
I tried both the Garmin eTrex Legend and the Garmin eTrex Legend Hcx. I also did a lot of online research and talking to veteran GPS users. I came to the conclusion that the manufacturers are trying to create a low-end market in GPS units (around $100) but at that price they cannot make a reasonably functional product. The most important feature of a GPS is to obtain satellite reception. If it can't do that, it's worthless.
The eTrex Legend has spotty satellite reception at best. You have to be in a wide, clear area for it to work and will have to wait 10 minutes holding perfectly still holding the unit out at arm's length to get and hold a lock. Even people standing nearby will interfere with satellite reception. Even under perfect conditions, you are lucky to get 3 satellites or more (you need at least 3 to establish position). And forget about using it in a car.
On the other hand, the eTrex Legend Hcx (with high sensitivity receiver) works extremely well and I've been very happy with it. My advice is that, if you try to buy a GPS at the low end of the price scale, you'll just be frustrated and will have wasted $100. If you're in for a penny, you might as well be in for $200 and get something that works. Get a unit with high sensitivity receiver. It costs more but it's the only way to get your money's worth.
Also beware that if you buy a mapping GPS, the manufacturers get their markup on the proprietary map software they sell you. The preloaded base maps are virtually worthless. So figure on another couple of hundred bucks for maps. Be prepared to invest $300-$400. If not, might as well save your money.
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.
Customer Review: Great GPS at an Excellent Price
Summary: 5 Stars
Overall the Garmin eTrex Legend is a very good GPS receiver. Reception although not perfect is much better then what some of the reviews led me to believe. I lost tracking once on a 60 mile interstate trip for about 15 secs. Considering that is was cloudy, there is a reasonable amount of trees around the interstate and the GPS was on the passenger front seat I was pretty happy with the result. I managed to get a satellite lock indoors as well but only when in proximity to a window and even then it was sporadic. Average accuracy for me was about 20-30ft. When WAAS satellites are in sight I got as good as 7ft and you could actually see the car changing lanes on the tracking log.The 8MB memory is for the most sufficient for a detailed street map of a single metropolitan area. Although no where nearly as detailed the built-in base map is also useful.
Battery life is good although not as good as advertised. WAAS does drain the batteries a little more so that may be the reason for my results.
Interface and features are as good as can be expected from a device that size and in this price range. The click stick can be a bit uncomfortable for right handed people but nothing you can't get used to.
Although I have not owned the device long it seems to be well built. I have not managed to put any scratches on the screen yet and I have taken few precautions.
Overall this is a great GPS with reasonably good reception and accuracy. Features are excellent for the price range. The eTrex Legend is moderately useful on the road ( no auto routing on the GPS ) and very useful for hiking, marine and aviation applications.
Customer Review: This beats Magellan, way better value for your money!
Summary: 5 Stars
I currently use a Magellan Meridian Platinum (the 'top of the Meridian line') at work. I looked at Magellan and Garmin units for my personal use. I ended up taking a 'chance' and bought the Garmin due to a friend's recommendation as well as the rebate etc.The 'chance' was well worth it. I love this unit. It performs as well as the Magellan (I used both units side-by-side in the field to test/compare them) but is more user friendly, easier to carry (less bulky), the screen resolution is better (although the screen is a bit smaller), and the click stick is a great feature. Additionally, Garmin's data transfers seem to have less problems (Magellan is quite tempermental when it comes to tranfering data to certain programs).
To dispel some misinformation: Yes Garmin is made in Taiwan, but the Magellan Meridian series is made in China (NOT Japan). (Note: I perfer stuff that isn't made in China - the non-China stuff has generally been of far better quality and durability). The click stick is quite sound and durable (it isn't like a pencil eraser).
Downside: You can add memory cards to the Magellan (which also increases the initial cost of the Magellan as you must buy the card seperately). However, the 8MB is easily sufficient for the vast majority of users (see some of the other posts regarding this) especially if you are not planning on adding other maps or massive amounts of waypoints etc.
Overall, in my opinion, the Garmin is a far better value. Garmin has definately produced a quality product that will bring my family a lot of enjoyment. I would highly recommend this unit over the Magellans.