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 On: 2008-08-05
Garmin makes a great number of high quality handheld GPS devices. I particularly chose this one for hiking and remote camping uses. Specifically, I purchased a 2 GB mini memory card (SanDisk) and then the Garmin US TOPO 24K (National Parks East, for starts). I was able to pick specific quadrants from the US TOPO CD software and download it to my Garmin handheld through my PC (MAC also works). It worked perfectly. I will admit that the learning curve is high on this and I tend to get excited about electronic devices in general. This took taking the instruction manual and going step-by-step to learn all the functions available.
For starters, I simply went outside and turned it on. Within a minute I had several satellite acquisitions and was immediately shown where I was (in the world). The basic map included on the device is not that particularly detailed, so I purchased additional software data. You can read all about the functions that are installed on this unit here at Amazon. Some are marking a waypoint, finding a position, tracking, highway plans, a calendar, alarm clock, calculator, stopwatch, sun and moon schedules and various games. You also have access to its compass and a driving set-up that will tell you your speed, distance reaming (to your destination), estimated travel time, etc. If you were hiking and got lost, you would be able to backtrack your steps, as if you had left markers or `breadcrumbs.
The unit itself is extremely well made and could survive several `drops and is waterproof. The display (approximately 2" X 1.5") is plenty for view-ability. The screen actually changes from a bright daytime screen to a nighttime mode. Every function is verified by a slight "beep". Unfortunately, you do need to buy Garmin maps to download to the unit, as the one included is not very detailed and for additional data input, you really do need a mini memory card. But for the price and the number of functions, this is really a good value. Nothing beats a map and compass, but this is a great addition to any hiking that you may do. Also, for driving directions, the only thing lacking is the voice response. I highly recommend you research other Garmin models and all the accessories you might want to purchase for your personal use.
 On: 2008-01-02
I purchased the venture HC because its new chip provides top notch reception deep in the woods which renders all the other units without the "H" worthless, unless you operate in wide open area. My concern is that under Map Setup-General I have the option to "Lock on Road" but upon turning the feature on nothing happened to my route from one city to the next. The route is a straight line from one city to the next(as the crow flies). Lock on road is supposed to do just what it says it does lock the route on the roads, but nothing happens when I turn this feature on. The Garmin support line followed my every screen on the same unit over the phone and they said there is no "Lock on Road" option under Map Setup-General. Oh yes there is and it isnt locking on any roads. So Garmin took down my email and added me to the list. Great unit buy above all the rest as long as you dont need it to follow the roads.
On: 2007-08-25
It seems the more research you do on GPS units the more confusing things become because of the shear number of units themselves. eTrex alone stands on a large family of products and so when it comes down to making a purchase its most confusing. All of us want the best bang for our buck and start analyzing units until we are blue in the face. One user says this, another says something else, and so who do we believe? This was the case with my research experience. I love looking at reviews and if I see one or two complaints I tend not to get overly excited, if I see a bunch of people complaining then I know its one to avoid and thats what Ive seen about the eTrex GPS units, one works, one dont, one doesnt have a wire, one does, one dont have a manual one does, one gets reception in the car, one dont.
Ive own several GPS units including 2 HP PDAs, 1 Mio, 2 Megallens and 2 Garmins and although Im certainly no expert have decided that GPS is a league of its own much like cell phones, some have everything - ½ of it cheep. For example; a cell phone will never equal a Sony camera so why try to accomplish the task of pushing every device into a phone and settle for pictures that could be better using a better camera. What I decided for me about the hand-helds like this eTrex Venture HC is to let it do its thing which it seems to be doing quite well and let my larger models such as my Nuvi200 do its own thing down the high-way. Ive tried to use my Nuvi200 for Geocaching and it failed miserably but how was I to know its the first time Ive tried looking for a Cache. If I asked this small eTrex unit to do what my Nuvi200 does with driving data, it would fail on the high-way. Small hand-helds, any of them will not play ball with the big boys. So without trying to expect more out of this little guy then what can be produced here is what Im seeing.
The eTrex HC in my house with an attic full of R-11 and concrete tile roof is getting seven satellites within 10 seconds of turning it on, and 4 or 5 were instant. It has a compass that works when you are moving around. It came in a cool box with a USB wire, a CD of basic hwy maps, a strap, and complete instructions in full color as a quick guide and a book to flip though in a couple languages. It has a huge selection of impressive settings including the satellites, custom welcome message, tones, color displays - many, time, Geocache, marine, units, heading, trip comp, mark, find, tracks, routes, highway, setup, proximity, calendar, calculator, stopwatch, sun & moon, hunt & fish, games and living color.
So, does it have complete driving roads of cities? - No, which I knew. Does it have topo maps? - No, and so in the spirit of what makes sense because the big ones come with street maps loaded of the entire country but no topo-maps for the same price as this which was $200, it would only make sense if they loaded topo-maps with the hand-helds which is not good business just to send them out with a bunch of empty towns. So with all the confusion about these things, I played it safe and decided to get mine at Super Wal-Mart and although cost me a little more can take it back if there is a problem.
I thought it was weird that Garmin is now trying to get a scoop of Geocache
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