I had an eTrex vista that I absolutly hated and vowed never to use again after my first time out geocaching. I then went bought an explorist GC which I love. My etrex lost sats all the time, my GC has yet to lose any sats. And a thought about the "bells and whistles"... maybe you dont care about them because you dont have them. Once you start using some of the bells and whistles, I'm sure you will be glad you have them.