Garmin eTrex Yellow model- good enough?

[+The Friendly Ghosts]

A friend is hoping to get into geocaching and is looking at a cheap Garmin eTrex (yellow) from WalMart for $99. He just wants basic functions, to try out the sport. Has anyone used this personally? How is it? We have the Magellan eXplorist 210, and it appears it is quite similar (except for obviously the GARMIN name!), and I find it works fine for geocaching. Thanks for any insights!

[knowschad]

A friend is hoping to get into geocaching and is looking at a cheap Garmin eTrex (yellow) from WalMart for $99. He just wants basic functions, to try out the sport. Has anyone used this personally? How is it? We have the Magellan eXplorist 210, and it appears it is quite similar (except for obviously the GARMIN name!), and I find it works fine for geocaching. Thanks for any insights!

 

The way I see it, he's either going to spend the $99 bucks on it and not like caching, then find himself with a GPS that he can't give away, or he's going to spend $99 of it, love geocaching, and eventually go out and buy a better unit, and find himself then owning a GPS that he can't give away, and another one that cost $99 more than it should.

 

Aside from knowschad's financial theories, that model will allow him to find caches.

[+trainlove]

Any GPS is 'good enough' for geocaching. Gee, when geocaching was invented there were very few mapping units around, and people still found caches.

 

I don't think that the yellow at $99 is a good deal at all, it should be something like $50.

 

I'd shop around.

 

Even though I hate Magellan, I saw an Explorist 500LE for $100 which includes the additional mapping software.

[BBH]

I've used a yellow eTrex on a lake when lost, and wish I had a mapping unit. I would recommend buying a used unit on the for sale forums. The last new hand held I bought was an original legend, then I found forums. Check your local craigs list or here, for some good deals. I've seen a blue legend for $80 today here.

[jmundinger]

Good enough? yes

Good idea? I don't think so.

 

Two footnotes. The eTrex is archaic - don't get it. If he does get an eTrex, make sure he gets the eTrex H, which has a more sensitive chipset in it and it should sell for about the same price. But, for just a little more (he might have to get it online), he'd be much happier with a Venture HC.

[+Redwoods Mtn Biker]

I totally agree. For MANY reasons, spend $20 more and get the Venture HC.