Question about Garmin

[+Mr&Mrs Preacherman]

I have about 3 hr's to buy a Garmin eTrex Venture HC High-Intensity Color Mapping Handheld GPS for $117.

is this a good price and does it have the compass feature?

Noted on thread that compass eats batteries,

How bad of a problem is that?

Can it (the compass) be turned off?

This is about the price range I'm in.

I have a TomTom that we have been using.

Thanks

[+Zac Young]

I have not exactly experienced this unit before. But, on the bright side, I can answer a few of your other questions by directing you here.

 

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=8707

 

By what I can see, the price is not bad at all, pretty good acually. All of the other specs are here. The rest I will leave to those who have expreinced this unit and can answer your other questions. Good Luck!

Edited September 27, 2008 by Zac Young

[Motorcycle_Mama]

That's a nice model. Be aware that the unit comes with a very basic basemap and detailed streets aren't on the basemap. Also, the unit has 24 MB of space for loading additional maps which is somewhat limited but might be okay depending upon your needs.

 

The Venture HC does not have an electronic compass, so the battery issue you read about doesn't apply to this model.

 

The unit doesn't support turn by turn directions, so just be sure that you aren't going to need that feature on the unit. You can just continue to use your TomTom for that.

Edited September 27, 2008 by Motorcycle_Mama

[+Mr&Mrs Preacherman]

That's a nice model. Be aware that the unit comes with a very basic basemap and detailed streets aren't on the basemap. Also, the unit has 24 MB of space for loading additional maps which is somewhat limited but might be okay depending upon your needs.

 

The Venture HC does not have an electronic compass, so the battery issue you read about doesn't apply to this model.

 

The unit doesn't support turn by turn directions, so just be sure that you aren't going to need that feature on the unit. You can just continue to use your TomTom for that.

 

Is HCx a different model than HC? I cant find HCx at Amazon and the down load manuel doesn't distinguish HC and HCx??? Sorry to sound so dumb.

[Motorcycle_Mama]

Yes, the HCx is different. The 'x' models have a slot for a microSD card.

 

Check out this comparison page.

 

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=...areProduct=8703

[+Mr&Mrs Preacherman]

Yes, the HCx is different. The 'x' models have a slot for a microSD card.

 

Check out this comparison page.

 

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=...areProduct=8703

 

Thanks so much MM! Will go with the HC and let TomTom pick up the slack. Appreciate your info!

[+Latentk]

I hope I am not to late, as I said in another post, check out the Garmin Etrex Vista Cx, it has the compass and color screen plus decent maps. You can get them on amazon or Ebay refurbed for only 20 or 30 more! Def an upgrade! Consider looking into it!

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00...3605&sr=8-1

 

For amazon!

[+briansnat]

I hope I am not to late, as I said in another post, check out the Garmin Etrex Vista Cx, it has the compass and color screen plus decent maps. You can get them on amazon or Ebay refurbed for only 20 or 30 more! Def an upgrade! Consider looking into it!

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00...3605&sr=8-1

 

For amazon!

 

Problem with the CX is that it doesn't have the high sensitivity receiver. If you're not caching under heavy leaf cover it can be a good alternative.