Cybo Posted August 28, 2003 Share Posted August 28, 2003 Hi, Just wondering, how is the satellite reception with the Etrex legend? Ive heard stories about loosing the signal under trees while other units managed to hold on. Any comments about this? Thanks! Cybo VE3SWF Quote Link to comment
+Tahoe Skier5000 Posted August 28, 2003 Share Posted August 28, 2003 The eTrex GPS's do have relatively weak antennas. I owned a Venture and a Legend before my V and there is a monumental difference in not only reception, but sensitivity with the V (and in particular, the quad-helix). The patch antennas found in the eTrex's should work fine for normal geocaching in areas without a lot of foliage, but are otherwise limited. ----------------------------------------------------------- Garmin V Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted August 28, 2003 Share Posted August 28, 2003 I've only seen the difference to be marginal though noticable. Reference GPS is a Vista vs. a V. Quote Link to comment
Cybo Posted August 28, 2003 Author Share Posted August 28, 2003 Ok thanks for the speedy reply. The garmin V looks cool, but its a bit too pricy for me . That makes it between the SporTrak, Geko 201 and the SporTrak Map SE. The SporTrak is $199CDN, the Geko is $219CDN and the STMap SE is $269CDN. Do you think the map is worth it? I don't really travel alot. Renegade: Yeah, I dont think ill look at the Etrex Legend then because of that issue... Quote Link to comment
+Tahoe Skier5000 Posted August 28, 2003 Share Posted August 28, 2003 I'd say mapping is almost essential in some cases. 1. You will most likely want to upgrade to a unit with a map in the future anyways. Why blow $200 on a unit without one now and then have to shell out another $200 or $300 later. 2. When out doing some serious geocaching or camping miles from civilization, the map will give you something to refer to when you get lost. Without it, you better hope you punched in the waypoints to places near you on the gps. Not only that, the maps give you roads to go to, shows you shorelines, and any towns or cities. It can seriously save your arse when lost. ----------------------------------------------------------- Garmin V Quote Link to comment
Cybo Posted August 28, 2003 Author Share Posted August 28, 2003 Hmm ok, do you think that the SporTrak map, with its 6mb of downloadable data and 2mb base map, will work for me? Also, do the font issues ive heard about affect the SporTrak map? Thanks! Quote Link to comment
dzavetsky Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 If you think you will EVER want to use the GPS in a car and want turn by turn directions, go for teh V.... I tried a Sport Trac and then a Legend...neither "did it" for me...The Legend didnt hold enough Metroguide maps to get me from Pittsburgh to OBX, NC the way I wanted to....so I wanted a unit with more memory...I bought the V and am very pleased, aside from a battery issue I am having....The V's 19mb (though I would love more) is just enough to cover 98% of what I want for this trip, and holds everything I need for daytrips on my motorcycle..... I find teh V easier to use.....that little stick on the Legend is cool, but you really ahve to watch the menus.....on the V, the buttons do a great deal and are easy to locate while driving etc....I havent tried my V in the woods yet though.,..been too busy to geocache (I am a newbie)...(plus, all the bugs that attacked me in the woods last time convinced me to wait til sept or so to try again! <grin> I used the Legend in teh woods a little and it worked ok but lost reception a few times....It also usedto loose reception while walking sometimes even in relatively clear/level surrounds, so holding it a certain way is critical...teh V seems to be more tollerant. DZ quote:Originally posted by Cybo:Ok thanks for the speedy reply. The garmin V looks cool, but its a bit too pricy for me . That makes it between the SporTrak, Geko 201 and the SporTrak Map SE. The SporTrak is $199CDN, the Geko is $219CDN and the STMap SE is $269CDN. Do you think the map is worth it? I don't really travel alot. Renegade: Yeah, I dont think ill look at the Etrex Legend then because of that issue... Quote Link to comment
Cybo Posted August 29, 2003 Author Share Posted August 29, 2003 Thanks for the reply DZ! The V is a bit too pricey for me, and I doubt id use it often. If I need turn-by-turn, i'd just hook up the gps to a laptop and run Delorme or MS Streets & Trips. Right now im looking at the SporTrak Map and the Meridian Gold...I think the ST Map would work fine, I dont need to store alot of maps in it, but apparently the ST's have a font issue that I will have to look at to see if it affects me. Thanks! Quote Link to comment
Cybo Posted August 31, 2003 Author Share Posted August 31, 2003 Does anyone know a place where I can find a signal reception comparison of the legend to the SporTrak Map? Btw, the V looks like a cool gps, I'd go for it, but it's way over my budget right now. If I ever need turn by turn, ill just hook it up to a laptop and run MS S & T or Delorme StreetAtlas. . [This message was edited by Cybo on August 31, 2003 at 07:51 PM.] Quote Link to comment
+Tahoe Skier5000 Posted August 31, 2003 Share Posted August 31, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Cybo:Does anyone know a place where I can find a signal reception comparison of the legend to the SporTrak Map? Btw, the V looks like a cool gps, id go for it, but its way over my budget . Try searching_ut's webpage. I found it pretty interesting. click here ----------------------------------------------------------- Garmin V Quote Link to comment
Cybo Posted August 31, 2003 Author Share Posted August 31, 2003 Thanks volks. Ill check that out. The decision between the legend and the sportrak map is really killing me. People like to stand by either Garmin or Magellan (repectively), its like a big tug-of-war game. On one hand, the legend seems to be pretty accurate, on the other, it has bad reception under tree cover. The SporTrak does not, but it has a bad display and apparently suffers some lag. There may be even more problems im not sure of. Im just trying to get an opinion not based on the company but the units themselves. Quote Link to comment
+falcon28 Posted August 31, 2003 Share Posted August 31, 2003 My Legen will get 13 -17 feet under tree cover. Dont know much about the Magellan but i SURE like my legend. I have had it for two years and no problems. Just check for updates. Quote Link to comment
Cybo Posted September 1, 2003 Author Share Posted September 1, 2003 Hmm ok thanks, 13-17 feet doesnt sound that bad, but it that light or heavy tree cover? Any other opinions out there? Quote Link to comment
+Alan2 Posted September 1, 2003 Share Posted September 1, 2003 Why don't you start a topic in the Canada section asking if anyone with a Legend or Sport Track would mind you taggin along on a cache hunt? That way you'll get first hand experience. My own experience with a Vista which has the same antenna receiver as a Legend is that I've always been able to get to the area where the cache is although you do losee reception often in heavy tree cover. But the trick is to set it down and not move it, Usually it'll get a lock on the satellites agin and you'll be able to go on your way. I think the other features will be more imporatant in making your final selection. Good luck. ALan Quote Link to comment
+falcon28 Posted September 1, 2003 Share Posted September 1, 2003 With new batts. I can get the 13 to 17 foot accuracy under light to medium cover. Cloudy days don't bother it. Worked preety good in a good snowstorm last year. The Legend will get you most places. I have 3/4 of the state of Michigan stored in the unit and have plenty of mem left. Quote Link to comment
+John144 Posted September 1, 2003 Share Posted September 1, 2003 Hey, Cybo, I've been using my Legend for a few weeks around Toronto, Huntsville, and Ottawa, and am pleased with its reception. It does lose the signal on occasion, but usually finds it again. I haven't had it interfere with finding a cache (10 so far). Quote Link to comment
shrekTBA Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 I was in the mountains in the trees with my Vista, and my dad had his 3+(simlar ant to the V), the only time the Vista lost lock was in my pocket, the 3+ had some trouble. I have also had a legend and still have a basic yellow etrex, no complaints. I also had an Eagle, but was not impressed. It's not a sport unless there is something dead in the back of the truck when you get home. Quote Link to comment
Cybo Posted September 11, 2003 Author Share Posted September 11, 2003 Sorry to ressurect a dead topic, but this came up while reading....How well does an etrex legend recieve in a car? Also, is there any place to view samples of magellan mapsend canada maps (just to see the accuracy)? Thanks! Quote Link to comment
fab44 Posted September 11, 2003 Share Posted September 11, 2003 The Legend works just fine in my SUV. The Legend should work in most cars, except those with metal shielded windows. There's a short list of these cars on the EZPass website (as these windshields also interfere with EZPass). Quote Link to comment
gitarmac Posted September 11, 2003 Share Posted September 11, 2003 My venture worked pretty good today in what I would consider more than light tree coverage. I was surprized, I was careful how I held it. I think I might make a velco case and attach it to my hat. Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.