Garmin 72 or Etrex Venture

[Greg&Christy]

I can get either of these for close to the same price at WalMart. They seem pretty similar except the 72 seems a little more for Marine travel but says it's good for land or water. Any opinon on which I should get? or a differnt one for about the same price $160?

[+EScout]

I would check to see if you can get a Legend for about $200 and then subtract the rebate of $50 for a net price of about $150.

[Ford]

Amazon.com has the Legend for $200 with a $50 discount. I was just looking at that webpage.

[+apersson850]

72 is bigger to carry and has a bigger screen.

Note that the 72 can accept an external antenna (good in car, for example).

 

The eTrex has a patch antenna, which in most cases is less sensitive. But the eTrex is handier to carry.

 

Anders

[+Rubberhead]

The GPS 72 has a bigger display, but the resolution of the Venture is much better 288x160 versus only 160x120 for the GPS 72.

 

For those that have never seen it, the screen displays on the high-end eTrex units (Venture, Legend and Vista) are phenomenal. Other units look like toys compared to these units.

[MikeK5117]

Check around for closeouts, etc. I have seen both of these units locally for under $100. Bought an open-box Venture at Best Buy for $89.00, and passed up an open-box 72 at Walmart for $75.00. Both were in new condition.

 

BTW, my preference would be the Venture purely on a size basis. Otherwise, the 72 seems like a pretty good unit and for primarily car or boat use would likely be a real good choice, the small screen (hense small type, etc) on the Etrex's pretty much dictates (at least for my eyes) you hold them in your hand to see them well.

[McKenna Family]

72 does NOT accept an external antenna, you would need to step up to the 76 to get that. I have been very happy with my 72. Screen is large enough to read, and price was right. Also, being 6'4" means that I don't like small handheld anythings. The 72 was large enough that it is easy for me to use. Screen resolution is good, and it is easy enough to read, even while driving. Also, good selection of accessories, other than the antenna, it shares all the same extras as the higher end 76 line.

 

You have to go out, you don't have to come back.

[+apersson850]

quote:

---

Originally posted by McKenna Family:

72 does NOT accept an external antenna, you would need to step up to the 76 to get that.

---

I'm sorry, I didn't check carefully enough. I assumed that all 70 series units were the same in that case, but obviously not.

 

Anders

[Greg&Christy]

Thank you for the advice so far, it sounds like either way I go I'lll be pretty happy. Wish I could be as lucky as MikeK5117 and find the deals he has though

[+Team Shibby]

Being a former owner of the Venture, I would suggest you look more into the Legend. You may spend a little more up front, but you will get it back with the rebate.

 

The Venture is a great unit, but it lacks mapping abilities. The legend can do everything the Venture can, + maps. You will want them!!

 

I must have owned the Venture for about a week before I started wanting maps. Don't make the same mistake I did. If you could get either one for the same price, get one that handles mapping abilities. It opens the doors to so many more things you can do with your new toy

 

Of course that does mean you will eventually need to spend more $$$ on the Mapsource software, but it beats having to buy a new GPS!

 

TEAM SHIBBY!!!!

 

Krs, Kar & Na

[+Rubberhead]

I'll ditto Team Shibby's remarks. I owned an eTrex Mariner (the same internally as a Venture) and it wasn't long before I started to want to upgrade. I finally upgraded over a year later and I'm really happy with the Legend.

[Greg&Christy]

Does the 72 have mapping? I'm not very familiar with mapping on a GPS. When I compare the Venture, legend and 72 on the Garmin website it says that MapSource is available on all three. Is that not what I want to be looking for? Thanks for the help

[+apersson850]

The Venture and 72 both have 1 MB of memory, which is used to load POI files from MapSource. These are only points, of some kind of interest.

The Legend (and GPSMAP 76) has 8 MB of memory available to load maps via MapSource. These maps aren't only points, but streets, roads, lakes (and a lot of points, too, at least if you go with MetroGuide).

 

You can look at my review to get a feeling for the maps.

 

Anders

[+Team Shibby]

Yes the Venture accepts POI's which are just as Anders said points of interest. POI's are just preset waypoints for places to go shopping, eat, hotels, campgrounds etc.

 

Useful but not always and alot of the info is out of date (good thing they give the phone number so you can call before getting there only to find out its been gone for 10 years!!)

 

If you go to the Garmin Website and click on the drop down menu called Mapsource Compatability (right hand side) for the GPS you are interested in, it will only show the Mapsource products that can be used with it.

 

[This message was edited by Team Shibby on May 14, 2003 at 10:24 PM.]

[+SearchRescueDog]

The GPS 72 does not have mapping. However I am very happy with mine (I would rather have a paper 1:24k map with me then a 1:100k electronic map).