+Tring1 Posted April 11, 2004 Posted April 11, 2004 I had the basic yellow Etrex from Garmin and have passed that unit on to my son. My question is what model do I want next. I liked the Etrex but wanted a model that was Waas enabled. I took a quick look at the Geko 201 but it looks like a toy. I would like a model with at least as big a screen as the Etrex, Waas and possibly one that would allow me to display street maps, but since I would like to stay under $200 the street map may be out of the question. I also want to stay with Garmin. Please send me your suggestions. Thank you. Quote
+the hermit crabs Posted April 11, 2004 Posted April 11, 2004 It looks like the Garmin Etrex Legend might do what you want. www.offroute.com is currently selling it for $169.95, if you get there from geocaching.com's home page (to get the discount). Quote
+BAF Posted April 11, 2004 Posted April 11, 2004 garmin Etrex legend Take a look at this page. you should be able to find a legend For some were around $160.00. Quote
+Desert_Warrior Posted April 11, 2004 Posted April 11, 2004 Shop for a VISTA. I just sold my 4 month old Vista for $200. Getting a 60CS newt week. They are out there, just look and be patient. Quote
Swagger Posted April 11, 2004 Posted April 11, 2004 The legend is the way to go if you want to stay under $200. To get the street maps, though, you'll need to spend an additional $75-100 for the MapSource package that best suits your needs. One note on WAAS - I haven't noticed any measurable increase in accuracy with it on, and keep it turned off to save battery juice. Just my $.02. Quote
+crzycrzy Posted April 11, 2004 Posted April 11, 2004 By the way... I was hell bent on getting WAAS, so I bought the legend, but I NEVER use WAAS... It simply doesn't help me get any closer. Some people say it does, I know, but it chews me batteries up and doesn't help... Just so you have a second opinion... I have the etrex legend and absolutely love it. If you are not planning on flying much, the vista is extra $ for a barometric altimeter. Not worth the extra although (I think) it has more memory. Quote
+Mastifflover Posted April 11, 2004 Posted April 11, 2004 (edited) I have both the Legend and the Vista. The Legend is very nice. With the Vista you get a electronic compass, nice when you lose satalite signal but rarely used. You also get a barometric altimeter, cool but also rarely used. I only use it when I go after a cache that is up a mountain to see how high I have climbed. The biggest advantage of the Vista is you get 24 meg. of memory compared to 8 with the Legend. 8 megs fills up pretty quick but if you don't do a lot of travelling go with the Legend. Oh by the way I never use waas on either one. Edited to say wass is a waste. Edited April 11, 2004 by Mastifflover Quote
+crzycrzy Posted April 11, 2004 Posted April 11, 2004 Thank you for the extra info... I love the people here the most ! Quote
+GEO*Trailblazer 1 Posted April 11, 2004 Posted April 11, 2004 RINO 120 I really have truly enjoyed mine it is a little more than $200 though but well worth it. Quote
+NimravusHSSR Posted April 11, 2004 Posted April 11, 2004 Get the vista or legend. The Vista is great with the compass so it knows it's directions without moving. I hated that about the legend I had, when you get close to a cache you move SLOWLY and the pointer starts jumping. If you go with anything other than an eTrex or Geko, it'll be HUGE. It took me awhile to accept the bigger size of the 60cs. Quote
+LETaylor Posted April 11, 2004 Posted April 11, 2004 Go for the Vista. Got mine at Amazon for just over $233 (delivered) Quite happy with it. Quote
+Baptist Deacon Posted April 11, 2004 Posted April 11, 2004 Think Vista. IT's a wonderful unit. Had mine almost a year now and it's GREAT!!.. Quote
+catfan64 Posted April 11, 2004 Posted April 11, 2004 I just got the Etrex Legend and love it. Walmart.com has it for $162. I went to Circuit City, and they had them for $199. With the low price guarantee (ask them to look up Walmart.com), I got it for the walmart price, plus 10% of the diff between CC and Walmart, which came out to $159.21. Plus no waiting for delivery!!!! Quote
+Renegade Knight Posted April 11, 2004 Posted April 11, 2004 I'd hold out for the 60. But if you will never save up that money or be able to pay it off the Vista would be a second choice if you can make your price with it. Quote
cujo0123 Posted April 11, 2004 Posted April 11, 2004 I've been watching e-bay and have seen the legend go for $120 several times. Quote
+kpktrackers Posted April 11, 2004 Posted April 11, 2004 If you get a unit with some memory you are going to want some map software. Why not step up to a GPS V Deluxe & get a much nicer unit with City Select maps ,a better antenna, external antenna capability, bigger screen more user friendly buttons, auto routing etc. & is only slightly larger than a etrex. We have a Legend & a V & there is really no comparison. The auto routing sure is handy when traveling to the next cache site . I bought the V new open box for $225. As far as the compass, I had a 76S & found the compass nearly useless. If you want a compass, spend $5 & buy one. K Quote
+Team GPSaxophone Posted April 11, 2004 Posted April 11, 2004 I went through two Ventures before I bought a Legend. I like it much better. I haven't spent money on maps for it, but the basemap (America's Highways?) is good enough for now. ps - I used WAAS on my Venture, but I don't on my Legend. I still get just as close to the cache without using it. Quote
apogee Posted April 11, 2004 Posted April 11, 2004 I got the legend from offroute (for the Groundspeak donation) last week and have been having a lot of fun with it. I downloaded the nearest 20 waypoints (all within 2 mi of home) and have begun a geocaching walking marathon. Go with the legend and save the extra bucks for the mapsource CD. The US Metroguide is currently out of stock at offroute and Garmin. Quote
+briansnat Posted April 12, 2004 Posted April 12, 2004 (edited) Since you're already familiar with the eTrex line, go with the Legend or Vista. I've had both and like them a lot. The Vista has more memory and the electric compass, so if you have the extra bucks, go with that. The Gecko 201 is a nice uint. Its definitely not a toy, but it won't bring you any more features than you had with your eTrex, other than WAAS. BTW, I never use WAAS because I've found no difference with it on or off. Edited April 12, 2004 by briansnat Quote
+HappyFrog (& gang) Posted April 12, 2004 Posted April 12, 2004 Go with the Vista, it can load up to 1000 waypoints (that's alot of caches) and it has memory for loading a lot of maps into it from Mapsource. You don't need to get Mapsource right away. I have a Vista and love it. I am waiting for the new Garmin GPS to come out though. Also a note is that the prices on all the Etex GPS units are dropping in the stores. Quote
+briansnat Posted April 12, 2004 Posted April 12, 2004 I am waiting for the new Garmin GPS to come out though. Newer than the 60CS? Quote
+JayFredMuggs Posted April 14, 2004 Posted April 14, 2004 The legend is the way to go if you want to stay under $200. To get the street maps, though, you'll need to spend an additional $75-100 for the MapSource package that best suits your needs. One note on WAAS - I haven't noticed any measurable increase in accuracy with it on, and keep it turned off to save battery juice. Just my $.02. Ditto Quote
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