Identified nice GPS and good deal

[e9999]

OK, been spending way too much time on figuring out what GPS unit to buy.

Vacillated between real entry level stuff and top of the line handhelds.

I think I found the best value / price ratio for me, a compromise between the 2 with good potential for expansion:


Garmin Etrex Venture CX.


This is a nice color unit with microSD card expansion.
Not quite the antenna of the 60CSX, but better than the basic Etrexes.
The Venture CX is the same as the Legend CX but sold without cable and memory card. But get this, most USB cables for cameras etc work on it, so you probably have one already someplace. Plus you can get the cards much cheaper and bigger on the web. So better deal than the Legend CX.

Unit is nicely usable in barebone mode, but can be greatly expanded with maps, turn by turn direction etc. So plenty of potential for expansion.

Can also be used as receiver for laptop.

Good for hiking.

Can be had for $140 delivered incl. a $50 coupon by Garmin until Dec 31.

Very close to 60CX performance and features at $200 less...

Dang good deal IMHO.

 

[SinCity4r]

I just picked up one of these for my Dad for xmas.
Too bad I paid around $200

 

[e9999]

I just picked up one of these for my Dad for xmas.
Too bad I paid around $200

no, just get on the Garmin site and you can still do the rebate (if it was not an auction), it's a mail in affair!!

 

[bluecruiser]

Where did you find it for $150?

 

[e9999]

Where did you find it for $150?

If you do some internet searches you'll find it in several places for around $150 after the rebate. Amazon has it at $155, gpsonsale.com $148. Buy.com $144. I even found a place at $140. This is delivered. (Can you tell I spent too much time on this?) The cheapest places may not have good customer service, though, caveat emptor....

 

[esh]

Nice find! I was going to point you to gpsgeek.com.. but your new box doesn't have an external antenna hookup.

 

[bluecruiser]

If you do some internet searches you'll find it in several places for around $150 after the rebate. Amazon has it at $155, gpsonsale.com $148. Buy.com $144. I even found a place at $140. This is delivered. (Can you tell I spent too much time on this?) The cheapest places may not have good customer service, though, caveat emptor....

Thanks for the help..your research has paid off..

 

[NMuzj100]

Your endorsment sealed the deal. Mine is on the way thanks to my wife.

 

[e9999]

mine was waiting for me when I came back from the desert. Wish I had it there.

Very nice.

Pleased to see that my camera mini USB cable worked just fine.

Now to get it to work with USAPhotomaps. Can download tracks allright, but doesn't show current position...

 

[e9999]

started to dig a bit in the commo protocols.

This is complicated and the Garmin website is not forthcoming with a lot of this stuff.

A bit of caution is in order, and this would apply for a number of other GPS units too. I found out that the Garmin USB protocol is in fact not outputting data in the same format as the standard NMEA. In addition, using a USB port introduces complications as far as real-time plotting. Bottom line is that you are bent on using this and other Garmin units, you may be restricted to using software that is compatible with the "Garmin USB" protocol. That includes Garmin obviously, Delorme and perhaps others, but apparently not Microsoft and other 3rd party software. This appears to be a limitation of the Etrexes. (I can easily move data back and forth, though, but that's a different format apparently.) Units that have both a USB and a serial output like the 60CSX and allow NMEA formats would likely work with generic NMEA software OTOH.
I will look and try to find software or drivers that would allow all this, but not obvious.

Another "hidden" limitation of many of these units is that adding a memory card does not really "expand" the internal memory. For instance, you are still limited to 10,000 points in your tracking even if you have a memory card in. You can save tracks to the card, but would not be able to access them readily with auto Trackback etc. I suppose one could get into a saved track and make a route though.


one could sink hours in this stuff...

 

[GeoRoss]

For those who use Mac's, MacGPSPro does an excellent job of talking to Garmins, real time and WP/track addition/recovery. I know of no way to add maps to a Garmin hand held unit other than the proprietary software.

started to dig a bit in the commo protocols.

This is complicated and the Garmin website is not forthcoming with a lot of this stuff.

A bit of caution is in order, and this would apply for a number of other GPS units too. I found out that the Garmin USB protocol is in fact not outputting data in the same format as the standard NMEA. In addition, using a USB port introduces complications as far as real-time plotting. Bottom line is that you are bent on using this and other Garmin units, you may be restricted to using software that is compatible with the "Garmin USB" protocol. That includes Garmin obviously, Delorme and perhaps others, but apparently not Microsoft and other 3rd party software. This appears to be a limitation of the Etrexes. (I can easily move data back and forth, though, but that's a different format apparently.) Units that have both a USB and a serial output like the 60CSX and allow NMEA formats would likely work with generic NMEA software OTOH.
I will look and try to find software or drivers that would allow all this, but not obvious.

Another "hidden" limitation of many of these units is that adding a memory card does not really "expand" the internal memory. For instance, you are still limited to 10,000 points in your tracking even if you have a memory card in. You can save tracks to the card, but would not be able to access them readily with auto Trackback etc. I suppose one could get into a saved track and make a route though.


one could sink hours in this stuff...

 

[e9999]

used the Venture extensively on a Norcal trip.
There were some instances where it would lose the sats when under dense tall trees, like redwood groves or old growth big pines. May be an issue if you're into serious hiking in that kind of environment. The 60 may work better for that give that it reportedly has a more sensitive antenna. Not a big deal for me. And usually recovered quickly when the trees got a bit less dense.
YMMV.