The basic Etrex seems so popular...

Webguy · Post by **Webguy** » 21 May 04 10:24 am

But how many people are using other models in the Garmin range and how do you find them? Do the extra features make much difference?

swampgecko · Post by **swampgecko** » 21 May 04 10:47 am

I use a Garmin 12, the old base model garmin, this was, last time I looked, still being produced. It is a good entry level unit, very basic and bulky thou. The one big drawback with it that I have found is the distance to go counter, it only reads down to 0.01klm or 10mts, I have worked out away around that but then it's really reading down to 5 mts. Close enough for government work I suppose

. I am actually trying to get a Megellan Platinium for my next unit. I like the idea of all the bells and whiistles, barometer, compass and such, all in one unit. The garmin 12 will then be retired back to it's original intended purpose, in the boat for fishing.

Ebenezer · Post by **Ebenezer** » 21 May 04 11:38 am

I bought the Venture because of its improved screen resolution and increased number of waypoints. The worldwide city database in the Venture has actually proved quite useful.

In truth I didn't buy it for geocaching, so stuff like a better screen (for the moving map display) was important to me.

riblit · Post by **riblit** » 21 May 04 12:45 pm

swampgecko wrote:...garmin 12 will then be retired back to it's original intended purpose, in the boat for fishing.

You planning on using it for bait, or as an anchor?

Devar · Post by **Devar** » 21 May 04 2:17 pm

GPSMAP 76. Once you have the maps you can never go back.

Cached · Post by **Cached** » 21 May 04 2:18 pm

I also have a Venture - I like the joystick function and the resolution.

But I think I only have 500 waypoints?

riblit · Post by **riblit** » 21 May 04 7:37 pm

I use an etrex vista for caching and have an emap mounted in the paj. I like the larger screen while driving and the smaller vista with compass for caching.
Both have street level mapping.

Webguy · Post by **Webguy** » 21 May 04 7:38 pm

It's a bit late for us, but I must get a look at one of the higher res models, just to compare. I read a number of reviews that did not like that little joystick thingy.

riblit · Post by **riblit** » 21 May 04 7:41 pm

Webby wrote:...I read a number of reviews that did not like that little joystick thingy.

A matter of taste. I find it useful now that I am used to it..

swampgecko · Post by **swampgecko** » 21 May 04 7:41 pm

riblit wrote:
swampgecko wrote:...garmin 12 will then be retired back to it's original intended purpose, in the boat for fishing.
You planning on using it for bait, or as an anchor?

Leek suggested using it as ballest, but I had better remind him that the steam driven Garmin 12 was the one that put us on the spot a few times when the Magellan was trying to lead us over the edge, literally at times....

riblit · Post by **riblit** » 21 May 04 7:43 pm

swampgecko wrote:
riblit wrote:
swampgecko wrote:...garmin 12 will then be retired back to it's original intended purpose, in the boat for fishing.
You planning on using it for bait, or as an anchor?
Leek suggested using it as ballest, but I had better remind him that the steam driven Garmin 12 was the one that put us on the spot a few times when the Magellan was trying to lead us over the edge, literally at times....

... and you still want to buy one?

EcoTeam · Post by **EcoTeam** » 21 May 04 9:46 pm

The basic eTrex is so popular because it offers the best bangs/buck.
At $150-$200 street price the other models can be 2,3, or 4 times that price. But you don't get 2,3, or 4 times the performance or accuracy, nor find a cache twice as quick or twice as easy etc.
You might be able to store 4 times as many waypoints, or use a map or magnetic compasss and pressure barometer, but in normal use these features just aren't required.

EcoDave

swampgecko · Post by **swampgecko** » 21 May 04 10:34 pm

EcoTeam wrote: You might be able to store 4 times as many waypoints, or use a map or magnetic compasss and pressure barometer, but in normal use these features just aren't required.

EcoDave

they put these gadgets in so that the suckers... er ... consumers like me(self confessed gadget freak) will buy them