Garmin’s eTrex series of outdoor handheld GPS units consists of seven models with the eTrex Venture HC, Vista HCx, Summit HCx and Legend HCx being reviewed being the models with a color TFT screen 2,1 (5.4cm) inch diagonal for map display. All the eTrex series are of a compact size, waterproof (submergible, IPX7) and lightweight as would be expected of a GPS device intended to be used outdoors. Each model is powered by twin AA batteries but battery life varies with the eTrex Vista HCx and eTrex Legend HCx lasting up to 25 hours and the Venture HC and Summit HC lasting up to 14 hours.

All three review models have a high sensitivity SiRF Star III GPS receiver. Accuracy is excellent at less than 10 feet (3m) as delivered by a high sensitivity SiRF Star III WAAS enabled GPS receiver. The SiRF delivers some of the best GPS satellite acquisition times available.

Differences in specification for the eTrex Venture HC, Summit HC and Legend HCx also include:

• eTrex Legend HCx and Vista HCx don’t have the 24MB of internal memory of other two
• eTrex Legend HCx and Vista HCx will accept a micro SD card (not included)
• eTrex Legend HCx and Vista HCx have automatic routing
• eTrex Legend HCx and Vista HCx allows users to add custom POI (points of interest)
• eTrex Legend HCx and Vista HCx will store 1000 waypoints compared to 500 for the others
• Summit HC and Vista HCx have an electronic compass and barometric altimeter

Garmin eTrex Maps

The basemap supplied with each eTrex model contains lakes, rivers, cities, interstates, national and state highways, railroads and coastlines. Additional maps can be uploaded with the supplied MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager software or by changing micro SD cards on some models.

Geocaching

Geocaching is the widely popular, high-tech game of treasure hunting and the eTrex models are suitable units for this purpose. Garmin’s Go Geocaching site provides for simple downloading of geocaches to Garmin devices which eliminates entering latitude and longitude coordinates manually. All geocaching data on the Go Geocaching site is from www.geocaching.com, believed by some to be the most comprehensive source of geocaching information and caches.

Garmin have recently released the Garmin Colorado 400 handheld GPS series.

Included in the Box

• eTrex handheld GPS navigator
• Basemap:
• Americas: Americas Recreational
• Europe: Atlantic Highway
• Pacific: Pacific Highway
• MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager Software
• USB cable
• Wrist strap
• Owner’s manual
• Quick start guide

User Reviews and Price Comparisons

Visit the online retailers below to read user reviews and check prices.

Garmin eTrex Venture HC High-Intensity Color Mapping Handheld GPS

Garmin eTrex Vista HCx Color High-Sensitivity Mapping Handheld GPS

Garmin eTrex Summit HC High-Intensity Color Mapping Handheld GPS

Garmin eTrex Legend HCx High-Senstivity Color Mapping Handheld GPS

Garmin eTrex Venture HC

GPS, ETREX VISTA HCX, TRIP & WAYPOIN

GPS, ETREX SUMMIT HC, TRIP & WAYPOIN

Garmin eTrex Legend HCx

Garmin eTrex Venture HC Portable Navigator - 2.14 Active Matrix TFT Color LCD - 12 Channels

Garmin eTrex Vista HCx Portable Navigator - 2.14 Active Matrix TFT Color LCD - 12 Channels

Garmin eTrex Summit HC Portable Navigator - 2.14 Active Matrix TFT Color LCD - 12 Channels

Garmin eTrex Legend HCx Portable Navigator - 2.14 Active Matrix TFT Color LCD - 12 Channels

GARMIN eTrex Venture HC Handheld GPS Navigation

GARMIN Vista HCx Handheld eTrex Vista HCx Hand-Held GPS Navigator

GARMIN eTrex Summit HC Handheld GPS Navigation

GARMIN eTrex Legend HCx 2.1″ Handheld GPS Navigation

Resources

Compare the eTrex models specifications side-by-side with highlighted specification differences.

eTrex Venture HC Owner’s Manual (PDF 1.2MB)
Quick Reference Guide for eTrex Venture HC (PDF 474KB)

Vista HCx Owner’s Manual (PDF 1.2MB)
Quick Reference Guide for Vista HCx (PDF 474KB)

Summit HC Owner’s Manual (PDF 1.12MB)
Reference Guide for Summit HC (PDF 474KB)

Legend HCx Owner’s Manual (PDF 1.2MB)
Reference Guide for Legend HCx (PDF 474KB)

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Garmin eTrex Venture HC Specification