MINE IS A PIECE OF $@*** - Completely UNABLE TO KEEP UP inaccuracy of .25 of a mile – this thing is lost – my phone gps is better that this. If you would like a great paperweight buy a Garman Legend -- also fun for the kids to pretend it a cell phone -

This unit works exactly as expected, 3m accuracy, about a 5 min initial satellite acquisition time and scattered reception in dense canapy with the ability to download and upload data. This would be a terrific unit if it didn't have one horrible flaw, the screen developes lines over time which makes the unit unreadable. The condition isn't permanite however reoccurrs the longer the unit is on resulting in the battery removal to shut the unit off. The agency I work for has purchased 11 of this units, 7 have failed in this fashion within a year of operation.

Customer Service

It was determined to be cheaper to purchase new units rather then have them repaired or borrow the remaining functional units.

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One person who's company issued Etrex Legend failed is using their personal Etex Vista which is 5 years old without issue.

I purchased this item recently and have been very satisfied. I did research prior to purchasing and for my intentions, this was exactly what I needed. I have a few friends who own the exact same GPS and they have been very pleased. We'll see what this unit does over the long haul.

Customer Service

Customer service at the Academy store was excellent and the salesperson really knew his products.

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Lowrance was one I had used prior, and with past experience you can operate it, if you do not have any GPS use prior to this unit, it is not user friendly at all.

I bought my unit several years ago and after a year or two it began to get horizontal lines across the screen which got larger and larger. Then some vertical lines and began to flash. Garmin wants $83 to fix it plus I pay for shipping. The Garmin store on Michigan Avenue here in Chicago was very unhelpful. Not impressed with the unit nor the company. I only used it a few times before it broke. Product was decent while it lasted, but quality was poor so it's hard for me to see past that.

Customer Service

People were very nice but they are charging me over half the value of the device to fix their own poor quality - should be their responsibility.

Can't say I'm impressed with the Vista. I'm a hunter and purchased the unit to help me get around in the swamps. Any, and I mean any tree cover obliterates signal. Use=0. Oh, and by the way, the set up is really fun as well.

This unit is excellent. I used an etrex venture for 5 years, and when it finally gave up, I bought the etrex legend. It has several maps on it, including lakes I visit often. It works well on the interstate, you can look up exits. Another plus is all my cables from my e-trex venture hooked up.

I have a several Garmin GPS units GPS III, GPS V, and just picked up the eTrex Legend. I agree with all the posts that it's a good medium feature unit. One drawback to keep in mind is that the PC interface cable is a DB9. I haven't used a DB9 serial cable since the 90's. My laptop has no 9 pin connector (or other antiquated interfaces like a 1.4MB floppy). I think Garmin is a little behind the curve on this feature. If you want to upload maps from CD's, you will have to fork over around $52 American for the Garmin cable, or find a clone cable for around $20.

I emailed Garmin support that I'm disappointed they have not gone USB on a medium feature unit.

Customer Service

N/A

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GPS III+
GPS V

For the money you cant beat this unit! Great screen resolution,the paddle makes it easy to navigate scrrens, backlight is bulletproof. The downfalls are small memory, and the Mapsource maps are garbage. Garmin needs to develop better more detailed maps. The unit works well in the boat and in the truck, battery life is better than I expected. If you want to buy a GPS unit for under $200 this is the one to get

Customer Service

None Yet

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Garmin Venture, Lowrance IFinder2

This unit works great when there isnt alot of tree cover,the signal keeps getting lost in the summer,unless im in a clearing,but since Im a photographer,the reason I bought it was so I can get off the beaten track and find more wildlife,I thought the track back feature would help me find my way back,NOT so,the more tree,the more useless I found it,but since I can upload maps to it,and recover the traxks that were saved,it does serve a perpurse,it it worked all the time,it would be great,but it dont.

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Garmin Street Pilot III Color Map

The unit works well overall. I used to have the annoying "shut off when shaken" problem. There is a design defect with all eTrex units. I have shaken brand new units in REI, and they all do it. Here's how you fix it. Take off the cover. Wedge a piece of toothpick or matchstick between the bottom of the left hand battery and the base of the unit (Note: don't block the contact, wedge it in next to the metal contact). Presto! It works! Mine never shuts off unless I turn it off, or the batteries go dead (usually because I failed to turn it off). I haven't bothered to buy the MapSource Topo software. The National Geographic Topo products are far superior. You can't upload topo's to the unit, but the detail on the mapsource uploads is crap so what's the point?

Customer Service

None

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