Handheld GPS: Garmin Etrex Legend CX

[pokerDawg]

Hello! I'm new to the world of GPS technology.

I've sat in front of the GPs displays at Best Buy for hours wasting bugging the salesmen with question after question.

I bought the Garmin Etrex Legend CX but haven't opened it because I've been reading up on it online. I'm still a bit confused.

First I wanted the Garmin compatible with the FJC but the price blew me away. I didn't wan't to spend that much. I then found a Garmin 300-series with turn by turn and good screen size. It looked like the way to go then I was shown the handheld devices.

My buddy use to show me his bike trail recorded with his GPS. After reading, it appears that handhelds are good for biking and hiking? I wanted to make sure it still had turn by turn street map capabilities and it appears to do so but there is no touch screen.

I like to bike and my wife and I travel alot. I feel the handheld might really work out for us. Traveling though only takes up 3-5 weeks out of a year.

Can a handheld be useful in typical situations? Where is the closest gas station? Restaurant? Grocery?

Most threads discussing handheld units mention its use in the outdoors.

Can a handheld GPS do as good as a bigger car GPS for city use??

What's a really good handheld GPS?

[Flying Brick]

I also have the Legend CX and love it. I have the topo maps. With the topo maps you get more roads than the standard basemaps but it does not do so well with the turn by turn. It mostly tracks interstates. I thing if you buy the city navigator maps it will do better turn by turn and even track addresses. I use mine on my mountain bike regularly with the handlebar mount. I also have the suction cup mount and use it on the driver side window when taking trips. I like the handheld unit due to it's size. I can take it when paddling the kayak, biking, or driving. The batteries last a long time and signal is good.

[Singha]

I too have the Legend CX.
I loved it. But the screen is a bit small for driving and trying to look at it, well it not that bad.
Costco has the Garmin Streetpilot c580 for $350 plus tax this week. I think is an excellent unit for sub $400
I picked one up for my father. I know he won't be able to see the Legend's screen. That is why I got him the Streetpilot.

[JoeKidd]

Handhelds are great, employer just bought 12 new Garmins, the green one, don't recall the model, but is WAAS enabled. No experience with the fancy turn by turn models, all my use is afield. Great for gettin there and back, if you hike/bike get a hand-held first, and buy a cheap one. You'll learn alot about how it works, if you get a hand-held, buy the ~$15 case, otherwise bouncing around in you pack, the display surface will get scratched badly. The cases allow you to get it off the lanyard, and clip it onto your pack straps.

[Cannysage]

I actualy have a MIO.. think 310 or sum'n.. works awesome and the quality is great. I also have a handheld magellen and pocket pc gps.

[pokerDawg]

Thanks for all the info. I think I go ahead and keep this unit. I read more good things about it so far including people using it on their euro tours.

The versatility is a huge factor and this whole "geocaching" thing is kinda interesting.

If we find ourselves using it more then I'll buy a bigger one for the cars down the road.

Cool! Thanks

[pokerDawg]

I've been messing with it the past 24 hours. It's a fun unit. I can't wait until it actually serves me when I need it. The signal strength is a bit weak around work. We have lots of buildings. It doesn't work at all inside. The buttons take getting use to. It's hard to press. I want to find an alternative to sticking it to the window. It's too far from me while driving and the sunlight makes it hard to read the screen.

Either way....I think it will do well for my needs. The Garmin 60CSX looks nice but cost a more.

[pokerDawg]

What site do you go to when uploading your GPS recorded trail routes?

[BOBTAILFJ]

Don't they may an external antenna you attach to the inside of the windshield?