modernsportsman.com Gear Review

Gear Reviews

Read on as Indiana Dan gives us some insight into the features of the different Garmin GPS's and see what our members think of this brand of GPS.

Garmin eTrex Handheld GPS

The Garmin eTrex is an inexpensive, basic GPS that offers you an easy to use GPS with many popular GPS functions. It's unique shape and tiny size make it great for hiking and hunting. It has simple menus and logical operations, which will tell you where you are, and show you a path of where you have been. It will tell you how fast you are going, your average speed, maximum speed, trip time, trip distance and sunrise/sunset time. It has a backlit display for nighttime use, and it can store up to 500 of your favorite locations (called waypoints) to return to later. You can even memorize one route of up to 50 waypoints. Operation buttons are located on the sides of the unit to make room for the display on the front and the color of the unit is Yellow with black rubber armoring.
Size 2.0"W x 4.4"H x 1.2"D. Weight 5.3 oz. M.S.R. Price $ 145.71

Here's what some of our ModernSportsman.com members had to say about the Garmin eTrex:

Quaildoggy August 2, 2001, 5:37pm

I would be interested in hearing opinions on the inexpensive GPS units available. I am interested in something that will get me back from point lost to truck or camp. I have no interest in having a GPS that will give me directions to Disneyland (I can read a map), just a basic unit that will get me back after dark and won't cost more than a couple hundred bucks.

Irvingdog August 2, 2001, 6:46pm

Sounds like you want an E-trex. Things are cheap, tough and very functional. I must say that the E-trex is incredibly easy to use without being longitude and latitude savvy

Charles_B July 27, 2001, 3:42am

I use a Garmin Etrex, great tool. Use it to find shortcuts, prospecting from a topo map, mapping deer scrapes, sightings, etc. I have used it as speedometer also. I still carry compass.

Birddog July 30, 2001, 4:10pm

Just bought a new eTrex and it does the job I wanted it for.....

Garmin GPS-12 Handheld GPS

The Garmin GPS 12 features fast satellite acquisition and performance that stays locked on in the toughest conditions, even in heavy tree cover. The GPS 12 has a rugged waterproof case and it's rocker keypad design provides true one hand operation to keep you on the move day or night, rain or shine. Add in a host of advanced navigation features like a track plotter that displays waypoint names, symbols or comments, proximity alarms, average and maximum speed data and trip timers and you have all the things that make the GPS 12 a winner. Some of the other features include memory for 500 waypoints and 20 routes, internal lithium battery backup to retain memory, backlit LCD display, 20 hour battery life from four "AA" batteries (not included) and a position averaging feature to help increase accuracy.
Size 5.8"H x 2.1"W x 1.2"D - Weight 9.5 oz. M.S.R. Price $262.75

Here's what some of our ModernSportsman.com members had to say about the Garmin GPS-12:

Marine_Hunter July 13, 2001, 1:53 pm

I just bought a new GPS about 3 weeks ago after a long debate over two models: Garmin 12 and Magellan 315. What I learned is that each buyer must look for features targeted for what you will be needing the GPS for (example: marine use/hunting or hiking use). They all do pretty much the same with some having additional features that I really didn't need. I searched all of the web site, did the comparisons and went w/ the Garmin 12. Almost all of my USMC buddies who work w/ artillery use the Garmin 12 exclusively to plot gun points and survey. They all had nothing but glowing comments on this model. Another reason why I chose the Garmin 12 was its ease of use w/ one hand. The ways the buttons are positioned compared to the Magellan make it one hand user-friendly which is important to me if I'm carrying a rifle, etc. Also battery life is a consideration. GPS' will suck batteries at the rapid rate!

Most of the peope I went to for advice told me that when it comes down to it you'll probably only use your GPS for finding your current location, marking waypoints, and backtracking. All of the fancy additional features that run up the price will probably never be used. Just my take, I got it for 145 bucks.

Garmin eMap Handheld GPS

For those looking for more detail in their GPS, there is the Garmin eMap, a portable GPS receiver which features a built-in base map of North and South America showing lakes, rivers, state and country boundaries, airport and city locations, as well as a general coastal outline. Additionally, inside the USA it shows state highways and interstates, some secondary roads inside metro areas, and federal interstate highway exit information for services such as food and lodging. For extra map detail the eMap can accept downloads from Garmin's line of optional MapSource CD-ROMs which can provide street level detail, topographic information, addresses, points of interest and more. (Please note that maps can only be downloaded from Garmin MapSource CD-ROM's).The eMap has display scales from 500 feet to 2,000 miles and a 2,000 point track log plus 10 saved tracks. In addition to the map display, the Garmin eMap also has an extensive trip computer with an odometer, average speed, maximum speed of travel time and more. The Garmin eMap ships with a wrist strap, users manual and quick reference card. This is an ideal GPS for anyone who travels.
Size 2.4"W x 5.5"H x 0.8"D. Weight 6.7 oz. M.S.R. Price $ 242.84
Here's what some of our ModernSportsman.com members had to say about the Garmin eMap:

Irvingdog July 10, 2001, 11:53pm

Garmin E-map. I'd go to the mat for mine. It is not unusual for me to be linked to 9-11 satellites at one time. Amazingly easy to use, the road and rec software is all you need for almost any hunt/fish application, but the metroguide is amazing! I drive friends and family crazy with mine. "Do you know that we have averaged 42mph during this trip?" and so on Sun and moon cycles, rise and set and location. I shopped them all pretty hard. A+++++

And for those who love gadgets and gizzmo's, listen to this:

Irvingdog July 11, 2001, 12:54 pm

Dan, I'm embarassed to admit that I've nickel and dimed my way into a $450.00-$500.00 toy. BUT, I own the remote antenna, 2 different software discs (lakefinder and roads-recreation) protective sleeve, memory chip, data cable, dash mount arm for my truck, 12v power cable, and probably a few things that I have forgotten. But when I head into the superior national forest, I park my truck, fire up the atv, and go. Or better yet, head out onto Lake Mille Lacs and hit the big reefs waaaay out there. I can always find my way back to the pickup (only a fool would go without a compass, map and extra batteries) and dang it it's fun! I also think the ease of use is worth the cost. I was afraid I would have to go back to school, but that was not the case at all. A full working knowledge of the unit was had in about 2 hours.

Garmin eTrex "Summit" Handheld GPS

The Garmin eTrex Summit features a built-in electronic compass and barometric sensor to give accurate headings while standing still, and to provide increased accuracy in elevation recording. Operation is a snap with Garmin's easy to use menu system, and the 12 parallel channel receiver assures top notch tracking in almost any environment. You can enter up to 500 waypoints and one reversible route (a string of waypoints), and even save up to 10 previous tracks to retrace you path at a later time. The eTrex Summit is khaki in color with protective rubber armoring around the edges. Operational buttons are located on the sides of the unit to allow for a smaller overall unit size while keeping the LCD display as large as possible. Display resolution on this unit is 128 x 64 pixels. Units size is 4.4"H x 2"W x 1.2"D. Weight 5.3 oz. Manufacturers list price $267.84