eTrex and eTrex H comparisons?

[Labs4me]

For reasons unclear to me, I've always been one to resist embracing technology- especially as it relates to hunting in general, and traditional bowhunting specifically. No rational reason; suffice to say, "just because..."

After relying on my trusty 2216s and Silva compass for the past twenty years, in a moment of weakness this past summer, I finally broke down and purchased a dozen Gold Tip Traditionals and a Garmin GPSMAP 60Csx. While the verdict is still out on the carbons, I can wholeheartedly recommend purchasing a Garmin GPS unit with HIGH SENSITIVIY reception. As a planning/scouting/hunting/tracking tool it has proved to have almost unlimited potential and value.

As a novice GA pilot, I would have to say that I am at least as comfortable using a map and compass as the next guy. As such, I feel confident in saying that as good as you think you are with your compass,  you'll be better off using a GPS unit and sticking your compass in your possibles bag as a backup. Simply put, a GPS unit will allow you to do anything you could with a map and compass (and then some) but in a FRACTION OF THE TIME.

Other than the most obvious uses that may come to your mind (like finding your way to a new stand in the dark without using a flashlight and "glow in the dark" tacks), I have used my Garmin to QUICKLY scout previously unfamiliar, but promising hunting locations. What used to take a full afternoon with map and compass to thoroughly scout a new location, can now be accomplished in a fraction of the time using Google Earth (to acquire latitudes and longitudes to create waypoints beforehand) and the GPS unit to get me there and back without stumbing around. I've used it to record rubs, scrapes, trail intersections, bedding areas, river crossings, last known blood at dark, etc. For tracking a wounded deer it is an absolutely invaluable tool. Leave the toilet paper in the bathroom where it belongs!

Trust me guys, if you happen to be like me and tend to resist technology just in principle, make an exception and go out and purchase yourself a GPS unit with high sensitivity reception capability. You will not regret it.

[Moooseran]

All the new eTrex models have WAAS......

[David Mitchell]

Well, I took the plunge and ordered a new eTrex Legend HCx.  All I can say is WOW!  As soon as it came yesterday, I opened the box, popped a couple of AA batteries in and fired it up to let it start to initialize.  That took all of a few seconds and I had 10 satellites on screen and ready to navigate all inside my house.  Took it down in the basement to an inside room with no windows and concrete block walls--still had 8-9 satellites and plenty of signal.

[David Mitchell]

Oh, to answer MCNSC, yes the new yellow eTrex H which is just like the old one but has the new high sensitivity receiver and patch is much better than the regular one.  My buddy and I both have the older one and he just got the new eTrex H--I called him last night and we were comparing performance indoors with the new toys and he was getting the same results as I was. The eTrex H is just simpler than the other models which have more features.  I may not use all the features I got on the Legend HCx but have them if I decide to use them.  Also shop around on the web, I found a great deal on the Legend HCx and the other models as well. PM me if interested in the details.....Dave

[Labs4me]

DM

Congratulations on your purchase. I just persuaded a hunting buddy of mine to buy the same unit you purchased. You'll be amazed at how useful these things are. For scouting purposes they are INCREDIBLY useful especially when investigating a new, unfamiliar territory. But you already know this having owned a gps unit before.

If you (or anyone else) haven't already done so, try this:

Go to the basic Google Earth website (it's free). "Fly" over to a FAMILIAR hunting area by punching in a nearby address or the nearest zip code. What you'll notice is that as you move your mouse over various points that you are familiar with (for instance, your tree stand location), GOOGLE EARTH will display coordinates to that location.

Next, try using GOOGLE EARTH to pre-"scout" an UNFAMILIAR location. If you see an interesting area that you would like to investigate further on foot (what looks like a potential deer "funnel" for example), put your mouse over that location and GOOGLE EARTH will provide you with the coordinates of that location. Now, just take the latitude and longitude of this potential "hot spot", store this coordinate in your GPS and your GPS unit will direct you to this EXACT spot when you get the chance to investigate it on foot. In this manner, you can pre-store the coordinates to any number of promising locations and KNOW your there once you arrive on foot.

Here's the cool part: When your out doing your scouting, store locations of interest- rubs, scrapes, trail intersections, etc. as waypoints. When you return home, go to the GOOGLE EARTH site, punch in the coordinates of these points of interest that you have stored in your GPS and GOOGLE EARTH will take you to the scrape line, rub line, trail intersection that you found while out there doing your scouting.

I hope the above examples help to spark the interest of the "fence sitters" who are contemplating purchasing a gps unit, but can't appreciate how useful they can be.

[Lost Arra]

Could someone explain the difference between using internal memory vs an sd card (Vista HCx vs Summit HC)?

Also, can you download any topo map (National Geographic?) or do you have to use Garmin maps in Garmin GPS units?

Thanks