Waterproof Hiking GPS: February 2012

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Best Buy:Garmin eTrex Venture Waterproof Hiking GPS

List Price : $199.99 Price : $99.99

Product Description

The eTrex Venture offers a worldwide database of cities and increased internal memory. The one megabyte memory capacity allows the eTrex Venture to accept downloaded information from Garmin's new MapSource Points of Interests CD-ROM (not available until April). The CD enables users to download locations such as restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, and entertainment. Once the information is loaded into the unit, and a point of interest is selected, telephone and address information will appear on the screen. The new eTrex Venture uses a rocker switch, like a computer's mouse, making it easier to operate. Lightweight design for easy portability. The 160 x 288 pixel screen has the highest resolution in its class. Stores up to 500 waypoints. Waterproof construction to IPX 7 immersion standards. The Venture uses Garmin's 12 parallel channel GPS receiver for a quick and accurate position. Uses 2 AA batteries (not included). Includes PC interface cable.

Amazon.com Review

Amazon.com Review Garmin's eTrex Venture GPS receiver offers a host of track- and path-related programs and is surprisingly easy to use. Its size and design make it comfortable to use one-handed, and its automatic tracking feature and ability to download maps from optional CD-ROMs make it an excellent navigation tool.

The main menu. View larger.

Current position display. View larger.

Point of interest information page. View larger.

The Garmin eTrex Venture provides easy-to-use GPS navigation in the palm of your hand. View larger.

Roughly the size and shape of a cell phone, the Venture has six buttons that are easily accessible by thumb and forefinger. The Power, Page, Zoom In, Zoom Out, and Find buttons are along the side, with the big-daddy navigation button (a directional click-button akin to a thumb-operated joystick) on the front above the screen. The side buttons are stiff enough that it's nearly impossible to accidentally push one. However, we found the navigation button to be a bit too stiff, which caused us several errors in entering waypoints.

Text was very easy to read--highlights are discernible and menu bars and clickable objects are well defined. The unit also has an excellent backlight, which illuminates the whole screen with a white light, giving excellent contrast and viewing capability at night.

The Venture's interface is split into five different pages, each providing different functions. The main menu page gives you access to your saved routes and tracks, as well as setup for using WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation Service) reception, unit measurement, time, and display. These are all quickly rotated through with the click of the Page button on the right-hand side of the unit.

The map page displays the basemap included with the Venture, and for outdoor excursions it provides all the basics you'll need. It automatically tracks your movements and you can save individual tracks for later viewing. The map is zoomable from 500 miles to 20 feet depending on your preferences. You can place waypoints and places of interest on the map and name and change the icons of each to create your own personalized maps. If you decide you want to go somewhere, press the Find button and you'll get quick access to waypoints, your favorites list, and nearby cities.

The Venture features 1 MB of memory for downloading points-of-interest data--including lodging, business services, banks, and more--from optional CD-ROMs via the included PC cable. Unfortunately, for more detailed mapping you'll need to look to the Garmin eTrex Legend or Vista, both of which have larger memory capacities and the ability to download detailed maps.

Reception was, of course, best outside on a clear day, but the Venture retained most of its functionality under limited cover like small buildings or thick trees.

All in all, the Garmin eTrex Venture is a nifty little GPS tool and is ready to roll for your outdoor adventure. However, if you're looking to use more detailed map data with your GPS, the Garmin eTrex Vista or Legend would be a better choice. --Matt Deffer

Pros:

Intuitive interface

Clear, easy-to-read display

Create waypoints at key locations for easy navigation

Included PC cable for downloading firmware upgrades and maps

Cons:

1 MB memory only accepts points-of-interest data

What's in the Box
eTrex Venture GPS receiver, City Point database, PC interface cable, wrist strap, user's guide, and quick reference guide.

Amazon.com Review

Garmin's eTrex Venture GPS receiver offers a host of track- and path-related programs and is surprisingly easy to use. Its size and design make it comfortable to use one-handed, and its automatic tracking feature and ability to download maps from optional CD-ROMs make it an excellent navigation tool.

Text was very easy to read--highlights are discernible and menu bars and clickable objects are well-defined. The unit also has an excellent backlight, which illuminates the whole screen with a white light, giving excellent contrast and viewing capability at night.

Reception was, of course, best outside on a clear day, but the Venture retained most of its functionality under limited cover like small buildings or thick trees.

Pros:

Intuitive interface
Clear, easy-to-read display
Create waypoints at key locations for easy navigation
Included PC cable for downloading firmware upgrades and maps

Cons:

1 MB memory only accepts points-of-interest data

WAAS-enabled
Worldwide database of cities
1 MB memory
Stylish, green translucent case
Package Includes: eTrex Venture, City Point Database, PC interface cable, Wrist strap, User's guide, Quick reference guide

Garmin eTrex Venture Waterproof Hiking GPS Reviews

59 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

Good compromise between price and functionality, October 17, 2001

:L. Miller (Minnesota USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Garmin eTrex Venture Waterproof Hiking GPS (Sports)

I like it, it's very simple to use (more like a calculator than a computer) and pretty rugged, waterproof to 10 feet (I found this out the hard way) and generally ready for the rough life.

I only have a couple of real beefs with it -

1: the unit eats batteries like candy if it's constantly on, _especially_ if you use the backlight. Invest in rechargeable batteries.

2: the display plate is thin ABS plastic and I'm worried about a sharp object or a good crack shattering the glass;

3: The LCD display is also hard to read in poor light (specifically by car dome light at night), but there is a backlight;

4: It is complete BS that you can't enter your own data via a PC interface without buying that Garmin map software.

None of these beefs are particularly troublesome. I chose the Venture because it seemed the best compromise between price and functionality. I would recommend it for anyone as a first GPS, I think the mapping functionality is great for travelers.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

Used for both kayaking and geocaching, August 7, 2004

K. Harmon (South Carolina) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Garmin eTrex Venture Waterproof Hiking GPS (Sports)

I purchased the Garmin Venture a year ago. I have used it on several 20 mile kayaking trips down a river and this past April used it for a 135 mile river trip. It was extremely accurate and we not only knew where we were, but how far it was to the next landing or landmark.

It did take some time to learn how to operate the unit. The instructions were not as clear as I would have liked but trial and error is a great teacher. I had a friend who got me interested in geocaching and that really helped me learn how to use all of the Venture's features. It is easy to upgrade from the Garmin website and to also download maps from the Mapsource CD-ROM's. It is kind of like learning to use a computer. Don't be afraid to try something. You won't hurt it.

I usually average 18+ hours on a pair of batteries. I also purchased a power cord so that I could use it in my vehicle. I just plug it in and wedge the GPS between the windshield and dashboard and follow the arrow... Read more

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

Great GPS receiver for basic hiking and backpacking., December 28, 2004

Matt (Bay Area) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Garmin eTrex Venture Waterproof Hiking GPS (Sports)

I returned a Cobra GPS 100 and upgraded to the eTrex Venture for the extra money. What a difference only a few dollars more can make! this is my first GPS unit ever, and I had no problems picking everything up within a day.

For starters, it only took about two minutes to locate a satellite for the first time (supposed to take up to five) and averages about 30 seconds to locate one in general. The screen resolution is easy to read and the options for customizing the map make it even easier if you have trouble reading small text. The waypoint markers are easy to define and edit. The compass seems to be very quick in picking up your movements. Almost everything is customizable giving you endless options for your specific use for the GPS unit. The unit is comfortable in the hand, although some of the buttons are a little stiff at first.

My satellite reception is excellent. I took it hiking in 40�F rain and hail (obviously very overcast) and only lost reception once... Read more

› See all 30 customer reviews...

Best Buy:Poros Island (Greece) 1:20,000 Hiking Map, waterproof, GPS compatible, ORAMA, 2011 edition

List Price : Price : $12.95

Product Description

Poros Island (Greece) 1:20,000 Hiking Map, waterproof, GPS compatible, ORAMA, 2011 edition

Very detailed, topographic hiking map at the street level scale 1:20,000. Relief colouring with spot heights and contours indicate (20 m interval) the terrain. Symbols mark archaeological sites, churches and monasteries, campsites, beaches, etc.

Added is a bilingual (Greek / English) guide to main attractions, with colour photos. An inset map of Poros town is included. Place names are in both Greek and Latin script, multilingual legend includes English, printed on synthetic paper, waterproof and tearproof, sheet size 98 x 68 cm / 38.5 x 26.5 inches. Authentic Greek cartography.

Poros Greece hiking map

Poros Island (Greece) 1:20,000 Hiking Map, waterproof, GPS compatible, ORAMA, 2011 edition Reviews

Customer Reviews

There are no customer reviews for this item.

› Be the first to review this item on Amazon.com

Best Buy:Garmin Montana 650 Waterproof Hiking GPS with 5 Megapixel Camera

List Price : $629.99 Price : Too low to display

Product Description

The Montana series of units feature a large, bright 4" 65K color TFT dual orientation display with a built-in basemap and a high-sensitivity GPS receiver.

Amazon.com Product Description

Take it hiking. Take it hunting. Take it on the water. Montana 650 features a bold 4 in. color touchscreen dual orientation display and supports multiple mapping options like BirdsEye™ Satellite Imagery and it has a 5 megapixel camera to boot. Montana has key features for the outdoors such as a 3-axis tilt-compensated compass and barometric altimeter. Buy the auto mount and a City Navigator NT® map and it'll give you spoken turn-by-turn driving directions. It's big. It's versatile. It's tough. It earned the name Montana - the ultimate in touchscreen toughness.

High-resolution, crystal clear enhanced colors on a vast 4-inch sunlight-readable touchscreen.

See the Big View


	*Supports multiple mapping options like BirdsEye Satalitte Imagery and it has a 5 megapixel camera.*

Montana 650 features a vast 4 in., sunlight-readable touchscreen display that offers crystal clear enhanced colors and displays high-resolution images. It’s easy-to-use interface means you’ll spend more time enjoying the outdoors and less time searching for information. Both durable and waterproof, Montana 650 is built to withstand the elements. Bumps, dust, dirt, humidity and water are no match for this rugged navigator. No matter the setting – on the boat, in the RV or on an ATV – Montana is right at home.

Take Geotagged Pictures
Capture locations and memories with Montana 650’s 5 megapixel digital camera. Each photo is geotagged automatically with the location of where it was taken, allowing you to navigate back to that exact spot in the future. Snap and view pictures in landscape or portrait orientation. To keep track of your photos and show their location on a map, simply connect Montana 650 via USB and use Garmin’s free BaseCamp software. For more storage, insert a microSD™ card; you can even view pictures from other devices on microSD with Montana's picture viewer.

Go Anywhere
With an array of compatible mounts, Montana 650 is designed for use on ATV’s, in boats, as a handheld or in your car as a personal navigator. Use the auto mount with City Navigator maps for spoken, turn-by-turn driving directions, or the rugged mount for your motorcycle or ATV. Wherever you think you might take Montana, it has the mapping and mounts to get you there.

Go Everywhere
Adding more maps is easy with Garmin's wide array of detailed topographic, marine and road maps. With its microSD™ card slot, Montana 650 lets you load TOPO U.S. 24K maps and hit the trail, plug in BlueChart® g2 preloaded cards for a great day on the water or City Navigator map data for turn-by-turn routing on roads (see maps tab for compatible maps). Montana 650 also supports BirdsEye™ Satellite Imagery (subscription required), that lets you download satellite images to your device and integrate them with your maps. In addition, Montana is compatible with Custom Maps, free software that transforms paper and electronic maps into downloadable maps for your device.

Share Wirelessly
With Montana 650 you can share your waypoints, tracks, routes and geocaches wirelessly with other compatible Garmin GPS users. So now your friends also can enjoy your favorite hike or cache – simply press “send” to transfer your information to similar units, and let the games begin.

Keep Your Fix
With its high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver and HotFix® satellite prediction, Montana 650 locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover and deep canyons. The advantage is clear — whether you’re in deep woods or just near tall buildings and trees, you can count on Montana 650 to help you find your way when you need it the most.

Navigate with Ease
Montana 650 has a built-in 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass, which shows your heading even when you’re standing still, without holding it level. Its barometric altimeter tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude, and you even can use it to plot barometric pressure over time, which can help you keep an eye on changing weather conditions.

Double Your Power
Montana 650 features a one-of-a-kind dual battery system. You’ll have the option of using the rechargeable lithium-ion pack or traditional AA alkaline batteries – whichever suits your needs better.

Find Fun
Montana 650 supports geocaching GPX files for downloading geocaches and details straight to your unit. Visit OpenCaching.com to start your geocaching adventure. By going paperless, you're not only helping the environment but also improving efficiency. Montana 650 stores and displays key information, including location, terrain, difficulty, hints and descriptions, which means no more manually entering coordinates and paper print outs! Simply upload the GPX file to your unit and start hunting for caches.

What's in the Box

Montana 650, Lithium-ion battery pack, USB cable, AC charger, Quick start manuals, Owner's manual on disk

5 MP autofocus digital camera with automatic geo-tagging
Bright 4" sunlight readable touchscreen color display
3-axis compass and barometric altimeter
High-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver

Garmin Montana 650 Waterproof Hiking GPS with 5 Megapixel Camera Reviews

222 of 222 people found the following review helpful:

Excellent hardware, software needs work, June 29, 2011

Brent (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Garmin Montana 600 Waterproof Hiking GPS (Electronics)

First, a little bit about me: I have a degree in software engineering, I'm an avid day hiker, and a bit of a gizmo geek. This is the second GPS I've owned, the other one being a Garmin GPS II+. I was on the fence about getting an Oregon for a while but held off because of mixed user reviews, especially in regards to its usability in bright sunlight. The main purpose of owning the Montana is to have detailed statistics on our day hikes such as distance, elevation, time, speed, etc. I've purchased and installed the Garmin TOPO West 24k maps and uploaded all of Washington state to the Montana. Even then, I still have 2.5GB of free space.

After carefully considering how to approach this review, since I know there's a lot of buyers holding off until a few user reviews came in, I decided to break it down into three areas, hardware, software, and company. You need all three to have a successful product, and after putting the Montana through its paces and contacting Garmin... Read more

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

Garmin Montana 650t, July 16, 2011

Steven W. Blackwood (Milwaukee WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Garmin Montana 650t Waterproof Hiking GPS with TOPO U.S. 100K and 5 Megapixel Camera (Electronics)

Unlike the other reviewer, I have had no real problems with the 650t. True, it has some quirks. One is that the new lithium battery has to be charged via the included ac adaptor. (EDIT: it can be re-charged via PC!) I was also disaappointed by the lack of a carabiner (like the Oregon). But, I had no problem hooking up the Montana to my MacBook Pro to go into mass storage mode. as for maps, I always buy a microSD version so I can move it to another unit if I wish.

That said, I think the Garmin Montana is a fine device. The calibration of the 3-axis compass is smoother than it was on some other models, I love the larger and more sunlight-readable screen (still not perfect but better) and and I especially like the new layout. The overlay of the compass on the map (removable, if you like) is a bonus. The GPS is as accurate as any Garmin unit and works reasonably well under tree cover.

One minor gripe is the portrait/landscape switching. It can be disorienting if you... Read more

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

Very nice GPS, just a little too big for hiking..., August 4, 2011

A. Pfau "LeaP" (SoCal) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Garmin Montana 600 Waterproof Hiking GPS (Electronics)

This was our 4th Garmin GPS (having owned GPSMap 60CSx, 305, Etrex). Bought this to replace the GPSMap60CSx as our primary hiking/backpacking device. The GPSMap works well and is a proven model but I find interfacing with it cumbersome and the map difficult to read. The touch screen access on the Montana is excellent and works very well, much like my iphone which is what I was looking for. The landscape/portrait display is very nice and works well. I found screen brightness acceptable in most all lighting conditions. Not as bright as an iphone but I'll accept this for longer battery life.

First thing to do when getting the Montana is download the latest software upgrade. Like some others, the compass would not calibrate until I did this. After the upgrade, calibration went fast and worked as expected. Using the MicroSD card with preloaded 24K Topo maps from my GPSMap worked flawlessly, just insert the card and the Montana read it perfectly. Downloading and... Read more

› See all 37 customer reviews...

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)