Reader Reviews

Rating: 4 / 5

I knew it was a bit of a gimmicky purchase when made.
But--I can see if you were doing a lot of XC or snow hiking it could be a real plus.
I liked it because I have the Nat'l Geogaphic Topo set for my PC. Plan a trip--put your waypoints in the computer--download on to the GPS--print out the topo on waterproof paper--and never look at another map.
Camp spots that were exceptional or true summits of a trail--or fishing spots, etc. can also be input out on the trail--and then uploaded to your computer when you return for possible future trip info.
It takes a while when turned on to latch on to satellites--and in canyons or trees is almost worthless...probably no different than other systems in that regard--but still the reason it got a 4.
I weighed it with batteries at 5.7oz.
If I were concerned with going really light--I wouldn't take it--it is not essential gear...and should definitely not be a sole means of navigation IMHO.

Rating: 2 / 5

I bought one and only use it for snow hiking out of trails.
Otherwise as i cannot hike close to my home, i dont hike often in the same place, so i wouldnt buy a 100€ map for only 5-6 days of use.

If i could download scanned maps i would have given a 4 or 5, as the screen is good, i like being able to use AAA battery that goes in my silva solar pannel for long trip and the interface is not so bad.

Rating: 2 / 5

My Garmin is probably the only gear that I regularly use that I strongly dislike. It's annoying in many ways.

I have a trails.com subscription but can't load the GPX waypoints files onto the Garmin using free software.

I can't save routes and waypoints into an external file that can be plotted using trails.com.

The unit gets poor reception in many of the field conditions that I have encountered.

It came bundled with only the most basic major streets.

While there is likely lots of software I can buy to make this thing more usable, I haven't found found it in affordable package... and since I hike in many different states, I'm not gonna plop down $100 for a single state topo package.

I have found using a GPS to be of value when I get off course and have entered way-points manually in advance. But entering a series of way-points takes hours because I haven't figured out how to do it on a computer and transfer them to the unit. It's like a pot of gold behind a glass wall; an exercise in frustration.