RE: [Paddlewise] GPS unit

From: <Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2003 08:18:47 -0400
> Would recommend avoiding the eTrex by Garmin.  It's relatively
> inexpensive, and it is claimed to be waterproof, but Garmin is talking
> only of the receiver and not of the battery compartment --- which will
> flood and short out in a heavy fog!  And they know and acknowledge
that!
> But they still claim it's waterproof.
> 
> Garmin has good products, but the eTrex is one to avoid.

Jack makes some valid points, and I won't attempt to dispute them, but
there's always other things to consider.

With that said, here's the opposite side of the coin.  First, bear in
mind that while it may or may not be a consensus on this forum, it's at
minimum highly suggested by quite a number of people that all so called
"waterproof" or "water resistant" electronics be contained within a
waterproof pouch... REGARDLESS.  So, you can spend significant bucks on
a truly waterproof item, or $30 on a waterproof pouch (just make sure
the pouch is truly waterproof).

Second, I bought a used Etrex, from a fellow P'Wiser a couple years ago.
It's been wet and still works fine.  Higher end models with mapping
capabilities are "neat" and many find them very useful, but the etrex,
as a back up to manual navigation, does everything I want it to do.
And, when not navigating (generally the case) I use it to measure speed,
miles traveled, time on the water, etc., and it does a very good job of
it.

Point being, the Etrex is clearly on the low end of the GPS scale.....
so what.  If it does the things that you need it to do - no more, no
less - then it's a "quality" item because it satisfies your specific
needs.  Just be sure that you have clearly defined your needs.

Rick - Poquoson, VA
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
Received on Thu Jul 24 2003 - 05:19:09 PDT

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:31:09 PDT