A couple years ago, Garmin changed the way the world looked at GPS units with their original eTrex. This palm-sized unit was smaller than any other handheld on the market, and it was designed with just the basic features, making it easier to understand. Plus, it hit the affordable price point of under $120.

A year later, the response to the original eTrex was phenomenal, but users wanted a few more features in this small unit. The Garmin technical staff responded with the new eTrex Summit, giving the eTrex user a barometric altimeter and the ability to store more routes in the permanent memory.

Again, the outdoor world responded with enthusiasm, but they still wanted more features and versatility in a palm-sized receiver. Garmin's technical staff went back to the drawing board and for 2001, they released four more units in the eTrex family, for a total of six. Each unit has its own niche in the market, and no matter what level of features you need or price you can afford, Garmin has a member of the eTrex line that is sure to fit the bill.

The GPS Virgin Tests the Best
Okay, I am slightly ashamed of it. Until recently, I was a GPS virgin. Maybe I was just being shy or even a little scared, but while in the last few years, I have been conducting product evaluations on everything from mapping software to clothing, footwear, and firearms, I always passed the buck on GPS units.

This all changed a few months ago, when we had a need for a review on the new eTrex line. I figured it was time to step up to the plate and take a few swings, and reluctantly accepted the assignment. I had always been a compass man, and while I have been "misdirected" - okay, lost - a few times, I still thought GPS units were more hype than help. Since I was a bit hesitant, Garmin didn't want me to be "undergunned" for this assignment and sent me the eTrex Vista, the new flagship of the eTrex line.

I had plenty of chances to use the unit during this spring's turkey season, especially since the birds were less than cooperative and kept me going out weekend after weekend in an attempt to notch my tags. While I am still not a GPS guru, I am hooked and plan on keeping a GPS unit with me any time I head afield.

Easy to Use — Even for Me
When the original eTrex series was designed, simplicity was the original idea - keeping the customer from being confused by not including functions they would not use. While the Vista is loaded with features, the simplicity has not changed. After getting the unit, I skimmed the manual and then found the Quick Start Guide (perfect for us guys that don't like to read all the directions). A couple minutes later, I had the compass and altimeter calibrated and was marking my first waypoint (my house) on my screen. The entire set up is extremely user friendly, and even the most "technologically challenged" individual will be up and running in no time.

Like the new eTrex Legend, the Vista includes the American Highways basemap already loaded into the unit. This shows cities, towns, rivers, lakes, parks and more - enough detail to locate your vicinity anywhere. I was surprised that even out in the western plains area where I live, as I zoomed in, all the small towns that are on any map were shown, as well as all the gravel roads in the area.

Should you want additional topographic data, the eTrex boasts an incredible 24 MB of internal memory and includes a cable for your PC to accept downloaded maps from Garmin's optional MapSource CD-ROM. Previously, 8 MB had been a standard in GPS units, and eventually, after a few downloads, you would have to clear the memory to download another map. With the Vista, you can store over three times as much information as other units and keep detailed maps for many areas you may visit. To test it out, I put in the MapSource CD-ROM, hooked up the cable, and within minutes easily downloaded detailed topogrpahic maps for most all of the areas I hunt and fish.

One of the handiest features I found on the new eTrex was the Click Stick - a rocker switch ergonomically designed to be operated with your left thumb. The Click Stick allows you to page through the 6 main screens easily and utilizes drop down menus, just like a Windows program on your home or work computer.

The key to a GPS unit helping you is marking waypoints regularly. The Vista supports 20 routes and 50 waypoints per route, so you have plenty of storage space. When you need to mark a point, such as spotting birds or landing a big walleye, all you do is press down on the Click Stick for two seconds, and the waypoint screen marks your location. Then, just use the Click Stick to name the waypoint alphabetically, numerically, or by symbol.

In the daylight, I can find my way around an area pretty well. However, when you're trekking into unfamiliar territory well before sunrise to set up and try to call some turkeys you roosted the night before, you want to be right on the spot, not just in the general vicinity. And in the dark, every tree ridge looks the same. I was able to simply mark the waypoint where we saw some birds roost near sundown the night before, and then the next morning, the back lit display led me to the same spot.

The eTrex Vista is loaded with a lot of extra features too. One I quickly appreciated was the built in sunrise and sunset schedule. After driving through the night for six hours and crossing a time zone line somewhere in the darkness, I prepared to get a few hour's sleep in the truck before the next morning's hunt. As I went to set my watch alarm, I realized that I had no idea when sunrise would be. I needed some rest, but I wasn't about to oversleep and miss the morning fly down of a big boss gobbler or be hunting before it was legal. Then, I remembered the Vista manual had said something about sunrise/sunset tables. After paging through to the main menu, I quickly found the time for sunrise exactly where I was. Also included is a hunting and fishing calculator that provides you the best time of day to hunt or fish.

If you want a certain feature, it's on the Vista somewhere. A barometer and altimeter give you more data than you could imagine and both log the data in a trend graph. The high-resolution 160x288-pixel screen lets you read plenty of detail without straining your eyes. The Vista also includes the new WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) capability for the ultimate in accuracy, locating your position to within 3 meters, compared to approximately 50 feet with standard GOS reception. While this is an advanced feature only available in higher end units like the Vista, it puts you on the spot. Unlike many other GPS units that have to be in motion to show a heading, an electronic compass also gives you data standing still.

Every time I use the eTrex Vista, I learn a little more and find something new I can do (one of these days I will finish reading the manual and really know what I am doing). Best of all, Garmin fit all these features into a unit smaller than the palm of your hand. The five-ounce weight guarantees even the most weight conscious backpackers can spare some room to take it along. Fully waterproof to one meter for 30 minutes, you don't have to baby it either. I used the Vista on many rainy days in the field and on the water with no problem at all.

All in all, I am ashamed that I remained a GPS virgin so long. Besides being pretty cool, GPS units can be invaluable in the field. I have plans for the eTrex Vista for some summer hiking and climbing trips as well as many fall hunts. The biggest compliment I can give it is that I am going to try to turn my Vista model into a permanent field test.

The eTrex Family
If the top of the line Vista isn't for you, Garmin has five other eTrex GPS units that will be sure to fit your needs and your budget. Take a look below and also visit the product pages for each model for complete technical specifications.

• eTrex
  This is the one that started it all. If you want a unit to mark locations, mark waypoints and get you from here to there this is it. All buttons are located the sides of the unit, allowing for simple, one-handed operation that won't obstruct your view of the display. In fact, the eTrex features only five operator buttons for the ultimate in user-friendly design. Simple operation at a price you can afford.
  
  
• New eTrex Camo
  Building on the original eTrex, this one is perfect for the hunter. The eTrex Camo has a Realtree Hardwoods camo case for extra concealment and also incorporates a Hunting and Fishing Calculator, letting you know the best times to head afield.
  
  
• New eTrex Venture
  The memory capacity of one megabyte allows the eTrex Venture to accept downloaded information from Garmin's new optional MapSource Points of Interest CD-ROM. The CD enables users to download locations such as restaurants, hotels, shopping, and entertainment. Once the information is loaded into the unit, when you make a selection, telephone and address information for that point of interest will appear on the screen. The CD also includes marine data such as lights, buoys, wrecks and obstructions. The eTrex Venture comes housed in a stylish, translucent green case.
  
  
• New eTrex Legend
  A step down from the Vista, the new eTrex Legend comes loaded with a full basemap of North and South America. The basemap contains lakes, rivers, cities, interstates, national and state highways, railroads and coastlines. The eTrex Legend is also equipped with additional memory, totaling eight megabytes. The added memory allows the eTrex Legend to accept downloaded map data from Garmin's entire line of MapSource CD-ROMs. The eTrex Legend comes in a brightly-colored translucent blue case that really makes the unit stand out. New to the product design, Garmin includes marine aids to navigation in addition to the basemap. These navigational aids are pre-loaded into each unit from the factory.
  
  

For more information, check out these eTrex GPS units in our online store:

eTrex
eTrex Legend
eTrex Summit
eTrex Venture
Cabela's complete line of Garmin GPS units