e-trex legend and mapping

[chutta]

Hi everyone. I just picked up the blue legend gps for fishing and Jeeping.
Looking up the software on the Garmin website and checking out the topo maps, I don't think this is going to cut it. For one there's still no two tracks in the picture or what is there is going to get lost among the traces for the topography changes, especially in the b/w image. I'm hearing that maybe the 76 does better for detail? Am I better off going long dollar up front with good mapping included in the set and a bigger screen or maybe one of the package "bundles"? I wanted a new gadget, but if I still just resort to maps, what's the point?:confused::help:

[hitechman]

a Garmin topo map is a topo map. It will display what is on the map whether the unit is B&W or color (providing your unit will hold maps--the Legand has a very small memory for maps). If the 2-track is not there on your Legand, it won't be there on a 76 either--try zooming in. Even Garmin admits some of the stuff on their topo maps is 30 years old, and I believe the last road udate to the topo maps was in 2000.

Steve

[M1Garand]

If you have the plain old Legend (with b/w screen) the internal memory is only 8mb. That's only enough for a few counties in MI at a time. I'd recommend returning it if you can and getting the Legend CX which has a removeable memory. I fit all of MI in my 64 mb card on my 60CSX. When I was in the Pigeon River and Muskegon River areas I did find a fair amount of two tracks on there using Mapsource Topo so some will be on there. And some will be on there that are no longer there.

[chutta]

Thanx guys. I got the set on the cheap ($120) and now I know more about these things. It already dropped a row/column on the display and am returning it. Went to gander mt and got some hands on, leaning on the bigger Lowrance H20c for same price as legend cx, or a little lower. Like the bigger screen, memory card setup, as I only have access to comp at work.

[M1Garand]

I don't know much about the Lowrance but there is a website with GPS tests on it that you can read through. I can't remember it off the top of my head, maybe Hitechman remembers it. It's a good resource.

[M1Garand]

Did you see this thread on the Lowrance model you were considering?

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=165681

[hitechman]

:yeahthat:

Plus feel free to PM DanP from that thread as he has researched them very thoroughly.

Steve

[DanP]

chutta:

not sure which gander moun store you were at (no profile). Port huron store put me on looking at H2OC as I was all set to buy the legend or vista cx. I am brand new to gps so I cant offer any hands on at the time. I did order a H2OC with the lakemaster michigan maps which includes both detroit & st clair rivers and lake st clair plus inland lakes. I know I am going to see a learning curve, will it be harder than the garmin I do not know. There is also a CD out there for the H2O series which I'll buy. I also like the controls on top vs the side. The garmin 76 series has the large screen, buttons on top and FLOATS but for a first unit I feel the H2OC will do what I need and at a lower price.

It does not have the battery life garmin units have but I will be using rechargables - have them for digital cameras and they work great. I liked the screen size over the etrex series, also has Lowrance's newest antenna chip set.

At the store screen movement was fast - real world I'll have to wait and see.

Gander store in Utica was no real help in making a decision. Gave me a brochure and said they sell more garmins. New nothing on the lakemaster maps.

Feel free to shoot me a PM if you want any more info

Dan

[chutta]

for the feedback. I'm in GR, mostly using for two trackin up round Baldwin, St. Helens, houghton lake area, fishing lake mi.

[DanP]

I'd go back and check it out again with the lakemaster pro maps. Port Huron store had them loaded on a unit - Utica did not. I went with the HO2C as hiking / fishing and geocaching will be my main activities.
Lakemaster maps were excellent for lake st clair and inland lakes that I fish. I was not looking for a MP3 player and did not want camo. I have left few things in the woods because they blended in and I could not find them. The new chip set & processors are the same on the hunt, expedition & H2OC. I believe the hunt gives additional icons - I did not get into the scout mode for boundries. H2OC does not have the E compass or Alt. Liked the larger screen vs etrex series.

For the money it appears to be an excellent unit. If your not in a hurry I'll post my findings as soon as I get it with some hands on time.

Dan