INCREDIBLE TECHNOLOGY

Until I got this unit I had owned a Magellan. It was a second generation generic GPS.
At the time it was a pretty advanced unit (1996). It was finally time to upgrade and the
options of the newer GPS units took a bit of education.
I wanted a GARMIN specifically because of the maps on CD.
They are the best and they have a lot to chose from.
There were 4 basic models to chose from at the REI near me.
ETREX - The Basic
ETREX - LEGEND
ETREX - SUMMIT
ETREX VISTA
The following factors influenced my decision.

MEMORY
ETREX - The Basic - None
ETREX VENTURE - 1MB
ETREX - LEGEND - 8 MB
ETREX - SUMMIT - 1 MB
ETREX VISTA - 24 MB
WEIGHT
ETREX - The Basic 5.3 OZ
ETREX VENTURE - 1MB
ETREX - LEGEND 5.5 oz
ETREX - SUMMIT 6.0 oz
ETREX VISTA 5.8 oz
DOWNLOAD CAPABILITY
ETREX - The Basic no
ETREX VENTURE -yes Waypoints only
ETREX - LEGEND yes
ETREX - SUMMIT no
ETREX VISTA yes
ACCURACY
ETREX - The Basic 15m
ETREX VENTURE - 3 M WAAS
ETREX - LEGEND 3 M waas
ETREX - SUMMIT 15 M
ETREX VISTA 3 M WAAS
PRICE
ETREX - The Basic 119
ETREX VENTURE - 179
ETREX - LEGEND 250
ETREX - SUMMIT 250
ETREX VISTA 350
SPECIAL
ETREX SUMMIT - ALTIMETER and COMPASS

I got the LEGEND over the other models because it had the features I wanted.
8MB was enough to load MAPS and Waypoints. I really like the WAAS
(the special satellites) that allow
the accuracy to get you down to nine feet of accuracy anywhere on the planet.
I really wanted the SUMMIT because it had a barometric altimeter and
a true compass but everything else was downgraded to allow for that.

The really cool thing is that the ones with any memory already come with
a SERIAL PC CABLE. This is a 49.99 option if you get it separately.
The features on this are really awesome including the ability to mix and match
the items displayed and adjust the size of the items you want to give importance.
I like BIG NUMBERS and SMALL COMPASS. No problem.
Also the unit comes with a PRE LOADED BASE MAP. I mean by itself this
is accurate enought to deliver newspapers by. All streets are named, Intersatate highways appear by name
with exit numbers. Lakes and RR tracks. ALL BASIC FEATURES.

Well next is the beauity of the downloadable maps. I got the METRO Guide which lists
everything you could possibly want to know about a town.
Restaurants, shopping centers, hospitals, schools.
All come up sorted by name type of cuisine
and distance from your location. Another exciting feature is the trip tracks and route. You can actually see yourself
and your trail on the streets as you are driving. A grey line tracks your route and saves it.
I could go on for a while about the various features but suffice it to say
there is more than you could possibly ever need.
Just a few.
The onboard trip computer has about 20 functions available.
FISHING COMPUTER (SOLUNAR TABLES)
LUNAR Phase Map
TEXT LABELLING OF LANDMARKS

If you're thinking of buying a small, light, multipurpose GPS unit that shines at a multitude of tasks, get one of these! At less than $250.00 you won't be sorry
IF MONEY WERE NO OBSTACLE I WOULD GET THE VISTA