Garmin eTrex Legend Cx Review
UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For more current recommendations, please refer to our handheld GPS buyers guide or our Garmin handheld GPS comparison chart.
The Garmin eTrex Legend Cx
The Legend Cx is a nice, compact unit suitable for the backcountry or your car. The only warning I have is that this unit does not come with the new SiRFSTAR III chipset found in the 60Cx and 76Cx, and the Legend Cx will not get the phenomenally improved reception reported with this chipset.
Compare prices on the eTrex Legend Cx
The next unit up in the eTrex x-series line, the Vista Cx, is identical to the Legend Cx, except that it adds an electronic compass and barometric altimeter.
before we hear from others, here’s what the editors at Amazon had to say in their Legend Cx review
"…You can use the Legend Cx’s memory card slot with preprogrammed microSD cards from Garmin (sold separately) that provide topographic maps, city streets, and nautical charts. In fact, the unit is compatible with most Garmin MapSource products, including BlueChart, City Navigator, U.S. Topo 24K, and U.S. Topo and Recreational Lakes with Fishing Hot Spots. The unit comes preloaded with an Americas autoroute basemap that provides automatic routing capabilities, including highways, exits, and tide data. You can even get turn-by-turn directions when you’re driving, and an integrated trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more…"
More Garmin eTrex Legend Cx reviews
- Associated Content has posted a Garmin eTrex Legend Cx review.
- Users are starting to post Garmin Legend Cx reviews
- Consumer written reviews of the Legend Cx are also being posted at GPS Now.
- Hike Alberta has posted a Garmin eTrex Legend Cx review.
I’ll be posting more hands-on reviews as they appear, but in the meantime, here are some other resources that may prove helpful:
- A link to a PDF version of the eTrex Legend Cx owners manual.
- Want to see how the Legend Cx stacks up against other handhelds? Use this Garmin GPS comparison tool.
- There is an eTrex Legend message forum at Yahoo.
- Here is a Garmin eTrex Legend Cx FAQ page.
Compare prices on the Garmin eTrex Legend Cx at these merchants:
- Check the eTrex Legend Cx low price at GPS Now.
- Get the current Garmin Legend Cx price
- Check the deals on Garmin
GPS receivers at REI.
- Get an amazing price on the Garmin eTrex Legend Cx on eBay.
Here’s the product description from the official Garmin eTrex Legend Cx web page:
Pack more detail into your adventure with the eTrex Legend Cx and eTrex Vista® Cx. Garmin has added removable memory to these pocket handhelds, making it easy to pack light and add maps on the go.
The eTrex Legend Cx is loaded with the same popular features found in the eTrex Legend C, including sunlight-readable color and advanced GPS routing capabilities — all in a waterproof design. In addition, it comes with a blank 32 MB microSD card for storage of optional map detail. Download maps directly to the card or purchase microSD cards preloaded with MapSource® Topo and inland lake maps, BlueChart® marine cartography, and City Navigator™ street maps.
eTrex Legend Cx’s features make it a mainstay among outdoor enthusiasts:
- New! 32 MB microSD card for MapSource data gives you the versatility of adding highly detailed maps
- 256-color, sunlight-readable display makes it easy to distinguish map details and see where you’re going
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Automatic route generation, off-route recalculation, turn-by-turn directions with alert tones, and icon-driven menus for finding
points of interest (when combined with Garmin’s optional MapSource® CDs) navigate you safely to your destination - Longer battery life for more hours of outdoor enjoyment
- Mini-USB port for fast, convenient download of map data from Garmin’s entire library of optional MapSource CDs using a PC
You won’t miss a thing when you take this rugged, lightweight, easy-to-use handheld out hiking, biking, boating or even geocaching.
Recommended accessories:
- Garmin TOPO U.S. 2008
- Eneloop rechargeable batteries
- invisibleSHIELD screen protector
- SanDisk 2 GB MicroSD card
Related posts:
Apparently there is a glitch with the entire Cx line… no, nothing major, but the Etrex Cx devices use the same bike and car accesory mounts as the other Etrex models. However, the problem is the back mounts do NOT fit the units due to the protrusion of the memory card slot. Garmin supposedly has no intention right now to change the mounts, so until then Cx users are out of luck. Pretty sucky. Also, the case for the Etrex line seems to be made more for the non-C models. Anyway, had not heard anything of the mount issue yet, but have had direct experience and thought I would share.
BTW, nice site and great book.
Thanks for sharing that info. It’s really too bad because the eTrex units are great for biking. My first GPS was an eTrex Venture. Glad you’re enjoying the book and finding the blog useful.
The Garmin eTrex Legend CX navigator pack I purchased from Best Buy included a windshield mount that worked just fine with the adapter (included) that connects easily to the back cover of the Legend.
Streight from Garmin website:
The eTrex Legend C, Legend Cx, Vista C, and Vista Cx all come with an adapter that screws into the battery door that comes with the unit.
I bought the marine mount and after adjusting the cover, I found the adapter in the box. Now works OK.
But I have a problem with 12 volt adapter. After using Legend Cx in a car with 12 volt adapter it froze. It wouldn’t power on with adapter plugged in and wouldn’t communicate with computer either.
I sent to Garmin, they send replacement with new 12 volt adapter and after 4-5 days of using it in cars, boat it did the same thing – plug in 12 volt adapter it froze and doesn’t power on or communicate with computer. After talking to support, they gave me second RMA, but already suggested that there is something wrong with the car. I wonder, why my cellphones do not have a problem with cigarette adapter, just Legend Cx has.
That’s pretty bizarre. Hey, please keep us posted on how this all turns out.