GpsPasSion is reporting that Garmin will be adding high-sensitivity chipsets to their eTrex product line this fall. The chipsets would be SiRFstar III or something similar. Apparently a Canadian retailer jumped the gun and posted a sneak peak of their fall catalog, which has since been pulled from the Web. For the most part, the reported models mimic the current units, adding the new chipset to existing features:
- eTrex Venture HC
- eTrex Legend HCx
- eTrex Vista HCx
It appears from the report that the new Venture will not have an expandable (micro SD) memory card slot.
UPDATE: There’s a discussion thread on Groundspeak worth checking out.
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Rumor: New Garmin eTrex Legend, Vista HCx
Some nice “Rumors” are coming out on Garmin and their plans for an updated eTrex line. Garmin recently updated their RINO 530 HCx with high sensitivity GPS chips and it makes sense to roll that innovation in to the…
Considering the features like satellite imagery, xm weather etc that Bushnell and Delorme are putting into there designs (though perhaps they will be weak on implementation) arn’t these updates rather unimpressive?
Yes, you are right on target. Garmin just isn’t giving much attention to the outdoor market. I can’t blame them too much for putting their money where they’ll get a better ROI, but still.
Anyway, there are reports coming out that the new eTrex series will be upgradeable for Galileo support. Of course, considering how that project is going, it may not matter. See this for more info… http://www.navigadget.com/index.php/2007/05/23/new-etrex-h-from-garmin-with-galileo-support/