Garmin eTrex Venture HC 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 Venture HC is the entry-level mapping receiver in Garmin’s eTrex H-series lineup. With a high-sensitivity receiver for superior reception under canopy, a bright color screen, and the ability to load topo maps (purchased separately), this is an excellent backcountry GPS.

The Venture HC has 24 MB of memory, and will accommodate 500 waypoints, 50 routes and 10 saved tracks.

Related units

• The Summit HC is identical except that it adds a barometric altimeter and electronic compass
• The primary differences between the Venture HC and the Legend HCx are twofold — the Legend HCx has an expandable micro-SD memory card slot instead of on-board memory; it is also routable, allowing you to generate turn-by-turn directions when optional highway maps are loaded
• Going the other direction in features, the monochrome Garmin eTrex H cannot accept maps and, unlike other eTrex units, doesn’t come with a cable for transferring data between the GPS and your computer; it also lacks the click-stick of the other H-series models, making for a less user-friendly interface
• To see how the Venture HC stands up against other Garmin models, check out my Garmin handheld GPS comparison chart

More Garmin eTrex Venture HC reviews

• Hands on Garmin eTrex Venture HC reviews have been posted by  buyers at GPSNow.
• Numerous consumer-authored Garmin eTrex Venture HC review has also been posted at Amazon.
• Consumer Reports reviews the Venture HC.
• There is also a Garmin eTrex Venture HC Color Hand Held GPS Receiver
  review posted at Tiger GPS.
• A brief Venture HC review
• Geocacher reviews of the Garmin eTrex Venture HC
• Using the Venture HC for GIS data collection
• I’ll be posting more hands on GPS reviews as they appear, but in the meantime, here are some…

Other Garmin eTrex Venture HC resources

• The Garmin eTrex Venture HC owners manual in the language of your choice.
• Compare the Venture HC to other Garmin mapping handheld GPS receivers.
• There is a dedicated Garmin eTrex message forum on Yahoo Groups.
• The official Garmin eTrex Venture HC web page
• Check out my Legend HCx review for a more detailed look at the eTrex interface.

Compare prices on the Garmin eTrex Venture HC at these merchants:

• SPECIAL NOTE TO BUYERS: Don’t confuse the Venture HC with the discontinued Venture or the Venture Cx, which does not have the high-sensitivity chipset.
• Find the low price on a Garmin eTrex Venture HC at GPS Now, where shipping is free on orders over $99 (and the upgrade to overnight shipping is dirt cheap!). Order by 5 p.m. Central Time for same day shipment.
• Check the current Garmin eTrex Venture HC price at Amazon.
• Get a great deal on the Garmin eTrex Venture HC Color Hand Held GPS Receiverat Tiger GPS, where you get free shipping on orders above $250.
• Buy the Garmin eTrex Venture HC GPS Receiverat REI.com, where satisfaction is guaranteed and members get 10% back on eligible purchases.
• Get the Garmin eTrex Venture HC for an amazing price on eBay.