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Garmin Rino 530HCx review

July 30, 2007 By Leave a Comment

Rino_530hcx

NOTE: A newer model, the Garmin Rino 655t, adds many new features.

UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. 

The Garmin Rino 530HCx is a handheld GPS that includes a two-way radio, and the ability to track another Rino user on your screen. Updating the Rino 530, the HCx model adds a high-sensitivity chipset and a micro-SD card slot for adding topo or highway maps (which must be purchased separately). The Rino has a bright, sunlight-readable screen, and is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery rated at up to 14 hours.

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Garmin eTrex Legend HCx review

July 26, 2007 By 121 Comments

eTrex Legend HCx review

UPDATE: This model has been superseded by the new Garmin eTrex 20.

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.

Hands on with the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx

I’ve had a chance to try out the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx recently. This is my first extended experience with an eTrex model since I purchased my first GPS — an eTrex Venture — many years ago.

One of Garmin’s newer eTrex H-series receivers, the Legend HCx updates the very popular Legend Cx. The “H” stands for high-sensitivity chipset, to ensure great satellite reception under canopy and in other situations where you have a limited view of the sky.

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Garmin eTrex Vista HCx review

July 23, 2007 By 9 Comments

Etrex_vista_hcx

UPDATE: This model has been superseded by the new Garmin eTrex 30.

UPDATE 2: 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 Vista HCx is the flagship model in Garmin’s new eTrex H series line. The successor to the popular Vista Cx, the Vista HCx adds a high-sensitivity MediaTek chipset and has a faster processor as well, which will give you faster map scrolling and screen redraws.

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Garmin eTrex Venture Cx review

June 22, 2006 By Leave a Comment

Venture_cx_1

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 Cx is more than an update of the antiquated eTrex Venture. It’s really an entry-level unit in the eTrex x-series line, and is better compared to them.

Like other x-series units, the Venture Cx sports turn-by-turn routing, a color screen, and expandable memory. What’s different about the Venture Cx is that it doesn’t come with a micro-SD card (which might make it a good deal if you’re just going to toss the 32 MB card that comes with the Legend Cx and buy a 1 GB micro-SD card anyway). A more important difference is that the Venture Cx doesn’t come with a USB cable — you may want one, but will have to buy it separately. Stepping on up the x-series line to the Vista Cx adds a barometric altimeter and electronic compass. As with all these units, detailed maps cost extra. And remember, the x-series eTrex doesn’t have the SiRFstar III chipset.

Compare prices on the Garmin eTrex Venture Cx

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Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin handheld GPS, GPS Reviews, Handheld/Sport, Hardware

Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx review

April 26, 2006 By 5 Comments

Garmin_76csx

UPDATE: The GPSMAP 76CSx has been discontinued. For current recommendations, check out our handheld GPS buyers guide or our Garmin handheld GPS comparison chart.

The Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx updates the Garmin GPSMAP 76CS with two major improvements. First, the 76CSx includes the  SiRFSTAR III chipset, which has been getting rave reviews for its fast acquisition time and awesome coverage under canopy, in urban canyons and even indoors!

UPDATE: In early 2009, it appears that Garmin stopped using the SiRFstar III chipet due to a patent dispute, substituting a MediaTek (MTK) chipset. While both are high-sensitivity chipsets, Garmin is still fine-tuning the MTK firmware. The switch to this chipset has reduced one of the advantages the 60/76 C(S)x series has enjoyed over newer Garmin models.

UPDATE 2: Here’s my 2010 take on SiRFstar III and the newer chipsets.
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Garmin Rino 120 review

April 3, 2006 By 3 Comments

Rino_120

The Garmin Rino 120 combines GPS navigation with two-way radio communications. It’s 8 MB of memory also allows you to transfer maps and data from Garmin products such as Topo US and Fishing Hot Spots.

Compared to the Rino 110, the Rino 120 has a better base map, more memory (8 MB vs. 1 MB), voice scrambler and vibration alerts. Step up to the Rino 130 and you’ll get even more memory (24 MB), a larger tracklog capacity, NOAA weather radio, an electronic compass and barometric altimeter.

Garmin recently released new color models with an updated feature set — the Rino 520 and Rino 530.

There are dozens of customer reviews of the Rino 120 to read at Amazon.

Here’s what others are saying about the Rino 120:


Here are some other Rino 120 resources:

Compare prices on the Garmin Rino 120 at these merchants:

  • Check the current Rino 120 price at Amazon.com.
  • Find the low price on a Rino 120 at GPSNow.com, 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.
  • Get the Garmin Rino 120 for an amazing price on eBay.

 

Filed Under: Garmin handheld GPS, GPS Reviews

Garmin Vista Cx Review

March 28, 2006 By 46 Comments

Vista_cx_2

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 Vista Cx updates the very popular eTrex Vista C, adding expandable memory via a micro-SD card, which will provide plenty of room for optional highway and/or topo maps. This is a nice compact unit, ideal for use in the great outdoors and for navigating city streets.



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Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin handheld GPS, GPS Reviews, Handheld/Sport, Hardware

Garmin Forerunner 205 Review

March 11, 2006 By 3 Comments

Forerunner_205_1

UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For information on current models, check out our GPS for runners page.

The Garmin Forerunner 205 is a stylish update of the Forerunner 201. But don’t judge it just by looks. The 205 has the new SiRFSTAR III chipset that has been garnering rave reviews for its amazing performance under canopy, in urban canyons, and even indoors!

The primary difference between this unit and the Forerunner 305, is that the 305 has a heart-rate monitor; the 205 does not.

Compare prices on the Forerunner 205

Here’s what others are saying about the Forerunner 205:

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Garmin eTrex Legend Cx Review

March 9, 2006 By 5 Comments

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 updates the popular Legend C model by adding a micro-SD card slot for expandable memory (hence the “x”). This is a great upgrade, since the Legend C’s 24 MB of internal memory was almost too small to effectively utilize City Select software for highway use.

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Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin handheld GPS, GPS Reviews, Handheld/Sport, Hardware

Garmin Edge 205 Review

March 6, 2006 By 2 Comments

Edge205UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For a current alternative, check out the Garmin Edge 500.

The Garmin Edge 205, designed for cyclists, is similar to the more powerful Edge 305, with three notable exceptions. The 205 does not have the capacity to act as a heart rate monitor or cadence sensor, and it relies on GPS for elevation data, whereas the 305 has a barometric altimeter. The 205 does however, have the same new SiRFSTARIII chipset, which has been getting rave reviews for acquisition time and awesome coverage under canopy, in urban canyons and even indoors!

One caveat about the Edge series. These are very nice cyclometers, but if you are looking for a navigation device, you would be better off purchasing a Garmin handheld, and getting a bike mount for it.

More Garmin Edge 205 reviews

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Filed Under: Garmin handheld GPS, GPS Reviews
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