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 GPS, a mid-level model in the eTrex line, is perfect for the avid outdoorsman. With 24 MB of memory, it will likely hold all the topo maps you could use on a single trip, unless you are hiking the entire Appalachian Trail!  This unit includes a barometric altimeter and electronic compass, two very nice features.. Be aware though that, unlike the Vista C, it will not auto-route. That is, you can’t plug in an address and have it give you turn by turn directions. You can use it in a car with Garmin MetroGuide software, to direct you to points of interest (POIs) “as the crow flies,” and show your position in real-time.

88 reviewers at Amazon gave an average 4 out of 5 star rating to the eTrex Vista.

Here’s what other reviewers have to say:

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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 GPSMap 60C is basically the same unit as the 60CS, minus the barometric altimeter and electronic compass. It has the same bright color screen and can utilize routable maps, so it can do double duty in the backcountry or the car. The 60C, a mid-level model, is a step up from the GPSMap 60, which has less memory and a greyscale screen.

25 readers at Amazon rated the Garmin 60C at 4-1/2 (out of 5) stars. Here’s what other reviewers are saying:

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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 C is basically the Vista C without the barometric altimeter and electronic compass. With the Legend C, you pay less, and get longer battery life (36 hours vs. 20 for the Vista C). Otherwise, it’s the same compact unit with a bright color screen. Like the Vista C, this powerful device is capable of displaying maps that will generate turn-by-turn directions. Recently, the Legend C has been updated with the Legend Cx.

Dozens of readers have reviewed the eTrex Legend C at Amazon.

Here’s what some other reviewers saying:

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UPDATE: This unit is being replaced by the Garmin eTrex H, which has greatly improved reception over the older model.

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 basic yellow Garmin eTrex is Garmin’s entry level handheld GPS. If you choose this unit though, I highly recommend purchasing the cable to connect it to your PC. This will make it easier to download waypoints, as opposed to manual entry, which is an approach prone to error. You might consider instead stepping up to the eTrex Venture or eTrex Legend, both of which come with the cable included.

You can’t load any maps to this unit, but you can’t beat the price either, and the low price sells a lot of units. At Amazon.com, 154 readers have posted reviews, giving the eTrex an average 4 out of 5 star rating. .

Here’s what others have to say…

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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 C has a compact design that belies its feature-rich3 nature; it includes an electronic compass, barometric altimeter, and automatic routing capability. With 24 MB of memory, it can handle a good amount of City Select maps for highway navigation, though probably not enough for multi-day trips. You’ll need a unit with more memory for that, like the newer Vista Cx.

At Amazon, the unit has garnered an average 4 star rating (out of 5) from dozens of customers in their Vista C reviews.

Compare prices on the Garmin eTrex Vista C

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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 is an entry level mapping receiver. A good choice for the outdoor enthusiast, the Legend can accommodate products  like MapSource USA TOPO for backcountry maps and MetroGuide to show points of interest on the road, but it will not provide turn-by-turn automatic routing. You’ll need to step up to the Legend C for that.

If numbers are any reflection of its popularity, that can be seen by the fact that well over 100 people have reviewed it at Amazon, where they gave an average 4 out of 5 star review to the eTrex Legend.

Compare prices on the Garmin eTrex Legend

Here’s what other people are saying about the Legend:

• One of my favorite sites, GPSinformation.net, has this review of the eTrex Legend, Vista and Venture.
• At OutdoorReview.com, 16 people gave a 4.19 out of 5 rating in their Garmin eTrex Legend review.
• Over at CNet, 15 people gave an 8.2 out of a possible 10 rating in their Garmin eTrex Legend review.
• A video review of the Garmin Legend.

Here are some additional resources that may prove useful:

• For a detailed look, check out this PDF version of the eTrex Legend manual.
• Want to see how the Legend stacks up against other handhelds? Use this handy Garmin GPS comparison tool.
• And here is a link to a very active etrex message forum on Yahoo.

Compare prices on the Garmin eTrex Legend at these merchants:

• Check the current Garmin eTrex Legend price at Amazon.com.
• Find the low price on an eTrex Legend at GPS Now.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.
• Check the deals on Garmin GPS receivers at REI.com, where satisfaction is guaranteed and members get 10% back on eligible purchases.
• Get the Garmin eTrex Legend for an amazing price at eBay.

The official Garmin eTrex Legend web page.

Recommended accessories:

• Garmin TOPO U.S. 2008
• Eneloop rechargeable batteries
• invisibleSHIELD screen protector
• SanDisk 2 GB MicroSD card

Other reviews:

• Garmin eTrex Venture
• Garmin eTrex Vista
• Garmin eTrex Legend C
• Garmin eTrex Legend Cx