eTrex Venture HC Review
eTrex Venture HC
eTrex Venture HC is an essential for any outdoor excursion. It features a high-sensitivity GPS receiver for peak performance in any environment and includes 24 megabytes (MB) of internal memory, a detailed basemap and crisp color screen.
Ok, thats what eTrex says about this little gadget, now for our eTrex Venture review.
Size: 4.2 x 2.2 x 1.2 weight 5.5 oz
Light weight enough for almost any excursion. A little bulky to stick in a pocket, but no need for a backpack. 4/5
Battery Life: 14 hours (AAx2) Normally I would object to a 14 hour battery life, but since this uses standard AA batteries, bring a spare set on multi-day journeys. 3.5/5
Maps: The bundled maps are very very very basic. Highways, some lakes, a few landmarks. You can download more specific maps, and have a generous 24mb of memory to save them in. Good maps are extra $$$ however. 3/5
Features and Price: Lots of toys.
- Geocaching – although ive heard some complaints about this feature
- Outdoor games
- Hunting/Fishing calendar
- Sun/Moon information
- Price – About $135 from Amazon.com
- Overall features and price 5/5
Other comments on our eTrex Venture HC Review
Satellite pickup is very improved over earlier versions. No more lost signals next to tall buildings or dense trees. Satellites were picked up almost instantly…. And I mean fast, about as good as i have seen in a GPS. Accuracy seems good. Screen is a little tough to read in daylight.
Overall rating: 4/5
Look at our Hiking GPS Review guide for more information in choosing a hiking GPS.
Hiking GPS Review
Hiking GPS
This week we will be reviewing Hiking GPS systems. These are incredibly useful for the camper, hiker, or anyone tired of being lost in the wilderness and eaten by bears.
Some things to keep in mind when reading the review:
1. Size – Smaller is better in hiking GPS systems
2. Battery Life – Like the energizer bunny, we like a hiking GPS that keeps going and going
3. Maps – Maps are good. Less paper to carry, save trees, all that stuff
4. Features and Price. We like fluff, we like cheap, we want it all.
Anyway, check back this week for the next hiking gps review.
Magellan Maestro 3200 Review
Maestro 3200
Technical Details
- Connectivity Technology: USB
- Display Size: 3.5 inches
- Native Resolution: 320 x 240
- Battery Average Life: 3 Hours
- Map Type: Puerto Rico, Hawaii, 48 United States
Product Features
- New 3.5″ QVGA full-color, anti-glare, touch-screen display
- 1.3 Million Searchable Points of Interest:
- New look and function with an ultra-thin, stylish,industrial design
- QuickSpell intelligently searches and checks spelling when
- SmartDetour prompts drivers to route around traffic delays
Our Opinion
The Maestro 3200 has some great features. The map is extensive, with tons of points of interest. The screen is reasonable easy to read, and battery life is very good for a color portable.
Recalculation of routes can take some time, bad for quick route decision making. Sometimes the routing is not perfect, but overall the routing is good. Not a lot of extra features, but a solid GPS unit for the $150 and under niche.
We recommend the Magellan Maestro 3200 as a great budget GPS system.
What to look for in a GPS system
What should you look for when shopping for a GPS
There are hundreds of different GPS devices now available. It is easy to get confused when shopping around for your device. Features that where once ground breaking, such as voice guided directions, are now fairly standard. There are several factors to consider when determining the right device.
- MAPS – A GPS is pretty useless if it does not have a map of where you are traveling. Devices vary in how large an area is covered. Some devices will cover a specific region, while other GPS devices cover a continent or more. Making sure the GPS has maps for where you will travel is important when shopping for a GPS device.
- SCREEN – Avoid GPS devices with inferior or hard to read screens and non-adjustable contrast/brightness. The GPS must be easily read in a variety of lighting situations.
- CHIPSET – Older chipsets have a slower relay to the satellite, and thus poor performance.
- SIZE – If the GPS is only used in the car, a larger screen size, and this a larger unit is easier to use while driving. For portable devices, used by hikers, campers, boaters, etc, weight and size are even more important. Mid size devices are sutitable for both cars and portable use.
- BATTERY LIFE – If you will use the GPS for outdoors activities instead if primarily in the car, battery life is critical. Battery life ranges from approximately 2 hours, to over 10 hours for some devices. If you will be porting your GPS, battery life is a critical consideration in determining which is right for you.
Beyond the basics, there are tons of features now bundled with GPS devices. Some devices play additional media, such as DVD’s, MP3s, or radio. Some devices include traffic tips, and complicated best route algorithims. Review carefully any GPS before making a final decision.
