Garmin handheld with electronic compass?

I've had the basic Garmin eTrex handheld GPS for a while, and was thinking about upgrading just enough to get one with an electronic compass. (One that the compass pointer responds constantly on a waypoint without having to move around to get it to respond). I was thinking I saw/read somewhere where Garmin had discontinued the low-end basic eTrex, and had a newer version (of the basic eTrex) that had an electronic compass for a few $$ more. But, I guess I musta dreamed that. I don't need the mapping feature, but just waypoint storage and track features....with an electronic compass. Unless I ain't looking hard enough, looks like the eTrex Summit HC is the cheapest one available...for about $230.

Am I looking at this right? Anybody have one of these units that cares to comment? Or another brand?

About a month ago I bought a GarminMAP76 CSX from PCNation for $240.00. In my opinion, it is the easiest to operate and has all you will ever need; compass, map, altimiter, game and fish forecasts, moon phases, perpetual calendar, solunar table (quick reference) and with additional software, turn-by-turn city navigation. It's color and works in real time so you will not overrun your waypoints. IT comes with a 128 mb SD card that is good for much of what you'll need.

I ordered the topo maps and downloaded the ones just for my area and the 128 mb card handled it nicely. The maps (on sale) were like $80.00. But with them I can better use the device for hunting unfamiliar terrain.

It is the best investment I have made in a long, long time. See my field report that I wrote a couple of weeks ago for more details. <><

aj

I agree with you Arkie John. The electronic compass is the only way to go. This weekend, on Lake Nimrod, I had the Etrex Vista (electronic compass)and the regular Garmin Etrx side by side in high winds trying to stay on small brushpiles. When the wind would stall my movement my old GPS's arrow would go crazy.
The Etrex with the electronic compass however stayed glued on the brushpile!:)

I have the Garmin 76 that has the compass, I bought it on sale at Cabela's
bargin barn for $99.00 dollars. It don't have any mapping just plain jane unit, but it's all I need.

crappie cowboy

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Originally Posted by slabbandit

I agree with you Arkie John. The electronic compass is the only way to go. This weekend, on Lake Nimrod, I had the Etrex Vista (electronic compass)and the regular Garmin Etrx side by side in high winds trying to stay on small brushpiles. When the wind would stall my movement my old GPS's arrow would go crazy.
The Etrex with the electronic compass however stayed glued on the brushpile!:)

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I use a boy marker(s) for these conditions. They work pretty good if you don't forget to "unwrap" the lead weight.:o

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Originally Posted by Cane Pole

I use a boy marker(s) for these conditions. They work pretty good if you don't forget to "unwrap" the lead weight.:o

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Throwed one in the other day and the lead came untied ---I followed that sucker for a while before I came to my senses ---:):)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crappie cowboy

I have the Garmin 76 that has the compass, I bought it on sale at Cabela's
bargin barn for $99.00 dollars. It don't have any mapping just plain jane unit, but it's all I need.

crappie cowboy

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Crappie Cowboy, you musta got one that was a discontinued model. I don't expect to find a deal like that. Looks like the cheapest 76 is gonna be a over $300. Looks like they would offer a low-end unit without the map feature. You got a good deal!!

I believe they are less than $300 on Amazon.

:o

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Originally Posted by luvjign

Crappie Cowboy, you musta got one that was a discontinued model. I don't expect to find a deal like that. Looks like the cheapest 76 is gonna be a over $300. Looks like they would offer a low-end unit without the map feature. You got a good deal!!

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Hey Yall, I made a mistake the Garmin I bought at Cabela's bargin barn is the
Garmin 72, Not the 76. Sorry I was drinking strong tea last night..My bad.
But anyway it does have a compass, it might not be the compass that your talking about?.

crappie cowboy

[QUOTE=crappie cowboy;578617]:o

Hey Yall, I made a mistake the Garmin I bought at Cabela's bargin barn is the
Garmin 72, Not the 76. Sorry I was drinking strong tea last night..My bad.
But anyway it does have a compass, it might not be the compass that your talking about?.

I think you may be looking at the pointer page with it's compass, the CSx has an electronic compass. I have a GPS 72, still a good unit to find your waypoints, and a GPSMAP 76CX and carry both in my boat. I keep the 72 on the pointer page and the 76CX on the map page to go to my waypts. Nothing wrong with the 72 just a little out-dated. Be sure to go to the Garmin web-site and download the last update to the 72 so you can use your unit in WAAS. I too use a bouy to stay on my waypts, just so much easier than keeping a eye on the gps as well as your depth finder.
Garmin: Updates & Downloads

I really don't use the eTrex to "hold to" a waypoint. I guess I was assuming that the electronic compass feature would be more responsive when "approaching" a waypoint. I guess this may play into the issue with the slow response that's been discussed on here with the Humminbird SI units. It just seems when you approach and home in on a waypoint with the eTrex, the pointer is slow to the point of confusion. I understand it's a low-end unit, but just wondering if the units with the electronic compass helps in zeroing in on a spot any better?

Edge GPS: Garmin GPS Navigation Devices :: eTrex Vista®

If you want to try before you buy, email me your waypoint list and I'll try 'em out in my 76CSx and let you know. :D

Wannabe...

I'm wondering that myself. The 76CsX has the electronic compass, but I've not really played with it to see how well it works. If ya want, you're welcome to take mine and try it out next time you go. Just let me know.

Wannabe...