New garmin etrex models???

[hogrod]

I just read this posted on the geocaching.com forums, thought others might be interested. I of course just bought a vistaCX a few weeks ago as a backup to my 60cx, figures something new would come out.

http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=163835

[marc_54140]

My first GPS was a yellow Garmin. I upgraded to the Venture, because of the toggle switch. Now, it looks like the yellow H model has a toggle switch.

[hogrod]

Although all these new etrex models have a “high sensitivity chipset”, the new Venture HC is a downgrade from the current venture CX(except for better chipset).
The current venture CX is the same exact thing as the legendCX, except it doesn’t come with USB cable, Mapsource waypoint software, or the small 64mb card. The new Venture HC looks like it only has 24mb built in storage, and no Micro SD card slot.(though this info not being from straight from garmin could be wrong)

looks like amazon.com has removed the product links now except for the new etrex yellow H. you can still find some info about these new models if you search google for the models listed below.

Vista HCx
Legend HCx
Venture HC
Summit HC
Yellow H

Did anyone else notice the summit HC has a color screen but seems to be the skinny screen body of the old B&W etrex models?

[Team Deejay]

I can’t tell, but part of the advantage of the 60/76x models is the antenna, which is involved in the higher sensitivity of the Sirf III models. The Legend CX model I played with did not have the same “bulletproof under tree cover” performance of the 60Cx or the 76Cx. I’m guessing that these new models will have the same “patch” antenna as the current etrexes.

[Cheesehead Dave]

I liked the smaller Legend I used to use, but I’ve gotten to like the bigger screen on the 60CSx and when I use it for driving, the front mounted buttons are more convenient.

A question I’m starting to have is whether newer GPS receivers are going to start having chipsets in them to be able to receive Galileo transmissions. Can current units simply be upgraded with a firmware update or would you need a new “high-sensitivity antenna”?

[hogrod]

@Team Deejay wrote:

I can’t tell, but part of the advantage of the 60/76x models is the antenna, which is involved in the higher sensitivity of the Sirf III models. The Legend CX model I played with did not have the same “bulletproof under tree cover” performance of the 60Cx or the 76Cx. I’m guessing that these new models will have the same “patch” antenna as the current etrexes.

When I first started caching everyone said patch antenna’s weren’t as good as quad helix antenna’s(this was true with older receivers). I was also told that patch antenna’s are better at receiving signal from above, where the quad helix can pickup signals lower on the horizon(which can cause more multi-path errors).

Now it’s more about the GPSr chipset than the antenna, many very well preforming GPSr use a patch antenna. Any of the explorist model magellan’s or lowrance Ifinders come to mind, and also the highly recommended gilsson external antennas are all patch type.

I’m sure these new etrex models will be great, or at least an improvement.

[Author]

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