: I'm one of the guys in the last GPS posting that recommended the ETrex. I
: absolutely love my ETrex, however it is true that in tree cover it can be
: difficult to stay locked on a satellite. I live on an island and use mine
: mostly on the water. I also use it when travelling all over the world and
: it is easy to slip into one of those little side pockets on a backpack,
: carry on your belt, or just hold in your hand.

: HOWEVER... My ETrex is now acting up, and I think it's from abuse. I use it
: as a speedometer/compass/GPS for my rigid inflatable that I use to
: "island hop." I mount it with the optional bike mount onto one
: of the grab rails on the console on my boat. The back has loosened, most
: likely from jumping waves in the boat and bumping the ETrex. Also now it
: shuts off after you turn it on, probably due to the above mentioned abuse.
: I fear I have killed it. I may try the Magellan next. I will say one thing
: about the waterproofness of the ETrex; I don't think I would test it.
: First of all, there is a vent hole in the body, so it can't possibly be
: "water proof." The hole is a tiny pinhole, so I'm sure that if
: you dropped it in water and picked it right back up it would be okay, but
: I doubt putting it on your deck and doing rolls with it would have a
: positive effect! The waterproof seal is good, but my back has loosened
: from mounting and dismounting from my boat.

: I still love the ETrex, but I would be willing to try Magellan.

: -Malcolm

I have an eTrex (I think it's a Vista) and I like it except for one thing. The screen is hard to read. They pack a lot of information onto those screens with tiny text.
On the plus side the whole unit is small and easy to transport.
I haven't bought any upgrade maps for it yet. Maybe next year.

Roger