Hiking GPS units – Garmin eTrex Venture HC
As we have expanded our portable GPS testing program, many readers have requested GPS buying advice and ratings on hiking handhelds inspiring the team here to hit the trails. We purchased a variety of models from Garmin and Magellan to evaluate. (We have heard from a smaller, though no less passionate, group of golfing enthusiasts, but the GPS team will not be hitting the links this year.)
Trails have been trekked, dozens of geocaches found, and testing has been completed. We are now working on buying advice and Ratings. As promised, we’ll have the hiking GPS information live this month, leaving ample time for holiday shopping.
As we get the big pieces together, our first review is of the affordable Garmin eTrex Venture HC. We found the eTrex Venture HC to be a great entry-level handheld device that is well-suited for the casual hiker or someone just getting started in geocaching. The other units evaluated are significantly more expensive, with additional features and in some cases much slicker overall packages. However, we found the eTrex Venture HC was equipped with the features that will matter most to the typical weekend adventurer.
Read our Garmin eTrex Venture HC first look for the full story. Watch our video guide to buying a handheld hiking GPS device, plus see our complete hiking GPS ratings.
For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.
Posted by: Max Bramel | Nov 19, 2008 11:02:30 AM
I'm sure all GPS devotees would like to see their favorites included, but I have to say that I would like to see your consideration of the GPS handhelds from Delorme. The inclusion of the detailed mapping software needed for detailed topo maps and street routing capability makes them an outstanding value.
Posted by: Woodrow Leung | Nov 29, 2008 12:02:28 AM
Some newer digital cameras will interface with some GPS receivers to record the GPS location of the photograph taken. Other than manually recording the GPS location of a photograph (using any GPS receiver) will any of the hiking GPS devices either (1) interface with camera or camera software to insert the location data into the photograph metadata or (2) create a database of location and time data that one could use to update the photograph's metadata?
Posted by: Bill Arvizu | Nov 29, 2008 5:50:28 PM
I searched The Buyers Guide and several CR Mag. Issues,but I couldn't find Portable GPS Unit for Golf. Can you give me some insight on where and when you evaluated these type of GPS Units
Posted by: Jeff Bartlett | Nov 29, 2008 5:56:51 PM
We have not tested GPS units for golfing, and we have no firm plans to do so. Just portable automotive and hiking GPS devices so far, but we have seen reader interest in golfing and will consider this segment for future evaluation--though no promises.
Posted by: Glenn C. | Nov 30, 2008 8:17:48 AM
Do you know what date the full hiking gps reviews will be out? I am very interested in the review as I intend to purchase for a Christmas gift and time is drawing near!
Posted by: Jeff Bartlett | Nov 30, 2008 8:51:16 AM
Glenn - It should be live this coming week. The Ratings chart is built. We just need to complete the buying advice pages. If you hadn't seen it, the video buyer's guide may help understand the products and key considerations.
http://video.consumerreports.org/services/link/bcpid1329233564/bclid1886209040/bctid2440295001
Posted by: K. Raade | Dec 11, 2008 5:58:25 PM
Re: DeLorme request- I disagree about the DeLorme value, as i have been a sucker for their products many times (each time falling for the "No really, this time we really did improve the routing!" sales pitch). They consistently provided exceptionally poor quality software; even a superior rating from CR couldn't make me consider DeLorme for anything. Although i do love the globe in their Freeport, ME office.
Posted by: Ellen Waggener | Dec 16, 2008 7:06:15 AM
Where are the hiking GPS ratings and reviews promised out before Christmas?
Posted by: Jeff Bartlett | Dec 16, 2008 11:17:20 AM
The hiking GPS ratings and buying advice can be found at:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/tires-auto-parts/auto-parts/portable-gps-navigation-systems/handheld-hiking-gps-devices/overview/handheld-hiking-gps.htm
Posted by: dennis mccarty | Dec 29, 2008 8:20:08 AM
I'm very interested in purchasing a GPS unit for golf. Please review the GPS units that are presently on the market.
Sincerely,
Dennis McCarty
Posted by: Bernard Loken | Dec 30, 2008 8:40:03 AM
Nice to see a Consumer Report on GPSr, and I know you can only test so many. I use a Lowrance Expedition C, and truly love this unit, a little expensive, but the bell and whistle on it make this purchase quite good. This unit is aimed mainly at hunters, but since they have to hike to there hunting location it is a good bet is it good for geocaching. I use my Expedition C exclusively for Geocaching.
Bernard Loken
Whitby Ontario
Posted by: Jack Henriksen | Jan 5, 2009 8:23:54 AM
I'm looking for a CR review of gps rangefinders for golf. There are seveal on the market, skycaddie, etc. I joined CR specifically for a review of those golf gps rangefinders. Hopefully you will review them in the near future.
Posted by: Elliott Terman | Jan 30, 2009 10:47:27 AM
Rather disappointed not seeing an update to your rating, which would have included the new DeLorme PN40. You couldn't have missed DeLorme since they did have PN20 on the market for sometime. The PN40 is a much improved version of the PN20. The pricing is not out of line with the others available.
Posted by: Payday Loan | Mar 13, 2009 6:37:57 AM
Perhaps a quality and affordable invention will do good to convince the customers to buy a certain product. People always consider the price as well as how a particular good is made. Inventions are at times otherworldly and amazing, and at times very mundane. The U.S. is a land that has a long history of them. Some of America’s most famous inventions include things like bifocals, the polio vaccine, and some controversial ones as well. There have been a few in the last year or two which seem straight out of science fiction. A flying car that gets 35 mpg, which can fold its wings and fit into the average garage, and it goes for about $200,000. There’s also a GPS headset system that mounts directly to a cow’s head-now we can finally find where the beef is. No doubt that the rest of the century will reveal some other astonishing inventions.
Posted by: Louis T | May 11, 2009 2:50:59 PM
Please perform reviews of the market leading Golf GPS devices. They can be complicated to operate for the average duffer, and a large expense for anyone ready to take the plunge.