Bare with me, the start of this review contains some quite technical information about how the Global Positioning System works. Feel free to skip this section if you already know this information or are simply not interested (somethings are always best left a mystery). But I have included this information for those who wish to learn how GPS works.
::: How GPS Works :::
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 27 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. Only 24 satellites are required but there are 3 extras in case one fails. GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the U.S. government made the system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. There are no subscription fees or setup charges to use GPS.
GPS satellites circle the earth twice a day in a very precise orbit and transmit signal information to earth. GPS receivers take this information and use triangulation to calculate the user's exact location. GPS receivers require at least 3 satellite locks to be able to work out your exact location. This is done by the gpsr working out how long the signal took to travel from the satellitte to the receiver. However, there is a slight problem with this, for this to be accurate both receiver and satellitte need
to be synchronized down to the nanosecond. To make a satellite positioning system using only synchronized clocks, you would need to have atomic clocks not only on all the satellites, but also in the receiver itself. Of course this is not practical as atomic clocks cost many thousands of pounds. The way around this is to have atomic clocks in each of the satellittes but to have a normal quartz clock in the reciever which can be constantly reset. The receiver is constantly getting the correct time value from the satellitte signals. The receiver is effectively gettin atomic clock accuracy for free!
When people talk of "a gps" they are normally refering to a global positioning system reciever, or gpsr. The eTrex Legend is one such GPS receiver, however there are infact hundreds on the market.
The eTrex Legend is cased in a blue transparent case which looks extremely attractive. The rubber seals on the sides and back give it tremendous ruggedness and ensure that it is totally waterproof (however, I have not tested this claim). The Legend is 5.1cm wide, has a depth of 3cm and a height of 11.2cm. The unit weighs only 150 grams including the batteries, (the unit requires 2 AA batteries). The unit fits very nicely in the hand, and is ergonomically designed to be used in the left hand which allows easy use of all the buttons, and the use of the thumb for the "click stick".
As mentioned above the Legend has the new "click stick" on the front of the unit which allows for easy navigation through the menus and navigation around the basemap. The legend was the first unit in the eTrex series to incorporate this "click stick". I have found the click stick to be an extremely useful addition, I previously used the eTrex yellow, the most basic in the eTrex series. Also another first for the series the Legend is the first receiver with a built in basemap. The basemap shows major roads (motorways, A roads and some B roads) and major lakes as well as towns and cities for the whole of Europe, or a North American version can be bought. This information on the maps can be made more detailed by purchasing Garmins Mapsource CDs or other software. This information will then be stored on the legends 8MB built in memory. The legend has more than 100 map datums, including Ordinance Survey which will accurately give ur position in a format that will match up to an ordinance survey map. There are also various position formats, including Lat/Lon and British grid.
The legend can also store up to 1000 waypoints with names, 20 reversible routes, with up to 50 waypoints per route, and ten tracks which show where you have been and can then be uploaded to a pc.
The batteries, Garmin states that the batteries should last up to 18 hours. Im not sure I have ever quite managed to get this long out of the batteries however, they do not constantly need replacing either. Using the map, especially scrolling around the map will use up a lot of batteries as will using the backlit display. But generally I have never found the batteries to run out too quickly. It would however be better if a rechargeable battery was used, similar to that of a mobilephones.
The legend uses a black and white screen, there is a colour version available now but Im not sure how much it would add. It would be able to show the relief of the land, something the black and white is not able to do. But Im not convinced its quite worth the extra £100. I have never had any troubles with the screen being 4 level grey. Perhaps a colour screen would not work so well in sunlight, just like how colour mobiles are hard to read in sunlight.
Other functions of the Legend.
Current speed Average Speed Max Speed (resetable) Time of sunrise/sunset Trip Timer Trip Distance Hunting/Fishing Times - using the sunrise/sunset times this function works out the best times for fishing/hunting in your current location.
Other accessories that come with the legend (assuming you buy it new) are: 60 page user guide, quick reference guide (waterproof to allow use in the field), neck strap (hang gps from neck or strap to wrist to allow you to keeo your hands free for hiking and climbing), and a PC data cable (be warned it is serial not USB).
The main disadvantage of this unit is in fact not Garmin's fault at all. It is that WAAS/ EGNOS is not really available yet. WAAS/EGNOS are the ground based systems designed to make global positioning more accurate. WAAS is the American version whilst EGNOS is the European version. However, despite many promises this is not really available yet which is a shame but not Garmins fault. Once these systems are active accuracy will be down to less than 3metres, pretty accurate Im sure you'll agree. Currently only around less than 15metres can be expected. I know some people who have managed to get EGNOS readings, however at the moment it is not consistant enough, some days you will get it others you wont and this is only in certain trial areas.
Another disadvantage is that the PC conection is through a serial port not a USB port. This is probably due to the fact that this is now a relatively old unit. However, I find it quite annoying as it has meant that I cannot use my PC to transfer information but have to use another PC as my PC has no serial ports.
::: Conclusion :::
Overall I have been extremely happy with my eTrex Legend unit. It is extremely well made and very robust, it has taken several knocks but none have harmed it. The unit looks and feels very attractive. It is easy to use and Im sure a beginner could start using it very quickly. The buttons are easy to use on the side of the unit which keeps the front nice and clutter free. The click stick on the front of the unit is the only button on the front and this too is easy to use. The screen is clear despite being black and white. I picked mine up for around £100 from ebay just over a year ago and think it has represented excellent value for money and have not been disappointed with it. The only bad thing about the unit is the lack of USB PC connection. Although this is a function im sure not many people use all that often. I would definately reccomend this unit to potential buyers, it is great for everyone, for a first GPS reciever or for someone looking for a few more functions on a GPS at excellent value for money.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
very helpful by (82%):
helpful by (18%):
