Editorial Reviews:
12 parallel channel GPS receiver continuously tracks and uses up to 12 satellites to compute and update your position * WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) capability improves accuracy to within 3 meters * pre-loaded with Garmin's Americas Highway basemap, plus Garmin's Marine Point Database (Americas) * 8MB internal memory for downloading additional map data from Garmin MapSource CD-ROMs (RS-232 PC connection cable included) * translucent, waterproof, bright blue case * stores 20 routes, 500 waypoints * "Find" feature locates waypoints, cities, and interstate exits, plus points of interest, street addresses, and intersections (if loaded into the eTrex Legend from a Garmin MapSource CD-ROM) * trip computer calculates current speed, average speed, time of sunrise/sunset, and trip distance * requires two "AA" batteries (not included) * estimated battery life: up to 18 hours (typical use) * waterproof design (can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes) * 2-5/16"W x 4-7/16"H x 1-3/8"D * weight: 5.3 oz. (with batteries) * warranty: 1 year
Amazon.com Product Description
There are now enough handheld global positioning system (GPS) receivers on the market that you can be choosy when it comes to price, features, and design. Garmin--a leading manufacturer of car, boat, and personal GPS receivers--has a complete line of eTrex handheld receivers, with our Legend falling about midrange.
Easily look up nearby services with optional downloadable details from MapSource CD-ROMs. |
With Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) support, the Legend offers extremely accurate readings (rated to within 2 to 3 meters). (For more on WAAS, see the Frequently Asked Questions section.) A good-size screen--288 x 160 pixels--makes it easy to see location details, and the Legend redraws maps quickly when zooming in or out of a position. Its 8 MB of memory means there is also plenty of room for waypoints, routes, and saved tracks. The Legend will hold up to 500 waypoints, complete with a name and graphical symbol, 20 routes with 50 waypoints each, and it contains slots for 10 saved tracks. You can also download maps from Garmin's MapSource CD-ROMs (thorough but expensive accessories for the GPS receiver) to see street-level or topographic detail (depending on the CD-ROM title). 
Built-in exit listings show services at U.S. interstate exits. |
But one of the most striking attributes of the Legend is its comfortable and efficient design. While it rests easily in the palm of either hand, it's most suited for the left hand, where its handy click-stick can be manipulated with the thumb. The click-stick works like the pencil-eraser nubbin on laptop PCs and is handy for moving through screen icons and menus. It also works as a button when pressed down. The Legend is coated with a waterproof, rubberized plastic shell that grips nicely. Weighing in at only 5.3 ounces, it fits into a pocket or clips onto a belt loop, going almost unnoticed. The internal trip computer of the Legend provided a range of data about our hikes and drives, including current speed, average speed, trip distance, and time traveled (both moving and stopped). For those interested in checking out their foot pace and distance traveled, it's a handy GPS to have in hand. Our only major beef with the Legend is that the receiver sometimes seemed to grow weak. Even when it wasn't in WAAS mode (which can be tough to maintain a signal in), it dropped the signal from time to time. We even lost the signal once while walking along the streets of San Francisco--it seems that the medium-size buildings were enough to interfere with the reception. But this only happened on a few occasions. Most of the time the well-designed Legend was able to keep us in touch with up to 12 GPS satellites for a strong-enough read to maintain a tight handle on our location. --J. Curtis Pros - Comfortable, compact design
- Click-stick for interface navigation
- Bright backlight
- Handy distance-traveled feature
Cons- Sporadic reception within urban areas
- Can take several minutes for a cold fix
Product Description
The Garmin eTrex Legend GPS receiver is modeled on Garmin's popular entry level eTrex, but adds the same base map found in Garmin's III+ and eMap models, along with 8 MB of memory, making it a solid midlevel offering in the eTrex line just behind the eTrex Summit. Housed in a translucent blue case, this powerful, 12-parallel-channel, global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver weighs only 5.3 ounces and measures 4.4 by 2 inches. It literally fits in the palm of your hand. The Legend boasts the ability to hold up to 8 MB of amazingly detailed information that you upload for the area you plan to navigate. In addition to all that detailed information at your fingertips, the Legend actually gives you a higher-resolution screen than the slightly better equipped eTrex Summit. The massive 10,000 track log points of the Legend compare well to the 3,000 track log points the Summit model offers and the 2,048 that the Venture offers. The eTrex Legend's 8 MB memory enables you to download points of interest and map data from optional Garmin MapSource CD-ROMs to make your GPS unit more useful. The built-in base map of the Americas displays city and interstate highway information for North, South, and Central America, as well as U.S. highway exits. Address and business listings are displayed with data downloads. It also provides points of interest along lakes, rivers, and coastlines. The Legend has a front-panel rocker switch that allows for quick and accurate map panning. View maps on a liquid crystal display with a resolution of 288 x 160 pixels. The unit is waterproof to an IPX7 standard, so it can withstand a dunk. The Legend maintains a tight satellite lock, even in a forest. The unit can store up to 1,000 user waypoints with graphical icons, and it boasts Garmin's own TracBack feature, which reverses your track log and helps you navigate your way back home. The eTrex Legend also uses animated graphics that will help you identify your marked waypoints quickly and easily. Garmin makes some of the accessories to help you integrate your GPS with your life and your priorities. Keep your GPS at the ready while protecting it from knocks and bumps with the carrying case. If you'll be on the road, you'll want to have access to the most detailed topographical maps of the United States available: The Garmin MapSource CD-ROM (USA TOPO). And don't let the product's many abilities overwhelm you--train yourself in all the eTrex's ins and outs with a handy instructional video. The Garmin eTrex Legend comes with a PC interface cable, a manual, and a quick-reference card, and it's covered by a one-year warranty. |
Customer Reviews
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 Reliability Problems with the e-Trek Legend, May 18, 2023
Bought my e-Trek Legend in March 2002 for geocaching; initially it did ok, tracked well but lost signal often when under leafcover in the woods. Started noticing power shutoff problems when first turning it on; thought it was the battery connection, I'm beginning now to think it was poor/thin soldering in the manufacture. Now the click stick will only work in two of four directions. For what I paid for it, and as little as I used it, I doubt if I'll replace it with another Garmin e-Trek, they just don't seem substantial enough for hiking (to think, I cradled that thing like a baby in the woods, being careful with it!).
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
 My first one, not easy to figure out without book., May 14, 2023
Well, so far I kind of dig it. Its not easy to manage without learning it first. Its not a "duh obvious" operating system. I am trying to figure out still how to map where I have been but not save the whole thing. I want to save just legs.
It is almost one hand useable, but some of the buttons are hard to press with one hand. It is a nice size and very easy to read. It does not come with any computer software and I am not sure how to get other maps on it yet.
I guess I need to buy additional software. Its been fun playing with it since I bought it yesterday, now I need to learn the nitty gritty.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
 Excellent little unit.. Handy to have., Apr 21, 2023
I've had this unit now for about a week Unit offers alot in a little package. Only Highways and State Roads on it, but shareware software on the web really made mapping possible and fun (GPS Track Maker v12). Has lots of POIs (Points of Interests) loaded from the factory. Unit seems very accurate (usually displays 18 or 25 foot accuracy in clear view of the sky). Picks up a good signal on the dash of my car.
I wound up also buying the Mapsouce CD and loaded up all of CT. Fine details to all minor roads and points of interests.
It did wipe out the factory maps some (noticed that channel or river bouys no longer in the unit, but the factory map can be reloaded at any time from Garmin's website).
For the price ($130.00 thru Amazon) it's a fantastic unit. Don't bother with the Etrex Yellow and shoot for the Legend.
Mapsource was $74 on line..
Even though the unit comes with a comport cord, go with a dual 12v & com connection in one. I'm running it indoors plugged into a 12v power supply. Unit is also good on Battery life too.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
 not bad for the price, Apr 20, 2023
I have owned this unit for a couple of years now and have been pretty happy with it. The joystick makes screen navigation a breeze. I glanced over the manual, but really did not need to - the unit is very easy to use. Accuracy varies from 15 to 30 feet in most instances. I have had it reach 8 ft. accuracy a few times. Battery life is ok, but not great. Screen is beginning to lose a pixel here and there, but not enough to hinder usage.
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Good Unit, Beware of total unit life, Apr 18, 2023
I've owned my legend for about 1.5 years. I've enjoyed using it with Mapsource & Nroute for driving...and have used it hiking several times. It is a great unit for hiking...although, it is more of a reference than a compass...due to losing GPS signal under the canopy.
The downside? Having taken pretty good care of it, the unit's screen has gone completely blank...it won't turn on or off. It's only 1.5 years old...and is supposed to be built pretty rugged. I expected a longer life than that. The best part? Out-of-warranty products are $99 to repair -- for $30 more I can have something new....so much for that offer. :-(
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