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eXplorist GC vs eTrex 20


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We are about to buy my first GPS and have narrowed it down to either the eXplorist GC or eTrex 20. I just want a simple device that the family can use to enjoy geocaching. We aren't into difficult cache because we have a 4 year old. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks

The gc is great if your going to use the gps mostly for geocaching as it is set up with geocaching being the main focus. It also comes with a code for one free month of geocaching.

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Yes, they market the GC as "100% dedicated to Geocaching". I have one. As a matter of fact, I have one because of the "100% dedicated to Geocaching" marketing, it was bought for me as a surprise Christmas gift a couple years ago. :P

 

I don't know though, I'm going to have to sit this one out. I have personal issues I won't get into with Garmin, and will never buy another one of their products as long as I live. :ph34r: I do hear the Etrex20 is a darn good unit for the price, however. Is the price going to be identical for you, or is one a little cheaper?

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Having owned both units, I recommend the Etrex. Here is just a list of reasons I can think of off the top of my head.

 

* Etrex is being maintained with regular updates, GC has been abandoned development wise by Magellan. You will never see another firmware upgrade for the GC

* Etrex has GLONASS, GC doesn't

* Etrex will auto route, GC doesn't

* Far more free map options for the Etrex vs the GC

* Etrex has better battery life.

* Etrex looks better in the bright sun, GC is awful in sunlight

* Menus are much more clunnkier in the GC then the Etrex. You will be pressing much more buttons.

* Etrex will show you the nearest cache if you want at all times. you have to click around on the GC to show the nearest cache, then repeat if you keep driving

* There's many reasons why Garmin outsells Magellan 50 to 1.

* Etrex responds quicker with it's menus

 

And that's just a few... Give me a few more minutes, I can list another ten.

 

I donated my GC to our local geocaching group too use as a backup for anyone attending our meetings.

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Having owned both units, I recommend the Etrex. Here is just a list of reasons I can think of off the top of my head.

 

* Etrex is being maintained with regular updates, GC has been abandoned development wise by Magellan. You will never see another firmware upgrade for the GC

* Etrex has GLONASS, GC doesn't

* Etrex will auto route, GC doesn't

* Far more free map options for the Etrex vs the GC

* Etrex has better battery life.

* Etrex looks better in the bright sun, GC is awful in sunlight

* Menus are much more clunnkier in the GC then the Etrex. You will be pressing much more buttons.

* Etrex will show you the nearest cache if you want at all times. you have to click around on the GC to show the nearest cache, then repeat if you keep driving

* There's many reasons why Garmin outsells Magellan 50 to 1.

* Etrex responds quicker with it's menus

 

And that's just a few... Give me a few more minutes, I can list another ten.

 

I donated my GC to our local geocaching group too use as a backup for anyone attending our meetings.

 

Wow! They are excellent reasons. Now I have to do some more thinking to do! Regular updates would be nice. I was wondering why I didn't see any Magellan GPS units in the geocache store. Thanks for the reasons.

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Having owned both units, I recommend the Etrex. Here is just a list of reasons I can think of off the top of my head.

 

* Etrex is being maintained with regular updates, GC has been abandoned development wise by Magellan. You will never see another firmware upgrade for the GC

* Etrex has GLONASS, GC doesn't

* Etrex will auto route, GC doesn't

* Far more free map options for the Etrex vs the GC

* Etrex has better battery life.

* Etrex looks better in the bright sun, GC is awful in sunlight

* Menus are much more clunnkier in the GC then the Etrex. You will be pressing much more buttons.

* Etrex will show you the nearest cache if you want at all times. you have to click around on the GC to show the nearest cache, then repeat if you keep driving

* There's many reasons why Garmin outsells Magellan 50 to 1.

* Etrex responds quicker with it's menus

 

And that's just a few... Give me a few more minutes, I can list another ten.

 

I donated my GC to our local geocaching group too use as a backup for anyone attending our meetings.

 

Wow! They are excellent reasons. Now I have to do some more thinking to do! Regular updates would be nice. I was wondering why I didn't see any Magellan GPS units in the geocache store. Thanks for the reasons.

PS... the GC has been abandoned by the manufacturer, so no more updates for it at all.

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The GC is a very good PDA. It will hold 10k caches, all you have to do is copy the GPX files to the proper directory. It is weak as a GPS, however. It makes an excellent back up.

 

Magellan's service and support is cyclical, ranging from mediocre to very bad. It appears that they are heading for another very bad period.

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