Garmin etrex Venture HC or Cx

[gashley]

Hi all,

I am interested in purchasing the venture HC or Cx mainly for walks in the UK. I notice that according to the Garmin site, the HC has the high sensitivity receiver, whereas the Cx doesn't. Although the Cx is more expensive than the HC. Needless to say I'm confused! Which one should I get and why?

TIA

Gareth

[philpugh]

Usually I would say go or the most sensitive - but in this case it's not quite as simple. The Cx has a microSD slot allowing you to have additional mapping etc. Also the battery lif on the Cx is far superior (by a factor of at least 2 times)

The HC specs state that you can't add custom POIs - but the Cx allows this.

So the choice isn't that simple I'm afraid. FWIW I have a plain GPS60 - 'normal' sensitivity, no maps - but it works very well having a bit of difficulty with very wooded/leaf shaded areas - but my SiRF III based logger also had some issues in this environment - I suspect there was other interference going on at the same time. Given the choice beteen the two I would opt for the Cx I think.
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Phil

[gashley]

Thanks for the reply philpugh. I ordered the gps before reading your reply and have gone for the HC due to its increased sensitivity. The HC does have 24mb internal memory, so I assume I will be able to load maps onto that via USB. As for battery life, the HC has a 14hr life if I recall, so that should be fine for one day walks I do. Its my first gps, so if I find it useful I will probably upgrade it in a couple of years anyway.

Can you recommend any good map software for the UK? Notice there are a few free ones, are these any good. Notice you are in Cheshire. Do quite a lot of walks around Macclesfield, Congleton, etc. Plus the Peak District too. Recommend any good ones?

[philpugh]

I use MemoryMap and 1:25000 maps for my local area. I create custom printed maps from MM and load routes and waypoints to my simple GPS60 from MM.

I then go walking! I still carry a compass just in case. This process is no more time consuming than 'conventional' route planning with paper maps and the benefit is a neat (i.e. readable) route plan and customised map.

I've not used any free maps. I have the paper OSGB 1:25000/50000 maps for many areas I have walked in the UK collected over the years. I used to use OziExplorer and scan sections in for use with my PDA. It works very well - but it's illegal as I was breaking OSGB copyright!

Free tip: When placing waypoints using mapping s/w avoid the obvious place (i.e a path/track junction). Place the waypoint a short distance (20-50 yds) up the path/track you want to take from the junction. This way - when you get to the junction - which will be obvious on the ground usually, the GPS is pointing you down the correct path.
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Phil

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