help with etrex

[afcbrichard]

I am looking to buya gps and am looking to buy a basic handheld. I am still happy to use hard copy maps and therefore am looking for the cheapest option for a model that gives me basic grid references. I would buy the basic etrex if I knew that the receiver was the same as the other more expensive models as i do not want frequent drop outs under trees. Can anyone give me some advice as to which model to buy, I do not need mapping. Thanks

[Frabble]

I don't have one of these, but if you want Garmin, basic handheld and high sensitivity receiver then the model you want is the eTrex H

[afcbrichard]

Frabble,

Thanks for the response, do you know if the receiver in the basic etrexH is the same receiver as that in the more expensive models?

[Frabble]

Yes, the Garmin H series uses the high sensitivity MTK receiver chipset, from the eTrex H to the eTrex Vista HCx

[afcbrichard]

Thanks,

Out of interest how does the performace of the MTK chipset compare to the SiRF Star III GPS chipset?

[Frabble]

I don't have an MTK unit to compare with but a Google search "MTK vs SIRF" throws up some comparisons. The impression I get is that both chipsets perform well with some slight differences with first lock time, sensitivity and tracking but the MTK wins because it uses less power.

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