Garmin DriveLuxe 50 NA LMTHD GPS Navigator System with Lifetime Maps and Traffic. ETrex Legend HCx, basemap, MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager.

Overview In the past few years the best GPS receivers have dramatically improved their performance in difficult reception areas. Their souped-up digital signal processors can have many thousands of times or more processing power than their analog 12-channel predecessors. This allows them to acquire and maintain an accurate GPS fix in deep canyons and under heavy tree cover where there is only a faint and highly degraded GPS signal-places where their older counterparts, with less sophisticated electronics, were useless. This new technology works. In one test in a difficult reception area, the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx, with a new high sensitivity receiver acquired 8 satellites and a 10-meter position fix in less than 30 seconds.

In the same test, a direct competitor’s best unit failed to locate a single satellite in over 8 minutes. Detailed test results are discussed later in the review. Small High Sensitivity Backpacking GPS?

Arrival of these new high sensitivity receivers would be cause for celebration were the technology widely available in the smallest GPS units for backpackers (i.e., units around 3 ounces). Unfortunately, most of the new technology has been targeted towards the high carbon-footprint automotive and marine sectors. These units tend to be large and expensive.

Secondarily, high sensitivity GPS has been introduced to the athletic training/performance measurement market in smaller units not suited to the navigational needs of hikers and backpackers. The most ignored portion of the high sensitivity GPS market is the very lightest units, with full navigational functionality, favored by the ultralight backpacking and hiking community. The introduction of high sensitivity receivers into the smaller eTrex series is a welcome step forward. For over 10 years Garmin has arguably made the best small handheld GPS units capable of supporting serious backcountry navigation. But given sales volume, they’ve been slow to introduce high sensitivity GPS technology to their smaller and lighter handheld units. That changed this year.

Garmin just upgraded some of their most popular e-Trex GPS models with high sensitivity receivers. These models are designated with an “H.” Thus, the e-Trex Vista Cx becomes the e-Trex Vista HCx with the addition of a high sensitivity receiver. Samurai warriors 3 wii iso.

As far as I know these are the lightest high sensitivity GPS receivers suitable for backpacking navigation*. While the Garmin Geko units are lighter, they give up a lot with their limited resolution black and white displays, a more basic set of navigation functions, no mapping capability, and less sensitive GPS receivers. Most other manufacturer’s mid-sized units are in the 6+ ounce range and don’t come close to the performance and functionality of the eTrex series. And don’t get your hopes up that high sensitivity GPS technology will come to navigational units in the 3-ounce range. Keygen x force xf mccs6 exel.