Garmin Foretrex GPS

Hi all
This isn't a product review and I have no relationship to Garmin. I have had a few Garmins over ten plus years. I lost my ETREX Summit a few weeks ago and replaced it with a Garmin Foretrex 101. If you exam the name, you will see that the Forearm version is called a "for - etrex" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> but its a lot like an etrex with more bells. This is truly a geeks machine. There is one information screen where the entire screen is split into 4 subpanels that will display any one of about 15 different items. I have mine set to trip odometer, elevation, heading and time. If I push the down arrow it moves the screen up half a step so that it now reads heading and time, and GPS location under that. One more down push and you get GPS location and elevation. One last push and you get speed, so when you drive home your wrist is a GPS speedometer.

There is another page with a true north based compass heading on the left - for you compass guys, and mine is optionally set to display dist to waypoint and time. The thing is, all of these screens are programmable so you can get exactly what you want. Mine is set to never turn off the light automatically for night skiing. In the the night, you will want to have the buttons memorised. Even 4wdriving with the dog with the GPS on my wrist was good practice AND it worked in my truck on my wrist, which is an improvement in RF noise figure in a new chip-set.

The 101 uses AAA batteries so as long as you carry a few spare sets, you will know which way is north and your true heading, and where your vehicle is parked.

This is the first GPS I've used that was this handy - I hate carrying them in my hand.
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I wrote this to encourage people to buy and familiarise themselves with satellite based navigation. Practise at home. DO NOT try your GPS for the first time when you have become lost. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> and I highly recommend the wrist GPS design. Familiarize yourself with your maps and plan before leaving home.

I have had very limited experience using a GPS. This kind of goes along with your idea of learning to use it before you need it.

REI in Austin, is offering a FREE 2 part course called GPS 101. I assume they do the same in other locations.

GPS 101 (Part I) - REI Downtown
11/11/2008 6:30 PM
GPS 101 covers enough material that users who range from no experience to those with a good working knowledge of GPS use can all benefit and enjoy the course. The course is broken down into two sessions. The topics covered will include:

Essential Functions
Satellite System and Accuracy
Physical Characteristics of GPS Units
Pages or Screens of a GPS Unit
GPS Models and Features
Field Exercise
Mapping and Coordinate Systems

I have a Foretrex 101, and love the little bugger. I strap it on to my wrist, and there it is throughout the trip. I like to use paper maps, and then re-check my location with the GPS. So it's normally just there as a backup, and a watch. It was a necessity once when I got lost in fog though (fog rolled in while I was at a spring pumping water). It got my back to camp, well at least to within 50' of camp where my buddy's voice guided me the rest of the way.

“The 101 uses AAA batteries…”

Jim,
Thanks for the review. Do you by chance know how long AAA lithium’s will last? How well does it work in thick forest?
Thanx,
-Barry

Barry

I am still on my first set of AAAs so it gets at least a fair amount of time; lithium's are better especially for cold weather. I have not looked at any specs. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

As for forest - I have had it work well on my wrist driving the truck on 4wd roads under ponderosas. Thick maple leaves may be better or worse? It seems to be more sensitive than older Garmins though. And they seem to have worked out some of the antenna problems. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

And this was meant to be a "concept review" not a gear review, it simply required a piece of hardware for the demonstration. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have the 201, which is the same unit as yours (I believe) but has a rechargeable battery. The battery life in mine is about 14 hours. The only problem with mine is that if it goes dead, it's dead unless you recharge it. However, for day hikes or even overnighters it works fine.

I agree that it is pretty handy to have the unit strapped to your wrist and be able to see your progress at a glance. I have one screen with pace, distance and elapsed time and the other screen with clock and elevation. It even seems to pick up under a shirt sleeve although I haven't really had to worry about that in AZ yet.

Chad

I have a simple GPS. Etrex Legend. It is my second. My first was Magellan 4000 that I got in 1998 - advanced for the day, but simple at todays standard. My Legend is simple -- get lost, turn it on, get found. Marks specific spots. Track a route if you want to. Now, I like your enthusiasm, but convince me that I need a GPS strapped around my wrist. Not to mention the extra batteries I would need to keep it going if I did have it on most of the day.

Like Chad I have a 201 and get about the same time for the battery.

Now having said that, this is not the GPS to buy for use in tree cover. In subalpine/alpine/desert/tundra it is great. But in trees it skips.

As well, take the time to get all the satellites and "3-D GPS" before heading out. If you have that before you get going it seems to drop less often.

For dayhiking/overnights I use mine often (2 years now). It has what I need - to tell me where I am, when the sun goes up and down and how fast I am going, miles, etc. and nothing more

I also use a Garmin Foretrex 101. I've been using it for 2 years and think it's great! I typically only turn it on to mark a waypoint or find one that I've previuosly loaded. Fresh batteries will last all day if I leave it on for tracking. The weight is good and I like the Velcro strap. I usually strap mine to my camera strap.

Don

Yeah, I forgot - I often strap mine onto my sternum strap - so I can read it when I look down. Works well that way. And it is always pointing up as well - better for reception.

Sarbar

I actually like it on my wrist because I hate to hold it in my hand and often I am skiing with poles or hiking with poles and holding any other GPS is a drag. If I swing it right in front of me then the perspective it shows is the actual "layout" ahead of me. I can program the back light to stay on and the combination of wrist mount and back light makes it good for night skiing cross country.
Jim

Jim, I've always been a map & compass guy, but just got a garmin etrexhc and have spent the last few days learning to use it. So far I love it. I like the wrist idea. I think that garmin must have really improved the reception of their product. I can pick up satelites lying in my bed next to a window with the blinds closed. And so far I've never lost the signal unless I put it in my pocket.

I got one for christmas and I really like it, however there are a couple things that absolutely bug me about it.

The wrist strap is horrible. The adjustment is either too tight, or too loose (with the addon) - and the way its secured to the GPS is poor. It uses the spring bars like on watches..if I give it a good tug the GPS will come off the strap - not good.

That wouldnt be as big of a deal if they had included a lanyard loop...which they didnt.

I hate the non-USB cable as well.

That being said, great GPS. Cheap, good battery life, small.