Garmin eTrex Legend HCx review

I've had a chance to try out the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx recently. This is my first extended experience with an eTrex model since I purchased my first GPS -- an eTrex Venture -- many years ago.

One of Garmin's newer eTrex H-series receivers, the Legend HCx updates the very popular Legend Cx. The "H" stands for high-sensitivity chipset, to ensure great satellite reception under canopy and in other situations where you have a limited view of the sky.

Like its predecessor, the Legend HCx has a bright color screen and a micro-SD card slot for loading topo or highway maps. A great handheld GPS, the Legend HCx also autoroutes, so you can add City Navigator maps and a mount, and use it for turn-by-turn highway navigation in your car. The button layout may make it a little awkward for this purpose though; a better choice for dual use might be the Garmin 60CSx.

Compare prices on the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx

Step up to the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx to add a barometric altimeter and electronic compass. Moving down in the H-series line to the Summit HC or Venture HC, you lose the auto-routing capability and the expandable memory. 

Garmin eTrex Legend HCx performance

The new eTrex H-series uses MediaTek's MTK chipset, which compared favorably with the 60CSX's SiRFstar III chipset during my testing.

The Legend HCx also performed well in accuracy tests. In a hike in a local park with relatively dense tree cover, the accuracy was never worse than 23 feet.

The other thing I noticed in comparing this unit to my 60CSx was the significantly brighter screen on the Legend HCx.

Garmin eTrex Legend HCx layout

I doubted that I would like the button layout but, as Garmin usually does, they've made it pretty intuitive.  So let's take a closer look at that before we go any further.

These warrant a little further explanation:

• Power key - In addition to the on/off function, you can press and release to adjust backlighting, and view the time, date and remaining battery charge.
• Quit / Page - Press to cycle through pages. This button will also terminate the use of any on-screen keyboard or back you out of a menu.
• Zoom in/out - In addition to zooming the map, on any other screen, use it to scroll through a list or use a slider bar.
• Menu / Find - Press and hold to see the Find screen. Press and release to display a page's menu. Press again to get to the main menu.
• Enter / Rocker - Press down on this "thumbstick" to enter. Move the thumbstick / rocker right-left or up-down to navigate menus or pan the map. You can also mark a waypoint at your current location by pressing and holding.

It may sound complicated, but it becomes second nature very quickly. You can discover most functions in the field. The two press and hold functions (Find and Mark Waypoint) are the only ones you really need to remember. The rest is incredibly intuitive.

Customizing your Legend HCx

One of the great things about Garmin handhelds is that they can be customized to display the information that is most important to you. The hunter, geocacher, cyclist, and hiker will all have different needs.

A great place to start, and a fine example of the degree to which you can customize the Legend HCx, is choosing what pages to display and the order in which they are displayed. To do this, press Menu, then press Menu again. Then press Setup, then Page Sequence. The most useful in my mind are the Map, Compass and Trip Computer screens (shown above at right). Personally, I also add Main Menu, Satellite, Active Route, Find, Recent Finds, Routes and Tracks!

The trip computer screen has lots of options for customization, as you can see. Each field can be changed independently, choosing from a list of 34 options. A "Big numbers" option reduces the number of visible fields to three, providing an easier to read display, a feature that cyclists or the visually impaired may find useful.

Similarly, the compass screen and map screen both allow you to customize display fields.

I also recommend going into the setup menu and exploring each option.

More Garmin eTrex Legend HCx reviews

• Several consumer-authored Garmin eTrex Legend HCx reviews have been posted at GPS Now.
• Consumer-written Garmin eTrex Legend HCx reviews have been posted at Amazon too.
• Backpack Gear Test reviews the Garmin Legend HCx.
• A consumer-written Garmin Legend HCx reviews have been posted at CNet too.
• Garmin eTrex Legend HCx GPS reviews have also been posted at REI.com (click the review tab).
• About.com reviews the Garmin Legend HCx, giving it a 4 out of 5 star rating.
• A post about a first geocaching experience with the Legend HCx.
• A Legend HCx review from a motorcyclist's perspctive.
• I'll be posting more hands on GPS reviews as they appear, but in the meantime, here are some more...

Garmin eTrex Legend HCx resources

• A PDF version of the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx owners manual.
• Want to see how the Legend HCx compares to other receivers? Use this Garmin GPS comparison tool.
• I haven't found any message forums dedicated solely to the eTrex H series, but there is a UseNet Garmin discussion board and a good Garmin forum at GPSInformation.net.
• The official Garmin eTrex Legend HCx web page.

Compare prices on the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx at these merchants:

• Find the low price on a Garmin eTrex Legend HCx at GPS Now, where shipping is free on orders over $99 (and the upgrade to overnight shipping is dirt cheap!). Order by 5 p.m. Central Time for same day shipment.
• Check the current Garmin eTrex Legend HCx price at Amazon.
• Buy the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx GPS at REI.com, where satisfaction is guaranteed and members get 10% back on eligible purchases.
• Get a great deal on the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx Expandable Color Hand Held GPS Receiver at TigerGPS.
• Get the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx for an amazing price on eBay.
• Check out our GPS deals site for current specials and rebates on a wide range of GPS receivers

Recommended accessories:

• Garmin TOPO U.S. 2008
• Eneloop rechargeable batteries
• invisibleSHIELD screen protector
• SanDisk 2 GB MicroSD card

Related posts:

• Handheld GPS buyers guide
• GPS for hikers
• GPS for geocachers
• GPS for cyclists

Comments

[Beau Ellis]

I thought the Legend HCx didn't have a compass or altimeter, yet the screenshots show both. Does it actually have them?

[Rich Owings]

It doesn't have an electronic compass or barometric altimeter. But it does have a compass (you have to walk for it to work; the unit doesn't know which way you are facing, only which way you are moving). And it will report elevation via GPS. Not as accurate as a barometric altimeter but in the ballpark.

[Len]

Can standard digital maps produced by the National Geo Spatial Agency (NGA) be used in any of the Garmin GPS? Specifically, can I load Iraq maps for my son who is deploying?

[Rich Owings]

Len,

No, I don't believe you can use those. Here's a post I did on some Garmin-compatible maps of Iraq...
http://gpstracklog.typepad.com/gps_tracklog/2006/03/iraq_maps_on_yo.html

[TL]

Can anyone recommend software to link the track from the etrex legend to photos by time point?

[Rich Owings]

I like TopoFusion for placing them on a map...

http://gpstracklog.typepad.com/gps_tracklog/2005/08/geocoding_photo.html

But it doesn't embed coordinates in the photos' EXIF header, if that's what you want. A lot of people like RoboGeo and I think it does.

[Ale Couto]

Hello, could somebody suggest me some site for maps download ? I'm going to Catamarca desert in Argentina and I can't find maps from this place. Thanks.

[Rich Owings]

Ale,

Try here: http://mapcenter.cgpsmapper.com/catalogue.php?country=12

Here's another resource:
http://gpstracklog.typepad.com/gps_tracklog/2007/12/free-maps-for-y.html

Rich

[TJ]

Hi,

I have the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx
and I am into hiking. I am wanting to get software for my gps that is best for Oregon and seeing detailed maps of where I am hiking. Please give me some links. Thank you so much!

[Rich Owings]

Here ya go...
http://www8.garmin.com/cartography/topo/topous24kcard.jsp#map

Also, here's a great trail map...
http://www.switchbacks.com/maps/NW_Trails.html

[Rob M]

I cannot connect my eTrex HCx to my PC. The drivers are downloaded, the PC and the GPS are on and connected, but the PC does not see the GPS. What can I do??

[Rich Owings]

Rob,

I did a search on Groundspeak for a similar issue and found this...
http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=178051

It's a 60 series question and not an eTrex, but perhaps some of the suggestions there are worth trying.

[Wessel Raath]

Hi,
I have downloaded the street maps of South Africa via my PC onto my Legend HCx, but I cannot find it on the GPS's screen. What must I do?

[Rich Owings]

From the map page, press Menu > Setup map. If I recall correctly, this will bring up a number of options across the top of the screen. Scroll across till you get to the Map setup information screen. This will bring up a list of loaded maps. Place a check mark by the South Africa map. That's it!

[Mike Graham]

Hi, what is the best micro sd card for a garmin legend hcx? I plan on using highly detailed topo maps, but I've heard that the unit may not work well with 4 gb cards. Should I get a 4 or 2 gb? Is there a recommended brand or class?

[Rich Owings]

From Garmin FAQs:

"Although any brand of the microSD card should work without any problems, Garmin recommends using SanDisk or Kingston brand cards. The only exception is that the SanDisk Ultra II 1 Gb cards are currently not compatible with the X-series Garmin GPS units."

"At this time, the 2 GB cards are the largest microSD (Secure Digital) cards that can be used for the X-series GPS units. However, the X-series GPS units are not compatible with the San Disk Ultra II cards and therefore we do not recommend using the Ultra II micro SD cards with any of the X-series units."

More info here:
http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=187907

I *believe* you will only be able to load 2GB of maps, but can use the remaining memory for other data.

[Ben]

Hi,
I have the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx. I can log my tracks. Log has got numbers, alts, coords, etc. But track logs not include time datas. How I can set it?

[Rich Owings]

Only the active tracklog and tracks saved to a micro-SD card will have this data. Once you hit save, you lose the timestamps and it gets truncated to 500 points. More info here...

[Brian Smith]

I was wondering if it was possible to have Topo maps and City Navigator maps on the same micro SD card. Thinking then I would be able to switch between them without changing cards. I know that I wouldn't be able to have all the maps for the USA on one card, but I was hopeing to have just a few maps from each on one card. Any help would be appreiciated. Thanks in advance

[Rich Owings]

Yes, if you have the disc versions of both programs. You'll need to select the regions you want to load from both programs in one MapSource session and send them all to the card at the same time. You may be able to get half the U.S. onto one card.

[Ryan]

I was wondering if this Garmin came pre-loaded with maps of Canada? I live in Canada and I have noticed on Garmins site that you can download a Canadian map for $99. Could I just set up the GPS and go for a walk up here in Canada and it will show me where I am? If this unit doesn't come with Canada maps preloaded then do you know of a unit that does? Thank you.

[Rich Owings]

It does not come with maps of Canada, but it will show your location in terms of lat/long, or visually in relation to other waypoints you have loaded. I don't know of any units that come with Canadian topo maps pre-loaded, but here are some free ones compatible with Garmin mapping receivers... http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/21/

[Dick Cress]

My Legend HCx is on the way and I can pick up a Kingston 4GB Mobility Flash Drive Kit with microSD Card . . . and this includes a card reader. Will the Kingston 4gb work or do I need to find a 2gb?

[Rich Owings]

I'll give a qualified no. Here are a couple of resources that will explain the options: http://www.amazon.com/60CSx-with-4GB-micro-cards/forum/Fx1BGB9RLVJ8J6G/Tx30OVLDVOAP34B/1?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B000CSOXTO

http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=215069

[chris]

Absolutely great review - I actually purchased one a few minutes ago - but I am hesitant to drop another $75 on the 100k topo map - do you feel that it is a must for this unit?

Where can I get FREE topo or just detailed maps with points of interest (trailheads) for the NE, specifically New England?

Thanks,
Chris

[Rich Owings]

Here's a great source of free maps...

http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/

These will be easier to install and use with MapSource...

http://freegeographytools.com/2007/garmin-mapsource-for-free

I often search online for downloadable tracklogs of trails to transfer to my GPS. One of my fave sources...

http://www.motionbased.com