Our GPS comparison table

Our Garmin GPS comparison

Bold entries with color emphasis are what we feel are the significant differences or notable features between each GPS.

Our point-of-view is from extensive use of GPS on motorcycles, mountainbikes and cars since 1997.

NEW GPSs
not yet reviewed

GPS 60C

(buy now)

GPS 60CS
expected April 2004

(order now)

GPSMAP 276C
expected April 2004

(order now)

GPS SP 2610

(buy now)

ForeRunner - (buy now)
ForeTrex 201 (order now)

GPSMAP 76C (order now)
GPSMAP 76CS (order now)

	eTrex	eTrex Venture	eTrex Legend	eTrex Vista	eMap	GPS III+	GPS 76S	GPS V deluxe	GPS 176MAP	StreetPilotIII deluxe
Price	$129 (buy now!)	$169 (buy now!)	$249 (buy now!)	$349 (buy now!)	$259 w/8mb and MG CD (buy now!)	$309 (discontinued)	$399 (buy now)	$399 W/Software (buy now!)	$499 grey (buy now!) $599 color (buy now!)	$629 w/128Mb (buy now!)
Map memory	NO	1 MB (no maps)	8 MB	24 MB	Unlim. (datacards)	1.44 MB	24 MB	19 MB	Unlim. (datacards)	Unlim. (datacards)
Super-detailed maps loadable from PC into map memory?	NO	"Points of Interest" CD only (May 2001)	ALL MapSource CD-ROMs including MetroGuide	ALL MapSource CD-ROMs including MetroGuide	ALL MapSource CD-ROMs including MetroGuide	MapSource CDs Roads&Rec, World, or Topo only	ALL MapSource CD-ROMs including MetroGuide	ALL MapSource CD-ROMs. CitySelect included with package	ALL MapSource CD-ROMs but not City Select or CityNav	ALL MapSource CD-ROMs including MetroGuide and CityNavigator
Number of Waypoints	500	500	500	500 (incl. elevation!)	500	500	500	500	3000	500
# of Routes / # of waypoints per route	1/50	20/50	20/50	20/50	20/50	20/30	50/50	20/50	50/50	50
# Tracklog Points	2000	2048	2048	3000	2000	1900	10000	3000	2800	2000
# of saved tracks	10	10	10	10	10	10	??	10	15	NONE
TracBack Mode?	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO
Permanent Basemap	NONE	No map. World city database only	Americas Basemap (details)	Americas Basemap (details)	Americas Basemap (details)	Americas Basemap (details)	Americas Basemap (details)	Americas Basemap (details)	Americas Basemap (details)	Americas Basemap (details)
GPS model (repeat)	eTrex	eTrex Venture	eTrex Legend	eTrex Vista	eMap	GPS III+	GPS 76S	GPS V deluxe	GPS 176MAP	StreetPilotIII deluxe
Display Size	2.1 x 1.1	2.1 x 1.1	2.1 x 1.1	2.1 x 1.1	2.2 x 1.7	2.2 x 1.5	2.2 x 1.7	2.2 x 1.5	3.1 x 2.3	3.4 x 1.8
Display type	4 level gray	4 level gray super sharp	4 level gray super sharp	4 level gray super sharp	4 level gray	4 level gray	4 level gray super sharp	10 level grey super sharp	10 level grey (or color!!) super sharp	bright color
Pixels	128 x 64	288 x 160	288 x 160	288 x 160	160 x 120	160 x 100	240 x 180	256 x 160	320 x 240	305 x 160
Antenna	BUILT IN	BUILT IN	BUILT IN	BUILT IN	BUILT IN	DETACH	BUILT IN	DETACH	DETACH	DETACH
Remote antenna port?	NO	NO	NO	NO	mcx YES (GA27)	BNC YES (GA26)	mcx YES (GA27)	BNC YES (GA26)	BNC YES (GA26)	BNC YES (GA26)
Waterproof	YES	YES	YES	YES	not really	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES
Screen Orientation	Vertical	Vertical	Vertical	Vertical	Vertical	Vertical and Horizontal	Vertical	Vertical and Horizontal	Horizontal	Horizontal
Backlit Display	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	bright color
MGRS position format**	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	???
Built-In Electronic Compass	NO	NO	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO
Built-In Barometric Altimeter	NO	NO	NO	YES	NO	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO
Celestial Info Page	NO	YES	YES	YES	YES	NO	YES	YES	YES	NO
GPS model	eTrex	eTrex Venture	eTrex Legend	eTrex Vista	eMap	GPS III+	GPS 76S	GPS V deluxe	GPS 176MAP	StreetPilotIII deluxe
Click Stick (5 position cursor switch)	NO	YES	YES	YES	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO
Battery Life	22hr (2AA)	20hr (2AA)	18hr (2AA)	12hr (2AA)	12hr (2AA)	36hr* (4AA)	10hr (2AA)	25hr* (4AA)	16hr (4AA)	3 hr (6AA)
Voltage Range	2.5 VOLT	2.5 VOLT	2.5 VOLT	2.5 VOLT	2.5 VOLT	10-32 VOLT	10-32 VOLT	8-35 VOLT	10-32 VOLT	10-32 VOLT
PhaseTrac12 Receiver (all same)	12 chan	12 channel	12 channel WAAS	12 channel WAAS	12 channel	12 channel	12 channel WAAS	12 channel WAAS	12 channel WAAS	12 channel WAAS
Mounts available?	greth 065-0030	greth 065-0030	greth 065-0030	greth 065-0030	gremh 065-0031	gr3h gr3s 065-0022 065-0035	gr76h 065-0036	gr3h gr3s 065-0022 065-0035	065-0041 065-0055 gr176h gr176s grsp3h grsp3s	grsp3h grsp3s 065-0039 065-0056 Locking
Our Comments	eTrex similar in function to GPS12, 12XL, II+ This lowest level Garmin GPS FAR outperforms old models such as GPS38, 40, 45 and II.	Venture A little step up from the 12 series. Great for hiking, and biking because it's small. (Check out the new RINO 120!) Does NOT have dedicated zoom-in and zoom-out keys - a major bummer for motorcycle use.	Legend A technical GPS with lots of map memory. All the features of the Legend, plus a pressure-altimeter and compass. But we don't like the clik-stik because you can't use it with gloves. eTrex series also has micro-menus and no dedicated zoom or pan keys. It's great for hiking/MTB because of the size. (Check out the new RINO 120!) Does NOT have dedicated zoom-in and zoom-out keys - a major bummer for motorcycle use. For use on motorcycles, (see battery tips).	Vista A technical GPS with lots of map memory. Great for hiking/MTB. For use on motorcycles, (see battery tips).	eMap $299 w/8mb. We use ours in the rain even though it's not waterproof. We have been using eMap on offroad motorcycles and it works great. Always use a vibration-isolated mount for any GPS on a motorcycle (see battery tips).	III+ Similar to GPS12MAP except better antenna and horizontal display. Fits best on Motorcycles. For motorcycle use these GPS should be run on 12v power, and the batteries should be taped (see battery tips). In most cases the GPSV is preferable to the old III+. III+ is fine for map areas of about 100 miles diameter.	GPS76S Similar to the "VISTA" but without the clik-stik and micro-menus. Classical operation is similar to the GPS12map and GPSIII+ series, which we like much better than VISTA (has dedicated zoom-keys). Largest tracklog memory (10,000 pts) of all. (see battery tips).	GPSV With 13X the memory of the III+, the GPS V is now "Best Motorcycling GPS". This is a very technical GPS with everything for the GPS nut, PLUS the great fun of turn-by-turn routing, which is significant, once you've used it, you're spoiled for life. For use on motorcycles, (see battery tips). The V includes "CitySelect" software, a $150 value.	GPS 176 Take two GPS V and stack one above the other =GPS176. Other notable features are datacard, 3000 waypoints, 50 routes, and large tracklog capacity. excellent for the long-dist traveler. This is a very technical GPS with everything for the GPS nut. Super-fast screen re-draw, maybe 10X faster than other Garmins. For use on motorcycles, (see battery tips).	SPIII New SPIII does not fit the old greyscale or colormap mounts. Very complete kit. Includes software, cables, dash mount and everything. Does turn by turn routing. It talks to you! "RIGHT TURN APPROACHING".
GPS model (repeat)	eTrex	eTrex Venture	eTrex Legend	eTrex Vista	eMap	GPS III+	GPS 76S	GPS V deluxe	GPS 176MAP	StreetPilotIII deluxe

* Utilizing Battery Saver mode
** MGRS = Military Grid Reference System
"Not really" = IPX4 = some rain, splashing water OK, do not submerge
"Waterproof" = IPX7 = Submersible to 1 meter for 30 minutes