Garmin eTrex Legend CX Color Mapping Handheld GPS

Other products by Garmin

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2.2 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches ; 5.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000CSSHG4
• Item model number: 010-00440-00
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,021 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 2, 2006

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description With the Legend Cx, Garmin has updated a much-loved device with expandable memory on a microSD card so you can load optional map data for your hiking, hunting, and other outdoor excursions. Add to that a bright, full-color TFT display, automatic routing, and long, 36-hour battery life, and you've got a great companion for your next outdoor or boating adventure.

Compass indicates direction. View larger.

Displays nearby attractions. View larger.

The Legend Cx features a bright color screen, 36 hour battery life, microSD card maps, and more.

You can use the Legend Cx's memory card slot with preprogrammed microSD cards from Garmin (sold separately) that provide topographic maps, city streets, and nautical charts. In fact, the unit is compatible with most Garmin MapSource products, including BlueChart, City Navigator, U.S. Topo 24K, and U.S. Topo and Recreational Lakes with Fishing Hot Spots. The unit comes preloaded with an Americas autoroute basemap that provides automatic routing capabilities, including highways, exits, and tide data. You can even get turn-by-turn directions when you're driving, and an integrated trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more.

As on all eTrex units, the primary controls are located on the side of the unit, so you can operate it with one hand. An innovative rocker switch on its face makes inputting data easy, and with it you can scroll through menus or pan the map page. Fast USB connectivity makes loading charts and maps quick and easy, while navigation instructions can be shared with repeaters, plotters, and autopilots using NMEA protocols through the dedicated serial port. Additionally, the case is water resistant to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards (can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes).

Another key feature of the Legend Cx is the 10,000-point automatic track log; 20 saved tracks (500 points each) let you retrace your path in both directions. There's also a large-numbers option for easy viewing, as well as a dual-position display mode. Lastly, the unit includes built-in celestial tables for best times to fish and hunt, plus sun and moon calculations.

If you like the features of the Legend Cx but require an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter, check out the Garmin eTrex Vista Cx.

What's in the Box
Legend Cx unit, 32 MB microSD card, USB interface cable, MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager CD, lanyard, owner's manual, and quick-start guide.

Product Description

The eTrex Legend Cx is a versatile, pocket-sized handheld mapping product ideal for both marine and outdoor use. It provides a bright, sunlight-readable color TFT display and includes a 32MB microSD card for storage of optional map detail. Garmin preprogrammed microSD cards can be purchased, providing detail for Topo, BlueChart, Fishing Hot Spots, Minnesota LakeMaster Promaps and European streets. The 64MB microSD card can also be loaded with data from MapSource products like BlueChart, U.S. Topo 24K, Minnesota LakeMaster Promaps and City Navigator. Fast USB connectivity makes loading charts and maps quick and easy, while navigation instructions can be shared with repeaters, plotters, and autopilots using NMEA protocols through the dedicated serial port.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great GPS, August 22, 2006

By	R. Linder "Spitfire" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Finally, the perfect handheld GPS. The addition of microSD cards to the eTrex line has made the ultra portable unit the perfect companion to carry with you on all your adventures - land, sea, or trail. Although the unit comes with a 64mb card, I purchased two 1gb cards. When you own a Garmin Mapsource product, you are allowed to use it on up to two units. I already own Recreational Lakes and Fishing Hotspots, as well as CitySelect which came with my Garmin GPS V Deluxe which I still use all the time locally in my Jeep and on one boat because of the mounting ability and NMEA output. The GPS V, however, is limited to 19mb and is now utilized in the regions I most frequent. Unlocking CitySelect for the eTrex Legend Cx was simple at the Garmin website. I would recommend first updating the software in the unit to the latest version, which is now just a few keystrokes with Garmin's Webupdater software downloaded from their site to handle the large capacity cards. On one card, I have Recreational Lakes East and CitySelect for the entire Northeast and MidAtlantic regions. On the other card I have the remainder of the US and Canada. The cards are smaller than the fingernail of your little finger. The eTrex Legend allows you to enable all or whichever Mapsource products you want. When not using it on the road, I disable the CitySelect to take full advantage of the Recreational Lakes software. If you do not own a mapsource product already, then purchase CityNavigator which I believe Garmin has updated the most for the points of interest and new roadways.

For my needs, the Legend series is ideal. If you climb mountains, ski in the wilderness, or are involved in search and rescue then the Vista series would be better because of the more accurate altimeter and compass.

I really like how easy the screen can be read in bright sunlight. The battery life has exceded my expectations, but always carry some spares and you should purchase a 12V adapter for use when a socket is available, especially if you want to turn up the screen brightness.

If all you want is a car navigator, then this is not the ideal unit. It is pretty much a handheld, although after some fiddling around I found the best way to mount it in a vehicle is with velcro. There is an available windshield bracket. The 60Cx and 76Cx may have better acquisition in canyons or under canopy in rainforests, but the smaller size of the eTrex series will allow you to carry it with you virtually everywhere.

The more I use it, the more I love it. Hope this was helpful.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great all around GPS, May 23, 2006

By	Kevin Lemoi - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Like with anything I do, I did a lot of research before I bought this GPS. At times I confused myself ... so many options and models. But in the end I realized that I was looking for a GPS that could do it ALL. I wanted a color unit that I could use for hiking, geocaching and car navigation. Having recently moved from the country to the "city" I was constantly getting lost, so city navigation was something I really needed. I hesitated a bit on this unit because of the "screen size". Trust me when I say... don't worry... this unit is SO accurate with the City Navigator software it offsets the "slightly smaller" screen size from other GPS units. I purchased a vent mount for the GPS and I can see the streets and my location just fine. For a time I looked at the 76cx but realized that unit was physically too big for my preferences. Again, I wanted something smaller to carry with me geocaching. In the end I went with the Legend CX for several reasons, the color screen, small size (great for hiking) expandable memory card for maps and compatibility with City Navigator v7 (Which I highly recommend)
I received my GPS 4 days ago and I love it! On my way back from a recent geocaching event I got lost in Southern, NH. I turned on the GPS and it located my position within 1 minute. Thankfully I had made a "Home" waypoint. I instructed the unit to route me home, it worked perfectly. I went though back streets I had never seen before ... I thought I was lost, but no! This unit got me right home. The unit beeps once when a required turn is approaching and beeps 2x when you are less than 50 feet from the required turn. I purchased a 1gb MicroSD card and I can get almost all of the US (HIGH DETAIL) loaded. EXCELLENT. The reason I gave this unit 4 stars rather than 5 is because it does not have the new sensitivity chip. While geocaching I did loose the sat. connection under dense trees, but I think that would have been the case with any GPS. I paid $245 for the GPS, $35 for the 1gb card, $9.95 for the vent-mount and $100 for the City Navigator. So all together I have under $400 invested. Eventually (maybe) I will buy a street pilot for my car to get the bigger screen, but right now I can't see the need. The vent-mount works perfectly to place the GPS where I can see it. Great unit, can't wait to get the TOPO maps for geocaching. You can do a lot of looking but in the end this unit had the best size, color, expandability and mapping features for the money.

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally (nearly) unlimited storage in the eTrex line, March 8, 2006

By	tjz (Colorado Springs, CO USA) - See all my reviews

I bought this along w/ a 256 MB microSD card. Using MapSource US Topo, you can fit nearly half of the western US maps into the unit.

The screen is bright and easy to read while on foot, but it is fairly small for in car use.

Also, if you have the "Topo Streets & 3-D Views" supplement to the popular National Geographic Topo! line, you can transfer waypoints and routes between the GPS and the Topo! program. Just call it a "Legend C" and adjust the number of routes and waypoints / route. I'm sure Topo! will have a patch someday which has the Legend Cx in it by name.

It is very sturdy and being able to power it through the USB connection is very nice for at home and in the car use.