Product ReviewsGarmin eTrex Legend HCX Handheld

Garmin Etrex Legend HCx

This is an OK GPS. Smaller then then I thought. It does work OK. I had to DL the user manual. A little confusing - taking some effort to get it set up for my use. i need to get the better topo maps. It does track and play back. I have to read the manual a few times and try to get it setup. It is working - I hope with some more use it will get easier to use
The screen is nice but too small for my use. Its a color and does well in the sun light. I would prefer a larger display. Sort of a compromise between cost and size.

I hope to use this a few times this week, but do expect I will look for a larger unit and sell this one.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: pkrstr233

Great GPS for the price.

Still relevant in 2020, the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx can be loaded up with both topo maps and street maps. Pick your choice between following the highlighted route or even turn by turn directions when you're driving. The WAAS global positioning is accurate to about 2-3 yards within 2 minutes on this device so using it for driving works pretty good. It is primarily a hiking device, and a well built one at that. Download free topo maps from several locations online and store up to 2.5 GB worth of map data on an external microsd card.

The HCx stands for (H)igh sensitivity from WAAS satellites, (C)olor & e(x)ternal disk space.

The thumb toggle is on the left side of the device making it difficult to extend your thumb to use it. If you are left handed, this device was made for you. The rubber siding will eventually come unglued with heavy use, primarily in alternating weather extremes.

The Legend does not have a barometer or compass, but does save more waypoints and routes than the Vista. The additional features tend to eat batteries on the older devices, though, so a Legend is often a good enough device.

I find it takes about 2 hours to load 2.5 GB worth of data onto a class 4, 4 GB micro sd card using mapsource (haven't tried basecamp). Make sure you download Garmin's drivers and updates for the device.

Also note, the date will often be wrong AND unfixable on these devices by several years. This was an issue that could only have been resolved via returning the item within the warranty period and having it reset. Some devices, as mine, shipped with a date that is incorrect and unfixable so the calendar feature is useless.

The screen is small, but vivid and bright. I have no problem with viewing the screen. The maps can be viewed in 5 stages of detail, and the most detail does tend to load in about 15 seconds as opposed to much quicker for the lesser details. It is best to set your location, zoom in and then set the detail to most if needed to avoid lag.

This is a great hiking GPS for the price. No need to spend more if you are only using it a few times a year. Ask yourself how many times you're going to use this device in the next 5 years, it will still probably work but other devices will have come down in price for sure.Read full review...

Verified purchase: No

Good color GPS from Garmin

Like = The color LCD display on the eTrex Legend HCx is sharp and easy to see, but it is on the small side. I had to get another handheld GPS as my Lowrance iFinder Pro died, I'm having trouble getting used to the smaller screen on the eTrex Legend HCx though. The Mapsource Trip and Waypoint software that come with it allows you to create waypoints, routes etc on your computer and load them to your GPS, you can also transfer data back and forth using the supplied software and USB cable.

Love = It's signal strength is awsome, it locks into the satellites even inside my 2 story house. I like that it is waterproof and that you can add maps to the unit.

Hate = The installed maps are useless, not much detail at all for my area. I'm going to purchase the 24K Topo DVD map for my area for another $100 as I will get some additional road coverage along with the topo detail I really want.

Usage = I use my GPS for Hunting, hiking and Geocaching.

I bought this unit based on it's price, features and Garmin's reputation, I have a Garmin Nuvi GPS in my truck, and I'm happy with that too.

Do your homework and get the Garmin GPS that is right for you, there are so many different styles of GPS's out there with many different features, I settled on this one based on what I needed and wanted in a GPS.Read full review...

Very good GPS, but lacks accessories.

The Garmin eTrex Legend HCX is a great handheld GPS for the hiker! It would be better if it came equipped with more trail maps included, but the mico SD slot allows you to add content easily. This GPS is not for you if you are not very savvy with gadgets. This is not like the GPS in your car, and should really only be purchased for hiking and Geocaching. It also has a log feature that is great for keeping a log of where you hike!! Very rugged and water resistant.
Would have been nice to include the belt attachment, however the belt attachment must be purchased separately. You are given a small piece that is needed to attach the belt attachment to the device, but dont loose it, because it does not come with the belt attachment package THAT YOU MUST PURCHASE SEPARATELY! Anyway, I do recommend this GPS, it is a high quality unit that does everything it says it should.Read full review...

Great value in the GPS world

I have owned many GPSr devices from Garmin and Delorme. The Legend HCx is a great value when matched with quality Garmin maps and used within its capabilities. It offers many great features for outdoor enthusiasts with great battery life and auto routing with city nav maps. I have recently switched to the Dakota series for my personal and work use. The touchscreen makes these units very easy to use with the ease of carry like the eTrex series. But prices are still a little high and if you pick up a Legend or Vista HCx for a good price (100-150) it will provide most of the features of higher end garmin devices in a very compact package.Read full review...

It can brake when fall from a 30 feet height rock.

My second Venture. The first one passed away after a serious Mountain Bike crash.
Likes:
Does de job very well for MTB you can draw your track on Google Earth and go without fear. You can make you own maps an upload with Sendmap 2.0 software.
Ease to use.
Stiff on handlebar mounting.
All day long battery life.
Waterproof.
Very accurate.
Sd card.
Dislikes:
It does not have altimeter (its cool for MTB).
The bike vibration Sometimes turn it off.Read full review...

Useful little package.

Lovely size, good reception, easy to use controls even if I would like to have a button for flipping backwards through the pages. It's wonderful to have maps loaded in it, I got me some terrain maps and can't stop looking at the screen to see what the terrain looks like just beyond seeing distance.

Scrolling around on the maps to look at terrain farther away is frustrating because the processor just can't handle the load very well so scrolling is tediously slow.
The screen is very nice, I seldom have backlighting on because the passive reflection is enough to see the screen very well. Pixel density is quite adequate for this kind of usage.

Connecting to a computer and up/downloading data is pretty easy, especially with good GPS-software. I've been using EasyGPS and have found it to work fine.

I like that it is running on ordinary AA batteries and has a longer runtime than simpler models, 25 hours according to Garmin, which I think might be pretty accurate.

The big downside is Garmins insane refusal to have any kind of keylock on the eTrex models, yoou need to be very careful or use one of the tricks found on the web to keep the unit from doing all kinds of funny stuff while in your pocket.

All in all I like this model, it's one of those gadgets that I keep with me pretty much always because it's so useful.Read full review...

Quick Review

I have both the Legend Cx and HCx. This has very good sensitivity, and reliably picks up the satellites in my house where most receivers have really questionable reception. A little dated in functionality, but the best GPS to take hiking as a backup with a topo map. Just use the UTM grid squares (for the coordinate setting) to find your spot on a topo map. It is as easy as playing battleship.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: dwrinc

Very good GPS. The color display is great.

The color display is great for outdoor use. It is easily viewed while wearing polarized sunglasses, which cannot be said of any black and white display. The unit picks up well and has not lost reception under thick mature hardwood canopy. I have not lost signal anywhere yet. I bought this unit for use while hunting and it will work well for that.Read full review...

Garmin e Trex Legend Hcx

My Wife purchased this G.P.S. for me as a gift and it is one of the Very Best G.P S. Units on the Market in my opinion. I have used many other G.P.S units and this unit is very user friendly and easy to use. The Base Map is very good ( it s kind of no frills but still Very Good) Other maps are available for purchase and can be loaded into the unit with data chips/SD micro cards if you have the need for extensive topo maps. I have used this unit many Many times for recreation, Hunting, Fishing, Camping,Geocaching, and Travel. It is a Rock Steady Solid G.P.S. unit. I Love it. I Highly recommend it. Thank you. I Hope you find this review helpful.Read full review...