9xadStore

This garmin GPS worked nice for my Arizona hiking trip around the Grand Canyon and other areas in Arizona. I also used while exploring the Arizona desert mountains in a Polaris RZR side by side. It actually showed the various main off road trails, I was surprised! It came preloaded with Arizona topo map. The Map had all the Arizona trails on it that I needed. Prior to leaving the trail head I would mark it as a way point after clearing the prior way point. Be sure to clear your prior foot tracks from the prior hike before starting a new trail. It kept track of my route so I could find my way back to the car. Battery life with alkaline batteries was around 14-16 hrs , I left it on continuously to test it prior to traveling. I had it only set to GPS satellite mode to maximize battery life. screen brightness was at 50%. Be sure you select the type of batteries you are using under the system settings. I then tried using Energizer lithium batteries and they lasted even longer :) . The user interface is rather straight forward after using it for a few days around my home area. I did watch a few videos to make sure I knew how to use it properly. I am not sure why people give this device poor reviews. The buttons are nice compared to a touch screen. The screen is very easy to see in direct sun light on medium brightness setting. Be sure to bring a traditional compass and general map. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the area you will be exploring

I read all the negative reviews and felt since all my marine Garmin products functioned as advertised, the hand-held unit would too. Even after reading about the need to work through the base map and purchase additional hunting maps for areas I frequent (at $90 per), I took the risk. I could never get the purchased map to download. After trying it from two different computers in two different networks, I contacted support. They sent me a troubleshooting link that would not open. After tracking down the support article an following all the instructions (Twice), I was still unable to download the detailed hunting topo map I wanted.

I did get a refund for the extra map purchase, but wish I saved the money on the unit. a good old fashioned magnetic compass would serve my purpose with a lot less frustration!

Great GPS, but if you want TOPO, you will have to purchase them. Topoactive maps only show if you are in a rural area and are not very good. The GPS is excellent.

LET IT GET A SIGNAL BEFORE YOU START MOVING! It works as well as most. I took it on a kayak camping trip with zero issues. I have lost signal hiking, but they all do. The convenience of using AA's is great and it doesn't eat them like you would expect. Its great, just be smart and buy the glass protector.

I just used this to follow the Mojave Road in the southern California desert. Since I had previously downloaded the .gpx file for this trek, I was able to keep myself from wandering onto the many other tracks that leave the Mojave Road. This did save time. I marked the user interface down because there aren't many directions on how to use it. I did call Garmin technical support and they were able to get me going. There were contradictory statements on the web about what I needed. I did in fact need Basecamp. I suspect Garmin would save money on technical support if they included a few directions on how to get started.

Battery life is terrible ... only a couple of hours use on a full charge using the “included” rechargeable batteries! Not to mention the batteries drain down very quick when not in use ... dead in about 6 or 7 days. Do not recommend as the battery life is terrible. Fix this and they could be rated much higher!

After submitting the below review, I called Amazon and surprisingly they are giving me credit back. Because of Amazon's help with this, I'm bumping up my rating 2 mpre stars. Thx Amazon.

(Original Review) Very disappointed. Basically identical to my 15yr old eTrex, but for $150 more (on sale). Tried to make the best of it, but it’s now too late to send back. May have to donate it to the Scouts and start over.

It will be my primary instead of my back up!
I wish I had bought this before my Oregon. I actually wish I had two 64's instead of the Oregon.

Well made
On time