Garmin 2610 or eTrex Legend Color? [Archive]

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Hewhois

07-14-2005, 12:53 PM

Greetings,

I have been using my trusty Garmin eTrex Legend (old grayscale version, not color) for about two years now. It's been through some rough times and quite a few miles :) All in all, held up pretty good, lasted longer than my bikes, lol. Had it on all 3 of the bikes I have owned. For the price, a bit over $100, it was a great value, and I liked being able to slip it in my pocket when I left the bike. I did wish for auto-routing (especially when I go off route, or looking for gas) and also the greyscale display was hard to read sometimes when trying to see the route verse the major highway it was on since same grayscale level with each other, and from time to time I wished the display was a tad bigger or easier to see, and also wished for more memory than the 8megs it has. But for the price, hard to beat!

Lately, the display on my trusty Legend has been acting up. Horizontal /Vertical lines showing up, sometimes blacking out or blanking out. Tap it hard several times and it comes back. Also, the rocker switch doesn't always seem to work. Often have to switch the unit on and off a couple times before the rocker performs like it should. These issues, along with my wish list above, has me looking for a new GPS. Don't want it to fritz out on me in the middle of a ride.

So, a couple choices. Replace with same unit, or upgrade to a newer/better unit? Replacing with same unit would mean I could keep my current mounting and powering options on the bike and wouldn't have to figure that out again, nor buy more mounting stuff.

When I started looking around, I noticed that the Legend now has a color version with auto-routing and 3x the memory at 24megs! Almost the exact same unit, but with all the stuff I missed from the old version included, woot! However....outside dimensions are slightly different, still may be able to use same mount though. Also, not sure if able to power with same source or not. And, the display area is slightly smaller, although it would now have a 256 color TFT display. Since the display whould now be easier to see/use I'm thinking/hoping that the smaller area will be OK.

http://www.garmin.com/products/etrexLegendc/index.jsp

Then there is the GPS standard for MC use, the 2610.

http://www.garmin.com/products/sp2610/

Bigger screen plus all the other stuff I would like. 256 color LCD, instead of 256 TFT, thinking the TFT may be able to see better outside? The 2610 is also 2.5x more expensive than the Legend C. I already have the MapSource software needed to take full advantage of the Legend C. The 2610 would be able to have 2GIGS of memory vs 24megs...not sure if that would be an issue for me or not.

Also looked at the 276c, but seems too expensive and could find no mention of it being weatherproof?

SO, I guess what I am asking is this....Can you think of any big downsides to going with the Legend C vs the 2610? The only big one I can think of is memory, if I go on a long multi-state trip I may be wishing for more than 24megs. Suppose I could always sell the Legend C if it turns out I need more memory and then get the 2610.

Thoughts?

thanks!

Highrider

07-14-2005, 01:55 PM

I would recommend going with the Garmin 2620. There are no memory cards to deal with, as with the 2610, only an internal hard drive. I t has the entire US and parts of Canada and Mexico programed in the unit. I recently purchased a factory refurbished unit from GPS Discount (see link) for about $679 and am extremely happy with the unit and the money I saved. This unit fits nicely between the handlebars and is easily wired.
I have been using a GPS V for the last 2 years and the 2620 is a very nice upgrade (if you can get it at the right price).
http://www.gpsdiscount.com/products/index.html?p=803

tccox

07-14-2005, 02:09 PM

Do a search of this forum for 2620 and it seems that GPS units with Hard Drive units are prone to failure due to vibration. Course unless you're doing major cross countries is the additiona memory really necessary. My GPSMAP60c only has 56 megs o memory and thats enough to hold 90% of NC and SC and part of TENN (City Select 6.0 maps

crazykz

07-14-2005, 02:51 PM

2610 with a 2GB Sandisk compact flash. The 2620 was using a microdrive but I don't know if they changed that. Microdrives don't like vibration. Also not all compactflash cards are created equal. I've used a SanDisk with no issues. I've seen others use Viking and a couple other brands and end up having to reseat them a lot.

276C is as waterproof as the 2610 but it uses Garmin memory cards which sucks. If you want to be able to load all the maps and never worry about them again then the 2610 is the choice. The 276C has a higher resolution screen though.

Memory is my need because of long distance rides and rallys so the 2610 is where I went plus I love the voice command routing.

Curt

Mellow

07-14-2005, 03:49 PM

There are 2 basic issue, cost and memory.

If you plan many multi-state trips then to me the 2610 or 276c are the answer. I'd stay away from hard-drive options due to vibration, some have had failures and some not. I've got an archos jukebox mp3 player and it's still kicking but I'd never mount it to any handlebars, it's in the fairing pocket w/foam. It still skips from time to time.

If you aren't planning many multi-state trips in the future or if cost is very high on your priority list the send the unit back to Garmin and have them refurb it, will probably be pretty cheap. Or, upgrade to color.

I love the 2610 with the color touch screen and voice prompts as well as autorouting... having all the US loaded is incredible..

I previously had a GPS V, black and white glass screen, very clear and easy to see in any sunlight but the screen was small, the processor was slow (compared to the 2610) and the memory was limited.

I previously had the 60cs and it was a color glass screen, also very clear and easy to see in any sunlight but I changed to the 2610 primarily due to memory and screen size..I wasn't sure I'd like the touchscreen 'til I had it.

The 2610 is difficult to read in some sunlight situations but it's not like you can't see it at all, it's just got a little glare..

my 2 cents

Mellow

07-14-2005, 04:00 PM

Still trying to find a way to win the Farklemania 2005... that might just be the move that does it.. :bow1:

John Anthony

07-15-2005, 12:37 AM

2610 with a 2GB Sandisk compact flash. . . .

Memory is my need because of long distance rides and rallys so the 2610 is where I went plus I love the voice command routing.

Curt
Damn!! This guy is smart. Couldn't agree more with Curt. I've got a 2610 with 2 Gigs populated with US and some of Canada and I love it. We've got routes to Sturgis, Whistler BC, SunRiver Oregon, Gorge on the Columbia River, and Napa Valley plugged in and ready to rumble! All we need now is some time.

John

TexasDawg

07-15-2005, 01:20 AM

eddiemack

07-15-2005, 05:06 AM

Im using a Garmin Quest. It has a lot of the same features as the 2610, except touch screen & memeory. However, I can use it more places as it has a internal battery. I got the set up for the motorcycle delivered for under 5 bills. That's the unit, the software, the mount and the hardwire kit. Bought it from http://www.GPScity.com

Andy Kirby

07-15-2005, 03:35 PM

Another vote for the Quest, a great little unit, water proof as well but there are some delivery problems with the M/C kit right now.

Screen could do with being a little larger but for the money I love the thing and it seems rugged enough to cope with the bike environment.

Andy

SteveST1300

07-15-2005, 05:19 PM

Eddie you caved and got one? Nice see you in Sept. :03biker:

cerrmj

07-15-2005, 09:51 PM

Another vote for the Quest. I've had mine since Jan and use it in the car as well as on the bike. Have it RAM mounted to Larry's bar riser plate. Internal batteries mean you can program it in the motel room or in the house without plugging it in. Over 100MB ram means I put my whole Missouri->Grand Canyon->Phoenix->Carls Bad Caverns->Austin TX->Missouri trip in at once.
Bob.

Hewhois

07-15-2005, 11:18 PM

Friend of mine has a Quest and I played around with it some. Doesn't appear to be any way to view the current track you are making. Is there?

CaST

07-17-2005, 01:39 AM

I have the 2610 and you'd be surprised how much you can get on 128 Meg. Buy the unit and then see how much you can get on the card that comes with it and then buy a larger memory card if it doesn't meet your needs.

Hewhois

07-17-2005, 08:11 PM

Thanks all for the great replies!

Went with the eTrex Vista Color. After further consideration, decided I would like the barameter and elevation tools for when I get to ride the mountains. Electronic compass would be handy too.

Should get here in about 3 days :) BTW, www.gpscity.com (http://www.gpscity.com) seemed to have the best prices I could find.

Kempo-STer

07-17-2005, 08:26 PM

I have the Lowrance Iway 500 and I love it. It also has a 10gb MP3 player built in and I have it hooked up to the speakers in my helmet and it's great. It has 10gb of internal memory( the whole USA + space ) and I'm still learning all it's features. I got it on Ebay for $615 + shipping and have it mounted on the MCL riser with a Ram mount. Just an option I thought I would throw out,,,

I think this is the way I headin...1st gonna be the MCL risers and next year mount the Lowrance in between the handlebars...may be lookin you up for some tech advice... :D

CaST

07-19-2005, 12:50 AM

Hewhois

07-19-2005, 01:25 AM

The 2610 has a electronic compass and elevation. I wouldn't know what to do with a barameter except look up and say "look at that storm coming at us."

Was contrasting the Vista with the Legend, sorry, should have been more clear about that :) One reason I didn't get the 2610 was no battery back-up. I like to take the GPS into the resteraunt with me to look at the track and upcoming route.