I'm going to be purchasing a GPS unit in the next month and was wondering which one to get.

Here's the link to the iFinder:
http://www.lowrance.com/outdoor/Products/ifinder.asp

Here's the link to the Garmin Etrex Legend;
http://www.garmin.com/products/etrexLegend/

I "was" leaning towards the iFinder because it accepts an external antenna and accepts MMC/SD digital media memory cards (over 100mb on some cards). So if you need more memory, you can save tracks to a memory card. Plus, the Garmin puts their maps on CDs and then you have to download them, ...the iFinder has maps on memory cards and you just pop it into the iFinder. So you can swap memory/map cards in and out when you're on a trip or a vacation (no PC needed). The iFinder is about the same as the Legend, ...the Lowrance Canadian Topo maps are $100.00 more than the Garmin Canadian Topo Maps. The Garmin Canadian Topo maps have more detail than the Lowrance Canadian Topo maps.

So with the iFinder you have unlimited memory (i.e. get a bigger card), can attach an external antenna, easy access to maps (no PC needed), and good map detail, ....with the Garmin you have 8mb, no external antenna, need a PC, smaller unit, and have very good map detail.

Is 8mb enough? Can I upload tracks (to my PC) that I saved to the Legend? If the answer is 'yes', then I can assume that I download these 'saved' tracks back to the Legend so I can use them again next winter? If this is the case, then my PC will be my 'extra memory', ...in a sense.

Any help would be appreciated, ....thanks.

Originally posted by woodwurker620@May 14 2004, 10:43 AM
Is 8mb enough? Can I upload tracks (to my PC) that I saved to the Legend? If the answer is 'yes', then I can assume that I download these 'saved' tracks back to the Legend so I can use them again next winter? If this is the case, then my PC will be my 'extra memory', ...in a sense.

Any help would be appreciated, ....thanks.
I have the Garmin eTrex Legend and love it. To answer your question YES you can upload/download your tracks to/from your computer. I have never even came close to running out of memory space but I dont keep much things saved on it (always on the computer) except for what I need. The first time I tired it out I out on 140 miles and only used up like 8% of the memory. I also bought the MapSource Canada CD (not topograpghic) and it is some of the best money I spent. The detail is incredible for the most part but there are a few things that oculd be better. I use mine alot while ATV'ing and normally just through it in the outermost pocket of my bookbag and only loose respection in real heavy woods, where the trees cover the trail. I can't say if it is better then the iFinder since the Legend is the only one I have used but I have no regrets in buying it and defintly get the MapSource CD.

Thanks phat_cat800, ...I live in Newfoundland and I know the cities here like the back of my hand (they're not that big anyways), so I won't bother with the city MapSource CD, ...but I'll definitely get the Canadian topo map if I do go with a Garmin Legend (LOTS of backcountry here, very easy to get lost).

i also have the etrex legend, i use it a lot and i have never had an issue with running out of memory. Sometimes people think they need more when really they dont. But whatever you want i guess. Good luck.

I have the Legend as well and have had no trouble with the 8 mb of space. If you know about how large Michigan is, I can get about 80% of the state loaded onto the unit, thats using the Roads and Recreation disc which is also very detailed. Good luck with deciding, Jason

After researching Garmin, Magellan and Lowrance, ....I've decided to go with the Lowrance "iFinder H20". It's comes out on June 21. It has more of everything....