Need Reccomendation for a Garmin Hand Held

 

I'm heading to Europe and wanted to take my Nuvi 265WT to use as a handheld. However, preliminary testing looks like the battery lasts only about 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Not nearly long enough for walking around all the cities we plan to visit.

Can someone reccomend a handheld unit that might do the trick for me? (I was looking at the E Trex 20) Looks like the AA batteries in that unit can last as long as 25 hours and the unit can be loaded with European road maps.

Is this a good unit for the $200 price tag and if so, where can I find a reputable online reseller?

Thanks in advance!

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Garmin Nuvi 265WT User

It looks good

It looks good to me. One of the Amazon reviews calls it the new eTrex Vista HCx. Other Amazon reviews will give you more pros and cons to this new model:

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-010-00970-10-eTrex-20-Worldwide...

As I write this, Amazon sells it for $187 with free S&H.

The only concern I have is that this is a new just-released model and if bugs exist, they may not be known for a while.

Are you planning to add a European City Navigator to it? If so, you may want to consider buying the map preloaded on a micro SD card so that it can be used with other Garmin devices--or even sold on eBay if your need is a short-term one. On the other hand, if you will use the map often and want the ability to get updates, you may want to load the map directly to the unit and buy lifetime updates for the future.

European Map choices:
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=6299&pvID=7876

(or about $30 less if you just need a couple countries) and about $40-60 on Amazon now.

IMO

I would take the 265WT and a A/C to Mini USB charger, on my 260 I use my wife's Motorola phone charger on a recent trip to the Bahamas and it worked just fine.

I recently installed new batteries on the 260 and get 5+ hours to a charge.

I don't think the Europe Road maps on the eTrex will be as good for walking as a City Navigatr you can install in the 265W.

There are reasonably price used 2011 Europe maps on eBay.

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Garmin 38 - Magellan Gold - Garmin Yellow eTrex - Nuvi 260 - Nuvi 2460LMT - Google Nexus 7 - Toyota Entune NAV

Rino

I like the Rino (520/530 HCx) series. While the radio capabilities won't be useful to you in Europe, this line also adds a rechargeable battery pack that I've found quite handy. I have a spare, and each one lasts pretty much all day. You can also buy an AA module for backup.

City Nav

flaco wrote:

...I don't think the Europe Road maps on the eTrex will be as good for walking as a City Navigatr you can install in the 265W...

As I read the specs, it seems that City Navigator can be installed and used on the 20:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=87771

It may also be handy to carry a 20 around if there's wet weather since it's waterproof unlike the nuvi. But using an already-owned nuvi would certainly be cheaper than buying a new unit.

It looks good

I actually ordered the European City Navigator SD card yesterday! Was planning to use in on my Nuvi, but if I get an eTrex, I'll just plug it into that unit! Hopefully, I would not experience major bugs that would prevent me from using it.

Thanks for the input on the eTrex reveiw!

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Garmin Nuvi 265WT User

IMO

I have two 265WT units; one battery lasted about 1.5 hours and the other one is getting ready to crater (now at 3 hours).

Looks like you get better battery time on your unit than I do.

Thanks for the lead on checking for maps on ebay!

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Garmin Nuvi 265WT User

Rino

Thanks for the reccommendation on the Rhino! I was trying to keep the price below $200, but maybe I can find a used one for $200-$250?

I like the idea of using AA's which are easily accessible for purchase when needed.

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Garmin Nuvi 265WT User

Need Reccomendation for a Garmin Hand Held

I'm amazed at how quickly I get a response here! You guys are awesome!

Thanks so much!

Mike

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Garmin Nuvi 265WT User