Name: A. Good
Location: Portland, OR USA
Date: 2007-02-09
Customer Rating: - 
Summary: Decent system, poor reception
Comment: I read every review I could find on this product before buying it. I guess I should have heeded the "doesn't work well in canyons or in heavily forested areas" ones. Most of my hiking is around the Pacific NorthWest. Somehow I thought that I was only hiking in not-so-heavily forested areas. Apparently I was wrong. Even on the top of a smallish mountain, the highest point for miles around, I didn't get a strong enough signal for the GPS to locate me. I could see that it was getting a signal from about 6 satellites, but they weren't strong enough to do anything with.
So if you hike in the forest, don't expect this to be able to keep track of your location. My electronic breadcrumb trail was non-existent.
Also, Garmin's products are among the LEAST Macintosh-friendly GPS units out there.
Otherwise, everything else worked as advertised. But if I buy another GPS unit, it would probably be the 60Cx which has the better receiver.
The other problem I had was that the first unit that I bought (directly from Amazon, not some other retailer or used seller) had been opened and used. It was covered with pocket lint, was missing the screen-protector sticker, and the screen was covered in fingerprints. I also ordered the memory card that Amazon suggested I buy. Bad idea! It told me to buy a MiniSD card, but it should have been a MICROSD card. That's entirely my fault for not double-checking, but still, Amazon shouldn't have suggested it. That card was direct from Amazon and was supposed to be new, but had been cut open and used.
Luckily, Amazon customer service sent me a replacement for both immediately! I was happy about that, but not so happy when I opened the new shipment and realized that the Venture they sent me was even MORE used than the first one! The memory card had also been used.
Name: G - Men Fan
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Date: 2007-08-15
Customer Rating: -
Summary: Adequate, basic GPS
Comment: I recently purchased this GPS to use mainly on my bicycle, as I tend to get lost fairly easily. :) I also own the much more expensive Garmin 60CSx which is my primary unit for geocaching, hiking, and using in the car. I've probably been spoiled by my 60CSx, which gets excellent signal even in my basement (!) and locates satellites very quickly.
I've found that the Venture CX will only locate satellites outdoors, which to be fair is where they are intended to be used. But even in my car I have to hold the unit out the window and pointing upward to get a satellite fix upon turning the unit on. And even on beautiful clear days with no obstructions whatsoever the unit sometimes takes minutes to get a fix, whereas my 60 CSx takes far less than a single minute.
As with other Garmins, the base map is virtually worthless unless all your traveling will be on major roadways. Fortunately for me, the Venture CX uses the same maps as my other unit, which was actually a major consideration before I purchased it. Garmin will give you a second unlock code free of charge for an additional unit, so I didn't incur an additional cost. I have issues with their software, but that's in another review. :) Oh, and you can easily match your unit to compatible software on Garmin's website.
I love the USB connectivity. I had almost bought a different unit until I saw that it used the far less convenient serial connector. Does anybody use those anymore?
I found the accuracy reasonable, but not outstanding. I seem to be off by about ten to twenty feet approaching intersections, which is okay if I'm paying attention. Occasionally the unit doesn't beep to alert me of an impending turn, and I haven't figured out why yet. It may be that I'm taking two turns too close together.
Battery life is outstanding. The unit seems to be very well made and durable, and it fits nicely in my hand. The 'joystick' is somewhat awkward to operate with my fumbling thumbs.
As another reviewer noted, if you buy the handlebar mount, do not attempt to replace the existing battery cover with the one that comes with the mount. It isn't waterproof, and doesn't fit anyway. Simple screw the clip to the back of the unit and slide it into the mount.
Overall the unit works well enough for what I purchased it for, as long as I use it within its limits. It's probably fine for geocaching and hiking as well, but if you are looking for a automobile navigator I would look at one of the higher end handhelds with better sensitivity, or at a model made to be in a car. My review probably sounds somewhat negative, but I don't mean it to be. For the price, this model will fit the needs of many people who don't need a lot of bells and whistles.
Name: C. Goeller
Location: Tucson, AZ
Date: 2007-11-28
Customer Rating: -
Summary: 50/50
Comment: I purchased the Garmin eTrex Venture CX after doing a lot of research on hand held GPS units. I picked it because of the batter life, waterproofing, and price. 2 hours after I opened my package I updated the software (firmware) as suggested by Garmin. After the update my unit wouldn't even turn on.
I called Garmin, they were very cool, sent me my new unit next day. I now very much enjoy the unit.
Easy to use, many many many extra features. I would have given it 5 stars if not for the firmware problem. I have no problems getting a signal except in multi level building (duhhh) no problems in the car, outside, etc.
Name: S. Dennis
Location:
Date: 2006-07-19
Customer Rating: -
Summary: Bad GPS, already Opened
Comment: I haven't had good luck with this model yet. First one I received was broken. Called Garmin was told to contact Amazon as they would take 7-10 days to just repair it. Had a new one overnighted to me. Was sent out late so it didn't get here until after 8PM at night, Garmin was closed, couldn't get a new unlock code because Amazon sent faulty one. This next one I received was already opened, not even brand new like listed. Amazon also forgot to give me the return mailing label for the old one, as I do not have a way to print it.
Name:
Location:
Date: 2007-06-14
Customer Rating: -
Summary: eTrex Venture CX
Comment: The eTrex Venture CX comes with a base map preloaded. The problem is that the base map is not very detailed. To make the unit useful for navigating, it is necessary to buy the City Navigator map. ($139 for the map plus an SD card for about $30.) Also, City Navigator comes in several different forms and it is not easy to figure which one is appropriate for the Venture CX. I have the map on order, and hopefully it will be the right one and I can get some use out of the unit. Much more difficult and expensive than I expected.
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