Garmin eTrex® SE GPS

I got this GPS on sale. It seems to be a simple, reliable device. I have not tested it in the backcountry yet. The buttons are a bit stiff. I wish it would come with a lanyard and screen protection. Also, it can't display a map, but only shows the points you set/download. The compass looks accurate. I have compared it to my Suunto M-30. The readings were identical.

Absolutely amazing value - incredible battery life, stellar satellite pick-up, great tracking features. There are a couple of things that you should be aware of so you're not disappointed. It does =not= display maps. If you want to be able to use it to look at your location on a topographical map =without using your phone= then this isn't the until for you. However, you =can= download topo maps to your phone and connect to this unit with bluetooth while your phone is otherwise offline (airplane mode) and view a =better= topo map there. And since I only need/want to do that occasionally (when I'm =really= lost) I think it's a much better option to have almost 150hours (!!!) of battery life and need to turn on my phone once in a while. The Garmin Explore companion app on your phone is extremely user friendly -- both for using as a companion during navigation as well as for setting routes and uploading to the GPS for tracking completely untethered to your phone. The on-device tracking has both a track-pointer compass as well as a "map" of your path with an arrow showing your position and direction -- basically everything that you really want your GPS to do for you. One other thing is that the special screen is very visible outdoors, but -not- very visible indoors. When it's truly dark at night you can turn on a backlight and see things clearly. But the first time I turned on the unit to set it up indoors I was worried that the screen wasn't working properly since I had to tip it to a certain angle to see it in low light. But out on the trail, even in dense canopy cover everything on the screen is very easy to read. The build quality is very impressive -- it feels very sturdy. Honestly I think that I'd pick this over any other GPS -- why pay for a fancy screen (that's still not as good as my phone) with lower battery life and extra weight when I can have this thing? I really love it.

Good basic GPS at a good Price. I really like that the screen is easy to see in sunlight. Does not have maps on it this is just a GPS to use when out in nature or on a lake to get from point A to B. The unit is fairly easy to use and has a long battery life.

The GPS screen freezes and is not usable on every hike after an hour or two. Exactly what you DONT want to happen when you relying on it for navigation (safety).