The main menu. View larger.

Current position display. View larger.

Point of interest information page. View larger.

The Garmin eTrex Venture provides easy-to-use GPS navigation in the palm of your hand. View larger.

Text was very easy to read--highlights are discernible and menu bars and clickable objects are well defined. The unit also has an excellent backlight, which illuminates the whole screen with a white light, giving excellent contrast and viewing capability at night.

The Venture's interface is split into five different pages, each providing different functions. The main menu page gives you access to your saved routes and tracks, as well as setup for using WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation Service) reception, unit measurement, time, and display. These are all quickly rotated through with the click of the Page button on the right-hand side of the unit.

The map page displays the basemap included with the Venture, and for outdoor excursions it provides all the basics you'll need. It automatically tracks your movements and you can save individual tracks for later viewing. The map is zoomable from 500 miles to 20 feet depending on your preferences. You can place waypoints and places of interest on the map and name and change the icons of each to create your own personalized maps. If you decide you want to go somewhere, press the Find button and you'll get quick access to waypoints, your favorites list, and nearby cities.

The Venture features 1 MB of memory for downloading points-of-interest data--including lodging, business services, banks, and more--from optional CD-ROMs via the included PC cable. Unfortunately, for more detailed mapping you'll need to look to the Garmin eTrex Legend or Vista, both of which have larger memory capacities and the ability to download detailed maps.

Reception was, of course, best outside on a clear day, but the Venture retained most of its functionality under limited cover like small buildings or thick trees.

All in all, the Garmin eTrex Venture is a nifty little GPS tool and is ready to roll for your outdoor adventure. However, if you're looking to use more detailed map data with your GPS, the Garmin eTrex Vista or Legend would be a better choice. --Matt Deffer

Pros:

Cons:

Roughly the size and shape of a cell phone, the Venture has six buttons that are easily accessible by thumb and forefinger. The Power, Page, Zoom In, Zoom Out, and Find buttons are along the side, with the big-daddy navigation button (a directional click-button akin to a thumb-operated joystick) on the front above the screen. The side buttons are stiff enough that it's nearly impossible to accidentally push one. However, we found the navigation button to be a bit too stiff, which caused us several errors in entering waypoints.

Text was very easy to read--highlights are discernible and menu bars and clickable objects are well-defined. The unit also has an excellent backlight, which illuminates the whole screen with a white light, giving excellent contrast and viewing capability at night.

The Venture's interface is split into five different pages, each providing different functions. The main menu page gives you access to your saved routes and tracks, as well as setup for using WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation Service) reception, unit measurement, time, and display. These are all quickly rotated through with the click of the Page button on the right-hand side of the unit.

The map page displays the basemap included with the Venture, and for outdoor excursions it provides all the basics you'll need. It automatically tracks your movements and you can save individual tracks for later viewing. The map is zoomable from 500 miles to 20 feet depending on your preferences. You can place waypoints and places of interest on the map and name and change the icons of each to create your own personalized maps. If you decide you want to go somewhere, press the Find button and you'll get quick access to waypoints, your favorites list, and nearby cities.

The Venture features 1 MB of memory for downloading points-of-interest data--including lodging, business services, banks, and more--from optional CD-ROMs via the included PC cable. Unfortunately, for more detailed mapping you'll need to look to the Garmin eTrex Legend or Vista, both of which have larger memory capacities and the ability to download detailed maps.

Reception was, of course, best outside on a clear day, but the Venture retained most of its functionality under limited cover like small buildings or thick trees.

All in all, the Garmin eTrex Venture is a nifty little GPS tool and is ready to roll for your outdoor adventure. However, if you're looking to use more detailed map data with your GPS, the Garmin eTrex Vista or Legend would be a better choice. --Matt Deffer

Pros:

• Intuitive interface
• Clear, easy-to-read display
• Create waypoints at key locations for easy navigation
• Included PC cable for downloading firmware upgrades and maps

• 1 MB memory only accepts points-of-interest data

I only have a couple of real beefs with it -

1: the unit eats batteries like candy if it's constantly on, _especially_ if you use the backlight. Invest in rechargeable batteries.

2: the display plate is thin ABS plastic and I'm worried about a sharp object or a good crack shattering the glass;

3: The LCD display is also hard to read in poor light (specifically by car dome light at night), but there is a backlight;

4: It is complete BS that you can't enter your own data via a PC interface without buying that Garmin map software.

None of these beefs are particularly troublesome. I chose the Venture because it seemed the best compromise between price and functionality. I would recommend it for anyone as a first GPS, I think the mapping functionality is great for travelers.


Used for both kayaking and geocaching   August 8, 2004
 27 out of 27 found this review helpful

I purchased the Garmin Venture a year ago. I have used it on several 20 mile kayaking trips down a river and this past April used it for a 135 mile river trip. It was extremely accurate and we not only knew where we were, but how far it was to the next landing or landmark.

It did take some time to learn how to operate the unit. The instructions were not as clear as I would have liked but trial and error is a great teacher. I had a friend who got me interested in geocaching and that really helped me learn how to use all of the Venture's features. It is easy to upgrade from the Garmin website and to also download maps from the Mapsource CD-ROM's. It is kind of like learning to use a computer. Don't be afraid to try something. You won't hurt it.

I usually average 18+ hours on a pair of batteries. I also purchased a power cord so that I could use it in my vehicle. I just plug it in and wedge the GPS between the windshield and dashboard and follow the arrow to the next geocache.

I have been impressed with the toughness of this unit. I have dunked it in the river, dropped it, and generally given it a rough time. I would recommend this to someone who is interested in a GPS but does not want to invest a lot of money.


just what a rock climber / hiker needs   April 16, 2001
 26 out of 28 found this review helpful

Don't know exactly what type of GPS device you need? Well, if you're a hiker/climber, then this is the one. The model below it is too simple, and the ones above it are too much. The eTrex Venture gives you everything you need to navigate and keep track of your exact position. SA (Selective Availability) is gone. And, the differential correction associated with this device is good enough! I was able to keep track of my position/speed/elevation/bearing from the moment I left my house driving through the city and into the parks where I climb/hike. The details are great for road travel and the trails. If you don't care too much about exact road points with street names, the Venture works great. Waypoint tracking: simple. Track logs: simple. With its 1M of memory, it's enough to log and trackback your routes and do whatever you want with them! Plus, you can't beat the sleek design!


Impressed!   October 9, 2001
 24 out of 26 found this review helpful

I have been using a Garmin 195 GPS for flying for the past 4 years and have been really impressed. But when I acquired the Etrex Venture about a month ago (picked up used at Amazon at a great savings!)it is amazing the progress in electronics. When comparing the two units inside the house the Garmin 195 would never even get usable signal to navigate while the Venture would be ready to navigate in less than 30 seconds. The accuracy is incredible including the elevation readout which so far had been very consistent and I have been getting about 20 hours of battery life when in the "Battery Saver" mode which I am in 90 percent of the time. This is one of the easiest GPS to use, very "user friendly" and for people whose eyes are getting older the screen can be set up to show large numbers which is much appreciated even the backlight is bright! The unit works in every car I own with no problems, I wedge the unit in front of the speedometer on the Camry and Dodge pickup. It works on the front seat of a 90'Plymouth Acclaim. Make certain that you go to the Garmin website for the lastest software updates currently (2.29) the version I started out with was 2.20 vast improvements have been made to the unit. The new MapResource "points of interest" CD is a great addition to the versatility of the Venture adding cities, landmark and marine details that are not including in the original database. I thought that 1meg of memory would not be enough (do you ever have enough?)but found that it is sufficient for most needs. Living in the East bay of SF I have loaded the unit with all cities (most of northern and central california), businesses(which includes the address and phone number), landmarks and marine to cover from Richmond, ca to San Jose. I recommend Wolfe PC cable and 12 volt adapters with can be purchased on the net in lieu of the Garmin adapter cables. I highly recommend the Venture, however I would like the Etrex Vista but don't want to spend 3 times the price just for the moving map and 24meg of memory.


Great GPS receiver for basic hiking and backpacking.   December 28, 2004
 22 out of 22 found this review helpful

I returned a Cobra GPS 100 and upgraded to the eTrex Venture for the extra money. What a difference only a few dollars more can make! this is my first GPS unit ever, and I had no problems picking everything up within a day.

For starters, it only took about two minutes to locate a satellite for the first time (supposed to take up to five) and averages about 30 seconds to locate one in general. The screen resolution is easy to read and the options for customizing the map make it even easier if you have trouble reading small text. The waypoint markers are easy to define and edit. The compass seems to be very quick in picking up your movements. Almost everything is customizable giving you endless options for your specific use for the GPS unit. The unit is comfortable in the hand, although some of the buttons are a little stiff at first.

My satellite reception is excellent. I took it hiking in 40F rain and hail (obviously very overcast) and only lost reception once while walking under heavy tree cover. On the way home I placed it on the dashboard and it tracked me 33 miles home without losing reception once. This was in 500 ft visibility fog on a one lane curvy mountain road. This unit definitely gets the job done.

My only gripes are there's no beep or sound when it loses reception and you have to press enter to acknowledge you have lost reception, thus it begins tracking you again. So if you hike by turning the unit on and placing it in your backpack, or even on your belt, you could have lost reception and not known it, and because you haven't acknowledged the unit, it's not tracking you anymore (as far as I can tell).

Other than that, this unit works perfect for getting you in and out of areas where there's no trails and finding that perfect spot to spend the night or fish and hunt.