Etrex Legend HCx

[victorcharlie]

Are now listed on the Garmin web site.

It says it has a high sensitivity receiver but I don't know what this means.  Does this mean it has the same SiRf chipset as the 60 and 76CSx?

I did a compare between the two and the Legend HCx boast 25 hour battery life and the 60 CSx has 16.  If both units have the same chipset then why is one using more power?

[Siskiyou]

Garmin has had a history of using SIRF III chips in its high sensitivity gps units. 

http://www.sirf.com/products/gps_chip.html

It appears that the SIRF III chip continues to be updated into smaller units that use less power.  I believe the driving force for the smaller chips is the requirement for gps capable cellphones.

Best educated guess is the new high sensitivity eTrex models are using the newest generation of the SIRF III chipset.

[victorcharlie]

I sent Garmin an email a couple of days ago but got no response........I might give them a call next week.........My legend still works fine (or at least as good as it ever has), and I don't really need a new unit yet.......That said, I didn't really want to spend the $400 + for a CSx......and the legend is smaller and lighter.......and......25 hour battery life for the H series legend........

If it has the same chipset then I'll probably bite........

[victorcharlie]

Garmin returned my email.  The Hcx will not have the same chipset as the 60 or 76Csx.  I guess I'll have to wait on a field report.