Just ordered my first GPS unit..

[writelots]

and after hours of extensive if not exhaustive research, reading thousands of board entries from sites like this one, practical backpacking, etc... I went with a unit I had almost zero information on. I figure that it's from REI, and if it stinks, I'll send it back. I'm excited to try something a little different, and I like that it comes pre-loaded with topo software, rather than streets or more urban-focused information.

The Lowrance Endura Out&Back GPS

Wanted something simple yet powerful, which would augment my already sufficient map-reading and route-finding skills (if I say so myself).

Anyone have any thoughts? It should be arriving later this week. Oh, and in case anyone failed to notice, the 20% off coupon from REI dosen't apply to GPS units. Figures.

[sneakySASQUATCH]

The only time it applies is when the salesperson mistakingly says it does. My old gps that I've had since before color screens got discounted that way. I just reinvested recently got the credit card for the 15% rei back $50 Garmin rebate and $40 rei gift card. Problem is this only works one time. Now you'll be on the hook for posting gps routes.

[big_load]

I don't know anybody who has a consumer-model Lowrance, but we've used their industrial models for years.

[DarthStiller]

@bart01

Did you get the oregon, Joel?

[sneakySASQUATCH]

@Stiller
Yes I did! I will actually get to do something other than register it in about 6 weeks when I get back from 6 week marathon of training for work. Had to do it while I could get the rebate and other offers.

[DarthStiller]

@bart01

I didn't opt for the credit card, but I also wanted to make sure I at least got the $50 rebate. i just sold my POS Magellan, so I guess I can count that as a kind of a "discount" on the price. I'm stoked because I figured out how to get topo of all of Serbia on it and even uploaded a track from a hike I did there last summer. Now I can't wait to go back again with the new GPS and mapping to check out some more trails there. I'm kind of in the same boat as you with waiting 6 weeks to use it hiking, but that's just waiting for my shoulder to heal. By July I should be able to get some AZ hiking data created with it that I can post on HAZ.

[sneakySASQUATCH]

@Stiller

[writelots]

Well, I used the new Lowrance on my Rincons trip, and I was pleased with the interface and the clarity of the screen. The batteries went quick, but that seems pretty par with these bright, colorful displays. However, I was disappointed that there was no topographic information on the base map that came pre-loaded with the unit. According to the Lowrance website specifications on the Out-n-Back:

Background Map: Preloaded mapping content with detailed hill shading, topographic contours, primary and secondary roads and key POIs

According to the REI product description (and from what they told me get all of their descriptive data from the supplier):

The affordable Lowrance Endura Out&Back GPS is easy to use right out of the box. It's ideal for hiking and geocaching without draining your budget.
Full-color, transflective touch screen offers easy viewing and accesses intuitive, straightforward menus

Preloaded mapping content includes topographic contours, lakes, rivers, roads, key points of interest and hill shading

Once I figured out that it wasn't just a setting I was missing or maybe a page I hadn't visited yet, I contacted Lowrance to see what they thought might have gone wrong. They sent me a one-line response:

There is no preloaded topographic information on these units.

So, I emailed them back, with the above quotes from their website, the REI's website and reviews I found on Amazon.com talking about the pre-loaded topographic and hill shade information. I copied REI on the correspondence, just because I wanted them to know what was going on.

My response didn't come for over 24 hours, and when it did, it was almost exactly the same as the first:

his unit does not have that type of preloaded mapping nor did it in any version of its release.

So, back the unit went to REI, and now I am on a review-writing quest to inform the world of Lowrance's deceptive advertising. Bastards. Now I need to start all over again. Ak.

[Tough_Boots]

oh, man... that is so disappointing. Did you find any other complaints out there about this?

I have a Garmin Etrex Venture HC and since its one of the less expensive Garmins, they try to keep you from accessing the full version of Mapsource but they're too lazy or cheap to create two versions of the program. Turning the limited version into the full version is probably the easiest hack I've ever heard of (even I could do it with no problem).

Maybe Lowrance has something like this, too... if you do a little research.

[azbackpackr]

I had never even heard of Low Rants (my pun ) before this discussion. I would never buy anything but a Garmin, even though they are a pain in the neck to learn.

[kevinweitzel75]

I will be buying a Garmin. I have a Magellan now and not happy with it. I think I'm going to save for awhile and get the Oregon 550T. It comes preloaded with topos. A little pricey, but from what I have heard, it's worth the money.

[writelots]

Yeah, I've started looking around again... I just hate it when something I'm so eager for goes awry - a second decision is a tough thing to have to do!

[PLC92084]

My lowly and antiquated eTrex is still performing admirably; i just have to work around its inadequacies... When I upgrade, it will be to a new-and-improved Garmin model (of course, by that time, they'll probably be offering an all-in-one GPS, phone, SPOT, television, etc. version...)