User Review: Garmin Foretrex 101

Garmin Foretrex 101
Above: The current Foretrex 101, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed March 22, 2006 by Phil

Rating:

Awesome tool! I received this as a birthday gift. Prior, I was a bit skeptical of folks relying on too many gadgets in the outback. Too many gadgets on a hike resemble working at a desk, rather than savoring the ambience of the Great Outdoors.

It's just another point of reference in addition to common-sense wilderness wisdom, and a savvy with map, compass, and altimeter. All GPS instruments have limitations, and won't lead you out by the hand if you're lost. However, a significant utility of these tools is fostering interest in, and bolstering navigation knowledge. I've always packed along a map, compass and altimeter, but rarely invested much time studying maps. This little tool is prompting me to take time and study where I am.

I enjoy it because I'm a died in the wool techno-weenie. I like entering waypoints, routes, and tracks, and then downloading them onto my TOPO software after a trip. There was little if any learning curve. It's the first GPS I've owned, and the manual and quick start guide got me going in no time. Gradually, I'm building a small reference library of favorite local hikes with associated waypoints.

So far, after multiple snowshoe and hiking trips in the sloppy winter of Oregon's Cascades, it's proved rugged and waterproof. Moreover, it's sufficiently small so I notice it little more than a large watch.

I enjoy and use all the features -- each serving an important utility.

cheers