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Garmin Foretrex 301 GPS

$149.95

(6)

Item # 790319

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The streamlined Garmin Foretrex 301 GPS sports a powerful new high-sensitivity receiver and a smaller design than its predecessor for easy wrist-top navigation.

Newly updated industrial design offers a smaller, lighter unit than previous models for increased comfort and mobility
Easy, single-handed operational system features 5 ergonomically situated buttons that intuitively guide you through functions
High-sensitivity receiver delivers fast signal acquisition and lock for reception in narrow valleys, dense tree cover and urban jungles
High-contrast 64 x 100 pixel screen with bright LED backlight for use in low light; dual-position display allows convenient horizontal or vertical viewing
For the mariner, sail race feature allows you to configure the start countdown sequence with audible alerts at each start phase
View route and follow it back with Garmin's exclusive TracBack® feature
Navigate 20 reversible routes; stores 500 waypoints with name and graphic symbols, and 10,000 trackpoints
Trip computer calculates current, average and maximum speed; plus, it tracks trip time and calculates distance
Computer-compatible design allows you to load waypoints and routes directly from your computer via USB
The Garmin Foretrex 301GPS features waterproof construction, rated IPX7 to withstand immersion in 1m of water for up to 30 min.
2 AAA batteries (sold separately) typically provide up to 15 hours of use

Imported.

Item 790319

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Garmin Foretrex 301 GPS Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Garmin Foretrex 301 GPS

4.8

(based on 6 reviews)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Accurate (4)
Great reception (4)
Quick signal (3)
Simple controls (3)

Cons

Best Uses

Hiking (4)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Enthusiast (3)
- How are you with directions:
- Great w/directions (5)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (4)

Reviewed by 6 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-6

Nov

2009

(14 of 17 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Ideal GPS for serious backpacker

By Revelo

from Reno, NV

About Me Athletic

See all my reviews

Pros

Accurate
Easy to use
Lightweight
Quality Construction

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Garmin Foretrex 301 GPS:

The correct way to use GPS while hiking is together WITH A PAPER MAP and a simple magnetic compass. You can't rely on GPS alone in the wilderness. The batteries might die, the electronics might fail, the screen size of even the best GPS units is way to small when you are seriously lost, like out in the desert. What you need from GPS is the ability to find your current location (waypoint), so as to find yourself on the map, record waypoint for later uploading to a computer, download waypoints from a computer so you can compare your current location to a desired waypoint. This unit makes it very easy to accomplish these tasks. Because it acts like an ordinary USB flash drive when attached to a computer, you can use it with Windows, Mac, Linux or any other operating system that support USB flash drives. The data format is standard .GPX, which makes it compatibile with all modern mapping software. The unit supports all the major map datums and also allows entering your own map data specs, in case you are using unusual maps (I had to do this with some Greek maps). The SiRF chip means it picks up satellites very quickly, much quicker than the Foretrex 101. Like the Foretrex 101, it uses AAA batteries, so you can bring along spares. If you only use the device to take occasional position fixes, it will last 6 months on a single set of batteries, or long enough for the entire length of the PCT. I removed the wrist strap and store the device in a belt pack when not in use. It is waterproof and quite rugged, so you don't have to worry about babying it. This is the perfect GPS for hikers concerned with maximum functionality and minimum weight.

Oct

2010

(6 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great Unit

By JuniperTrekker

from Richland, WA

About Me Power User

See all my reviews

Pros

Reliable Reception

Cons

Best Uses

Hiking

Comments about Garmin Foretrex 301 GPS:

Combine this unit with their TOPO 24K DVD software and you have an incredibly powerful navigational tool. Adding a basic gps with downloaded waypoints greatly improves off trail navigation.

Pros: Light weight—2.4oz (w/o wrist strap, eTrex neck lanyard added, lithium batteries), high sensitivity receiver, powerful navigation tool when used with a few waypoints and a paper map, basic and easy to use—not cluttered with too much electronic fluff, well built—has survived many drops w/o damage.

Cons: Unit software does not have tide tables, might not work with NG TOPO software, neck lanyard not included.

Dec

2010

(2 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

A great little GPS

By longpaws

from Murrieta, CA

About Me Enthusiast

See all my reviews

Pros

Accurate
Easy to use
Intuitive Menu
Lightweight
Quick Signal
Reliable Reception

Cons

Best Uses

Hiking
Kayaking

Comments about Garmin Foretrex 301 GPS:

I lost my Foretrex 101 and replaced it with the 301. Lightweight, accurate and easy to use. Now I can hook it up to the computer!! In addition to using it for wilderness excursions I also use it kayaking.

Oct

2010

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Everything You Need, Nothing You Don't

By Pacific NW

from Portland, OR

About Me Power User

See all my reviews

Pros

Accurate
Intuitive Menu
One Hand Control
Quick Navigation
Quick Signal
Reliable Reception

Cons

Best Uses

Hiking

Comments about Garmin Foretrex 301 GPS:

Like the other posters have mentioned, this is really all the GPS you need for the great outdoors. Having used a lot of various Garmin models over the years, from basic handhelds to advanced mapping units, the Foretrex 301 is just about perfect. The ability to connect the unit to the computer with the supplied USB cable and download/upload waypoints & tracks (GPX format) makes usage a breeze. My most recent unit was an Oregon 450 loaded with maps -- believe it or not, this gets more use. Simple to use, simple to understand, no fluff. If you are looking for a lightweight unit with great battery life, look no further.

Jan

2010

(2 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

It's a Garmin.

By JSahl

from Kansas City

About Me Enthusiast

See all my reviews

Pros

Compact
Reliable Performance
Simple Controls

Cons

Best Uses

Adventure

Comments about Garmin Foretrex 301 GPS:

As was stated in the previous review, land navigation with GPS should be done in concert with map-and-compass techniques. I am not a fan of using GPS for navigation, but I like using the Foretrex/Forerunner series because of their ability to only navigate back, not forward. I enjoy leaving the real navigation skill up to me when going out, tracking my progress with the GPS, and then using the GPS to simply guide me back. This allows me to maintain my skills with a compass and not allowing dependence on the technology, as is becoming the trend. The Foretrex/Forerunner units are very simple to operate, don't take up much space in your pack (or your wrist), and most use AAA batteries, which is usually the same batteries in your headlamp. The battery life is nearly the same as the lithium-ion models, but the life is extended when you carry extra AAAs, which you should have already. The high-sensitivity receiver in the 301/401 models make satellite acquisition much faster and more reliable.

Jan

2012

5.0

great little gps

By heygenius

from Stafford, Virginia

About Me Enthusiast

See all my reviews

Pros

Accurate
Quick Signal
Reliable Reception
Simple Controls

Cons

Best Uses

Hiking

Comments about Garmin Foretrex 301 GPS:

I'm basically a gear junkie and have several GPS units. I've had great luck with Garmin, but was skeptical how good this unit would be due to the low price. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I used this along with GPSMAP60CSX and this little unit grabbed and kept a signal as well if not better than the more expensive unit. It's definitely basic, so depending on what you plan to use it for, it may not have all the functions you want, but for a basic gps, I found it to be spot on. I'll never give up my better unit (unless I breakdown and buy the newer version...), but this little unit is definitely worth the price and then some.