A few weeks back in the "how the hell did that bloke drift to Ireland" thread PD mentioned about not all GPS units having a compass to show a bearing when static. I commented my larger seat mounted portable had this but not my little old model backup Etrex which I've had many years.
While I was making an end of season check through my kit thought I might as well have a very modest upgrade. Ebay purchased (used) the next model up (Etrex Vista HCx) which shows maps like the old one but adds altimeter, electronic compass and a high sensitivity receiver. It's otherwise near identical.
Probably the biggest surprise was the massive improvement the high sensitivity receiver made. In the side by side image below showing the satellite screen the old yellow unit (they were both inside the house but next to a window) was unable to get a decent satellite lock even after a couple of minutes compared with the silver one finding nine satellites very promptly.
These old Etrex units are bargain used on Ebay. If you keep an eye out for a while a poorly presented basic one will turn up for £15 or so. Even a top condition one compatible with mapping with original box, instructions, carry pouches and lanyards etc can be found for under £50.
The non-mapping models will still lay a track and if you got caught out in descending fog or the dark you could track back.
Amazing tech in a pocket size at pocket money prices.
With these older Etrex models there is a bewildering selection of variants... Summit, Venture, Legend, Vista and then H, C, Cx & HCx versions. This web page usefully details the differences...
https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/...s/Older_Models
