The Garmin GPS 72 is the lowest priced model that has all the basic (non-mapping) features I was looking for. It is waterproof and floats. It has WAAS capability, which means it is accurate to about 10 feet. Where I live I haven't been able to use WAAS, but it still accurate to about 16-20 feet. Close enough. It has a quadrifilar antenna, which is supposed to work better under dense forests. It also means the unit works better when you hold it vertically instead of horizontally. The display is 120X160 pixels, which wouldn't be that great for a unit with mapping capability, is sharp and clear enough to use even while driving (though try to keep your eyes on the road). While it doesn't have a built in base map, it does have the locations of cities worldwide with a population of more than 200,000. For hiking, geocaching and finding your way back to your car, it's more than adequate. It has some cool features, like the estimated time you will arrive at your destination and it allows you to customize what information gets displayed on the screen. It looks and feels solid and professional (a little stripped down, but this is supposed to be a base model). brYes, it would be nice if it had mapping capability, could connect to an external antenna, included a pc cable and had an electronic compass, but all this really isn't necesssary. It will tell you want direction for are going, but you have to be moving. If you stand in the same spot and turn around, it won't update your direction. Is that important? I carry a compass in addition to my gps. You're always supposed to have back up navigation, anyway. Battery life is around 12-15 hours if you use it continuously, but it saves all your information even you take the batteries out. The size is bigger than an e-trex, but it still fits in a jacket pocket. The buttons were all on the front and easy to use. It would be nice if it were a little smaller, but for the price, it was what I needed, no more and no less. Remember, if you want a GPS unit mainly for driving, pay the extra money and get one with mapping capability.

This is a great GPS, probably the best I've ever used. I started with GPS in 1997 with the Garmin GPS 38, and three years later purchased an eTrex. I was satisfied with that, but when I heard about the added features of the 72, I went ahead and bought it to replace the eTrex. It is far more powerful than the eTrex and easier to use. The 72 makes excellent use of its dedicated zoom and menu keys. These alone make this unit quicker and easier to operate than some entry-level units. The display is of higher resolution which makes things like track lines more precise--a real problem on the eTrex, on which the track appeared as a thick black line that didn't show many meanders or fine movements. Many of the software features that the GPS 38 had, but the eTrex didn't, are included here, such as the ability to measure distance between waypoints, pan on the map page, and time-stamp marked points. The receiver in the 72 is very hot and sometimes gets you a fix within seconds. The software is apparently upgradeable and the receiver is WAAS-enabled, so it's ready for the next generation of navigation. Like most GPS units it's completely waterproof and it's worked for me under very unfavorable conditions. The third GPS I've owned and probably the last one I'll ever need to buy. Another job well done by Garmin.

Have used the GPS72 now for 4 months. It has been a pleasure to use. The Garmin operating system is is easy to follow and the prompts make it unnecessary to carry the manual to use all of the features. So far it is waterproof as advertised as it lives in my canoes and while not fully submerged is subject to splash and spray every time it is out. Approximately 66 hours of use to data and am totally happy.

I have tried a Etrex Vista, Sportmap, and a Gekko but I bought a Garmin 72. I like the 72 for use on my kayak where I can use the large screen to see my speed three feet away. This unit has been put through the ringer and it just keeps working. I don't miss the mapping at all.

I got this mainly for boating and fishing. I wanted cheap and didn't have my heart set on a lot of features. That said, I was a little disappointed to see that I couldn't even upload basic geographical data, like lake outlines or major roads. Also, if the batteries get even slightly low, it locks up regularly. It can be very frustrating. Also, I would much rather have a USB or some other interface for transferring data because it can be difficult finding a computer that has a 15-pin serial port on it. I was aware of this when I bought it, but am regretting it now.
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br /On the good side, it works, it's very solid and has a nice interface. For what I use it for it does the job. If you're looking to buy a new one, I would recommend spending a little more and getting the next model up.

This is the third gps I have owned since 1990, the first cost north of 700 dollars. It was great but nothing compared to this new Garmin 72.
br /The model 72 is not for someone who wants to navigate thru cities. It is primarialy for basic navigation using entered waypoints. I live on a large stump filled lake and navigation must be precise. I plot my routes to navigate thru the stumps and trees.It's cheap and very reliable. I would highly recommend it to fisherman especially.
br /Gene Guthan
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As electronic-products evolve, older products like this become an economical path to more basic functions. This one is a great "time distance" GPS, with limited other abilities like backtracking, sunset/sunrise data, and tide tables (I still don't know how they do this one). I use it on a sea kayak, for things like figuring out upstream lines where there's less current (hard to discern by eye) and generally for inland waters this feature-set is quite adequate. (Still learning how to manage rechargeable NiCad batteries... they pretty much have to be charged the night before to last longer than a few minutes - frustrating.) Pros: Large, readable, fairly intuitive interface. Cons: no meaningful maps, finding satellites can take several minutes even with open sky.

Extremely satisfied. Largest screen for the money. Pages are customizable and easy to read/customizable text size. User friendly interface. Excellent reception by just putting the unit on the dashboard. External antenna not needed.

I am very happy with this GPS for my needs. Keep in mind it has no maps and no provision for an external antenna. I needed a high quality GPS to use while sailboat racing, and this unit has performed flawlessly.

I have owned many garmin GPS devices over the years and the model 72 is superior to any I have had. The cost of this device can be quite steep these days and for someone who wants to use one for local areas-why pay the extra cost? At around $150-it is a bargain.
br /It is remarkably accurate. I have closed on my vehicle in the desert under one foot and always within a meter or two. I can spend hours off trail hunting for plants to photograph and, when I am finished, I simply use my GPS to find my car. I do not, generally, have any idea of where I have wondered. I simply do not trouble myself. I always carry extra batteries-user life is always grossly exaggerated by the manufacture. I also carry a backup topo map and a compass. Do not rely solely on any GPS.
br /I especially like the ability to download my hiking data into a National Geographic topo package for Arizona. You can use available maps to download all of the data you need for a given hike into your GPS. Garmin technical assistance typically requires long waits, but it is very helpful and it's on their dime. Great bargain.

Simple GPS, good value for money for casual, no bells or whistles. WAAS has issue in software needs to be updated to version 2.5 I think, so be sure to buy a serial cable to update. Buy the garmin compatible it works and you save $30.

I bought this for my husband. He hasn't put it down since he opened it and can't wait to get out in the boat. It was exactly what he was looking for.

I purchased this GPS to use in the field on paleontological digs. I have found it to be easy to use and accurate. The size is appropriate both for visibility and for ease of carrying.

My boyfriend and I just started with geocaching and this is a great thing to move around with it and help you find your treasure....

and it does everything needed to get the job done....

SEEMS LIKE A GOOD VALUE WILL SEE AS I USE FOR BOATING.
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br /DELIVERY ON TIME AND PRICE WAS FAIR IF I HAD TO DO OVER WOULD HAVE SPENT A LITTLE MORE AND PURCHASED THE GPS WITH MAPPING EASIER TO MAKE SENSE OF PLOTTING.

The gps offers an simple interface and features for the price. Somewhat difficult to cache points and replay the cache.

I'm one of those rare people who decided to get a GPS not for mapping, but for additional display info while driving (in my case, speed, elevation, and navigation) and since I planned to mount it upright on the dash, it needed an antenna that would allow good reception in that position. The GPS 72 fit my profile the way I wanted things to work in every way except one...the time format available for the Navigation page, which is almost the only page I use, doesn't include seconds. pIf Garmin would allow the customizable display to include the date-time format line available on the Satellite page on the Navigation page, this unit would be perfect. As it stands, I can toggle to the Satellite page if I need to know pretty easily, so otherwise, I'm good to go. I did find a Garmin unit that can do this, but I would have spent twice the money.pThe unit is simple to understand out of the box even for a GPS novice like myself. The manual is laid out well and, with a bit of practice, complete functionality should be easy. The black body blends into the dash and the screen size is perfect for me. I can see myself marking Waypoints this Christmas for the best neighborhood light displays so I can find them again next year.pI like it. I like it a lot.