It includes a programable count down timer, with audible alarm, for starting sequence.

A pretty good review can be found at:

http://www.tramsoft.ch/gps/garmin_foretrex101_en.html

and this also links you to a owners manual in PDF form.

It is "Water resistant up to approx. 3 feet (1 meter) for about 30 minutes (IPX7)"

Terry
N 5.2

All the garmin handheld units have the same IPX7 rating and I can tell you that while it will probably survive a rain storm it will not survive exposure on a catamaran. I've been through two Garmin Etrex units thusfar and several 'drying out' of swamped units. They must be in a dry bag to survive any windy conditions and I don't know how you would fit that in a bag.

Ignore the water ratings, put your GPS in a bag!

I called Garmin to ask about the new 76CS which has a submersible rating for 30 minutes. The submersible rating is if you put the unit in a bucket and let it sit there undisturbed. It does NOT cover water spray, and Garmin told me they do not recommend using the unit unprotected in rain conditions (they say rain can reach 60 mph) or other high spray conditions (a.k.a catamaran sailing).

Jake,

I've had the opposite experience. I have a Garmin eTrex Legend that has survived some brutal stuff including several swims (capsizes) in the pocket of my life jacket. I put the lanyard around my neck and let the GPS rest in my unzipped life jacket pocket pulling it out when I need to look at it. I've found the waterproofness of at least my unit to be excellent.

Jamie

Put it in a bag J.I.C.

I bag my Garmin V.

Jamie,

now that you mention it, Mine has never been damaged if it were kept in the lifejacket pocket. I suppose the fabric of the lifejacket protects the unit from the heavy dousing. I lost one while it was in the Garmin neoprene belt holster and another....well....let's just say I went trolling with it.

Jake,

My life jacket pocket is not particularly waterproof and it's been totally submerged for minutes at a time... So I begin to wonder if the leakages are occuring when the GPS is in a place where it is getting impacted or distorted while being submerged or inundated. I could definitely see it being more likely to leak if it is being squashed by my knee on the tramp while it is getting hit by a wave, etc.. Just a thought.

I lost 2 garmin ledgends to water damage. However Garmin replaced them right away. My third one has held up for over a 2 years and gets alot of abuse on a weekly basis, although I have learned to keep it in a small bag. Since it has so few buttons, I find it easy to operate inside a clear dry bag.