I agree. Believe it or not the basic Etrex is what I used in Colorado in the Flat Tops Wilderness. Without it I would have been in bad shape and it allowed me to venture off in any direction with confidence. It worked great and is simple and easy to learn to use.
Different model, same result. I've got a basic, no-frills Magellan Xplorist 200 I took to Colorado last year, and I was about ready to place it on an altar and worship it after a few days... amazing stuff. I won mine at a sales event at my last company, but I think they're only a little over $100 as well at Wal-Mart.