Originally Posted by
pdxer
...if a gps unit can pick up gps satellites, it's a 'true gps.' the antenna has nothing to do with it, although better antennas will obviously help. the gps devices with the sirfstar iii chipset are amazingly sensitive, and i've heard of them getting a fix (no assist either) inside buildings.
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These are good comments but I won't go so far as antenna has nothing to do with it. No matter how good the chipsets had become, they need an antenna to get signals from the satellites.
High sensitivity is not free either. They have shorter battery life. I use a Garmin eTrex Venture Cx for travel and it has 32 hours of battery life, good enough for a trip across the ocean. The best high sensitivity in the eTrex series (e.g. H, HC, HCx versions) have about 25 hours battery life. So I opt for longer battery life over higher sensitivity.