Garmin eTrex 20 User Review
I just purchased a Garmin eTrex 20 handheld GPS (released in late September 2011) and I decided to do a quick user review of it. This is my first GPS device, which means I can’t do a relative comparison with other units. So, based on its own merits, here are my comments on the eTrex 20: 1. Build quality is solid, and when loaded with batteries it has a nice, reassuring heft to it. Dark grey areas are rubberized for wear resistance. USB connection is hidden under a rubber weather-resistant flap, and the micro-SD slot is protected inside the battery compartment, which are thoughtful design features. 2. The glassy LCD screen is tad reflective when viewed under direct sunlight. 3. Ability to decode both GPS and GLONASS satellite signals is a very useful feature. In the field, it takes less than a minute to get a position fix, and the precision is quite good, around 4 metres at best. 4. It works well inside vehicles too, I’ve tried it in buses and get practically instantaneous position and speed readings. It will definitely work as a car GPS, though that is not its intended function.
Tagged with: 10 • 20 • 30 • camping • compass • demo • etrex • field • garmin • geocache • geocaching • GLONASS • gps • handheld • hiking • logger • outdoor • Overview • receiver • review • test • unit • user
Filed under: 76CSx Garmin GPS
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@mitkomlk Yes, there is a Photo Viewer. My eTrex 20 came with three preloaded JPEG photos of Garmin buildings. The viewer works but the photos don’t look very sharp; my guess is that photos are downsampled to fit the screen.
The best accuracy I’ve seen is indicated as 3m, but that may not correspond to actual field accuracy. Sometimes it can be off by a few metres.
Does it work on other planets?
@dinnerandashow No.
But someday when we have positioning satellites around Mars, I’d like to go “areio-caching” for that missing Beagle 2.
@Xisla
What was the British thinking … Britain and electronics just do not mix.
@dinnerandashow That’s not true, there was that Sinclair ZX… never mind.
@Xisla
Attempts have been made by major electronic firms to establish base there. Failed.
A diet based on fish and chips has its consequences on the brain.
good idea
Can anyone help me? I am Brazilian and I wonder if this gamin eTrex ultilize 20 allows the system GLONASS and GPS separately or whether I can also utilize them together?
@arthurtondato Yes, you can choose the satellite system. Under MAIN MENU>SETUP>SYSTEM you can select GPS, or GPS + GLONASS.
If you select GPS only, under MAIN MENU>SATELLITE the satellites detected are shown in orange. If you select GPS + GLONASS, GPS are orange and GLONASS are dark brown.
Accuracy is better if you use both. There is no option for GLONASS only, but in the field I noticed the eTrex 20 will give you a position fix using GLONASS if it didn’t detect enough GPS satellites.
fanhunt@live.fr
vente de garmin astro 220 et 320 (otpion menu francais disponible)
devis sur demande
Hi..just a simple question..what is the duration life of the batteries on the gps?…good for the day?…4hrs?.6hrs?…thanks
and how about that? I’m thinking about buying one but not sure yet. Would you recommend it?
@supercooldude1953 Should be enough for the day. According to the Garmin website battery life is 25 hours, but in my hands I get 10-12 hours on 2100mAh NiMH batteries. On the field, I turn it on and off a number of times and scroll around the map often.
My settings are: Satellite System = GPS+GLONASS, WAAS/EGNOS = On, Backlight Timeout = 15 seconds, Backlight intensity in position 1, Tones = On.
Changing some settings may result in more battery life, but I haven’t tried optimizing yet.
@lucasdh I’ve had my eTrex 20 for two months and I think it is quite good.
What I like most is the custom map capability. For where I live, in Singapore, the default basemap has very sparse info, so I have added my own maps that have more details. This flexibility is brilliant.
What I dislike is the lack of a key lock function. When in map mode, if the mini-joystick is accidentally held down (eg. in your pocket) it will set dozens of errant waypoints. So I stow it in compass mode instead.
just wanted to say thank you for the info..really appreciate it, thanks
@supercooldude1953 You’re welcome, cheers.
@lucasdh I had one for a couple weeks I used hunting and geocaching but had to sell it for quick cash. I personally loved it. I only used the basemap and some free USGS ones. The device was quite slow at slewing the maps around and I’d like to know if it’s faster with the purchased ones.
Hi,how much you pay for that?Thanks Lendon.
hi may i know hw much u bought it ??
thks
@Xisla I just unpacked it and used it for 5 days of mountaineering, using it each day for 5 – 7 hours , not intensively, marking waypoints, using compass, etc. and had enough battery charge > I was using rechargeable batteries Nimh…and turning it off when at base camp.
very nice & helpful review.
i’ve decided to buy etrex 20 for cycling
Were going to Scotland in the summer and need a gps device, Which is better the gps map 62s or this one
Thanks for the review, I have ordered an eTrex 20 after watching this, and reading a few more reviews online.
A bit unrelated question, what is the name and model of the camera you used to shoot this video? I like the quality, and how it captured the letters on the GPS screen so clearly.
@darmillionaire You’re welcome. I used a Nikon L5, good for macro shooting, but it’s 4+ years old now and some of the buttons are becoming unreliable.
@ebayaddict19 depends..for me 62s is more ruggedized feel it makes me confident..but i tink if u get this etrex. u will get the upper hand on satellites.. good for areas with much cover.. anyways i used 62s but annoyed when i go between buildings..