+HeavyD370 Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 I purchased an Etrex 30 a couple years ago. I have had accuracy problems since day one. On my unit it will read 12-15 ft accuracy, but when we get to the cache location others GPS (eplorist GC and 110) both ready 8-10 ft from the cache and my GPS reads 25-30 ft. They warrantied my GPS once and this did not help the problem. All I have heard when buying a GPS is GARMIN,,,,from what I have seen Magellan's 2 cheaper units are more accurate than my Etrex 30. I downloaded a pocket quary last week and the 3 times I have used it since this download seems like my compass is bouncing around, could the pocket quary be the cause of this issue? Any help or suggestions? Quote Link to comment
+luvvinbird Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 I purchased an Etrex 30 a couple years ago. I have had accuracy problems since day one. On my unit it will read 12-15 ft accuracy, but when we get to the cache location others GPS (eplorist GC and 110) both ready 8-10 ft from the cache and my GPS reads 25-30 ft. They warrantied my GPS once and this did not help the problem. All I have heard when buying a GPS is GARMIN,,,,from what I have seen Magellan's 2 cheaper units are more accurate than my Etrex 30. I downloaded a pocket quary last week and the 3 times I have used it since this download seems like my compass is bouncing around, could the pocket quary be the cause of this issue? Any help or suggestions? I used my eTrex 30 on the last four caches I found. I often sneak out on my lunch break to grab a cache, so I like it's smaller size (fits in my pocket) and it's very quick to latch on to satellites. On the satellite page, the accuracy shown varies all the time...I don't pay it much attention. After downloading a few caches, I'll select the one I feel confident I can get to and back within the hour, and away I go. The downloaded numbers are what the cache owner has posted, not necessarily where the cache is. I like to use the compass page as I get a big arrow pointing me to the cache. I also like to use miles and feet rather than metric as, to me, GZ seems closer in feet rather than metres (I'm old school and was raised on Fahrenheit too, lol). Geo-sense kicks in when I'm in the zone and, before long, I'm signing another log. So, bottom line, are you not anywhere near the cache when your buddies are on top of it? I have several Garmin models which I use in the same manner and I like them all. It seems odd that the replacement unit acts the same way... Quote Link to comment
+HeavyD370 Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 (edited) You are correct about the accuracy on the satellite page and it does vary. I understand that the cords of what the cache owner posts and where the cache actually is, is 2 different things. My complaint is when you have 2-3 other people standing beside the cache and all their GPS reads from 8-12 ft and my GPS reads 25-30 in the total opposite direction according to my compass. My friend has an Explorist 110 and my neice an Explorist GC, and the other an Etrex 20 all read close to the same. I have had nothing but problems with the ETREX 30 units since I got my first unit. My old school Gramin GPS 12 is more accurate than the 30 guaranteed. Edited April 12, 2014 by HeavyD370 Quote Link to comment
alandb Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 Have you tried turning off the GLONASS? Quote Link to comment
+HeavyD370 Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 Yes I have tried it both ways on and off and doesn't seem to make any difference. Quote Link to comment
+BAMBOOZLE Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 Is the compass calibrated ? Quote Link to comment
jholly Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 I purchased an Etrex 30 a couple years ago. I have had accuracy problems since day one. On my unit it will read 12-15 ft accuracy, but when we get to the cache location others GPS (eplorist GC and 110) both ready 8-10 ft from the cache and my GPS reads 25-30 ft. They warrantied my GPS once and this did not help the problem. All I have heard when buying a GPS is GARMIN,,,,from what I have seen Magellan's 2 cheaper units are more accurate than my Etrex 30. I downloaded a pocket quary last week and the 3 times I have used it since this download seems like my compass is bouncing around, could the pocket quary be the cause of this issue? Any help or suggestions? Have you ever updated your firmware? My Etrex 30 works quite well and it has current firmware. Quote Link to comment
+HeavyD370 Posted April 13, 2014 Author Share Posted April 13, 2014 I have calibrated my compass numerous times and it seems to stop my compass from bouncing around for abit but then right back to the problem. The firmware I am running is 3.60 I noticed they have 3.70 out now I will try that and see what happens. Quote Link to comment
+JohnCNA Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 My Etrex 30 is every bit as accurate as others I have cached with. The e-compass was fixed a long time ago. But it sounds like your compass is acting up and needs calibrating. Before the firmware upgrade that fixed the compass issues, I used to have to calibrate it several times a day. Now I haven't calibrated it for over 6 months. Quote Link to comment
+CacheHownds Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 I have calibrated my compass numerous times and it seems to stop my compass from bouncing around for abit but then right back to the problem. I find as the battery power drops, the compass does need to be recalibrated, no matter what unit it is. Quote Link to comment
+BAMBOOZLE Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 I have calibrated my compass numerous times and it seems to stop my compass from bouncing around for abit but then right back to the problem. I find as the battery power drops, the compass does need to be recalibrated, no matter what unit it is. I have never had to " field calibrate " an electronic compass....including Magellan Platinum, Oregon 450 , 62S ( 10+ years of field use ). A few times I had to do it on the 60CSx which has a 2 axis compass. Quote Link to comment
+CacheHownds Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 I have never had to " field calibrate " an electronic compass....including Magellan Platinum, Oregon 450 , 62S ( 10+ years of field use ). I had questions about mine as I've had to recalibrate my units more than a few times. As I was informed (on this forum) that it was necessary as the battery voltage drops to have to recalibrate the 3-axis. I've had to do this on a Dakota 20, Etrex 30, Oregon 450, and I suspect I'll have to do it on my new Oregon 600. Just my experience. Quote Link to comment
+JohnCNA Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 My issue is how would anyone know? That's partly why I don't bother with an electronic compass, it could never be relied upon 100%. My judgement is simple. As you're walking along at a good pace, it isn't using the compass at all. Pay attention to the arrow and then stop. It switches from GPS to compass at that point. If the arrow jumps to another direction, it's time to calibrate. I have not had to calibrate my eTrex 30 in at least 6 months. I've had the 64s for a couple weeks and only calibrated it during first setup. Have not seen a need since. Quote Link to comment
Fangamon Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 My issue is how would anyone know? That's partly why I don't bother with an electronic compass, it could never be relied upon 100%. If the arrow jumps to another direction, it's time to calibrate. Nope, it's time to eBay.. Quote Link to comment
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