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Garmin eTrex Touch 25, 35, & 35t


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Looks like a winner with its small dimensions, touch screen, and GLONASS support. Interesting to note they have placed a 3-axis compass in all versions (reserving the barometric sensor for upper-tier models).

 

Now if only Garmin would focus on firmware stability... time will tell. :ph34r:

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And Bluetooth support for Garmin Connect similar to the 64 series. Garmin Connect compatibility for Live Tracking is a feature the Oregon 6xx series lacks. I'm really looking forward to this model. Especially with the smaller form factor and longer battery life inherent of the eTrex series. Also, what SUSSAMB said, the firmware would likely be stable from the start having had it's framework formed from previous models (not built from scratch).

Edited by yogazoo
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I may have to rethink upgrading to a GPSMAP 64s.

 

I really like the small form factor, battery life, and accuracy of my eTrex 20.

The lack of a 3-axis compass and ANT+/wireless transfer of caches/waypoints was why I upgraded to a 62s.

 

Although these new eTrex touch models only have 16 hour battery life, versus 25 of the original and 20x/30x models.

Edited by BlackRose67
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Lower resolution than the X models. Weird.

I noticed that as well when using the compare option on the Garmin site.

 

Odd that they added GGZ support (preloaded 250,000 caches), but are still using USB 1.0 instead of upgrading to high speed USB connection.

Then again, it is an entry level touchscreen device. Need to distinguish it from the slightly larger Oregon 600/650 devices.

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Well, exact in size and pixels. But updated to capacitive touch screen. I still like the larger screen of the Oregon, but I can see where this unit might come in handy. I wonder when the Montana will get an update.

 

It is like and Oregon 600 upgrade from a 450. It is just that for some reason they decided to drop the Dakota line. Too bad about the low resolution. That was/is the biggest downside to the old Etrex, Dakotas and 62/64s. They look like dinosaurs compared to any modern device.

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And Bluetooth support for Garmin Connect similar to the 64 series....

 

Sounds great in theory... Have you used a 64? Garmin has added little to no useful features to Basecamp Mobile. Maybe this will spur them on to add some useful things...

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And Bluetooth support for Garmin Connect similar to the 64 series....

 

Sounds great in theory... Have you used a 64? Garmin has added little to no useful features to Basecamp Mobile. Maybe this will spur them on to add some useful things...

The bluetooth can also be used for faster unit-to-unit transfer of data.

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One thing I would like to see with these Bluetooth enabled GPS units is the ability to transfer GGZ/GPX/POI files from a phone or laptop to the unit, bypassing the need to connect the GPS to a computer entirely.

 

I was very disappointed that basecamp mobile did not support gpx transfers through Bluetooth, since I use my iPhone or iPad to manage caches. But although my Oregon has to be connected to something, I don't remember ever connecting it to a computer for anything other than maps - and I have done even that with my phone as using OSM maps.

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And Bluetooth support for Garmin Connect similar to the 64 series....

 

Sounds great in theory... Have you used a 64? Garmin has added little to no useful features to Basecamp Mobile. Maybe this will spur them on to add some useful things...

and release an Android version.

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Okay, I see.... Exact same screen as the Dakota. It is basically an updated Dakota, with Etrex branding.

 

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/catalog/product/compareResult.ep?compareProduct=156873&compareProduct=30926

Quite the yawner, slightly heavier and larger with shorter battery life. Did add a picture viewer which is quite useful for geotagged photos, although at that resolution perhaps not. Branding seems the most relevant "feature".

 

At-A-Boy Garmin!

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One thing I would like to see with these Bluetooth enabled GPS units is the ability to transfer GGZ/GPX/POI files from a phone or laptop to the unit, bypassing the need to connect the GPS to a computer entirely.

YES, I would love that, too. We CAN do it with an OTG cable between the phone and Garmin. Android phone only, I believe.

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One thing I would like to see with these Bluetooth enabled GPS units is the ability to transfer GGZ/GPX/POI files from a phone or laptop to the unit, bypassing the need to connect the GPS to a computer entirely.

YES, I would love that, too. We CAN do it with an OTG cable between the phone and Garmin. Android phone only, I believe.

I recently got a new Android phone (Sony Xperia Z3) so I'll be investing in an OTG cable to have this capability.

My previous phone didn't support OTG, so I had to use my tablet with it's full sized USB port to do this when I was away from home.

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There is also an article (in German) on the pocketnavigation.de web site.

 

Using a Google Translate version of the site, it seems to be implying there's an issue with the compass:

 

On a short geocaching tour we found with the aid Although the goal on the way there, it was difficult to align the compass permanently correct. Especially with slow movements or in the state it came as a troubled turning the position arrow, or compass. Whether this behavior is still a problem of the tested Vorserienmodells remains to be seen.

 

If I recall correctly, the eTrex 30 had compass issues when first introduced.

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I sold my 78S to buy a Touch 35. I like it a lot as a handheld unit, preferring it to my Montana 650 when hiking. The Bluetooth is limited, but what it does do, it seems to do quite well. It syncs from the device, through my iPhone 5S, to Connect and Strava without me having to do anything but save the activity on the device.

 

My wife had been using an Etrex 20 as her handheld unit, but it seemed to be very inaccurate, especially in comparison to the Touch 35, so we sent it back to Garmin for a refurbished unit, but that one was every bit as inaccurate as her first so I called Garmin to complain.

 

They made me an offer I could not refuse: send them back the faulty 20, and they would send us a Touch 35 in exchange!

 

So now we have two Touch 35s.

 

Now we have a question - it looks like the Touch 35 units, using GroupTrack in Garmin Connect, should be able to see each other's devices on the gps screen when they are set up to do so.

 

Does anyone know if that is the case? I've been trying to set that up but we never see anything but our own location on our screens.

 

The screen shot below is an Edge 802 but I think it should be the same on the Touch 35.

 

2GiC3EI.png

 

This video shows how useful the feature might be:

Edited by Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hide
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