using an eTrex

[+K4WK]

Anyone else having troubles with an eTrex? I just bought one a few weeks ago and it is quite a disappointment. I bought it for geocaching thinking it would be more accurate than my smartphone, but it is not. I can still be 30 feet away from the target when it says I am spot on. What's more, the users' manual is cryptic and inadequate. I've read and reread it to seek answers but come up empty. I'll keep trying and maybe I'll eventually master it but this shouldn't be that hard. Finally, the computer interface is not sophisticated at all and not really useful. I was expecting an iPhone/iTunes type interface where you can manage and manipulate your portable device on your computer, especially, be able to easily download geocache information and then easily remove the found ones, but not so.

[+cliptwings]

Wow, you've really got some frustration going on there. It might help the forum to know exactly what model etrex you have. There are several: The basic yellow etrex, etrex legend, etrex 10, etrex 20, etrex 30 to name a few. Once we know what you have, we can share our experience with them. Just to let you know, any etrex model does a pretty good job getting you to the cache, but it can be a steep learning curve if you're just switching from a phone to a dedicated GPSr. Tell us what model you have, and what your experience is, and you will get help from many people here.

[+Red90]

And what software are you using on the computer?

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

Maybe you are expecting a bit too much?

 

As is your "smartphone", your GPSr is only a consumer-grade device. 30 ft. ain't all that bad... it could be better, but typically 'Ground Zero' is considered to be 20 ft., anyway.

If you want consistent and near pin-point accuracy, you are gonna have to dig deeper into your bank account -- much deeper, like four-figures deeper.

 

Assuming that you have the current generation eTrex (the '10, '20 or '30), I have heard little other than good about the consistency and accuracy of those units. Once in a while, somebody complains... but that has been shown to usually be "user" faults. Even then, such is true with most other makes/models of GPSr units.

 

As far as the manual goes... most all of the manuals are (very) similar. They do tell you the functions and how to access them, but it is left up to you how you utilize them to have the unit function in a "seamless" manner. I have read most all the manuals -- Garmin, Magellan, Delorme and even the antiquated Lowrance units. They're pretty much all the same.

 

I'm going to suggest that you attend an Event Cache. There are lots of knowledgeable folks there that know how to use that unit and will be happy to assist you. A bit of hands-on instruction should go a long ways in helping you to use it well.

[+whh0]

It took us over 3 months before we were happy with our etrex 20, it is a very steep learning curve and the best place to do that is in the field. We used our phones along with the GPS and spent ages playing with the GPS buttons until we understood what they did.

 

If you want it to take you right to GZ spot on every time you will be disappointed.

 

Keep going with it, it is worth it in the end. (Well we think so)

[+BAMBOOZLE]

Mostly its learning something new. I've been using dedicated GPS units for over 12 years now and on the last few new models I bought I didn't even need a manual everything seemed so intuitive. A couple years ago I started using iPhones and its been a real pain....some things are intuitive but I'm still learning functions.

[+K4WK]

Thanks all to the kind and helpful replies; this is a great forum! I am heartened to think it might be user error; that may be curable. Mine is brand new eTrex 20x. My computer is also new and runs Windows 8.

 

I will try Garmin's Basecamp (altho I thought it was only for Garmin's opencaching and not geocaching), figure out what Pocket Queries are, and attend an Event Cache in Atlanta where I am. Any other tips?

 

Thanks gang.

[+Red90]

Basecamp is not only for Opencaching. It is meant to be the main program fro interfacing with all Garmin handheld units and works fine with Groundspeak Geocaches.

[+MartyBartfast]

I can still be 30 feet away from the target when it says I am spot on.

 

Your Etrex should be accurate to about 15 feet in good conditions, as someone else said above to get significantly better than that is gonna cost a lot. You also need to remember that the person who placed the cache might have been using a split willow branch and a crystal pendulum so it could be that your GPS is spot on, but their co-ords are off.

 

Your Etrex also has a feature called WAAS, which can improve accuracy, opinions differ over whether this is in fact so, but I would say that if it's not currently enabled then turn it on - it may help.

 

I agree that the manuals for Garmin devices are pretty dire, the best bet when you need to do something with it is to do a google search and you'll almost certainly find someone has already asked the question and there's most likely an answer.