Is the Etrex 30 a Good GPS?

[Otter3]

The title says it all...

 

So, is it good? How is it compared to high end GPS models and what would I be missing? Does anyone have hands on experience with this model? If so, what did you think? One last thing, would that be a good model for a beginner like me with a small cache find count? Thanks for any answers posted!

 

P.S. I am sorry if this is posted in the wrong place, if so, please tell me where to move it!

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

It is a fine GPSr, and it works as well as any other GPSr.

The principle behind every GPSr is to get you from point A to point B. Mapping, compass features and other additives are only "frosting". It's ability to expand memory (Micro SD-card) is a plus... perhaps not at the onset, but does come in handy as you advance/progress.

 

Find count is immaterial.

[+GeoLog81]

- limit the cache number you can load to 2000

- no touch screen (slower navigation) - a minor issue in my opinion

- it will crush on some caches because of listing and/or logs using too heavy html (I don't know if it's better in newer devices, the best solution is to probably use some HTML stripper as preprocessor for PQs)

- no wherigos

 

Otherwise it's very well, durable, weather-proof, power-trail-compatible device.

[+Ringrat]

I use an eTrex 30. I like that it's small, durable, and doesn't have a touchscreen (since 10 months of the year I'm wearing gloves or mittens!). It does everything I want it to do - loads geocaches from my computer, shows me descriptions, logs, and hints in the field, navigates, and I can add maps. The only thing I wish I could do was delete caches from in the field, but I've gotten used to that.

[+derektiffany]

The only thing I wish I could do was delete caches from in the field, but I've gotten used to that.

In the field, Log -> Found will (generally) make the cache not show up anymore (unless you explicitly choose to "show found caches".

 

Oh, I have an Etrex 30. Very happy with it.

[+GeoTrekker26]

- limit the cache number you can load to 5000

- no touch screen (slower navigation) - a minor issue in my opinion

- it will crash on some caches because of listing and/or logs using too heavy html (I don't know if it's better in newer devices, the best solution is to probably use some HTML stripper as preprocessor for PQs)

- no wherigos

 

Otherwise it's very well, durable, weather-proof, power-trail-compatible device.

 

Fixed it for you.

[+BCandMsKitty]

It's a fine GPSr.

A good friend has a 30, It's got him to 7800 caches, so it must work OK.

[+Harry Dolphin]

I've only used Garmin eTrexes. We've used the eTrex 30 for a few years. We like it very much! But it does have some problems. If you use it for road directions, and do not follow its directions, it may freeze up completely. (So, we use Miss Bossy (the nüvi) for that.) The calibration for altitude does not work anymore after an update.

We use Garmin POI loader, and load the caches as POIs. That will allow us to load 30,000 POIs(or so), with all the information that we need. (Hints. Last five logs, or more.)

The problem with the caches with a strange character bollixing up everything was corrected. (Not sure if it was GS or Garmin which fixed the problem. But it no longer affects us.)

The only touch screen GPX that we have used is Miss Bossy (the nüvi). She gets us where we are going quite well.

We're very happy with the eTrex 30.

[+luvvinbird]

I totally agree with everyone else. I really enjoy using my eTrex 30. I love it's small size, but it packs a wallop with it's features. A staple in my glove box. GPS City (Calgary) had it on for $199 on Black Friday.

[Otter3]

Thanks for the answers! The etrex 30 will (hopefully) be my Christmas gift this year!

[+Bear and Ragged]

Thanks for the answers! The etrex 30 will (hopefully) be my Christmas gift this year!

 

Register it via Groundspeak > http://www.geocaching.com/garmin/freetrial.aspx and get 30 days FREE Premium Membership!

 

IF you have a play with it and load caches before becoming PM, DELETE any/all files loaded as a Basic Member before you add any PM files.

Edited December 3, 2014 by Bear and Ragged

[+JL_HSTRE]

I use an Etrex 30 and am pretty happy with it. Can do Chirp caches which is a nice bonus.

 

Never tried it for road navigation, but that's what my smartphone is for.