Can an Etrex 20 be used right out of the box

[Mr and Mrs Boogie]

Can an Etrex 20 be used right out of the box?

 

Do I need to get new maps right away? Is a memory card needed? etc.

 

Thanks

 

.

[+MartyBartfast]

Yes.

 

No.

 

No.

 

Though for the bottom two, free OSM maps can be used on the 20 and if you're going to do that it's a good idea to have a micro SD card, though not necessary.

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

Yes, after installing batteries.

No.

No.

 

There are however, a few things you might want to do first.

Obviously, read the manual. If you don't have one, download it from here . It is sort of long and dry, but you really should read it. You don't need to memorize it, but you do need to learn a little bit before pushing buttons, etc.

Pages 33 through 36 are pretty important. You WILL need to adjust some settings -- Units of Measure, Time, Position Format (maybe/maybe not).

 

Once those settings are adjusted, before you try geocaching with it -- take it outside, boot it up and set it down with a clear view of the sky and leave it set. It needs a fair amount to time to figure out where it is -- acquiring satellite signals and creating a satellite almanac. Perhaps up to ½-hour or so.

It will remember the settings and that acquired data so that when you boot it up again, it will not take nearly as long -- seconds to minutes.

 

Now... you are ready to have a good time with it. If it is your first GPSr, you will still need to learn how to use it efficiently. Most all of the info you need is in the manual, but you will need to "connect-the-dots" to understand how all those things fit together in order to make it function seamlessly for you.

Notice: the manual does not tell you how to download geocache data from geocaching.com, it does tell you about another site. Don't worry, it DOES work with geocaching.com also. If you stumble with loading it, well... that's what these forums are for.

Come back and ask.

 

Enjoy and have fun.

 

 

P.S. The manual tells you to calibrate the compass. You cannot. Calibration is required ONLY for the eTrex 30, not the '20.

Edited May 11, 2015 by Gitchee-Gummee

[Mr and Mrs Boogie]

Thanks for taking the time with the thorough responses!!!