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Is the pictured Etrex 20 a bait & switch?


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I decided to go for the Etrex 20. It's around 100USD more than the Etrex 10, so it's a substantial difference in price.

 

Doing research and find out that the map that's advertised on the box is NOT the map that comes with the unit.

 

Etrex 10 has this map..................

LargeUnits10.png

 

But the Etrex 20 DOES NOT have this map............

eTrex20.jpg

 

If the Etrex 10 shows the map that's included, then why think the Etrex 20 wouldn't have the map pictured? I'm annoyed that I'll pay almost 200USD, then have to pay more to get what I originally thought I already paid for. Grrrr!

 

 

With that said, are there any good sites to download free maps? Or is that looked down upon like downloading music or movies for free?

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I decided to go for the Etrex 20. It's around 100USD more than the Etrex 10, so it's a substantial difference in price.

 

Doing research and find out that the map that's advertised on the box is NOT the map that comes with the unit.

 

Etrex 10 has this map..................

LargeUnits10.png

 

http://gpstracklog.com/2012/03/garmin-etrex-10-review.html

The Garmin eTrex 10 is Garmin’s new entry-level unit in the recently updated eTrex series. It offers paperless geocaching, GPS+GLONASS and advanced track navigation, but has a monochrome screen, limited memory and cannot accept detailed maps (although you can see your track and waypoints, as pictured above.

 

But the Etrex 20 DOES NOT have this map............

eTrex20.jpg

 

If the Etrex 10 shows the map that's included, then why think the Etrex 20 wouldn't have the map pictured? I'm annoyed that I'll pay almost 200USD, then have to pay more to get what I originally thought I already paid for. Grrrr!

 

Comparing apples to oranges with those two photos. The first one is of the tracks and waypoints that the owner creates. That's just an illustration of what can be done.

 

I'll bet that the 2nd photo is also an illustration of what *can* be possible.

 

What are they going to put on the box for either one? A blank screen?

 

This comparison chart says that neither the etrex10 or the extrex20 comes with pre-loaded detailed maps.

 

Garmin handheld GPS comparison chart

http://gpstracklog.com/compare/garmin-handheld-gps-comparison-chart

 

 

B.

Edited by Pup Patrol
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Clever marketing - the want people to buy the more expensive product. (It worked. :yikes: ) Usually there is a fine-print disclaimer somewhere ("map not included; shown for illustrative purposes only").

 

Unhappy with product? Tell them you were misled and return it.

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I'll bet that the 2nd photo is also an illustration of what *can* be possible.

 

What are they going to put on the box for either one? A blank screen?

 

B.

Yup. Just as they did for the eTrex 10. If it doesn't come with maps, they should not show it with maps. I see that even on their website, they picture the '20 with maps, and all they say is that it has "Extensive Map Support" and can load "a variety of maps". That latter can be easily understood to mean that you can add even MORE maps, and doesn't clearly state that it comes with NO maps. I think that's some pretty careless, possibly shady marketing.

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You seemed to acknowledge that the eTrex 20 DID NOT have the mapping as shown in the product photo in this thread , prior to your purchase.

 

Free maps for downloading: http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/ ; http://openstreetmap.us/ (US); https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=3/46.56/-70.66 (International) .

 

Yes. This post was about venting in regards to misleading images AND the attitude/availability of free maps.

 

Hope to buy the Etrex 20 in a week or so.

 

Thanks to all the responses.

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Read carefully

 

Extensive Map Support

 

With its microSD™ card slot and large internal memory, eTrex lets you load a variety of maps, including TOPO 24K, BlueChart® g2, City Navigator NT® and BirdsEye™ Satellite Imagery (subscription required).

 

•Includes a worldwide basemap

 

edit: This came right from the Garmin site for Etrex 20

Edited by jellis
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Doing research and find out that the map that's advertised on the box is NOT the map that comes with the unit.

Next time start your research at the product webpage, here is the image from garmin.com:

1431697594.jpg

 

Notice the text under the picture.

 

Also, it mentions on the box that the pictured maps are optional.

 

BTW, this is what Bait-and-switch means:

Bait-and-switch is a form of fraud used in retail sales but also employed in other contexts. First, customers are "baited" by merchants' advertising products or services at a low price, but when customers visit the store, they discover that the advertised goods are not available, or the customers are pressured by sales people to consider similar, but higher priced items ("switching").

 

So if you were "baited" with an eTrex 10 for US$50.00, but they were magically sold out and a salesman "switched" you to an eTrex 20 for $200.00, that is a Bait-and-switch.

 

Also, Garmin just announced the eTrex 20x retailing for the same price as the eTrex 20. Paying almost US$200 for the eTrex 20 at this time is not a wise decision.

 

So in answer to your query, no that is not a Bait-and-switch.

Edited by coggins
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By the way, I saw this mentioned on another site... This is very good value to me.

"Just got the anniversary sale catalog from REI. They are offering the Garmin Oregon 600 for $220, available from May 15 through May 25 only. That seems like a really good price, not sure if I've seen it for less."

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You seemed to acknowledge that the eTrex 20 DID NOT have the mapping as shown in the product photo in this thread , prior to your purchase.

 

Free maps for downloading: http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/ ; http://openstreetmap.us/ (US); https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=3/46.56/-70.66 (International) .

 

Yes. This post was about venting in regards to misleading images AND the attitude/availability of free maps.

 

Hope to buy the Etrex 20 in a week or so.

 

Thanks to all the responses.

 

Why settle for the eTrex 20 when the Oregon 600 is on sale for just a few bucks more?

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Why settle for the eTrex 20 when the Oregon 600 is on sale for just a few bucks more?

 

Interesting. What would be beneficial of the Oregon 600 over the E Trex 20 that would be in regards to geocaching?

 

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The Oregon has a slightly larger screen and thus 2/3 the battery life of the 20. Big advantage for the Oregon is the touch screen.

 

DO you know you can go to Garmin.com and select both units and then the green compare button and see a list of the features? No one can tell you what is best for you, so read a little and decide what features you want.

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I have an eTrex 10, just because that's all my parents could afford to buy when they got it for my birthday 2 years ago. It does the job, but I've always been disappointed by the map. It's also slow sometimes - takes a few seconds to respond when I select something.

 

Still, when the first bunch of geocaches I found on my own were done without a GPS. Just a map and a paper note of the details from the cache page. So any GPS was a huge step up for me, to actually be able to be taken closer to the co-ordinates.

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For geocaching, I thoroughly enjoy having the 3-axis compass. The bigger screen is also much nicer. Touch screen is a personal preference. I do prefer it to buttons or the joystick. I'm not sure what new features the eTrex 20x/30x have over the Oregon 600.

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