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Product Specifications
Edition: Barometric Altometer, 3-axis compass
Display Size2.2 inches
Warranty1-year limited parts and labor
Battery Life25 hours
Technical Details
Edition: Barometric Altometer, 3-axis compass
- Rugged handheld navigator with preloaded worldwide relief basemap and 2.2-inch color display
- WAAS-enabled GPS receiver with HotFix and GLONASS support for fast positioning and a reliable signal
- Built-in 3-axis electronic compass always shows your heading; barometric altimeter pinpoints your precise altitude
- Compatible with topographic, marine, and road maps--TOPO U.S. 24K, BlueChart g2, City Navigator, etc.
- Powered with two AA batteries; waterproof to IPX7 standards for protection against splashes, rain, etc.
Product DetailsEdition: Barometric Altometer, 3-axis compass
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Product Description
Edition: Barometric Altometer, 3-axis compass
Amazon.com Product Description
Garmin's eTrex GPS series offers reliable satellite navigation, making it a favorite of hikers, hunters, and geocachers. The eTrex 30 adds a barometric altimeter and electronic compass to the features of the eTrex 20, along with the ability to wirelessly share data with other users. Equipped with a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, a 2.2-inch color display, and shipping with a worldwide basemap with relief, the eTrex 30 is ready for a wide array of detailed topographic, marine, and road maps--and ready to start you on your next adventure.
A perfect choice for hikers, hunters, and geocachers. Click here for a larger image
A New Adventure
Mapping Performance
This handheld GPS is armed with a sunlight-readable, 2.2-inch color display and a worldwide basemap with shaded relief, making it easier than ever to know where you are and where you are headed next.
2.2-inch color display and worldwide basemap with relief.
Compatible with TOPO U.S. 24K maps (above), BlueChart cards, and City Navigator maps.
With internal memory and a microSD card slot, the eTrex 30 ready for a wide array of detailed maps. Add TOPO U.S. 24K maps to hit the trail, BlueChart g2 preloaded cards for a day on the water, or City Navigator maps for turn-by-turn routing on roads.
Get Your Bearings
The eTrex 30 has a built-in 3-axis electronic compass, which shows your heading even when you're standing still, without holding it level. Its barometric altimeter tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude, and you can even use it to plot barometric pressure over time, which can help you keep an eye on changing weather conditions.
Rock Solid GPS
With its high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver, eTrex 30 will locate your position quickly and precisely, maintaining its GPS location even in heavy cover and deep canyons.
With added HotFix and GLONASS support, you can count on faster positioning and a more reliable signal--whether you're in deep woods or just near tall buildings and trees, you can count on eTrex 30 to help you find your way when you need it the most.
Rugged and Ready
The eTrex 30 is a breeze to operate, indoors and out, with five buttons on either side within easy reach. With its bright orange case and included lanyard, it's tough to lose. Plus, since the eTrex 30 is waterproof to IPX7 standards, it can take an accidental splash or dunk in the water and still continue to perform.
Find It and Go
With eTrex 30, your adventure will last, with over 20 hours of battery life on two AA batteries (rechargeable NiMH or Lithium batteries work great). As a handheld, it's plenty portable, weighing in at just 5 ounces with batteries. It's also compatible with a variety of spine mounting accesories, for use in cycling or other activities.
Paperless Geocaching
eTrex 30 also supports geocaching, a high-tech version of hide-and-seek where you explore the outdoors in search of hidden "treasure" and adventure. Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants (members) navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location. The eTrex 30 is the perfect way to get started.
Share Wirelessly
With eTrex 30 you can share your waypoints, tracks, routes and geocaches wirelessly with other compatible Garmin GPS users. So now your friends also can enjoy your favorite hike or cache.
What's in the Box
eTrex 30, USB Cable, Lanyard, Documentation
Product Description
Garmin eTrex is a recognizable name when it comes to outdoor explorations and adventures. These handheld GPS line has been selling millions of units over the past 10 years. With new refinements, including better menus and simpler operation, the new, head-of-class Garmin eTrex 30 is a hiker's dreams come true. Offering international shaded-relief (pseudo-topographic) mappings, a 2.2" color screen, built-in altimeter and compass, this handheld GPS device lets you explore the world's roads and forests with more assurance than ever. The eTrex 30 offers 2.2" 65k color sunlight readable display, a shaded relief worldwide basemap, and internal memory plus a microSD card slot. It also exclusively features a 3-axis electronic compass that shows your heading even when the unit is not held flat, as well as a barometric altimeter that provides precise elevation readings. Wireless unit-to-unit connectivity is available for sharing waypoints, tracks, routes and geocaches. Use the internal memory with the microSD card slot on the eTrex 30 to add TOPO, road and marine mapping options from Garmin. Geocaching friendly? The eTrex 30 is compatible with paperless geocaching, meaning that you can download all the hints, descriptions, and other information you need about a cache right to the GPS unit from OpenCaching or Geocaching. It's veritable features and open options demonstrate how eTrex 30 is more than a hikers dream. It is compatible with Garmin's detailed Topo 24K and inland lakes maps, and includes a hunt/fish calendar, an electronic compass, and barometric altimeter-all features that hunters will appreciate. The eTrex 30 GPS is waterproof to IPX-7 standards, meaning it can be submerged for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 3 feet. It's also compatible with Garmin's marine maps on microSD cards. Use the optional eTrex 30 bicycle mount to take your GPS on the road or mountain bike trips to help keep
Available Warranties for This Item
Edition: Barometric Altometer, 3-axis compass
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Edition:Color Display & Expandable Memory
Presumably atypically I use eTrex units nearly exclusively for road navigation and often calculate long routes.
Previously I used a Legend CX extensively and it's showing its age. I toyed with buying a Nuvi but don't care for the design as it lacks configurability and water resistance, uses a touchscreen, doesn't work as well on my motorcycle, etc..
The Legend CX routinely takes several minutes to calculate in addition to slow map `drawing' times and I'm pleased to note Garmin improved calculating speed significantly. I've been running the two side by side for quite some time and the 20 calculates in roughly 1/3 the time (still noticeably slower than the Nuvis I've used). Additionally the map drawing time is much reduced.
Satellite acquisition and retention is quite a bit better: if you turn on both simultaneously the 20 will acquire enough signal to navigate in a fraction of the time; if you compare the 'Satellite' pages there are usually at least half again as many 'bars' on the 20.
The former mushiness of the perimeter buttons has been replaced by buttons which 'click' and the notorious rubber gasket (prone to eventual loosening) is gone.
The various menu screens are changed: previously you had 12 options to select on the `Find' page - now there are 6. They are more legible and you can arrange them in the order you prefer.
I'm still disappointed Garmin makes you cough up $80ish for a functional (read: turn by turn directions) road map but they're making progress on that front - you can now buy `lifetime' maps instead of having to purchase `updates'. And I guess I can't blame them for capitalizing on what they can capitalize on, while they can.
Plus I have to admit: Garmin's phone customer service is usually well above average (thanks, Rocky!) and that costs something.
They changed the mounting connector design so you can no longer use your old car/bike/whatever mount.
And they took the `Exits' category out of the `Find' menu: why, Garmin? Such a useful tool it was.
To sum: if you're an eTrex fan this incarnation is IMO an impressive advance RE processing and map drawing speed. The maps more closely resemble the Nuvis.
I have no reason to believe it won't be as reliable (IME close to bulletproof) as previous units. And the rustish/red/orange color is cool.
I like mine a lot.
*****
Update: one VERY useful feature the old eTrex units didn't have is now you can 'Search Near' a 'A Recent Find'. It nearly makes up for removing the 'Exits' category, but not quite.
I also discovered if you 'Review Point' the phone number is provided - nice, although the arguably microscopic font errs on the side of 'white space'... :)
It not uncommonly crashes (keep in mind I'm probably asking more of it than it was designed for); less often after I updated the software but still no apparent rhyme or reason.
Nonetheless, after using mine for many tens of thousands of miles I remain well pleased with the improvements.
Previously I used a Legend CX extensively and it's showing its age. I toyed with buying a Nuvi but don't care for the design as it lacks configurability and water resistance, uses a touchscreen, doesn't work as well on my motorcycle, etc..
The Legend CX routinely takes several minutes to calculate in addition to slow map `drawing' times and I'm pleased to note Garmin improved calculating speed significantly. I've been running the two side by side for quite some time and the 20 calculates in roughly 1/3 the time (still noticeably slower than the Nuvis I've used). Additionally the map drawing time is much reduced.
Satellite acquisition and retention is quite a bit better: if you turn on both simultaneously the 20 will acquire enough signal to navigate in a fraction of the time; if you compare the 'Satellite' pages there are usually at least half again as many 'bars' on the 20.
The former mushiness of the perimeter buttons has been replaced by buttons which 'click' and the notorious rubber gasket (prone to eventual loosening) is gone.
The various menu screens are changed: previously you had 12 options to select on the `Find' page - now there are 6. They are more legible and you can arrange them in the order you prefer.
I'm still disappointed Garmin makes you cough up $80ish for a functional (read: turn by turn directions) road map but they're making progress on that front - you can now buy `lifetime' maps instead of having to purchase `updates'. And I guess I can't blame them for capitalizing on what they can capitalize on, while they can.
Plus I have to admit: Garmin's phone customer service is usually well above average (thanks, Rocky!) and that costs something.
They changed the mounting connector design so you can no longer use your old car/bike/whatever mount.
And they took the `Exits' category out of the `Find' menu: why, Garmin? Such a useful tool it was.
To sum: if you're an eTrex fan this incarnation is IMO an impressive advance RE processing and map drawing speed. The maps more closely resemble the Nuvis.
I have no reason to believe it won't be as reliable (IME close to bulletproof) as previous units. And the rustish/red/orange color is cool.
I like mine a lot.
*****
Update: one VERY useful feature the old eTrex units didn't have is now you can 'Search Near' a 'A Recent Find'. It nearly makes up for removing the 'Exits' category, but not quite.
I also discovered if you 'Review Point' the phone number is provided - nice, although the arguably microscopic font errs on the side of 'white space'... :)
It not uncommonly crashes (keep in mind I'm probably asking more of it than it was designed for); less often after I updated the software but still no apparent rhyme or reason.
Nonetheless, after using mine for many tens of thousands of miles I remain well pleased with the improvements.
89 of 102 people found the following review helpful
Edition:Barometric Altometer, 3-axis compass|Amazon Verified Purchase
My 30 arrived a few hours ago.
As you read this review, note that Rocker refers to what Garmin has now renamed the Thumb Stick.
Pros:
o The on-screen keyboard is much better designed than the old eTrex (and this issue was important enough to me to pay for a 450 last year):
.....o Stays in upper case (hallelujah) rather than, with the old eTrex, the first alpha triggering the on-screen keyboard to change to lower case and special characters, which then necessitated navigating to the shift character to restore the keyboard to upper case and numbers.
.....o DONE is easier to access as are cursor left and cursor right.
.....o Can use the Zoom keys (top left side of GPS) to switch between the three keyboards: alpha and numbers, special characters; numbers.
o The display is nice and crisp.
o Can load maps to internal memory without using an SD card (56MB of maps tested leaves 1.68GB of internal memory). The old eTrex required an SD card .
o A distance proximity alert can be created on the 30 using any waypoint or POI as a source (more info below).
o Can load maps, waypoints, and routes from MapSource (see Bugs below).
o Smaller than the eTrex Legend HCx.
o Includes place to affix a lanyard (but a lanyard is not included).
o Garmin tech support was excellent. Michael spent and hour and a half as we researched four issues including the bugs mentioned below.
o As mentioned by other reviewers, satellite acquisition is fast: first power on to location: 45 seconds.
Cons:
o The new interface seems cumbersome when compared to the old eTrex. The old interface was quicker to navigate with more data being displayed on menu screens, but maybe it will get better with more hands-on time. The new interface seems to have been designed for a touch screen, which the 30 is not. On some screens, such as the Map Information page there is a lot of wasted empty space. Tip : Use Setup > Page Sequence to add pages that you want to quickly access using the Back button; those pages will then disappear from the Main Menu.
o Testing indicates that proximity alerts for POI's loaded using the POI loader do not work. On the old eTrex Legend HCx, POI's containing speed or distance proximity alerts could be loaded using the POI Loader and the Legend HCx would issue the appropriate alerts. The POI Loader works with the 30, but testing indicates that the alert is not issued. This test was for a distance, not speed, alert (speed alerts are of no interest to me, so I'll leave that testing to someone who wants that functionality). On the other hand, proximity alerts can be manually created on the 30 using waypoints or POI's as sources. This is definitely a big Pro and is listed in the Pros above. When the user creates a proximity alert from a POI, a waypoint is created with the same name with a "1" appended at the end of the name. So, it appears that to mass load distance proximity alerts onto the 30 will require loading them as waypoints with the proximity distance set, rather than loading them as POI's. And, it appears that waypoints only support distance alerts, not speed alerts, in the 30, MapSource, and BaseCamp. A minor point: while MapSource can maintain a waypoint's proximity in miles to 3 decimal digits (0.000), the 30 supports only editing to 2 decimal digits (0.00). And, as we all know, 0.01 mile is approximately 53 feet so this is probably a non-issue for most applications.
.....o To compound the problem of not supporting proximity alerts for POI's and forcing the use of waypoints instead, Garmin has removed the capability to delete waypoints by symbol, leaving only the choices to (a) delete all waypoints or (b) delete waypoints individually. This means that if I assign special symbols to the waypoints which I want to retain permanently on the GPS while letting temporary waypoints have the default (blue flag) symbol, I cannot delete just the temporary waypoints en masse -- as the old eTrex would have supported. In order to retain the waypoints which I want permanently on the GPS, I will be forced to either a) delete the temporary waypoints individually in the field if I forget to do it at home, (b) remember to delete them in BaseCamp before departing for the outdoors, (c) remember to delete the \Garmin\GPS\Waypoints_dd-mmm-yy.gpx file before departing for the outdoors, or (d) remember to delete all waypoints and then reload all of the permanent waypoints before departing for the outdoors. (I did not realize this until after my initial review submission. I would now give a 4-star rating, rather than 5, because of this whole POI proximity alert issue and the lack of delete-waypoints-by-symbol.)
.....o Note that some of the newer Garmin GPS's (e.g., 450) say they support proximity alerts, but the functionality is limited to when a waypoint is on the route being navigated. This is a major difference from the old eTrex Legend HCx, where simply being the appropriate distance from a POI was sufficient to trigger the proximity alert - even when not navigating. In the case of the 30, proximity alerts also work when not navigating (like the old eTrex Legend HCx) but the proximity alert must be for a waypoint and not a POI.
o Another new mounting system to purchase mounts for.
Bugs:
o Cannot transfer tracks and waypoints directly from the 30 to MapSource as was supported for the old eTrex. In USB Mass Storage mode (Setup > System > USB Mode > Mass Storage) only the current track, not waypoints or archived tracks are transferred. In Garmin mode (Setup > System > USB Mode > Garmin), the current track and all archived tracks are transferred but the waypoint checkbox is greyed out in the MapSource dialog box (meaning that MapSource probably does not recognize the waypoint file on the 30). One approach for merging a single waypoint .gpx file and multiple track .gpx files is to drag and drop each .gpx file onto a separate MapSource session then copy/paste into a single MapSource session. For this to work, you would use USB Mass Storage mode. (Note that trying to drag and drop into a single MapSource session results in only the data from the last drag-and-drop being present in MapSource; it assumes replace rather than add and does not issue an error message.) Garmin indicates that BaseCamp is the future and this problem with MapSource will probably not be fixed.
o If you download maps to the GPS, the Map Information page will display one of your maps plus the two basemaps which come with the GPS. The Map Information page will not scroll beyond those three maps so you are unable to disable any maps beyond those three. My testing indicates that, regardless, all of the downloaded maps are on the GPS and the maps display correctly; the testing by the Garmin tech support person indicates that the maps were not being displayed properly on his 30 - so we have two conflicting stories. The Map Information page is accessed either by (a) Map > Menu > Setup Map > Map Information or (b) Setup > Map > Map Information. Garmin is working on a fix. Hopefully, all of the parties involved are communicating clearly but I am unsure because Garmin's suggested interim fix did not resolve the problem. The fix was to rename Garmin\gmapsupp.img (the downloaded maps) to any other name, e.g., Wyoming.img. After renaming, the Map Information page continued to display only 3 maps, but rather than displaying the name of a map segment (an area of a larger map set) it was now (after the rename) displaying the name of the map set. Given that I had downloaded 42 map segments from two different map sets, the 30 should be displaying more than one of my maps - regardless of whether it is showing map segments (as the old eTrex Legend HCx does and the 30 did prior to the rename) or map sets (as the 450 does and the 30 did after the rename).
o While in USB Mass Storage mode, performing an Eject on Win7 64-bit generates a dialog box: "An error occurred while ejecting ...". So, the 30 does not power down (as the Oregon does) and leaves the GPS's display showing the USB-connected icon. This makes me nervous about whether all files have been properly closed or whether there is potential corruption. This problem did not go away after updating the 30 firmware and rebooting the computer. No other devices are encountering this error. Garmin has no other reported incidents of this problem. I tried different cables (including the included cable), different ports, and three Win7 64-bit computers but the error message always appears. All three computers are running the latest version of BaseCamp (3.2.2), which means the computers have the latest Garmin drivers (2.3.0.0).
Tips:
o Just like the old eTrex Legend HCx, press and hold Rocker to Mark Waypoint.
o Just like the old eTrex Legend HCx, pressing the Power button cycles the brightness: medium > high > off. The user manual just describes pressing the Power button once then using the Rocker to fine tune the brightness level.)
o Just like the old eTrex Legend HCx, Menu > Menu will return to the Main Menu.
o Just like the old eTrex Legend HCx, pressing and holding the Menu button will open the Find page.
o When you first get the 30, back up all of the files on the GPS to a hard drive.
o Sometimes it is desirable to display the current time to the second rather than just hours:minutes. This can be useful when setting a camera's time for later automated synchronization of photos to tracks or waypoints. To display the current time including seconds on the 30:
.....o Alternative A: Compass > Menu > Change Dashboard > Large Data Field. Read more ›
As you read this review, note that Rocker refers to what Garmin has now renamed the Thumb Stick.
Pros:
o The on-screen keyboard is much better designed than the old eTrex (and this issue was important enough to me to pay for a 450 last year):
.....o Stays in upper case (hallelujah) rather than, with the old eTrex, the first alpha triggering the on-screen keyboard to change to lower case and special characters, which then necessitated navigating to the shift character to restore the keyboard to upper case and numbers.
.....o DONE is easier to access as are cursor left and cursor right.
.....o Can use the Zoom keys (top left side of GPS) to switch between the three keyboards: alpha and numbers, special characters; numbers.
o The display is nice and crisp.
o Can load maps to internal memory without using an SD card (56MB of maps tested leaves 1.68GB of internal memory). The old eTrex required an SD card .
o A distance proximity alert can be created on the 30 using any waypoint or POI as a source (more info below).
o Can load maps, waypoints, and routes from MapSource (see Bugs below).
o Smaller than the eTrex Legend HCx.
o Includes place to affix a lanyard (but a lanyard is not included).
o Garmin tech support was excellent. Michael spent and hour and a half as we researched four issues including the bugs mentioned below.
o As mentioned by other reviewers, satellite acquisition is fast: first power on to location: 45 seconds.
Cons:
o The new interface seems cumbersome when compared to the old eTrex. The old interface was quicker to navigate with more data being displayed on menu screens, but maybe it will get better with more hands-on time. The new interface seems to have been designed for a touch screen, which the 30 is not. On some screens, such as the Map Information page there is a lot of wasted empty space. Tip : Use Setup > Page Sequence to add pages that you want to quickly access using the Back button; those pages will then disappear from the Main Menu.
o Testing indicates that proximity alerts for POI's loaded using the POI loader do not work. On the old eTrex Legend HCx, POI's containing speed or distance proximity alerts could be loaded using the POI Loader and the Legend HCx would issue the appropriate alerts. The POI Loader works with the 30, but testing indicates that the alert is not issued. This test was for a distance, not speed, alert (speed alerts are of no interest to me, so I'll leave that testing to someone who wants that functionality). On the other hand, proximity alerts can be manually created on the 30 using waypoints or POI's as sources. This is definitely a big Pro and is listed in the Pros above. When the user creates a proximity alert from a POI, a waypoint is created with the same name with a "1" appended at the end of the name. So, it appears that to mass load distance proximity alerts onto the 30 will require loading them as waypoints with the proximity distance set, rather than loading them as POI's. And, it appears that waypoints only support distance alerts, not speed alerts, in the 30, MapSource, and BaseCamp. A minor point: while MapSource can maintain a waypoint's proximity in miles to 3 decimal digits (0.000), the 30 supports only editing to 2 decimal digits (0.00). And, as we all know, 0.01 mile is approximately 53 feet so this is probably a non-issue for most applications.
.....o To compound the problem of not supporting proximity alerts for POI's and forcing the use of waypoints instead, Garmin has removed the capability to delete waypoints by symbol, leaving only the choices to (a) delete all waypoints or (b) delete waypoints individually. This means that if I assign special symbols to the waypoints which I want to retain permanently on the GPS while letting temporary waypoints have the default (blue flag) symbol, I cannot delete just the temporary waypoints en masse -- as the old eTrex would have supported. In order to retain the waypoints which I want permanently on the GPS, I will be forced to either a) delete the temporary waypoints individually in the field if I forget to do it at home, (b) remember to delete them in BaseCamp before departing for the outdoors, (c) remember to delete the \Garmin\GPS\Waypoints_dd-mmm-yy.gpx file before departing for the outdoors, or (d) remember to delete all waypoints and then reload all of the permanent waypoints before departing for the outdoors. (I did not realize this until after my initial review submission. I would now give a 4-star rating, rather than 5, because of this whole POI proximity alert issue and the lack of delete-waypoints-by-symbol.)
.....o Note that some of the newer Garmin GPS's (e.g., 450) say they support proximity alerts, but the functionality is limited to when a waypoint is on the route being navigated. This is a major difference from the old eTrex Legend HCx, where simply being the appropriate distance from a POI was sufficient to trigger the proximity alert - even when not navigating. In the case of the 30, proximity alerts also work when not navigating (like the old eTrex Legend HCx) but the proximity alert must be for a waypoint and not a POI.
o Another new mounting system to purchase mounts for.
Bugs:
o Cannot transfer tracks and waypoints directly from the 30 to MapSource as was supported for the old eTrex. In USB Mass Storage mode (Setup > System > USB Mode > Mass Storage) only the current track, not waypoints or archived tracks are transferred. In Garmin mode (Setup > System > USB Mode > Garmin), the current track and all archived tracks are transferred but the waypoint checkbox is greyed out in the MapSource dialog box (meaning that MapSource probably does not recognize the waypoint file on the 30). One approach for merging a single waypoint .gpx file and multiple track .gpx files is to drag and drop each .gpx file onto a separate MapSource session then copy/paste into a single MapSource session. For this to work, you would use USB Mass Storage mode. (Note that trying to drag and drop into a single MapSource session results in only the data from the last drag-and-drop being present in MapSource; it assumes replace rather than add and does not issue an error message.) Garmin indicates that BaseCamp is the future and this problem with MapSource will probably not be fixed.
o If you download maps to the GPS, the Map Information page will display one of your maps plus the two basemaps which come with the GPS. The Map Information page will not scroll beyond those three maps so you are unable to disable any maps beyond those three. My testing indicates that, regardless, all of the downloaded maps are on the GPS and the maps display correctly; the testing by the Garmin tech support person indicates that the maps were not being displayed properly on his 30 - so we have two conflicting stories. The Map Information page is accessed either by (a) Map > Menu > Setup Map > Map Information or (b) Setup > Map > Map Information. Garmin is working on a fix. Hopefully, all of the parties involved are communicating clearly but I am unsure because Garmin's suggested interim fix did not resolve the problem. The fix was to rename Garmin\gmapsupp.img (the downloaded maps) to any other name, e.g., Wyoming.img. After renaming, the Map Information page continued to display only 3 maps, but rather than displaying the name of a map segment (an area of a larger map set) it was now (after the rename) displaying the name of the map set. Given that I had downloaded 42 map segments from two different map sets, the 30 should be displaying more than one of my maps - regardless of whether it is showing map segments (as the old eTrex Legend HCx does and the 30 did prior to the rename) or map sets (as the 450 does and the 30 did after the rename).
o While in USB Mass Storage mode, performing an Eject on Win7 64-bit generates a dialog box: "An error occurred while ejecting ...". So, the 30 does not power down (as the Oregon does) and leaves the GPS's display showing the USB-connected icon. This makes me nervous about whether all files have been properly closed or whether there is potential corruption. This problem did not go away after updating the 30 firmware and rebooting the computer. No other devices are encountering this error. Garmin has no other reported incidents of this problem. I tried different cables (including the included cable), different ports, and three Win7 64-bit computers but the error message always appears. All three computers are running the latest version of BaseCamp (3.2.2), which means the computers have the latest Garmin drivers (2.3.0.0).
Tips:
o Just like the old eTrex Legend HCx, press and hold Rocker to Mark Waypoint.
o Just like the old eTrex Legend HCx, pressing the Power button cycles the brightness: medium > high > off. The user manual just describes pressing the Power button once then using the Rocker to fine tune the brightness level.)
o Just like the old eTrex Legend HCx, Menu > Menu will return to the Main Menu.
o Just like the old eTrex Legend HCx, pressing and holding the Menu button will open the Find page.
o When you first get the 30, back up all of the files on the GPS to a hard drive.
o Sometimes it is desirable to display the current time to the second rather than just hours:minutes. This can be useful when setting a camera's time for later automated synchronization of photos to tracks or waypoints. To display the current time including seconds on the 30:
.....o Alternative A: Compass > Menu > Change Dashboard > Large Data Field. Read more ›
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Edition:Barometric Altometer, 3-axis compass|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have just received my eTrex 30 unit, and so far it is perfect and a great improvement over the still amazing eTrex Vista HCx.
The eTrex 30 is for all purposes, the new Vista HCx, both have barometric altimeters and both have compasses, however, the 30 has a tri-axis compass that allow to look at the unit perpendicularly to the ground and it will still mark to the north.
Among the improvements are of course the new hi-color screen (Allows BirdsEye maps, like having a Google Earth in your pocket on the trail!). Wireless transmission of data via ANT+ that also works with heart rate and cadence monitors. And the most important geek factor, the reception of GLONASS signals!
One of the new things that I like a lot is that everything now is a file, on the Vista HCx to download the files it was necessary to use the Garmin serial protocol, now with the 30, only with connecting the unit to a USB port in the computer it is possible to get all the captured data in standard-compliant GPX files. This also means that there is a 2GB (1.7GB usable) flash storage device in the unit.
Placing GPX files in the correct folders in the unit also displays the information within those in the unit, like waypoints or tracks. It is much easier now. In Linux I use gpsbabel to convert back and forth from many formats, in particular I enjoy exploring my trips again with Google Earth and it requires KML files, gpsbabel helps to do that precisely.
Also, there is an Alarm Clock on the unit, I just tested it a 4:30am and it woke me at about 2 meters from my bed. This is something I really wanted to have in my Vista HCx, as my traveling wristwatch isn't that loud, and I had to use a Casio traveling clock just for that. One less device to carry!
Loading maps is now way more faster than with the Vista HCx, having both one for Europe and another locally, takes a few seconds, while before it took minutes
As always, a GPS unit like this, now with a GLONASS receiver, will beat any smartphone on trails and while traveling abroad. Here in the tropics close to the Equator I got a fix pretty quick, but not with as many GLONASS satellites as I wished, that is because that GNSS constellation is best used way up in the north hemisphere.
The User Interface looks better, with antialiased fonts and pretty icons, it is now more like a Windows XP UI, while in the Vista HCx with its limited color palette, was like a Windows 3.1 UI. The on-screen keyboard seems to be easier to use, and looks like a miniature version of those included in smartphones.
Physically, the unit is lighter, more compact (A few millimeters more bulky in depth), easier to handle in your hand, the rocker is in the right side now, good for right handed, but my muscular memory keeps moving my thumb to the previous rocker position in the Vista HCx. The infamous rubber band used in the Vista HCx that unglued so easily with time seems to be substituted with a more solid rubber sides, now attached with screws. The micro SD card is placed like a SIM card in a phone, under the batteries.
Now, this is something I have always wanted that was NOT added... An option to LOCK THE BUTTONS! Neither unit has the option to avoid the buttons to be pressed while having the unit on a backpack or in a holster. I would really like an option like in the mobile phones to do that ("Press such and such buttons to unlock"). Many times I have put my units in a bag to later retrieve them in a weird configuration screen and with a track erased or so.
The eTrex 30 is for all purposes, the new Vista HCx, both have barometric altimeters and both have compasses, however, the 30 has a tri-axis compass that allow to look at the unit perpendicularly to the ground and it will still mark to the north.
Among the improvements are of course the new hi-color screen (Allows BirdsEye maps, like having a Google Earth in your pocket on the trail!). Wireless transmission of data via ANT+ that also works with heart rate and cadence monitors. And the most important geek factor, the reception of GLONASS signals!
One of the new things that I like a lot is that everything now is a file, on the Vista HCx to download the files it was necessary to use the Garmin serial protocol, now with the 30, only with connecting the unit to a USB port in the computer it is possible to get all the captured data in standard-compliant GPX files. This also means that there is a 2GB (1.7GB usable) flash storage device in the unit.
Placing GPX files in the correct folders in the unit also displays the information within those in the unit, like waypoints or tracks. It is much easier now. In Linux I use gpsbabel to convert back and forth from many formats, in particular I enjoy exploring my trips again with Google Earth and it requires KML files, gpsbabel helps to do that precisely.
Also, there is an Alarm Clock on the unit, I just tested it a 4:30am and it woke me at about 2 meters from my bed. This is something I really wanted to have in my Vista HCx, as my traveling wristwatch isn't that loud, and I had to use a Casio traveling clock just for that. One less device to carry!
Loading maps is now way more faster than with the Vista HCx, having both one for Europe and another locally, takes a few seconds, while before it took minutes
As always, a GPS unit like this, now with a GLONASS receiver, will beat any smartphone on trails and while traveling abroad. Here in the tropics close to the Equator I got a fix pretty quick, but not with as many GLONASS satellites as I wished, that is because that GNSS constellation is best used way up in the north hemisphere.
The User Interface looks better, with antialiased fonts and pretty icons, it is now more like a Windows XP UI, while in the Vista HCx with its limited color palette, was like a Windows 3.1 UI. The on-screen keyboard seems to be easier to use, and looks like a miniature version of those included in smartphones.
Physically, the unit is lighter, more compact (A few millimeters more bulky in depth), easier to handle in your hand, the rocker is in the right side now, good for right handed, but my muscular memory keeps moving my thumb to the previous rocker position in the Vista HCx. The infamous rubber band used in the Vista HCx that unglued so easily with time seems to be substituted with a more solid rubber sides, now attached with screws. The micro SD card is placed like a SIM card in a phone, under the batteries.
Now, this is something I have always wanted that was NOT added... An option to LOCK THE BUTTONS! Neither unit has the option to avoid the buttons to be pressed while having the unit on a backpack or in a holster. I would really like an option like in the mobile phones to do that ("Press such and such buttons to unlock"). Many times I have put my units in a bag to later retrieve them in a weird configuration screen and with a track erased or so.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Overpriced, Outdated, Useless, Intentionally Incompatible with...
I bought the eTrex 10 with the sole purpose of connecting it to programs like GOOPs, GPSGate and Google Earth. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Scroggins
Perfect for what I need it for.
I primarily use this on my motorcycle with the city navigator maps. I needed something small, water resistant, and with a long run time and this fit my needs perfectly. Read more
Published 5 days ago by P. Vo
etrex 10 manual & customer no service
The owner's manual is only available by downloading and printing it from the web site. I bought a garmin product a few months back and had no trouble downloading and printing the... Read more
Published 5 days ago by grt
Perfect price for Geocaching
The eTrex 10 is all you need for geocaching. We love the pc download feature and use it frequently (in conjunction with geocaching.com website). Read more
Published 9 days ago by N. T. Wilcoxon
Garmin e trex 30 GPS Navigator
Good little unit. I love it,So far i have only used it
for Geo-Caching does a great Job. I would recommend it
to any one looking for a great Hand held GPS Device.
for Geo-Caching does a great Job. I would recommend it
to any one looking for a great Hand held GPS Device.
Published 18 days ago by Ham buff
It works!
I find it fairly easy to use. I use it mainly for Mountain Biking. The screen is hard to see in the sun but I found using no map(just using the pre-installed base-map) works best. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Shawn Axelrod
reception
I have compared this Etrex 10 to older models, and the 10 picks up satellites quicker, and in more dense woods.. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Wm Arett
Handy but disappointing - NOT recommended
This is not my first GPS. I've owned many and my last was a Garmin GPSMap 76CSx.
If you are interested in this small format get the eTrex 10. Read more
If you are interested in this small format get the eTrex 10. Read more
Published 1 month ago by bullshark
Excellent but a bit fragile
I loved this little device - have had Garmin GPS devices in the past and they were always just a bit too big. Read more
Published 1 month ago by James Charanis
Garmin eTrex 20
I've owned a handheld Garmin for years; the eTrex Legend. I loved it until I started getting blue screens that required a hard reset. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bow hunter
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Edition: Barometric Altometer, 3-axis compass
