wmarek74

eTrex 20 prolonged Battery life reaches 40 hours. conditions: new eneloops xx (2500mAh), Data page, backlight off, GLONASS off.

I use electronic compass in eTrex 30. It makes rotation of the map much quicker and easier than in the same branch unit - eTrex 20. Since FW 2.80, the differences arised, as Garmin increased significantly the threshold of speed when the electronic compass work instead of GPS-one. Some my friends complain that eTrex's GPS response at low speed is weak (sometimes speed shows 0 for a long time, when climbing slow = therefore GPS compass does not oreintate map properly). Therefore, I would wote for the units with an electronic compass (preferably 3-axes ones).

For example: look at the small, top lefthand side data field in this film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8euHfdZEJIE What speed do You see most of the time. Also look at bottom lefthand side data filed - it is "time of standstill" Weird, isn't it? It is all about Garmin :-(

The truth is that there is no 100% reliable eTrex 20/30 firmware yet. Each released version has certain bugs (some minor, some huge). We still have a hope for any better one firmware! Current FW 3.70 has problems in response of Trip computer in low speeds (fields: speed, time of the movement).

FW3.70 is great! Now Trip computer=Track, IMO it slightly underestimates total ascent/total descent heights, but not that much. BUG If you erase Trip computer only, and save the track, it looses its elevation statistics. So, it's better to erase both(trip computer and track) at once.

Forkeye, with Sanyo Eneloops 2500mAh, eTrex run about 35-40 hours if: 1.turn off the backlight, 2. switch off GLONASS (which is an energy burner), and 3. use data page instead of map page (map's redrawing needs mogę energy than data).

The bug refers to the Computer, not a track which Ya're talkin' about. It was solved in FW2.80 and re-appears again now,in FWs 2.87 to 3.30.

The problem with computer appears only in low motion. Try to move slowly and see that current speed and trip distance show zero, and time to time they jump suddenly. In real field condition this bug is recognized in the mountains. The alghoritm of computer in low motion is somehow buggy!

@gpsblake No, all eTrexes (except eTrex 10) have problems with Trip computer. This issue is recognized both: by users and Garmin. Garmin has not solved this issue in eTrex 20 (and 30) yet.

eTrex 30 offers more featurea than eTrex 20; Altimeter, compass and barometer works great now! Software bugs refer to Trip computer!

LOL, what's the point of that! Two steps forward and the electronic compass is a waste of money... That's right that unexperienced turists may have problem with compass. Otherwise, in eTrex 30 compass works just fine!

Give it a try and you'll see that this particular function (total ascent/descent) gives random values in eTrex 30. It is weird that such perfect GPS-unit with correct altitude readings has implemented such fake algorithm in trip computer. You don't need to take both units to recognize this problem. The simpler test is to make a close, round trip in the hilly terrain and at the same start/finish point of the trip You will see differences between ascents and descents. Typically: the ascents will be underestimated due to lower speed of ascending. Garmin respect this observation, but he is hardly doing anything with this.

@Forkeye You are wrong. I confirm stable elevation measurements, but my previous question refered to eTrex 30 calculation of total ascends/total descends. I wrote to Garmin and they admit their mistake and bug. You wrote that you do hiking. I suggest you to give it a try in the mountains. In this case, eTrex 30 software is far beyond all the other Garmins which calculate these values fairy good. The reason of faulty sums' calculation is that Garmin uses alghoritm which is based on changes of vertical speed in the time periods. If you move slow (when hiking uphills) your speed is so slow that eTrex 30 disregards them for total ascend. On the other hand, it works fairly good when cycling with constant pace or in the lifts. Look for confirmation in forum.garmin.de There are many numbers which confirm this BUG. BTW, this wrong alghoritm exists since the start of e30 till now, unfortunately (wrong software) :-(

BTW, don't you know in what way eTrex 30 calculates "Total ascent"/"Total descend"? I have FW 3.30 and I can't get where these sums come from. What is curious that they seem always less than suspected... Must be a wrong software, or something intentional?

eTrex 30 is the only option if you are lookin' for a GPS-receiver which works >20 hours on batteries and which has a relatively small size (and weight). Also, electronic compass has to be consider as current FWs (since FW 2.80) suffer from "GPS response at low speeds" what means in practice that with non-ecompass unit (eTrex 20) you will hardly see movement and map orientation in slow motion. I don't recommend GPS units without electronic compass at all! Overall, I would recommend eTrex 30 if energy-consumption and small-size is a priority. Otherwise I'd vote for Garmin Dakota 20 as a little less energy-safe unit, but currently the best-deal. Garmin Dakota 20 is accesible in the price equal or less than eTrex 20, but has much more capabilities, alike wireless transfer of data, e-compass, barometer.

Luvvinbird, I confirm. If, during compass calibration, the first two steps can be performed a bit faster, the third must be rotated very slowly and carefully. I succeed this way 7 times of 7 attempts!

To perform a master reset: 1. Power off device 2. Press and hold Menu and Enter (joystick pressed in) 3. Press and release Light while continuing to hold Menu and Enter Select Yes once the Do you really want to erase all user data? message appears

BTW, did You, who can't succeed in calibration, performer MASTER RESET after upgrade to 3.20. I did master reset and since then no problem with calibration at all!

I use ANT+ to download the routes prepared by the team leader on site and for registering temperature in the track by external Tempe sensor. With in built barometer it serves to predict weather. From my point of view it is worth to have abovementioned features.

German test which tells about eTrex problems with calculations of ascents and descents http://www.navigation-professionell.de/funktionen-garmin-outdoor-gps-geraete/#barometer

Pros: long battery life, small size Cons: slow map's redrawing; immatute calculation of total descents and total ascents in trip computer.

IMO, what you appreciate the most in eTrex 30 is ANT+ wireless transmission.

Current software FW 3.10 have again the same problem (huge BUG). I can easily prove it e.g walking up the stairs. Time is passing by, but speed and distance show O movement.

So, my request is to just check No.2 "GPS response at low speeds" in FW 3.00 and in eTrex 20 too. IMO, in "walking pace" speed frequently decreases to 0 miles/h when moving.

No problems with FW 3.00 in eTrex 30? I am surprised as still quite annoying things persist: 1. Trip computer now shows very irrelevant elevation gains and losses. They are too low. It is easy to check on the cable car or chair lift. 2. The other problem with FW 3.00 is again the BUG: "GPS response at low speeds". It means that when You use eTrex as pedestrian and You walk alone it frequently shows speed 0 miles/hour. It results in inaccurate, too low trip distance measurements. This complain is not relevant to other activities as biking, cycling etc.