Sgt_Strider Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 I just learned that the eTrex 20 have both GPS and GLONASS capabilities! Naturally this have gotten my attention. I intend to use the unit as a track logger for geotagging my photos. 1. Right now I'm using the Garmin 62s as my track logger. From experience, most of Garmin's recent handheld units have the same track logging capabilities. Would it be safe to assume that the settings available are the same or similar to the 62s? 2. In terms of accuracy, how accurate is the eTrex 20 when compared to the Garmin Fenix, Garmin 60CSx, Garmin 62s, and the Garmin GLO? A quick search seems to suggest that it's relatively accurate, but I'm looking for opinions from owners of this device. 3. Can owners of the eTrex 20 confirm whether the eTrex 20 is capable of recording coordinates at an interval of 1 second? 4. Can owners of the eTrex 20 confirm whether the eTrex 20 have the ability to set the recording method to "Auto" and recording interval to "Most Often"? Thank you! Quote Link to comment
Fangamon Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 (edited) I have an Etrex H yellow one and an Etrex 20. Both are the same accuracy and seem to be rather similar in there trip log counts. Seems accurate! Specs says that the record time is per second. I have mine set to every 10 seconds or 20 metres. Here are some screen captures my Etrex 20 settings of the options you asked... I have heard just too many horror stories from the Etrex 30 to warrant risking a purchase. I have the same features anyway because the money I saved on the Etrex 20 got me a very nice Suunto compass, solved! GPS altimeter fails in pressurised planes because you can't disable it. E-compass software bugs and constant need to recalibrate negates it for me as I have a Suunto hand compass that never fails. Suunto Clipper L/B NH = $17.95 USD http://www.suunto.com/en-US/Products/Compasses/Suunto-Clipper-LB-NH/?categoryId=5 Edited October 15, 2013 by PigSti Quote Link to comment
Sgt_Strider Posted October 15, 2013 Author Share Posted October 15, 2013 I have an Etrex H yellow one and an Etrex 20. Both are the same accuracy and seem to be rather similar in there trip log counts. Seems accurate! Specs says that the record time is per second. I have mine set to every 10 seconds or 20 metres. Here are some screen captures my Etrex 20 settings of the options you asked... I have heard just too many horror stories from the Etrex 30 to warrant risking a purchase. I have the same features anyway because the money I saved on the Etrex 20 got me a very nice Suunto compass, solved! GPS altimeter fails in pressurised planes because you can't disable it. E-compass software bugs and constant need to recalibrate negates it for me as I have a Suunto hand compass that never fails. Suunto Clipper L/B NH = $17.95 USD http://www.suunto.com/en-US/Products/Compasses/Suunto-Clipper-LB-NH/?categoryId=5 Thanks a lot for the response. How were you able to get those screen shots? According to GPS Tracklog review: http://gpstracklog.com/2011/10/garmin-etrex-20-review.html#more-12856, the accuracy isn't all that good. Of course the review came out about 2 years ago. I wonder if subsequent firmware updates have improved the performance and accuracy of the eTrex 20? Quote Link to comment
Fangamon Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 (edited) Etrex like Nuvi's has a screen capture option putting the JPGs in a folder for you... Waypoint averaging option does improve the tracking precision when Tracking Back. Edited October 15, 2013 by PigSti Quote Link to comment
Fangamon Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 According to GPS Tracklog review: http://gpstracklog.com/2011/10/garmin-etrex-20-review.html#more-12856, the accuracy isn't all that good. Of course the review came out about 2 years ago. I wonder if subsequent firmware updates have improved the performance and accuracy of the eTrex 20? There were issues that prevented me from buying it years ago but the firmware has matured somewhat and now it's better than most. I bought it and while there are still niggles it's pretty good. Quote Link to comment
tr_s Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 GPS altimeter fails in pressurised planes because you can't disable it. False, even if what should be done to do so is unnecessarily inobvious to the average user. Setup -> Altimeter -> Barometer Mode: Fixed Elevation. Reboot the device and you are done. Quote Link to comment
Fangamon Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 GPS altimeter fails in pressurised planes because you can't disable the barometric altimeter is what I should have said. I know you can select to disable it but in some cases this does not always work messing up everything. It happened to me and is why I finally chose the Etrex 20. Quote Link to comment
MtnHermit Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 I intend to use the unit as a track logger for geotagging my photos. You started a thread on a topic of great interest to me. I'm going to share my Oregon 450 examples to see how the 62s and eTrex 20/30 compare. I have a Nuvi which accepts GeoTagged photos, but it behaves totally different from the Oregon. See the attached Oregon screenshots: The first screenshot shows the map view with over a dozen geotagged photos. Touching any of the photo symbols, #2, shows the red pin and a image banner at the top. Touching that banner, brings up the associated image, #3. All-in-all a terrific solution. Do the 62s and eTrex behave the same? Quote Link to comment
MtnHermit Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 As they're not touch screen I doubt it Oh ye of little imagination! I have an older eTrex, move the cursor and press select, is equivalent to an OR touch. The key is the photo viewer and photo symbols, not the touch. Quote Link to comment
Fangamon Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 I intend to use the unit as a track logger for geotagging my photos. You started a thread on a topic of great interest to me. You are off topic really... Questions about the Garmin eTrex 20 GPS accuracy and track log ...and it would be better for everyone if you used that quote to start another thread about photo tagging, but not here! Quote Link to comment
Sgt_Strider Posted December 17, 2013 Author Share Posted December 17, 2013 Can anyone here confirm that the eTrex 20 and eTrex 30 share the same GPS/GLONASS chipset so it's fair to say that the performance between the two units are the same? I'm not really interested in the compass as I'm just using the unit for creating the tracklog to geotag my pictures. Quote Link to comment
Sgt_Strider Posted December 17, 2013 Author Share Posted December 17, 2013 Btw, I forgot to ask if it's difficult to insert and remove AA batteries into the unit? Like I said in another thread, the Garmin 62s makes it very difficult to insert and remove AA batteries even after all these years! Quote Link to comment
Sgt_Strider Posted December 17, 2013 Author Share Posted December 17, 2013 AFAIK they use the same chipset. Batteries are a bit tight, at least the NiMh rechargeables I use are, but they can easily be levered out using the battery cover, which conveniently has a couple of pointy bits Sounds like the Garmin haven't changed one bit since the 62s! I'm using the Eneloops and I have no problems removing them from the 60csx. With the 62s, I still have to use my nail clipper! Quote Link to comment
Sgt_Strider Posted December 17, 2013 Author Share Posted December 17, 2013 Since the eTrex 20 doesn't have an altimeter/barometer, will the eTrex 20 just record the GPS altitude data instead? Quote Link to comment
Barrikady Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 I used my eTrex 20 when I visited Vietnam during March 2013. I only used the eTrex 20 as a track logger. I was very pleased with its accuracy and its excellent battery life. It proved to be a very small, accurate and economical track logger. Go to this gallery of images and maps to view the tracks the eTrex 20 logged while in Vietnam: GO HERE Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.