+Kharraz1 Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 I've been looking around purchasing a GPS unit and i've narrowed down my options to get Etrex 20. My only concern is that the Etrex 20 doesn't have an electronic compass and i was wondering how important is it in Geocashing? I just started geocashing about a month ago. I was using my Samsung Galaxy S3. Quote Link to comment
+Lineman101 Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 It's not. I have an Etrex 20 that I've used for years. I've recently acquired a Montana 650T, which has a 3 axis electronic compass. I've seen no advantage of having it when geocaching, so you should find the Etrex 20 perfectly acceptable. I agree with sussamb. I've had several GPS'S with electric compasses and my etrex 20 works the best of all of them. Seemed like I was always calibrating them. Quote Link to comment
+BlackRose67 Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 (edited) and I'll disagree I bought an eTrex 20 as my first proper GPS. When I was out caching in forests, I was constantly frustrated by it when I was moving very slowly (i.e. navigating around large puddles, rocks, fallen trees, etc), as it would point everywhere but where I needed to go. The eTrex 20 worked fine as long as I was moving at a normal walking pace. I bought a GPSMAP 62s on sale late last year; one of the main features I bought it for was the 3-axis compass, the others being able to use Chirps, and transferring geocaches to/from my friends GPS in the field. Edited September 23, 2014 by BlackRose67 Quote Link to comment
+Red90 Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 If you know what you are doing, it makes no difference for cache finding. Quote Link to comment
+BAMBOOZLE Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 and I'll disagree I bought an eTrex 20 as my first proper GPS. When I was out caching in forests, I was constantly frustrated by it when I was moving very slowly (i.e. navigating around large puddles, rocks, fallen trees, etc), as it would point everywhere but where I needed to go. The eTrex 20 worked fine as long as I was moving at a normal walking pace. I bought a GPSMAP 62s on sale late last year; one of the main features I bought it for was the 3-axis compass, the others being able to use Chirps, and transferring geocaches to/from my friends GPS in the field. +1....don't buy a unit without an electronic compass....when the going gets touch and its hard to walk at all much less fast enough for a non electronic unit to work you want a unit with the compass. If all your caching will be on open pastures or airfields you don't need one. In heavy brush, climbing rocks, etc its REALLY nice to have. Quote Link to comment
+Woodstramp Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 I agree totally that it is not important. Always found the electronic compass on any unit to be more aggravation than it's worth with calibrations and such. Even on my trusty 60csx I always turned that function off. BTW, I liked the E20 so much that I even bought another for backup. Quote Link to comment
+Kharraz1 Posted September 24, 2014 Author Share Posted September 24, 2014 Etrex 20 it is thanks guys. Quote Link to comment
+MountainWoods Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 You're probably going to be doing the bumblebee dance either way. Right? Quote Link to comment
+BAMBOOZLE Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 You're probably going to be doing the bumblebee dance either way. Right? Haven't done the bee dance since 2003 when I got my first Magellan Platinum Quote Link to comment
Fangamon Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 If you know what you are doing, it makes no difference for cache finding. ...tend to agree! But I wish that Garmin would dampen off the sever movements of the compass needle! Quote Link to comment
+Red90 Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 The problem, in my view is people need to learn how to zero on a cache..... You don't need to or want to wait for the GPS to read zero. If you triangulate from a distance, walk over and start searching, your life will be simpler. Spending time, trying to get the GPS to read zero is a waste of time and effort. The owner and your GPS are not going to read the exact same spot and you will not get any more accurate than you can by triangulating at 20 meters while walking up to the area. Quote Link to comment
+JL_HSTRE Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 Etrex 30 comes with an electronic compass, which is the biggest difference between that and the Etrex 20. Either one is a good GPS. Quote Link to comment
+firestars Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 You can compare the eTrex series here - http://geocaching.co.uk/gps/garmin-etrex-series/ I would recommend a Dakota 20 over any of them but if you have one, get a 30. The electronic compass comes in great as does the ability to complete 'Chirp' caches. Quote Link to comment
Fangamon Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 You can compare the eTrex series here - http://geocaching.co.uk/gps/garmin-etrex-series/ Cons * Map drawing slow while panning map * Small screen can be an issue when looking at closeup map detail * No carabiner clip included in package * Compass page doesn’t flow like a real compass, but quickly switches to correct direction * Once again the owner’s manual is short on detail– only very basic information is given. Yep, they got the reasons NOT to buy it... Quote Link to comment
+Black Ice Champ Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 I like using the compass feature, it can be a bit annoying having to move for out it to work but I would definitely recommend it. Quote Link to comment
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