rapracing Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 Would a Etrex 10 be sufficient for a beginner or should I get him something with maps? I can get a new 10 for $79 Quote Link to comment
+Bear and Ragged Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 Would a Etrex 10 be sufficient for a beginner or should I get him something with maps? I can get a new 10 for $79 Maps are nice. Not needed for a lot of caching, but nice to have! The 10 is very limited on memory, so can't store much/many maps... Quote Link to comment
+whh0 Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 We had an Etrex 10 for our first 6 months of caching but quickly upgraded to a 20 due to lack of map! So frustrating to get within 30m of a cache only to find it the other side of a railway line or river... Quote Link to comment
+Gitchee-Gummee Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 (Good) maps would actually enhance geocaching for a beginner. The eTrex 10 is a good unit, as is the '20.... it's just that the 20 is much more versatile. It has expandable memory (that alone is a pretty good reason to go for it) and a color screen. The '10 will accept additional mapping, but because the internal memory is limited it puts a "crunch" on loading other data (geocaches and waypoints). As more memory is used, the slower the unit functions... sometimes to the point of locking. Most (not all) that buy a '10 (because it was cheaper), usually wish they had splurged and gotten a '20. Many of them end up buying the '20 after-all... leaving the '10 sit in a drawer somewhere. Quote Link to comment
+luvvinbird Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 Not sure which part of the world you live in but a quick check at GPSCity.com lists the eTrex 20 at $159.95. I totally agree with the others, the 20 is a much better choice and so easy to use right out of the box. Trust me, this one won't end up unused in a drawer or basement shelf. Quote Link to comment
+and1969 Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 Would a Etrex 10 be sufficient for a beginner or should I get him something with maps? I can get a new 10 for $79 These were being sold at £80 (UK) in Tesco last year, which I thought was expensive. $79 is equal to about £55 at current exchange rates. I agree with the other advice regarding the limited capabilities of the 10, and suggest you ask the seller if they can offer you an equally good deal on one of the higher spec Etrexes. Quote Link to comment
+rosefamily77 Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 I have the etrex 20 and am very pleased with it. I had not planned to use it for geocaching as the sport/game was not well known to me at the time, however i had also contemplated the 10, i choose the 20 for the color, maps, and expandable memory. i dont know if the 10 is able to directly upload geocache data, or if you can use .loc or gpx files, but with my 20 i just click a button on the website and upload to my gps. it loads eveything: logs, desription, hints, and coordinates...the 20 was made for geocaching. It works really well for geocaching, and I know I would have been disappointed had i gotten the 10 Quote Link to comment
+Gitchee-Gummee Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 ...i dont know if the 10 is able to directly upload geocache data, or if you can use .loc or gpx files... Functionally, the two units are identical, aside from the ability to access more memory in the '20. The color vs. gray-scale screen difference still exists. The color screen of the '20 enhances some (most?) mapping and makes for easier reading of icons and lettering. But that does not affect functionality. Quote Link to comment
+ByronForestPreserve Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 I bought three 10s to use with Boy Scouts, and the units work really well. I even took one on a run to do 20 or so caches in a park to try 'em out. I'd say it depends on what kind of caching you do. I think it holds something like 200 caches, which isn't a lot, but probably more than you'd do in a day. The other problem is the lack of maps, yes. But if you check out where you plan to go (I always do, anyway), it isn't a huge issue. I will say that even in the little park, I got out my phone at least twice just to see where the trails went and which I should head for next...but I do that with my Delorme that has good maps, so. The thing that annoys me most (which may also be a problem with the 20) is that I have to hit a lot of buttons! "Where To" "Geocaches" *select cache* then back to the main menu, then "Compass" to actually navigate. That may not sound terrible, but for example on my Delorme, there's a page button that toggles the map view vs. the compass view, and I don't have to get myself back to the main menu between every darn thing I want to do. I used the 10s for a geocaching program (not scouts) last weekend, and I just gave up and selected the caches myself and then handed it back over on the compass screen, because it was too complicated to tell each person how to select and view the next cache. (We also had like 300 people come through, so it was a lot faster than I normally teach geocaching.) Quote Link to comment
+JohnCNA Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 .... The thing that annoys me most (which may also be a problem with the 20) is that I have to hit a lot of buttons! "Where To" "Geocaches" *select cache* then back to the main menu, then "Compass" to actually navigate. .... I had an eTrex 30, so same software. There's a setting that tells it where to go after you select Go on a geocache. It will go right to that page (typically Compass or Map) as soon as you click Go. Sounds like yours might be set to go to the Menu page after that. I almost always pick my cache targets from the Map page. I can see which ones are closest. I can see which ones are closest but not the most logical choice because there's a creek in the way. Click on the cache icon on the map and click Go. Quote Link to comment
Mr and Mrs Boogie Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 I don't understand. It doesn't come with a map? Then how would someone find the cache or get around? I looked at a picture of a Etrex 10 and it has a map. Or are you all referring to something else in regards to a map? . . Quote Link to comment
+Gitchee-Gummee Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 (edited) The eTrex series (ALL of them) come with BASE maps. Base maps show only MAJOR roadways and the like -- little, if anything else. Early GPSr units did not use maps at all. Thousands and thousands of geocaches have been found (and placed) by using those devices. Maps, in and of themselves, are not necessary for finding geocaches. They sure do help, but they are not absolutely necessary. Of the photo you posted, the eTrex 10 shows what is meant by a Base map. The '20 and the '30 (in the picture) are displaying accessory mapping and those maps (from Garmin) come at a cost. Those accessory maps do not "come with" the unit. Edited April 29, 2015 by Gitchee-Gummee Quote Link to comment
Mr and Mrs Boogie Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 (edited) Oh wow, so if I was to get the eTrex 20, I wouldn't get (out of the box) what's pictured!? That doesn't seem fair/right!! Also, when you all refer to "maps", you all are talking about a map that has more detail (accessory mapping)? By the way, I think I may have hijacked this post. Sorry!!! . . Edited April 29, 2015 by deeznutzs Quote Link to comment
+Gitchee-Gummee Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 (edited) Oh wow, so if I was to get the eTrex 20, I wouldn't get (out of the box) what's pictured!? Also, when you all refer to "maps", you all are talking about a map that has more detail (accessory mapping)? By the way, I think I may have hijacked this post. Sorry!!! . . Correct. The map that comes with the eTrex 10, 20 and 30 are all the same -- just like that one pictured in the eTrex 10 above, not like what is pictured in the other two. Think: Marketing. Just like a commercial for a new car, they give you the price, but the fine print says "(options not included)". If you read the stats for each device on the Garmin website, they all state that they come with Base maps, even though the picture they display shows something different. Edited April 29, 2015 by Gitchee-Gummee Quote Link to comment
+colleda Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 (edited) I've used the etrex 10 and it is a great starter unit. Capacity is 500-600 caches, how many are you intending to find in a day anyway? We used it in conjunction with a Garmin Nuvi in the car (even used that to find caches too). Once the Nuvi got us as close to GZ as the car can get we hopped out with Etrex in hand to go for the find. The 10 is a great budget/starter unit but if you can spring for a few extra $$$ then get the 20, we now have one each (Mr & Mrs C). We have recently returned from a trip to Mexico and had all of Mexico's caches loaded on the 20s plus all of Columbia, Panama, Puerto Rico & Guatemala. That's about 3000 caches. Vacation caching is much more feasable with the 20 than the 10. edited for typo. Edited April 30, 2015 by colleda Quote Link to comment
+Betts2007 Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 I to am just setting up my etrex 10, never geocahched before. will try this model out before upgrading to see how much I enjoy it. just wondering if you need to do the extra download for the file reading or not? Quote Link to comment
+Bear and Ragged Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 I don't understand. It doesn't come with a map? Then how would someone find the cache or get around? When you enter the coordinates and press 'go' the unit will show an arrow, which will point the way to the coordinates location, and give you a distance to that location. Plenty of cachers used to do things that way! (Often had a printed map though, especially if 'out in the woods' or middle of nowhere) No need for the unit to have a map. Just watch where you are going! *And can I find the picture of the guy with a GPS just about to walk over the cliff, with the line "Don't follow the arrow" Quote Link to comment
+cerberus1 Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Plenty of cachers used to do things that way! I still use the navigation page ([with the "arrow"...) to cache, and only go to topo maps for reference. The directional "arrow" that's on the topo map is very small and found it annoying to zoom in/out. Quote Link to comment
+giddeanx Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 I bought three 10s to use with Boy Scouts, and the units work really well. I even took one on a run to do 20 or so caches in a park to try 'em out. I'd say it depends on what kind of caching you do. I think it holds something like 200 caches, which isn't a lot, but probably more than you'd do in a day. The other problem is the lack of maps, yes. But if you check out where you plan to go (I always do, anyway), it isn't a huge issue. I will say that even in the little park, I got out my phone at least twice just to see where the trails went and which I should head for next...but I do that with my Delorme that has good maps, so. The thing that annoys me most (which may also be a problem with the 20) is that I have to hit a lot of buttons! "Where To" "Geocaches" *select cache* then back to the main menu, then "Compass" to actually navigate. That may not sound terrible, but for example on my Delorme, there's a page button that toggles the map view vs. the compass view, and I don't have to get myself back to the main menu between every darn thing I want to do. I used the 10s for a geocaching program (not scouts) last weekend, and I just gave up and selected the caches myself and then handed it back over on the compass screen, because it was too complicated to tell each person how to select and view the next cache. (We also had like 300 people come through, so it was a lot faster than I normally teach geocaching.) The 10 does have a dashboard for Geocaching which includes the compass over the current track/course (I wont call it a map) so you don't have to flip back and forth. I will agree with you on everything else the interface is over complicated and the lack of maps was disappointing. I would also appreciate the 3 axis compass that you don't see until the 30. However, I only spent 50 dollars on the etrex 10 and it points me to caches so win/win. Quote Link to comment
+QuiltinNana Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 I've used the etrex 10 and it is a great starter unit. Capacity is 500-600 caches, how many are you intending to find in a day anyway? We used it in conjunction with a Garmin Nuvi in the car (even used that to find caches too). Once the Nuvi got us as close to GZ as the car can get we hopped out with Etrex in hand to go for the find. The 10 is a great budget/starter unit but if you can spring for a few extra $$$ then get the 20, we now have one each (Mr & Mrs C). We have recently returned from a trip to Mexico and had all of Mexico's caches loaded on the 20s plus all of Columbia, Panama, Puerto Rico & Guatemala. That's about 3000 caches. Vacation caching is much more feasable with the 20 than the 10. edited for typo. This sounds exactly like my husband and I. We've used a Etrex Venture HC for 4 years now along with the Nuvi in the car (which we used for the first summer for everything). I just upgraded to the 20 this week. Mainly because the Venture is starting to act a little crazy at times, like powering off for no reason. We used the Venture in Aruba and didn't have too many problems. We found 28 of the 29 that were there at the time. What I like about the 20 is the description and some information about the cache which you didn't see on the Venture and also the ability to load more than 500 or so caches. We'll be taking the 20 out for the first time this weekend. We want to get used to using it before our big vacation road trip from PA to Maine and into Canada. 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.