+stestardi Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 (edited) A friend just purchased a yellow eTrex at Wal-Mart, and I noticed it has a number of new features, including a new info page with ~5 user-configurable fields, a WAAS mode, and more. The firmware version is 3.0, but the latest firmware availble on the Garmin web site is 2.14. I've Googled and found nothing about a new FW release for the eTrex. Anyone know anything about this, or did my friend get some kind of pre-production prototype or user hack? Steve Edited March 8, 2005 by stestardi Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 (edited) You sure he didn't get a legend or a venture in a Yellow skin? Edit: Nevermind, the click stick or lack would cause issues. Edited March 8, 2005 by Renegade Knight Quote Link to comment
+stestardi Posted March 8, 2005 Author Share Posted March 8, 2005 You sure he didn't get a legend or a venture in a Yellow skin? Yep. No click-stick (or click-stick UI), and it has the same low resolution of an eTrex or eTrex Summit. The info page I mentioned is very similar to the Legend's Trip Computer page, but with fewer fields. Quote Link to comment
+stestardi Posted March 8, 2005 Author Share Posted March 8, 2005 It also has 20 routes like the Summit and other eTrex models, rather than 1 like the original eTrex... Quote Link to comment
+Poindexter Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 This unit has a hardware upgrade. The firmware version 3.0 will not work in the older/other models. There was some discussion on this on the eTrex yahoo group as well as in the sci.geo.satellite-nav newsgroup, but nobody has come up with any link to advertising of this unit. Seems a bit secretive. Quote Link to comment
+Alvia Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 I have just purchased a new Etrex yellow and can confirm the system software version is 3.10 and is WAAS compatable, glad I found this thread as I was a bit confused when I checked the Garmin site and could only find ver 2.14 Quote Link to comment
+stestardi Posted March 8, 2005 Author Share Posted March 8, 2005 (edited) I called Garmin today and was told that about 3 months ago both the basic eTrex and Summit were rolled to include new HW and FW that supports new features including WAAS. The FW upgrade will not be applicable to the old units. The agent was evasive and would not discuss when the web site would be updated to reflect the new features / firmware. I think Garmin realizes they'll have an inventory problem on their hands if people figure out that a new version is available, so they'll wait until the old version is flushed through the system before publicizing the new features. Seems like a silly strategy in retrospect -- why not introduce them as new models and benefit from the publicity? As it stands, they've just added 1 minute to each support phone call as the agent instructs the customer hiow to identify which version they have. Unfortunately I didn't see my friend's box so I don't know if the version change is apparant form the packaging -- any one else know? Edited March 9, 2005 by stestardi Quote Link to comment
tucoblue Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 I got my Garmin etrex in Oct. '04. It is the Camo which is the same as the Yellow. It has the 3.0 firmware. There was no reference on the packaging. Buddy of mine got his Yellow in Dec. '04 and it has the 2.14. Quote Link to comment
+GPS_David Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 I asked this same question two weeks ago. I received an email from Garmin stating this was the latest version but they didn't answer my question about the site being updated. Thanks, Dave 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.