New eTrex line announced - eTrex 10, 20 and 30

[tucsonprerunner]

Hi, has anyone actually got their mitts on one of the new eTrex yet?
Keen to hear opinions?
Scott M, what's your assessment on them? You seemed very enthusiastic when they were announced, are you still that enthusiastic?
This will be my first forray into the world of GPS, with the intention of using it on TD.
Thanks for any feedback.
Scott E in NZ

I've had mine for almost a month and love it!  Here's the link...
http://www.bikepacking.net/reviews/garmin-etrex-102030/

[Curtis C]

Does this new etrex work with HR monitor? They have the monitor listed as an accessories but I cant find any info on compatibility.

Any comparisons to the 705 out there yet. My 705 gathered quite a lot more info than my old etrex did.


Curtis
 

[tucsonprerunner]

Does this new etrex work with HR monitor? They have the monitor listed as an accessories but I cant find any info on compatibility.

Any comparisons to the 705 out there yet. My 705 gathered quite a lot more info than my old etrex did.


Curtis
 

I have the Etrex 30 and is compatible with both the heart rate monitor and the cadence sensor wirelessly.   

[fastmtnbiker33w]

Ooooh.  I'm glad I read this.  I was going to pull the trigger on a 20 but with the HR and cadence compatibility, I'm going to save some more coin and get the 30.  Garmin's page doesn't show the 20 as having fitness sensor compatibility.

[tucsonprerunner]

The Etrex 20  might be compatible.  If you have an REI nearby or a reputable Sportsmans Wharehouse, Cabelas, ect, they can test out the accessories right at the store.  The Garmin bicycle mount I bought didn't state it was compatible with the new Etrex series, but onlt with the Dakota and Oregen series.  So the guy behind the counter ripped open the box containing the new mount, and what do ya know?...A perfect fit!  Try before you buy, it may be worth looking into.  Personally, I like the electronic compass on the 30 (don't have to hold it flat while navigating, less calibrating), it was worth the added $.  My 2 cents...

[fastmtnbiker33w]

Scott M. has a 20.  I'll text him to see if he's tried it with a monitor strap.

[fastmtnbiker33w]

The 20 does not work with the HR monitor.

[gregclimbs]

I have the Etrex 30 and is compatible with both the heart rate monitor and the cadence sensor wirelessly.   

And that is such a bummer since it has an ant+ chip but only supports those two accessories. :/

I want it to work with my powertap!!!

g

[fastmtnbiker33w]

If it has an ant chip, I bet there's a way to program it to take your powertap. Start emailing garmin.  They might make a software/firmware upgrade or something that you could upload.

[RossC]

Is it possible to store more than 10,000 waypoints on the new model? Can you get it to reference the SD card to 'upload' more data points from it? This 10,000 waypoint business is a real buzz kill.

[afie]

The Garmin bicycle mount I bought didn't state it was compatible with the new Etrex series, but onlt with the Dakota and Oregen series.  So the guy behind the counter ripped open the box containing the new mount, and what do ya know?...A perfect fit!

So the Garmin Bike Mount for Colorado and Oregon models works perfectly? This one:


There are also these two:

http://www.ja-gps.com.au/RAM/ram-hol-ga48u/


http://www.ja-gps.com.au/Garmin/etrex-10-hook-loop-tether/

[ScottM]

So the Garmin Bike Mount for Colorado and Oregon models works perfectly? This one:

Yep, that's the one I've been using.

My two sentence review: I really like the new eTrex 20, and would recommend it over the old eTrex and Dakota/Oregon/Edge units for bikepackers.

20 doesn't support HR/Cad as noted above.  30 does.

Some of the little quirks present in the Dakota are still in the eTrex but they are minor when compared to all the benefits.  I love having buttons and a screen that is visible (vs. Dakota)!

[mtnbound]

ScottM - thanks for your review!  With your experience with the CTR, would you prefer the eTrex 20 over the Vista HCX (even though the HCX has additional features - primarily the compass) for this race? 

I like the eTrex 20's price (around $190ish), much better than HCX at around $220.  I talked to a REI rep a few days ago, comparing the 30 to the HCX (they didn't have the 20 in stock) and his opinion was the 30 had a nice layout but the 30 and HCX were essentially the same thing and not worth the $60 extra for the 30 for the minor updates.  However, if the 20 is that good for the price, that seems to be the way to go, if you are willing to live w/o the HRM and electronic compass (which I don't use HRM but don't know if the compass is really needed for the CTR or other basic use - is it?).  I did like the layout of the screens for the 30 and it did lock onto satellites quicker than the HCX (though the difference was only about 5 seconds but 5 secs is still 5 secs). 

I would assume the layout of the 20 and 30 were the same - are all the screens and features the same for the 20 and 30 except for the HRM and compass (and the e-sharing - not a feature I am interested in)?

[afie]

Thanks Scott.

I bought the 30 for ~$260 from memory - it hasn't arrived yet.

The reason I went with the 30 is in the hope that they release a firmware update in the future that will allow it to show Ant power data.

[ScottM]

ScottM - thanks for your review!  With your experience with the CTR, would you prefer the eTrex 20 over the Vista HCX (even though the HCX has additional features - primarily the compass) for this race? 

Yes, I'd go with the 20 over the HCx.  I only use the compass when laying out trail, never riding it.

I like the eTrex 20's price (around $190ish), much better than HCX at around $220.  I talked to a REI rep a few days ago, comparing the 30 to the HCX (they didn't have the 20 in stock) and his opinion was the 30 had a nice layout but the 30 and HCX were essentially the same thing and not worth the $60 extra for the 30 for the minor updates.  However, if the 20 is that good for the price, that seems to be the way to go, if you are willing to live w/o the HRM and electronic compass (which I don't use HRM but don't know if the compass is really needed for the CTR or other basic use - is it?).  I did like the layout of the screens for the 30 and it did lock onto satellites quicker than the HCX (though the difference was only about 5 seconds but 5 secs is still 5 secs). 

The difference in the UI, and the ability to more easily upload tracks, is well worth it, IMO.  I'd get and 20/30.  One thing the 30 also has is a barometric altimeter, which is nice to have, but not essential IMO.

[Area54]

Question - does the 20 use AAs or built in lithium?

[bmike-vt]

Question - does the 20 use AAs or built in lithium?

2aa

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=87771&ra=true#specsTab

[Area54]

Thanks mate, was looking during lunch at our suppliers site but couldn't truly get the facts.

Hmm, wondering if it could also charge or run on hub (SON delux) or solar power (as per the powermonkey/Garmin collabo unit for the 800)

Calling Multisportscott: did you buy one, if so do you think the basemap detail would be enough for the Kiwi Brevet?

[multisportscott]

Hey Area54, Yes I bought a 30.
There are a few areas where there is nowhere near enough detail on the Basemap softwear.
I have mapped the whole of the Kiwi Brevet on Map my Run and tried to import it.
I am a complete newby when it comes to GPS so struggling a bit to get my head around it all.
If I spent the time I might actually work it all out.
Once I have the course sussed on my GPS I would be happy to send you the gpx file.
Will have some time over the next week to play around a bit.
Hope this helps and makes sense?
Are you coming over for the Kiwi Brevet?
Cheers Scott

[Area54]

Against all odds it seems, yes I am coming over.

If I have some spare money before the kiwi, I might buy a 20 or 30, otherwise it will be the trusty old 305.