ASK DS: Garmin Etrex 30 GPS

[Don Miller]

I've never owned a GPS unit but I'm seriously thinking of buying one. What are your thoughts on the Etrex 30? Like I said I've never owned one. I'm looking for a unit that is user friendly and one that will hold up to the elements. I also like the data sharing capability of this unit. Please post up pro and cons if you have had any experience with this gps unit.
Thanks,
DM.

[Don Miller]

Thanks for all the input. Y'all sold me on this unit

[jdbuckshot]

The Etrex units are good units. i have 2, one of the firest etrex, and i have another but cant remember the name of it.


i just bought the Garmin dakota 20, and was not impressed at all. it was usless in clorado, could not ever find a signal. i was pissed after buying all the topo maps for the areas i was in and not even being able to use.


going to try to update the firm ware and see if that helps.,

[Tedl10]

I can't speak for that particular model, but i did have a garmin vista model for a few seasons. I never really had a problem with it other than it ate batteries every outing. However, it was durable and reliable. Looking back I wish I would have held onto it.

[Trip]

I've been looking at that one also. The other one I'm considering is the Oregon 450.

[baileydog]

Delorme.
I have a PN 40 and it is the best I have had in 20 years. 32 channel works in heavy cover.


Plus for $29.95 you get unlimted aerial photos.

http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeC ... M%253AS%7E

[Tedl10]

Delorme.
I have a PN 40 and it is the best I have had in 20 years. 32 channel works in heavy cover.


Plus for $29.95 you get unlimted aerial photos.

http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeC ... M%253AS%7E

i have this model now and have loved it up until about 2 weeks ago. Even with fresh batteries, it freezes once its turned on. The only time it works is when its plugged up to a power source other than batteries. I am going to call Delorme and see what they say because i love it.

[greenheadgrimreaper]

Consistently, general-use handheld GPS units are dominated by Garmin. It is just the way it is right now. I certainly hope the rest of the market keeps up with catching up, so units that are of the quality as Garmin will come down a bit. As of now they are priced at a premium- but they are also of premium quality.

Mark, what are ya wanting to get out of a unit? Meaning day in and day out what do you want to do with it? Have quick access to routes and tracks going creek riding? Do ya want technology like WAAS capability to make waypoints like that tree top in a lake bottom even more accurately recorded? Do ya want add-ons in the future? Geocaching? GIS work? Marking spots for work?

An Etrex works absolutely fine, perfect, for a lot of applications- almost any. But if you want units with even more possible future add-on capabilities, and all around uses that could or would pertain to using a GPS receiver unit, then there are other options for a little more $. And to be sure, depending on your funds, there are other manufacturers who use other technologies that'd make that tree top's location be within 6 inches of either side of your trolling motor mount.

As far as aerial photos, etc go: I haven't- nor will I- pay for any topo or aerial map for my Oregon 450. The freeware GIS and Mapping software from Google Earth to Bing Maps is nearly limitless for Garmin units. There really is no need for users to pay for maps of any kind these days- or mapping software.

[Don Miller]

Consistently, general-use handheld GPS units are dominated by Garmin. It is just the way it is right now. I certainly hope the rest of the market keeps up with catching up, so units that are of the quality as Garmin will come down a bit. As of now they are priced at a premium- but they are also of premium quality.

Mark, what are ya wanting to get out of a unit? Meaning day in and day out what do you want to do with it? Have quick access to routes and tracks going creek riding? Do ya want technology like WAAS capability to make waypoints like that tree top in a lake bottom even more accurately recorded? Do ya want add-ons in the future? Geocaching? GIS work? Marking spots for work?

An Etrex works absolutely fine, perfect, for a lot of applications- almost any. But if you want units with even more possible future add-on capabilities, and all around uses that could or would pertain to using a GPS receiver unit, then there are other options for a little more $. And to be sure, depending on your funds, there are other manufacturers who use other technologies that'd make that tree top's location be within 6 inches of either side of your trolling motor mount.

As far as aerial photos, etc go: I haven't- nor will I- pay for any topo or aerial map for my Oregon 450. The freeware GIS and Mapping software from Google Earth to Bing Maps is nearly limitless for Garmin units. There really is no need for users to pay for maps of any kind these days- or mapping software.

I'm mainly looking for a unit that I can mark points and way points while hunting and fishing. I will not be using this unit for work. I would like to have the capability to add on topo and satellite imagery. Like I said, I'll be using it for scouting unfamiliar hunting lands and locating under water bush piles.

[greenheadgrimreaper]

In that case, an etrex will make you a happy customer.

[Sea-Donkey]

If you’ll be using it for fishing (or any other water activity), consider the Garmin 78-$230 on Amazon. It is the marine handheld that (replaced the old original marine 76 last year). It’s larger than the Etrex line to allow for floating but also includes easy to read buttons with that extra size. I much prefer it to the Etrex Vista I used to have. You can load topos or lake software to it. I got mine in a bundle that included a 12V cord and Garmin Lakes maps on a micro SD that plugs in under the batteries.

[donia]

i've got a garmin map76csx that has been through the ringer and still ginning. i haven't seen or handled a new map78, so i don't know how they handle aerials (or even if they will). 76/78's float and map60/62's are waterproof (resistant) in a few feet in water, both are waas capable, and have a sirf gps chip (fast, reliable acquisition in canopy).

the resolution on the displays of the new models (78/62) are a vast improvement over the old models (76/60), but you can find some really good deals on the older models if you can live w/out aerials.