Garmin eTrex Handheld GPS Reviews

• Limited usefulness

  
  By on 2000-06-21
  Very handy size: about as small as my Nokia cell phone, and a little shorter. Great for shirt pocket use. I'll toss it in my daypack when deer hunting.

  Display is correspondingly small too: 1 1/4 by 2 1/4 inches.

  But if all you want to know is your current location, your current heading, and the route back to your tent, it'll do the job.

  Antenna is weak: even a light tree canopy or shirt pocket material gives it fits. No provision for external antenna.

  The barometer/altimeter function is nice.

  The complaint about the buttons being on the sides instead of the front/top is inane. It's designed for one-handed operation. There are only 5 buttons after all, and all of them are very conveniently reached.

  Ditto the complaint about battery life. 2 AA batteries give 20 hours or so, 15 if you use the backlight a lot. So carry a couple of spares, put it in battery save mode, turn it off when not using for extended periods, etc. It's a FIVE OUNCE GPS... get a life.

  If you're navigating your way to the Dry Tortugas or trying to find that new customer in a strange town, you'll want something more sophisticated.

  But if you're a hunter, a hiker/climber, a bicycler, or just want a small, fun, inexpensive unit you can carry in your pants or shirt pocket, this is a very nice unit.
  
  

• You will love your little E-Trex.

  
  By A27D90PT82YSZX on 2000-07-03
  I recently bought an E-Trex primarily because of the low cost of the unit. I am very satisfied with my purchase. I am surprised how rugged it feels and it appears to have a little more knock-ability than some other handheld GPS units I have used. I would have preferred a GPS with cross track error capability because I am also a recreational pilot, however the latest software revision (1.07) does show your position relative to the track line between two current waypoints on the map screen and this can be used to correct cross track error.

  I imagined the lack of buttons would have proved to be frustrating however this is not the case as the menus are logical and concise. Alphanumeric entry is via drop down menus, which let you quickly select numbers and letters for waypoint entry. Up to 500 waypoint entries are available and names are limited to combinations of up to six letters/numbers and there are many icons to choose from. You can quickly mark your present position as a waypoint by holding down one of the buttons for a second. It has all the usual nav formats and measurements can be displayed in Nautical (knots included), Statute (yards not included) and Metric.

  I have used it bushwalking through fairly dense scrub and tree canopy and it did tend to track satellites well. There were a few short occasions where it lost signal in particularly dense cover (to be expected with a relatively small internal antenna) however it recovered within about ten seconds in lighter cover. I would not recommend relying on the GPS compass feature in dense cover because it did have trouble maintaining heading information updates in low satellite coverage areas. I am not disappointed with its performance in dense bush, and as anyone familiar with units with small antennas will know, it is just something you live with. I was using a magnetic compass in particularly dense areas where I experienced poor coverage and it is good navigation practice to use a magnetic compass and map in conjunction with your GPS anyway. In light and open cover I routinely get 8 metre accuracy and sometimes as good as 5 metre accuracy. If I turn it on outside near my last fix it usually gets a lock in about 10 seconds.

  It maintains accuracy on the passenger seat of the car and is even better up on the dash. It gives a good presentation of speed, heading, time and distance to go on one big clear screen and the backlighting is very good. It has a nice rubbery casing and this makes it ideal to wedge it in an upright position between the dash mat and the windscreen while I am driving along.

  I decided the genuine Garmin data upload cable was too expensive and made my own lead from a cannibalised mobile phone charger. Uploading the latest free Garmin software revision (mine was shipped with v1.05) was a snap and I was very impressed with how easy it was to update. The new software has some nifty features worth getting. I have used some shareware utilities such as "GARtrip" and "GPSutility" to upload waypoints from scanned paper maps and street directories, and you can edit, upload and download waypoint info and track info. It is obviously faster to modify waypoint info from your computer keyboard and then upload the new waypoints in seconds. It has a non-volatile memory so flat batteries don't present any risk of losing your stored data.

  Any disappointments? Only a couple of minor ones. It is very hard to tell if the backlight is on in sunlight, and because it toggles on and off by momentarily pressing the power button, you can accidentally bump it on and be wasting batteries. You can't scroll the map around; you can only zoom in and out. This makes it difficult to review your recorded trail in any detail, and you need to zoom out and lose definition to see much of your trail. It gets cluttered with waypoint info when you zoom out trying to see your whole trail although you can turn the waypoint display off.

  In summary, it is a compact gem of a GPS with a big screen and for the price I believe it represents excellent value. Make yourself a data lead or buy one from Garmin because the shareware computer-based utilities are cool. Two thumbs up.
  
  

• Disapointing

  
  By on 2000-05-11
  I was really happy for about the first couple days having the etrex. Its very realiably built and simple. After about four days having it however, I realized that it really is a waste of money. Taking it hiking is just not really fun... The etrex is a little over simple. Your better off paying a little extra for a MUCH better GPS. If your like me (one who likes gizmos), you will get bored of the etrex in a very short amount of time. The most disapointing thing about the etrex is the fact that it just doesn't work in the woods. I walked 3 miles in the forest and the track log only showed me for .4 miles, and half the time, the GPS doesnt even show you moving! The unit is almost worthless without a compass.

  My advise would be to get either the Garmin 12 XL (not listed at amazon.com) or the GPS III+. The XL has a city point map which shows all cities in the Americas (etrex has no database at all other than the points you enter). For a couple hundred more, you can get the III+ which will never leave you bored in any situation! It has a full on detailed map with roads, freeways, cities, shorelines and more! Both the 12XL and the III+ also have a more powerful antenna for the forest hikers.

  Overall, I was REALLY unhappy with the etrex, but those of you who want a really simple GPS that you can just get coordinates off of will probably like it. You are better off just paying a little more for a better GPS however.
  
  

• Great for outdoor adventures but...

  
  By on 2000-04-27
  The etrex is a very good GPS system for the buck. It doesn't however include many features: compass, speedometer, a waypoint storage system, and a basic map showing only your waypoints. The unit is ideal though for camping, and any outdoor activities that you just need a point-to-point navigation for. The unit itself is very solid, VERY small, water-proof (to 30 feet), and will last about 20 hours on just 2 AA batteries. Amazing technology these days!

  Keep in mind, the map on the unit does NOT include any detailed information (i.e cities, roads etc.), just your waypoints that you enter. It you want a GPS with a detailed mapping system (cities, roads, coastlines etc...) get either the Emap or the GPS III+. The III+ is the high-end "outdoors" GPS while the emap is made primarily for driving due to its great capability of data storage.

  Overall Evaluation on Etrex: Excellent for the money, fun to use, simple, however not very practical.
  
  

• Cheap, yes-- but not a good option for geocachers

  
  By AHYETNMIB00GK on 2005-03-28
  I purchased a yellow Garmin eTrex GPS about a year ago. My main reason for buying it was because I learned about the sport called 'geocaching', and, knowing little about these devices at that point, I purchased one on the advice of a couple of friends. I used it heavily for for about 5 months before coming to some conclusions about this device's capabilities.
  
  I will first list the yellow eTrex's good points:
  
  - It's cheap-- one of the cheapest GPS receivers you can find.
  - It's easy to find-- you can buy one at Target, or at most any sporting goods store.
  - It's durable. You can drop it several times or dunk it in water, and it'll still work (dry it out first before you attempt to use it again).
  - It has an interface to hook up to your computer to download new firmware and to download geocaching waypoints, if you have the need for this.
  - It's easy to use and very intuitive for first timers.
  
  Now, its drawbacks. Realize that I am rating this device from the viewpoint of a geocacher, and we're probably the most demanding users of GPS receivers out there:
  
  - It is not an accurate device if you're attempting to get a definitive lock on a waypoint within 50' of your goal. Once in the general search area, the signal will likely bounce around and give you wildly varying readings. For example, if you've entered a waypoint and get within 50' of your search area, expect to find readings bouncing around from 5-50 feet with each step you take. I used this unit in varying terrain, under varying tree/bush cover, under varying weather/cloud conditions, and in varying temperatures, with the same results. I was able to obtain two other samples of this receiver, and those tests came up with the same results, so I surmise that my eTrex wasn't just an errant sample of these receivers. Upgrading the receivers' firmware did nothing to help the accuracy.
  
  Granted, my experiences with this receiver probably won't matter that much to most of those who will purchase this unit for tasks such as finding your way around while camping, hunting and hiking. For those uses, this unit will work just fine. However, if you're a geocacher and want a GPS unit that will pinpoint your goal effectively, without bouncing your readings from 5-50 ft. as soon as you walk two steps any direction, you will want a GPS unit that has WAAS capabilities (wide area augmentation system). I now have a GPS receiver that has WAAS, and it provides a much more stable lock when in the area of my intended goal.
  
  In short, I found this unit to be frustrating to use for geocaching. There are other GPS units that will provide more stable signal-lock than the Garmin eTrex for close to the same price.
  
  
• Wildland Firefighter likes eTrex
  By on 2000-05-24
  For the price and its size, it's a 5 star product. Compared to many larger/pricer units it can be only a 3 star. This is a very competetive marketplace and with the removal of the military Selective Availablity coding on May 1st, you've got to take the big leap and buy one. The eTrex shows accuracy of 11-20 feet commonly. In reasonably dense conifer forests around 60 feet. Put yourself in the bottom of a canyon in that forest and you'll have to spend say 5 minutes positioning your GPS to get 100 foot accuracy. That will not work for surveyors, but you'll get back to where you started just fine. Again, the main reason for this success is the military making the accuracy available to all of us. By the way THANKS. This unit is a very reasonable entry GPS Some Problems with the eTrex: 1) Doesn't have a simple map in it and you can't download quality Topo maps onto it. 2) Smaller size means smaller antennae and its reception in timbered canyons is weak. 3) No external antennae hook-up for when in your car. 4) Does not have a built in compass capabilty for when using a bearing, like the very similar Garmin "Summit" model that will be released shortly.(The summit will cost about twice as much). You really need to use a quality compass with it. But, as you should know, GPS will not repace map and compass, just enhance it greatly. However, for your money, this a geat little unit.
  
  
• Wish there was more memory
  By A2ATP6ZRUYEB0M on 2000-02-07
  I used this product driving across the USA and Canada, total of 15000 miles. Very accurate, reliable. Saved a lot of my time and gas. Only one thing, I wish there was more memory. Once the memory runes out, the older path of where you have been starts to get erased. I personally lost the record of where I drove in the morning by late afternoon,( if I drive containuously all day) It has a separate way point input option though, and it came out very handy. It does not work well in the concrete jungle (big cities) where you probably dont need GPS. There's too much other radio interference and tall buildings blocks the satelite signals in big cities, but instead there are many land marks and rode signs that confuses you and entertains you and afterall there are helpful to let you know ehre you are. over all, very nice product for low budget traveler and hiking purposes. love the size and burability.
  
  
• The handy little yellow thing - excellent entry level GPS
  By A2V0I904FH7ABY on 2005-10-31
  Before you lose the patience to read through the rest of the stuff, I would strongly suggest that you get yourself a PC interface cable and download free GPS software from www.easygps.com or pay for one at www.expertgps.com (with additional features)
  
  With so many GPS in the market, it is confusing which one to buy, unless you are clear about what your needs are.
  
  I jotted down a few points as to why would I really need a GPS:
  (1) Never to lose my bearings on hikes
  (2) Keep track of where I went and share this data to others
  (3) Keep track of altitude
  (4) Get to know of sunset and sunrise times so that I known when to get back to Camp and when to start the next day
  (5) Speed at which I walk and estimate the amount of time I would take to reach my destination
  
  etrex satisfies all of this.
  
  What is that I do not like about the etrex
  (1) Altimeters are not accurate (in any GPS), so get a barometric altimeter in addition to a GPS
  (2) Something miserably wrong with Sunset and sunrise timings. My GPS shows sunrise time as 18:51 and Sunset ast 06:30 (???) and it is inaccurate even if you transpost it. Etrex loses a * for this
  (3) Useless in heavy tree cover (in any GPS)
  (4) Battery life could have been better
  
  Despite all that, I am very happy with my etrex, it cost me exactly $100, meets almost all the features that I am looking for.
  
  Many of my friends ask me this question - Are you sure that this GPS works in India ?
  
  Ofcourse, it does, it is a GLOBAL positioning system ! I have used it in US, Canada, Singapore and Korea and works everywhere, even in the forests in western ghats in India.
  
  
  
  
  
• Fantastic!
  By on 2000-05-03
  I am extremely impressed with Garmin this time! They made this GPS with very good quality and at a very reasonable price! The etrex is amazingly small, actually the smallest GPS around, the picture makes it look big, but its very small. The casing is also VERY durable, waterproof, shock-resistant, and has a nice weight when loaded with batteries.

  Features: Includes map with personal waypoints, compass, speedometer, sunrise/sunset, average and max speeds, altitude, precise coordinates, unique satellite status page, and more.

  I would have to say the only thing I do not like about the etrex is the buttons. They are good quality and will not fall off or anything, but they just feel very awkward pushing them. Garmin really points out that you can easily operate the unit with one hand and that the buttons are comfortable to the feel. You can operate it with one hand but its hard and does NOT feel comfortable.

  The etrex is very simple which makes it so much easier to use than other GPS's. It is perfect for anything you throw at it!
  
  

• New to GPS? You won't be disappointed starting with eTrex
  By A9V3TGRHR7LHC on 2000-12-31
  The sheer number of reviews here of the eTrex gives a very good idea of its huge popularity, and this is well deserved.

  The great debate in these reviews seems to be sensitivity of the unit to usable satellite signals in forest conditions. Well, while it won't compete with an amplified remote antenna mounted atop your backpack frame (which you can't connect to the eTrex, by the way), I can say that I've found its performance under moderate to heavy tree cover to be never less than what one is entitled to expect. I haven't been in rainforest yet with the eTrex, but it has never run out of signal while sitting on the passenger seat of my car, and it will usually keep going even when located in the door pocket.

  The most constructive comment I can throw in about sensitivity is that, from what I have both experienced and read, the eTrex has very good capabilities 'as-designed'. If you're an informed 'electronics fan' then you'll recognise that the occasional dud will turn up in even the best product line. Buy the eTrex with confidence. If you should strike a deaf one -- a very rare specimen, I think -- get it exchanged before you gripe about it to the world!

  The eTrex makes particularly good sense if you're in a region not covered by Garmin's MapSource digital maps, such as down here in Australia. Bearing in mind that NONE of Garmin's GPS receivers (and I'm talking about the 'mapping' units such as the eMap, GPS 12MAP and GPSIII+) allows you to upload you own scanned maps, or anybody else's for that matter, you're far better off starting with a no-nonsense, highly accurate GPS receiver that is also extremely rugged and pocketable -- the eTrex to a tee. Then put the rest of your money into some good, third party, mapping software. And if you want mobile mapping buy a PDA or a secondhand notebook PC. Now you will have the best of both worlds.

  Like most modern hand-held units, the eTrex generates its own map of your movements as a visual tracklog or 'breadcrumb trail'. But while you can manually or automatically zoom this screen, you can't scroll the display -- limiting the usefulness of the larger scale views. This has come about essentially because, unlike the larger units, the eTrex lacks a rocker key and doesn't have enough buttons to readily control scrolling. But this is a minor niggle that becomes insignificant when you use it in conjunction with a PC. For retracing your steps ('Trackback' mode), or for following any of the 10 pre-recorded tracks you can store in the unit, you will see all the detail you will ever need, and that is in fact the main function of the map screen.

  A second minor annoyance is that the eTrex is not designed to operate efficiently with NiCd or NiMH cells. GPS receivers in general have quite a healthy appetite for batteries, and the eTrex shuts down well before cells of this type (1.2v nominal cell voltage) are exhausted. You can use them, but you'd better be carrying a good supply! The larger Garmin units (which use four AA cells instead of two) can be switched to use and correctly monitor these cells. Not so with the eTrex.

  My only significant gripe (and the reason for just a four-star rating) is the staggeringly high cost of accessory cables -- about one third the price of the eTrex itself in the case of a combined data/external power cable! These can bring the effective cost of the unit much closer than you think to some of Garmin's more up-market units which tend to be supplied bundled with a data cable.

  Look on the Web for third party plugs and cables -- having a PC link increases the utility of the eTrex (or any GPS for that matter) enormously. Other than that, it's a gem!
  
  

• Superb value for the money
  By A1RPTVW5VEOSI on 2000-07-11
  I've been thinking about a GPS for kayaking for at least two years, but none of the units on the market met my requirements for ruggedness, water resistence, utility and low cost- until the eTrex.

  This is a *superb* little box. It's not only rugged and waterproof, it's very well enginnered and very handy. It provides all the necessary information needed for navigation- location, speed (real and average), distance traveled, direction, bearing to a waypoint, and so forth. You can store mutilple routes, too. Until Garmin comes out with a similarly sized package that does detailed mapping this will be my main navigating tool on land and water.

  I've been using it for kayaking and bicycling for a few hundred miles now and I have no complaints- well, I suppose it would be nice if it floated, too, but barring that I just keep its lanyard attached to my kayak when I go out paddling.

  Overall, a superb value for bikers, hikers and small boaters.
  
  

• NOT waterprof
  By A2P0SF8FSBIOKM on 2001-01-09
  I bought one of these units because of its waterproof rating. That is 30 minutes at 3.3 feet. Forget that one. The battery compartment isn't rated for this.....so it leaks big time. I called Garmin about this and they said that nothing can be done. There is no fix. This was December 2000. Since it eats batteries, I bought a Radio Shack digital camera battery kit. It has 4 ni-mh batteries rated at 1500mah and a chargerfor $22. This unit worked very well. Since the batteries compartment isn't waterproof the batteries got wet. I was in sea water and these batteries got ruined. If you plan on buying this GPS and using it around water, I would be careful in not using expensive batteries in it. Windsurfing, Kayaking, canoeing, white water rafting and the rest, be careful. If you buy their super expensive cable, you can update your unit free from their web site. They do offer great upgrades for their products, free. Wow. I only give the unit 2 stars. I own three of their products and this is the worse one for not living up to what they say it will do. The best one out there for tuff service is the GPS 45 version.
  
  
• very good for what it is
  By A234GO3KZYKKTE on 2002-01-13
  Garmin designed this unit to be a rugged, low cost, small, easy to use GPS, with good basic funtionality for casual users and beginners...and that's exactly what it is. It is water and vibration proof (mine is mounted on the handlebar of my motorcycle) and fairly simple to navigate through its menus. The display is readable and gives easy to use information, yet it easily fits in a pocket and the palm of the hand for one handed operation.

  This is not a "super-deluxe navigate the highway systems know where all the gas stations are" unit. It is a basic unit designed for backpackers, canoers, campers, snowshoers and skiers. You can mark waypoints and save tracks (a record of your movements) and backtrack over a track easily. Any time it is on, it leaves a virtual "trail of breadcrumbs" that makes it easy to go back the way you have come.

  Limitations? Remember, this is a basic, low cost unit. The main limitation is memory (lack of). A long trip (e.g. a highway trip) can easily consume all of the unit's memory, so that you run out of storage space for tracks. Way points are limited to six character descriptors, and trying to come up with something that makes sense can be challenging. You cannot download or display maps with this unit.

  All that said, I've had mine for a couple of years, and find it very handy for traveling in unknown to me waterways and trails. I also used it on a recent long distance motorcycle tour and found the trip distance, altitude, average speed, and compass features super handy, and easy to scroll through with one hand.

  If you are like me and want a rugged, basic, accurate, easy to use GPS unit that doesn't consume your entire bank account, then this is s great unit. It's also a great place to start with GPSing to see if you like it/need one/want/one, and will help you know what you want to see on the next GPS that you buy.

  For the money, an unbeatable buy!
  
  

• Acceptable for beginners
  By A173AT8ZMWHTDQ on 2005-08-03
  So you just heard about this sport called "geocaching," and you think it would be fun to try it if only the recommended GPS gizmos were not so expensive? Ignore the recommendations and grab an eTrex.
  
  This unit will not find angels on the head of a pin, and it is not the perfect, ideal unit for geocaching. If you are already a GPS/geocaching fan, spring the big bucks for something with more oomph. But if you're a beginner, the eTrex a relatively small investment in a new sport that you may not even enjoy, and it will get your started. Then, when you are ready to upgrade (or quit geocaching), eBay (or the friends you have lured into the sport!) are ready to take it off your hands.
  
  I've used mine for 16 finds and 1 hide so far, all 'beginner' caches of 1-2 stars of difficulty. Many have been in GPS-unfriendly areas such as wooded areas and near power lines. The eTrex has performed as expected on each of those caches: getting me within the noted range of error (usually 10-30 ft) so my dog's nose and my eyeballs can do the hard work. In a few cases where I thought the eTrex must be 'off,' I later went back and found out I was standing on or next to the well-hidden cache & didn't even notice it!
  
  Battery life seems to be fine; I'm still on my first set of batteries, a month after purchase. I am also a fair-weather geocacher, so mine has not had a chance to prove or disprove its water resistance.
  
  The unit will hold 500 'waypoints,' which is more than enough for a beginning geocacher. Unless you buy the cable to connect it to your computer, you will probably never enter that many waypoints before you are ready to upgrade your equipment, anyway. I have the cable, and I still only have 250 nearby caches marked in my eTrex so far.
  
  A large disadvantage of the eTrex compared to some of the more expensive models is that you can't show streets, etc., on a map screen. You can, however, import waypoints from your GPS (or right from geocaching.com!) into Google Earth and then print out satellite pictures that are better than those expensive GPS units will provide anyway.
  
  
• Great for hikers
  By A5UYFWO0JA5Y7 on 2000-03-08
  I have used E-Trex for several outdoor activities: running, hiking, biking, x-Country skiing, kayaking and inline skating. I can put the E-Trex in my pocket - do whatever activity is on the menu - and end up accurate odometer readings. Think of it? A true indication of how far you have run, skied or paddled (if this does not appeal to you, read no further). The E-Trex is also great for finding my way home on long bike rides or runs in unfamiliar places.
  
  Limitation: The display of your "track" (where you have been) is limited. It is hard to scale the track picture so you can see your path and still read waypoint names. Scrolling of the tracks display would be nice too.
  
  
• Don't rely on this product for hiking!
  By on 2000-11-17
  This is my opinion of the Etrex GPS. I recently went backpacking in the Big South Fork national recreation area. I set a way point at my car and headed out. I received the weak signal prompt 90% of my hike. I'm glad the trails there are marked well and I didn't have to rely on this unit to get me back to my car. If your travels include hiking through wooded areas (even after the leaves have fallen off), don't use this device as your only source of navigation or you may find yourself lost!
  
  
• Fun hiking accessory
  By on 2000-04-26
  I use the e-trex for hiking. The unit is small, rugged, easy to carry and easy to operate one-handed. The controls are well done and waterproof - power & backlight switch is recessed so it doesn't switch on or off by itself in a backpack, other controls have a good "feel".

  It's great for getting a coordinate to locate yourself on the topo, and for remembering a location you want to return to. It's possible to pre-enter coordinates of destinations from a topo, though the process is a little tedious (entering two 7-digit coordinates by scrolling though lists of digits.) E-trex displays direct distance & direction to such waypoints nicely.

  It does have trouble receiving the satellite signals in narrow canyons or in a forest with leaves overhead. As a result, the recorded "track" and trip odometer are often spotty or inaccurate (it only records your track and tallies distance when it has a good signal.) I've done 10-mile hikes where it's read only 3-4 miles at the end, reflecting the part of the trip it had satellite reception. It receives better when held rather than kept in pocket or pack. It usually receives fine in the car, too.

  The manual doesn't cover all the features, so you have to experiment to master the unit. Battery life is only a dozen hours, so I tend to turn the unit only only to mark waypoints and check locations rather than record continuous tracks.
  
  

• Great features, great price, small and easy to use
  By A3TB9HNQR54B5V on 2000-10-23
  I've wanted to get a GPS for a long time now and recently received this one as gift. I've used it for about two weeks and am very impressed. It is very small and light and easily fits in a pocket. I bought the bike mount accessory and have mounted this on my bike. It's small enough that it doesn't add a lot of weight or get in the way. Although it lacks mapping capabilities and some more advance features, it does everything that you really need a GPS to do.

  I live in the desert so I have not been able to test this under tree cover but - surprisingly -- it works great sitting on the passenger seat of my truck. Other units I've seen wouldn't function inside of a vehicle without an external antenna.

  It seems to be very accurate and I have been able to get a reported accuracy of 16 feet. I was amazed at how accurately it was able to record my speed and distance traveled.

  The manual could be written more clearly but the unit is very intuitive. I've never used a GPS before but was quickly able to figure out how to use all of the features. The buttons placemat was supposed to be designed for one hand operation. However, because the unit is so small, and I have large hands, it was a little awkward for me. I ended up using two hands to work the unit.

  The display is readable in bright sunlight and the backlight feature makes it possible to use the unit in dimly lit situations.

  I do have a gripe about battery life. It is supposed to run for 22 hours in "battery save mode." In regular mode, I went though my first set of batteries after about 10-12 hours of use. If you're taking this into the field - bring lots of spare batteries.
  
  

• E-Trex Limitation
  By AQP0045B5TJSJ on 2000-11-14
  After purchasing an e-Trex, and long after the return period I found the unit has an arbitrary limit of 250 miles or less before it will show the "closest 9" waypoints. The manual made no reference to 'closest 9' being under 250 miles. For some users this may make sense. However, If you use the unit as we do - to select fly in fishing spots - this 250 mile limit is a severe limitation. All requests to Garmin to make the 250 mile limitation an option in the programming were denied. When requested through several email request if this could be changed - I finally suggested that the manual does not say 'closest 9 waypoints UNDER 250 miles' and that perhaps they had an obligation under US law to honour that statement - their tech support claimed this constituted a legal challenge and they would no longer respond to any emails. I can only suggest that this type of action by Garmin is questionable at best. So if you don't care if a waypoint is over 250 miles away when you want to select the closest 9 buy the unit, if you do care think carefully about your purchase of a Garmin unit - several of their units have an even smaller mileage limitation built into them.
  
  
• Perfect entry level GPS
  By AL9P13WB6L9PQ on 2006-04-25
  This is my first GPS unit, purchased soley to enter the sport of Geocaching--see geocaching dot com--and recommended at that website as the cheapest GPS unit that would allow you to participate in this new sport of finding items placed by others by longitude and latitude.
  
  
  Well, the unit certainly works for that, although you have to either manually set a waypoint location, then modifying its latitude and longitude by manual entry, and I can only apparently find a SERIAL cable to connect it to a PC, and Mac's don't have serial ports.
  
  But it's been a blast and money well spent, with some unintended uses I've discovered, such as:
  
  ! Easter egg hunts for geeks. This year I placed Easter egg caches around town and my 12 year old went on an Easter Egg hunt by finding them based upon waypoints.
  
  2. You need a first class pedometer? I like walking, and you can set a waypoint as soon as you get out of the car, and leaving the unit own it'll tell you your average speed, total distance walked and time, all at once. You can use it to measure walking trails, the trail around the lake you walk three times a week, etc. I mean why pay $25 for a pedometer that you have to set your stride into the machine when you can get THIS for under a $100?
  
  3. Lots of useful information, such as it's exactly 30 miles as the crow flies from home to office, but 48 by road.
  
  WARNING: Do NOT let your teenagers have this in the backseat of the car, unless you want to hear, "Dad, you know you're going 82 miles an hour", only to look down and find that you are. This unit is EXTREMELY accurate measuring your speed on the highway.
  
  So, I'm just BEGINNING to find out uses. Sure, this unit doesn't have street maps, and it's not color, and it's got a lousy computer connection with optional serial cable. But for under a $100 it get's you into the world of GPS and I'm constantly finding ways to use this little sucker.
  
  So get it!
  
  
  
  
• Simple & Precise
  By on 2000-12-07
  I bought this as a gift for my husband. He uses it mainly to scout hunting territory in the extreme wilderness of the upstate NY Adirondack Mts. There's not much more that I could add regarding the technical aspects of this unit that haven't already been covered brilliantly by Ben Johnson of Australia in a previous review-- mine is a layman's view. The eTrex GPS is a simple to use, accurate, & rugged piece of equipment that no hunter, hiker, or camper should be without. It's simplicity is what sets it apart from many other GPS units. I know for a fact that if something is too complicated to use it'll just sit in the box forever. After reading the very short & concise user's manual, my husband was outside "backtracking" a walk in the woods behind our house in 15 minutes. He managed to return to a marked point within 10 feet of it's shown location on the eTrex (this after moving miles away from the area & returning the next day). You will not be disappointed with the eTrex. Even if you decide that you must have more "bells & whistles"- start here first to learn the basics. One last thing-- no GPS ever replaces a map & compass- always carry both (a map reading course isn't a bad idea either).
  
  
• Lost without it!
  By A2WOIVRE5TZF3Q on 2000-06-07
  I was hiking in the mountains, heading back to the car at dusk. I realized I took a wrong turn somewhere and was lost. I had logged the location of the car before leaving so here was my first real test of the E-Trex.

  I turned it on, and it pointed me toward the car complete with distance to destination and estimated time to arival. The "Back Light" feature came in handy as it would have been difficult to use my flashlight to see the readout. In ten minutes I was back at the car.

  The E-Trex is simple to use but I was glad I had spent several hours playing with it around my neighborhood before really needing it.

  I had no need for a compass or map with the E-Trex.
  
  

• Easy to use, not quite waterproof.
  By AXYPC5JD6BFM1 on 2005-08-31
  I found the eTrex very easy to use - no manual necessary, despite the fact that it's my first GPS. It's also small, lightweight, and easy to handle. I bought it for openwater kayaking, and I like how little space it requires in my vest pocket. It it NOT completely waterproof, as the Garmin site claims, however. The battery compartment does not seal tightly, so it cannot be submerged even for a few seconds without the risk of getting the batteries wet.
  
  
• This is the third one of these I have owned
  By AOXM84LEEK1DY on 2005-10-10
  I really like them, and this model is slightly improved over previous ones. It has an additional screen that conveniently displays additional information. It is easy to use and accurate. The first one I owned failed due to a software glitch, but Garmin provided me with a patch. I especially like the ability to download waypoints from my topographical program.
  
  Get the carry case so the screen does not get scratched up.
  
  
• The eTrex, outstanding value
  By A1ENOPVCVSE27P on 2001-07-17
  The Garmin etrex is a marvel of modern electronics. As a botanist and a keen hiker I have used it for multiple applications from navigation to marking rare plants. It has more than lived up to my expectations, and with software upgrades available the cons to buying this are mostly negated.

  This item is lightweight (perfect for hiking), Small (easily handheld or stowed in pocket) and water resistant. All screens and menus are intuitive including navigation and marking waypoints. With an accuracy that is given one can determine how accurate your position is and as the accuracy varies, can determine when to mark a waypoint. New software allows one to determine satellite signal strength which was the one drawback of the Gps. A fix (ready for use) is often obtained in under 15 seconds. With a brilliant battery life and the option of battery save or normal mode one can tailor make its operation. I appreciate that it only uses two AA batteries, easily obtainable,potetially rechargable and lightweight. I have fitted it snuggly into a cell phone pouch which I purchased for $2, aiding it's protection (yes, I have dropped it several times while hiking). The altimeter can vary, but I frequently obtain a vertical accuracy of a few metres (especially after leaving it stationary for a few minutes).

  The only cons I see are not being able to scroll around the map. The six character waypoint length is limiting. I have found penetration through trees and the car poor (although I have not seen one with better acquisition.), although using the accuracy display one can determine the sattellite status and determine whether to trust the reading. The contrast on my eTrex is poor rendering some screens almost unusable. Perhaps a software upgrade will put the co-ordinates on a white background.

  This has been one of my best buys ever and has aided me on many an occasion.
  
  

• Buy one... you won't regret it
  By ALH231G89QRT7 on 2000-12-05
  I bought my Etrex as a gadget, but its now an indispensable part of my travels. It's well designed, functional and inexpensive. Having owned my Etrex for 6 months, I now find uses for it that I never envisaged, for example; finding my way back to a hotel in a strange town at 3 in the morning after a party. Having previously marked the position as we left the hotel, it steered us, effortlessly through a maze of suburban streets, right back to the door. I would point out though, that since it has no 'base map', you really need a programme such as Autoroute to input your desination, if you are going somewhere for the first time. Just jot down the Lat and Longtitude and key them in. A terrific peice of technology.
  
  
• Simple, accurate and cheap ... saved [me] first time out!
  By on 2002-04-02
  Just like two out of every five "guys" on the planet, owning a GPS (really cool compass) was a must..."I can't live with-out one". I picked up the "e-trex" vanilla flavored, hiking, biking and trail version. My intent was to use it in my truck, a little added nav equipment for map reading (make long trips less boring). The basic e-trex lacks the memory for *real travel* logistics (car excursions). A three-hour trip ate 98% of its memory and 70+% of battery life. I must add however, my expectations were minimal, given its price. It calculates your speed better then your speedometer, frightening!!! Make no mistake, you are being tracked!!! As far as bearing, speed, travel time, the basics, this little toy is a treat. It saved [me] when I became lost in the middle of Farmington, CA. not long ago. The sun was down, the ground flat and I... backwards. I remembered the e-trex after about two hours of endless rights and lefts (almost ended up in Yosemite!!!), fired that bad-boy up and was on Highway 99 in 20 minutes, headed home. Paid for itself that night. I highly recommend the basic e-trex as a very basic navigational aide. It does everything it's designed to and does it well. It's also a great "starter" for learning about GPS systems. *Note: This thing tracked my rate of speed to the .5 of a mile and was right on target, if you register one with a serial number, use your best friends name!!! Happy trekking...
  Dave
  
  
• boating with e trex
  By A2QRVKACSCQGMG on 2003-11-08
  I run a lodge in northern ontario,and to get to work i travel by boat.Each day we travel 10 miles in and 10 miles back.Often this trip is made at 2 or 3 in the morning.Fog,rain,or snow the e trex always gets us home.On the lake we travel there are many bays and islands,and in the worst conditions,when you can not even see through the windshield we depend on the e trex to guide us back to safety.The backlight is great in the dark.The track back feature is by far the easiest to use.
  
  
• A great entry level GPS
  By A1M5MOU3UY9SAW on 2001-05-02
  I've been using this GPS unit for a few months now, for geocaching and for normal land navigation. I've also taken a GPS class with it, and got to see how it stacked up against other GPS units. The consensus of other, less tech-savvy students in the class was that the etrex offered a very user friendly interface in a small package. It offers all the essential features one needs in a GPS, comes in a waterproof, rugged and small case, and is fairly easy to use and read. Garmin's claims of one handed usage are for real, it is easy to navigate the interface with the solid buttons on the unit. The main downside is the antenna, at least compared to units that have more sophisticated antennas, so pulling in weak satellite signals under thick tree cover can prove problematic in some areas. Also this is a basic unit, so it has no fancy bells and whistles, most notably you cannot download or view a map on it (though you can download waypoints). For those of you who hunt, the eTrex camo version would probably make more sense. And for more money, you can get more bells and whistles in the higher end eTrex models. The large screen is both a plus and a minus--a plus in that it's very easy to read and you can easily navigate the menus on it. A minus since it can be damaged, and a large LCD screen will not work well in extreme cold. The bottom line is, if you want to get started with GPS navigation, the eTrex is a friendly way to get going. If you do end up getting this unit, I highly recommend getting the cable to hook it up to a computer, so you can at least get the software updates Garmin posts on occasion.
  
  
• A MUST FOR SOLDIERS
  By A15FJUSHDZWNN on 2003-05-13
  The eTrex is AWESOME!!! I just got out of the Army, and have used the eTrex for the last 3 years. I used to condemn GPSs because soldiers weren�t learning necessary map/compass skills, and the Army�s AN/PSN-11 was so UN-user friendly, it basically takes a doctorate in rocket science to operate effectively! I am an expert navigator with a map & compass and very competent with the AN/PSN-11, but neither is as effective or as easy as the eTrex�my wife even used my GPS and loved it. I bought it before going to the Mojave desert (NTC) to train. I found it to be 100 times easier to use than the Army�s bulky GPS and even more accurate! The AN/PSN-11 costs [a lot], is too big for your pocket, difficult to use, and requires a huge battery you can�t buy off the shelf�the eTrex..., fits in your pocket, a child could operate it, and only takes 2 AA batteries. I have used it to navigate the desert, I have used it to navigate in urban areas, and even used it to set up land navigation courses to train soldiers on both map/compass skills as well as using GPS receivers. I may have gotten out of the Army, but my eTrex is still serving�my soldiers begged me to let them take it to Iraq. I am now purchasing a Garmin Legend, and when my �Joes� bring my eTrex back, I�ll have one for each car!!! THIS IS A MUST HAVE FOR SOLDIERS�I just wish the Army would draft it and retire the AN/PSN-11!!!!
  
  

• Coleman 50200 Exponent Flex 5
• Memorex High Performance AA Alkaline Battery 8 Pack
• Memorex High Performance AA Alkaline Batteries, 50 Pack
• Memorex High Performance AA Alkaline Batteries, 12 Pack
• Energizer E91BP-4 AA Batteries(4-Pack)

• Garmin Carrying Case for eTrex and Summit (010-10314-00)
• The Complete Idiot's Guide to Geocaching (The Complete Idiot's Guide)
• Garmin PC Interface Cable and Vehicle DC Power Adapter for eTrex and eMap (010-10268-00)
• Garmin Serial Port Cable for eTrex Compact GPS (010-10206-00)
• Garmin Bicycle Mount for eTrex and Summit (010-10267-00)