Garmin eTrex 20x, Handheld GPS Navigator, Enhanced Memory and Resolution, 2.2-inch Color Display, Water Resistant, Model:010-01508-00

Although I do love exploring and getting off the grid, I've had one too many close calls where I found myself in the woods at night unsure where I was. Although I was miraculously able to find my way back each time, I knew that someday I would be the stupid guy who was never able to find his way back and died if I kept that up. So, after much research I found that the Garmin eTrex20 would be the best for me and to take backpacking. The thing you need to know about this product, is that the quick start manual (like other reviewers have said) is essentially useless as it only shows you the first steps in setting up the GPS. Since this is the first GPS I've ever had, it took me a couple of hours of tinkering with it and extensive googling to get this GPS setup the way I want it. I do admit that I learn something new every time I use it, and that once I master this device it will be something I can safely rely my life on. It's definitely geared towards people that are more tech-savvy and people that like to learn things hands-on (who reads manuals anyway :P ). The advantage of getting a Garmin is the bounty of free maps that you can download and the customization capabilities makes this product worth the cost. Yes, you can buy maps from Garmin for a pretty hefty fee. But, there's plenty of free maps that you can find online. I've used this a few times now backpacking, and has made finding my way much easier. The durability, waterproof, long battery life, and rugged exterior makes it a perfect companion for any outdoor enthusiast and survivalist. However, I would recommend getting a screen protector to avoid any major scratches on the screen.

This device (the eTrex 20x) is a gem. Thus the five star rating. I've been studying it and used it on some bicycle rides over the past two months. I've read several of the Amazon reviews for this product, and few do a good job of informing the consumer. I think this is because the product caters to so many different endusers: boaters, kayakers, walkers, hikers, off-road cyclists, and on-road cyclists. My review is written from the perspective of an on-road cyclist. And I'm not going to write a review as much as merely answer a series of questions. 1. Can you charge this device using a USB cable? >>No. The device uses two AA batteries for power. They can be cheap alkaline, or the more expensive rechargeable NiMH or lithium. Alkaline work ok if the weather is warm or hot. If you go the rechargeable route, don't buy cheap ones that have less than 2000 capacity. I didn't know rechargeables came in different capacities. Duh! The rechargeable batteries need to be recharged using a separate recharging device. 2. What do you use the USB cable for that comes with the device? >>To connect your device to your PC or Mac so you can update software or move GPX files on or off the device. GPX files are what tracks and waypoints are stored in. I use a Web site called RidewithGPS to create my routes (tracks and cue sheet information). I export these as TCX files. Then I use other software to convert them to GPX files. Think GpsVisualizer dotcom. 3. Can you load maps into this device? >>Yes, definitely. Unlike the eTrex 10 model, the eTrex 20x allows you to install an SD card which is where added maps are stored. I personally have not found a need to use a map with my device. I use this device pretty much as if it is only an eTrex 10 (which is much cheaper to purchase). 4. Can you use this device on long bike rides so you don't get lost? Is it good for bicycle touring? >>Yes. This is why I purchased this device. 5. Can this device aid one in navigating a city walk? An outdoors hike? An off-road bicycle ride? An on-road bicycle ride? Yes to all four questions. I use the device for routes I create that I ultimately save as GPX files. See answer to Q2. Some of the routes are through city streets. Some are through trails in the various outdoor parks near my home. Some are mountain bike trails. And some are 200k brevet rides on roads. I copy the GPX files into the GPX folder in my device and I'm ready to go. 6. Can an SD card be installed into this device? >>Yes. This feature is one of the reasons this device costs more than the eTrex 10 model. 7. Is it easy to read this device in sunlight? At nighttime? >> Yes. Yes. I have found it easy in both daytime and nighttime. Of course, I have to wear glasses that correct my vision well. The viewing screen is somewhat small. 8. Is this device good for long distance bike rides like brevets? >>Yes. GPS navigational devices designed for cyclists typically have internal rechargeable batteries that will die after 10 to 12 hours of constant use. Since the eTrex 20x uses two AA batteries, when they die they are easily replaced while riding the bike. As long as you have extra AA batteries along during your rides you will never be without a functioning eTrex 20x. 9. How long does it take to find satellites before it starts working? >>Depends. It always cranks up quickly (within a minute) for me. However, I have both kinds of satellites enabled in my system setup. Uses more power this way though. 10. Is the user manual instructive? >>It is OK. The problem with the manual is the uses the device can be put to are so broad: boating, walking, hiking, biking off-road, and biking on-road. There really should be a manual for each type of user – and there just isn't. Furthermore, do you want to use the device to mark geocaches? To merely be a navigation tool? Or to record where you have gone so you can retrace your steps? I'm really only interested in using the device as a navigation tool. 11. Does this device track pace and distance traveled? Can it double as a bike speedometer? >>Yes. Yes. You can configure the view screen to tell you how far you have traveled at any point in time. And you can configure it to tell you how fast you are going in mph or kph. 12. How relevant are street signs when using this device? >>Street signs are not really relevant because maps are not really relevant. With this device and your GPX file you will have a track (breadcrumb trail) and waypoints (usually along the trail). I create my GPX file so the names of the waypoints are street names. When the device is functioning a cursor shows up in the view screen indicating where I'm actually planted on the earth. As it moves along the track and I approach a waypoint I know it'll be time to make a turn. I can make the turn without even knowing the name of the street. And when riding in the middle of the night I rarely look for street signs to verify a turn. Of course, it is nice to see a street sign that matches the waypoint title. Waypoint titles show up in my view screen as I ride. 13. Does the view screen easily scratch? >>Yes. This is a problem. Invest in a $10 screen saver/protector. 14. Does this device provide turn-by-turn instruction when being used? >>Not the way I use it. You only get turn-by-turn instructions when a GPS device uses an installed map to "calculate" the route. I've never installed an SD card or added any maps. In any event, I don't think this device uses the maps to calculate routes. The maps seem to be just background images to the tracks and waypoints that appear on the view screen. The eTrex 20x (like the 10 and 30x models) allows you to create proximity warnings around your waypoints. And when you get within a certain proximity of a waypoint you can be warned. This function works kind of like turn-by-turn instructions. Unfortunately, I have found them not to be too helpful. They tend to clutter up my view screen. 15. Can you insert a route (a file downloaded from a Web site like Ridewithgps dotcom)? >>Yes. See answers to Q2 and Q5. 16. What kind of battery life can one expect? >>With two rechargeable NiMH AA batteries with capacity of 2600 each you'll probably get more than 20 hours. This has been my experience while having both types of satellites accessed and leaving the backlight on constantly. 17. Does this device have touchscreen features? >>No. If it did you wouldn't get 20 hours of battery life. See answer to Q16. 18. What memory does this unit have? >>Both internal and external. This device lets you install SD cards. Supposedly the internal memory on this device is about 3.7 GB. That considerably more than is offered in the eTrex 10. 19. What kind of batteries does this device use? >>AA batteries. See answer to Q1. 20. When the batteries die do you lose your current track and any waypoints? >>Nope. This is because information is saved as you go along, and the route is not “calculated” during your ride. The track is static information, as are the waypoints. When you turn the device back on after changing the batteries the cursor in your view screen shows your current location just like when the power went out. 21. What file formats does this device read? >>Only GPX files, which are XML text files with a .gpx extension. Won't read TCX or FIT file formats. To create GPX files I download my routes from Ridewithpgs and then use one of a few free online converting Web sites to convert the TCX file to a GPX format file. 22. Does this device have an audio component? >>Yes. This one of the differences between this model and the eTrex 10. For example, the proximity alarm in the eTrex 10 will not produce any bells or beeps, but the eTrex 20x does. This unit also offers an alarm clock function, and without the alarm being noisy you couldn't have an alarm clock. 23. Does this device have a mapping function? >>It will record where you have gone if you want it to. Save the file when you are done, and you can upload it to RWGPS, Garmin Connect, Strava, or MapMyRide. 24. Why would I want to purchase an eTrex 20x instead of the less expensive eTrex 10 model? >>The eTrex 20x comes with a higher resolution color viewing screen whereas the eTrex 10 has a lower resolution monochrome screen. The eTrex 20x will let me store 200 routes (GPX files) and 2000 waypoints whereas the eTrex 10 will only let me store 50 routes and 1000 waypoints. And if I cared about maps, then the eTrex 20x will let me load some pretty fancy maps onto the device. I have found the screen issues are not a big thing. And if I were to load more than a few routes on my device, then figuring out the waypoints gets unwieldy. And I've already said I don't care much about maps. I haven't used the alarm clock yet. But if I'm doing a long brevet and need to take a nap, then the 20x might be the better device. But maybe I'd want a real alarm clock that would make a louder sound? Who knows?

I purchased this item to use as a data logger so I could geotag photos using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. I'd purchased another, less expensive, data logger but the user interface was clunky, took forever to install, and required conversion into usable data. On the recommendation of a question about this item, decided to go ahead and spend the money. Very glad I did. This is a sturdy piece of equipment, well made and solid. Design is easy to understand and functional. Comes with a quick start manual that gives pretty basic info, enough to start on. There appears to be no full function user manual on the Garmin.com website, but I stumbled across a downloadable manual for the eTrex 10, and found they are practically identical. In any event, even without a manual this unit is so simple you could probably figure it out just playing with it after a few hours. As a geo-tagger/data logger it suits my purpose perfectly. Unit attaches to a USB port on the computer, shows up as "Garmin" in Finder (Mac) or Explorer (Windows), and the data files are in .GPX format already. Simply copy them to a hard drive folder then import them into Lightroom. I would have given this unit 5 stars were it not for three things, which are more a criticism of the services supplied by Garmin and not the unit itself. First, it comes preloaded with a map that has major features, I understand. If you wish more specific map capability (such as nautical maps, hiking trail maps or city street maps), they are available from Garmin for a price, which seems a bit steep. However, I could not find that foreign country detail maps were available (I would have loved to have one of Guatemala where I'm going in a few months). Not a huge issue, but annoying. Also, in order to find the manuals, etc you have to hunt around and discover on your own that the manual covers a number of models. Again, annoying but not a huge issue. On the whole I'm pleased with the purchase and expect I'll put it to good use on upcoming trips.

Bought to replace an older Magellan GPS. This new unit has exceptional performance and quickly and accurately locks onto location. The standard map lacks detail but is easily replaced with good free maps. I downloaded the following on my PC to use with this GPS: 1. Garmen BaseCamp - free software to communicate with the GPS. 2. Maine Topo - An excellent free topo map of Maine available from the GPSFileDepot. Other states also available. 3. Google Earth - An exceptional free program that works well with this GPS. You can mark locations or boundaries on this map and upload them to the GPS. You can also display hike tracks on Google Earth downloaded from the GPS. The attached photo shows the boundary for the Maine Forest and Logging Museum uploaded to the GPS and a hike around their trails downloaded to Google Earth. This is amazing free software you will want to use. The GPS has a feature to compute and display area by walking around a plot. It works surprisingly well. This GPS has good battery life, perhaps 20 hours or so. Only difficulty so far is learning to manage files with Garmen BaseCamp, confusing but not a big problem. The GPS compact size is great for hiking and works well stored in my jacket pocket. Overall an exceptional GPS.

I have had this for years, and just now decided to write a review for it. First of all: it's just a basic little unit, but with some know how and a little effort it can be pretty powerful. There are resources online for free basemaps that show more detail than USGS topo maps. With little workarounds you can convert Google earth shape files to GPX files to use in the unit. Or you can use Basecamp software, but it's a little clunky to use. The reason I decided to write a review today.... I accidently put in through the wash and dryer in my pants pocket. I panicked for a second, but I turned it on and it worked perfectly fine! 11 out of ten for durability! I still wouldnt reccomend hulk smashing it against a rock though!

Having been frustrated by inaccurate, slow readings on phone GPS units, we went for this Garmin. It uses US and Russian GPS satellites and converges much faster than our phones when caching. It works well if you can download your caches in advance and load them onto this device from your PC at home. Cons include the slow joystick input (rather than touch screen) and the inability to transfer data into the device except via a cable to your PC. (The wireless function is the eTrex 20x only works with other Garmin devices.) So a year, later we decided to go for the Garmin Oregon 750T, which is much more costly, but has the following benefits for cachers: "Garmin Live" lets you transfer data from your phone using BT or via WiFi for spontaneous caching adventures. Touch Screen input is faster and easier than the joystick Screen is made of Gorilla Glass (just like iPhones) for durability. NiMH batteries charge inside the unit by connecting the supplied cable to any USB charger The basic caveat is that the documentation is very sparse -- particularly in light of the great variety of customization options, so avoid this unit unless you have patience or a friend who can guide you through the learning curve. The manual is too brief to guide you through set up and is incorrect in some cases. I had to watch YouTube to figure out how to get the camera to appear. However,the camera lens is so slow, you'll probably just use your phone camera anyway. The set-up options are not explained well. It's taken me months of playing with the unit to get it set up the way I want. I just found that I could put the compass reading & distance on the same screen as the map, which is ideal for caching You can download free Open Street Maps for free. However, that process is also not documented well for PCs, so it took me a week to figure it out.

So far so good! Bought this specifically for geocaching. Comes with a very basic basemap on the unit....and more detailed maps can be purchased thru garmin. But, many free maps are available on different websites that users have made themselves, and I found them very helpful. Visit gpsfiledepot.com. The process is just as simple as purchasing maps. You download garmin's basecamp program to your pc, plug in the gps to the pc by usb, and all downloaded maps can be transferred to your unit. I love that you can download a very large map, but use the program to "click and drag" to highlight only the sections of the map you need. For example, I downloaded a map of the entire northeastern portion of the US. The map is very large, and since I only really travel in western NY, I highlighted only the areas I know frequent, and a bit more outside that radius, just in case. The entire map is saved on my pc, so I can always go back and add other parts of the map as needed in the future. There are lots of tutorials out on the web that will guide you thru the process if you aren't familiar. It took me about 4 hours of sitting down and learning how to use the unit, and get all I needed working between my pc and it to start geocaching with it the same day. It helps to purchase a premium membership thru the geocaching website, so you can see all listed geocaches, and have the ability to upload all specifics of each cache to your unit. Without the prime membership, you are limited to most caches, but also only get basic cache info like coordinates. No log info, or detailed notes and hints. Overall, I reccomend this unit for geocaching. The screen is small (about 2.5" diagonally), and is navigated by a joystick button. But, the screen is also very detailed, I had no issues seeing things, and even my young boys could see things well. Unit has lots of customization settings, and even will track your adventures, so you can find your way back, or detour from areas you've already hunted. Happy GPS Lady!!!

Well built. Tough. Reliable and easy to get maps for. I'm very impressed with mine and love the BaseCamp software that works with this. I do a lot of geocaching and also like this unit for hiking. It is extremely accurate and intuitive to use. It has far more functionality than I will ever use, but it is nice to know I have all of these features at my fingertips. Battery life is pretty good and I always carry spares and also like how I can hang it from a lanyard and have the unit at my fingertips - My only wish is that Garmin provided the lanyard but I'm being picky. I like the integration with Google Earth and the ability to save off points of interest to XML and then drag these into BaseCamp and onto the GPS. All in all, a definite *goto* device for all things navigation and I'm recommending it as a great GPS.

Muy practico el uso del GPS

product has very good display for my uses and has more functions than I would ever use top product

Accurate and fast responce.. We buying a perfect device...with our condition. No problem with this device..we are happy with device..

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