Garmin eTrex 30 Review

Garmin eTrex 30 Review - Product Description

Garmin eTrex is a recognizable name when it comes to outdoor explorations and adventures. These handheld GPS line has been selling millions of units over the past 10 years. With new refinements, including better menus and simpler operation, the new, head-of-class Garmin eTrex 30 is a hiker's dreams come true. Offering international shaded-relief (pseudo-topographic) mappings, a 2.2" color screen, built-in altimeter and compass, this handheld GPS device lets you explore the world's roads and forests with more assurance than ever. The eTrex 30 offers 2.2" 65k color sunlight readable display, a shaded relief worldwide basemap, and internal memory plus a microSD card slot. It also exclusively features a 3-axis electronic compass that shows your heading even when the unit is not held flat, as well as a barometric altimeter that provides precise elevation readings. Wireless unit-to-unit connectivity is available for sharing waypoints, tracks, routes and geocaches. Use the internal memory with the microSD card slot on the eTrex 30 to add TOPO, road and marine mapping options from Garmin. Geocaching friendly? The eTrex 30 is compatible with paperless geocaching, meaning that you can download all the hints, descriptions, and other information you need about a cache right to the GPS unit from OpenCaching or Geocaching. It's veritable features and open options demonstrate how eTrex 30 is more than a hikers dream. It is compatible with Garmin's detailed Topo 24K and inland lakes maps, and includes a hunt/fish calendar, an electronic compass, and barometric altimeter-all features that hunters will appreciate. The eTrex 30 GPS is waterproof to IPX-7 standards, meaning it can be submerged for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 3 feet. It's also compatible with Garmin's marine maps on microSD cards. Use the optional eTrex 30 bicycle mount to take your GPS on the road or mountain bike trips to help keep.

Garmin eTrex 30 Review  - Technical Details

Edition: Barometric Altometer, 3-axis compass

• Rugged handheld navigator with preloaded worldwide relief basemap and 2.2-inch color display
• WAAS-enabled GPS receiver with HotFix and GLONASS support for fast positioning and a reliable signal
• Built-in 3-axis electronic compass always shows your heading; barometric altimeter pinpoints your precise altitude
• Compatible with topographic, marine, and road maps--TOPO U.S. 24K, BlueChart g2, City Navigator, etc.
• Powered with two AA batteries; waterproof to IPX7 standards for protection against splashes, rain, etc.

Garmin eTrex 30 Review - Product Details

Edition: Barometric Altometer, 3-axis compass

• Product Dimensions: 1.3 x 4 x 2.1 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00542NVS2
• Item model number: 010-00970-20
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required.

Garmin eTrex 30 Review

The eTrex 30 is for all functions, the new Vista HCx, each have barometric altimeters and both have compasses, however, the thirty contains a tri-axis compass that allow to seem at the unit perpendicularly to the bottom and it can still mark to the north. Among the improvements are of course the new hi-color screen (Allows BirdsEye maps, like having a Google Earth in your pocket on the path!). Wireless transmission of data via ANT+ that conjointly works with heart rate and cadence monitors. And the foremost vital geek factor, the reception of GLONASS signals! One of the new things that I sort of a heap is that everything now is a file, on the Vista HCx to download the files it was necessary to use the Garmin serial protocol, currently with the 30, solely with connecting the unit to a USB port in the pc it is attainable to get all the captured data in standard-compliant GPX files. This also means that there is a 2GB (1.7GB usable) flash storage device in the unit.

Placing GPX files in the right folders in the unit also displays the knowledge at intervals those within the unit, like waypoints or tracks. It is abundant easier currently. In Linux I use gpsbabel to convert backwards and forwards from several formats, in particular I get pleasure from exploring my journeys once more with Google Earth and it needs KML files, gpsbabel helps to do that exactly. Conjointly, there is an Alarm Clock on the unit, I just tested it a 4:30am and it woke me at regarding a pair of meters from my bed. This is often something I extremely wished to have in my Vista HCx, as my traveling wristwatch is not that loud, and i had to use a Casio traveling clock simply for that. One less device to hold! Loading maps is currently approach additional faster than with the Vista HCx, having both one for Europe and another regionally, takes some seconds, whereas before it took minutes As forever, a GPS unit like this, currently with a GLONASS receiver, can beat any smartphone on trails and while traveling abroad. Here in the tropics shut to the Equator I got a fix pretty fast, however not with as several GLONASS satellites as I wanted, that's as a result of that GNSS constellation is best used manner up in the north hemisphere.

The User Interface looks higher, with antialiased fonts and pretty icons, it is now more sort of a Windows XP UI, while within the Vista HCx with its limited color palette, was sort of a Windows 3.1 UI. The on-screen keyboard looks to be easier to use, and appearance like a miniature version of those included in smartphones. Physically, the unit is lighter, additional compact (A few millimeters additional bulky comprehensive), easier to handle in your hand, the rocker is in the proper facet currently, smart for right handed, however my muscular memory keeps moving my thumb to the previous rocker position within the Vista HCx. The infamous rubber band utilized in the Vista HCx that unglued thus easily with time seems to be substituted with a additional solid rubber sides, currently connected with screws. The micro SD card is placed sort of a SIM card in an exceedingly phone, underneath the batteries. Currently, this can be something I even have continuously wanted that was NOT added... An possibility to LOCK THE BUTTONS! Neither unit has the choice to avoid the buttons to be pressed whereas having the unit on a backpack or in a holster. I would like an possibility like within the mobile phones to try and do that ("Press such and such buttons to unlock"). Many times I actually have place my units in a very bag to later retrieve them in a weird configuration screen and with a track erased or thus.

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