Kentucky Armory Club

My wife and I have been looking at getting a GPS unit for Geocaching trips, hiking, driving, and maybe something i could put in my G.H.B. $150 is my range and my wife did a little research today, The Garmin eTrex 20 is what we came up with. Does anyone have the eTrex 20? Is it worth the money? (My phone is not an option we have very low data plan that I would not want to update and plus it goes out all of the time.)

The Garmin etrex20 is a great platform. I use it for geocaching. The OS is simple to use and kid friendly. Maps are available for free on http://www.gpsfiledepot.com. A nice size SIM card is all you need to store all the caches and maps. Also, if using geocaching.com the pay member service really shines with the extra stuff that comes with the membership, you can download the description, comments and last found data of the caches. The Garmin carabiner that attaches to the gps unit is a must, and usually comes with certain packages.

Also, the biggest difference between the etrex10 and 20 is the color display and the casting. The etrex30 can take pictures, you can imprint the gps location on them. The 20 is rock solid. I have had the best luck with Rayovac batteries in mine. It says you can get 24 hour of continuous use, I've gotten closer to 36 hours. Do not leave batts in it while storing, I left batts in mine, figuring I would be going on another outing soon, months later. Some baking soda and patience saved the day.

I've got a Garmin GPSMAP 62S that I picked up on sale from Cabelas last year for $200. It's a nice little unit. I'll be using it this weekend hiking in Indiana.

I've been thinking about one for kayaking. How well do they show waterways?

86 slo-vo wrote:I've been thinking about one for kayaking. How well do they show waterways?

I used it when we took the boyscouts canoeing down at mammoth cave. It worked great on the water. Buy a bouncy to attachment, they really don't float. Luckily to find mine after it was dropped into the Green River.

Just wasn't sure how well any of the smaller creeks showed up.

I may have to get one.

I've got the purchasable maps for mine that I load onto it for more detail. It's got a color screen and stuff. only used it once or twice.

One program you will want on the computer if you get a Garmin is Basecamp. It's free from Garmin. You can load all your tracks and share with others. It's really neat to see other hikes and adventures. JMF uses Basecamp for all their trails.

Toecutter1978 wrote:One program you will want on the computer if you get a Garmin is Basecamp. It's free from Garmin. You can load all your tracks and share with others. It's really neat to see other hikes and adventures. JMF uses Basecamp for all their trails.

yup

sounds like the eTrex 20 is a home run for us with you comments Toecutter and what we have seen on other website. it seems like it would be perfect for us thanks

HEYOPEY wrote:sounds like the eTrex 20 is a home run for us with you comments Toecutter and what we have seen on other website. it seems like it would be perfect for us thanks

You're welcome. Something I like to do is take it with me tucked in my backpack while at school. Then when I get home look at the trail I blazed across the area.

If you decide you would be into going a bit cheaper, PM me an offer on a barely used etrex10

The boys and I are going to hit some caches over at JMF tomorrow. If you want to go let me know. It's so much fun.