Garmin eTrex 30 -
Garmin takes one of its most reliable and popular handheld GPS devices to a new level with the eTrex 30 GPS. It’s equipped for everything from hiking to geocaching with a high-sensitivity GPS, a 3-Axis compass and barometric altimeter, and a preloaded worldwide basemap – all of which can be read on a bright 65K color screen. Plus, you can store additional map data with 1.7 GB of memory space and wirelessly share your routes and waypoints with others.
Fabric:
- The new eTrex 30 retains the core functionality, rugged construction, affordability and long battery life of the original eTrex series
Support and Cushioning:
- Supports geocaching GPX files for downloading geocache locations and details straight to the unit using the high-speed USB connection
Weather and Wind:
- Waterproof design meets IEC 60529 lPX7 standards (can be submerged to 1m for up to 30 min.)
Features:
- Wireless sharing makes getting and passing geocache and other information easy
- Bigger, brighter color screen
- Also added is a barometric altimeter which tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude, and you even can use it to plot barometric pressure over time
- MicroSD™ card slot for storing additional data
- Comes with a built-in worldwide basemap with shaded relief that helps you navigate with ease
- 3-axis, tilt-compensated electronic compass shows your heading even when you're standing still and holding the unit upright or at an angle
- Battery life up tp 25 hours
- 2 AA batteries (sold separately) provide up to 25 hrs. of use of the Garmin eTrex 30 GPS
- GLONASS is a system developed by the Russian Federation that will be fully operational in 2012
- 1.7 gigabytes of memory make it easy to add maps; choose from Garmin TOPO U.S. 24k maps, BlueChart® g2 marine maps and City Navigator® road maps (sold separately)
- Stores and displays geocache location, terrain, difficulty, hints and descriptions—no more manually entering coordinates or toting around paper printouts!
- WAAS-enabled receiver locates your position quickly and maintains reception under heavy cover
- The new eTrex series is the first-ever consumer-grade receivers that can track both GPS and GLONASS satellites simultaneously
- eTrex 30 lets you share your waypoints, tracks, routes and geocaches wirelessly with other compatible Garmin GPS devices
- Features a 2.2 in., 65k color display that can be viewed in bright sunlight
- Operational buttons are located along the sides of the device for easy 1-hand operation
- Using GLONASS satellites allows the eTrex to lock-on up to 20% faster and track up to 24 more satellites than when using GPS alone
- eTrex 30 has an enhanced 2.2 inch 65K color, sunlight readable display
- Expandable memory with a microSD card slot
- Compatible with TOPO 24K, BirdsEye Satellite imagery and even City Navigator NT maps which allows turn-by-turn directions
- Compatibility with Russian Glonass system allows about 20% faster and more reliable satellite acquisition, helpful in challenging spots such as deep canyons or tall buildings
- Allows wireless unit-to-unit transfer of routes, tracks, waypoints and geocaches; works with Montana-series, Oregon-series, Dakota 20, GPSMAP 62S, 62ST, 78S and 78SC devices
SummitHut.com
The eTrex 30 takes one of the most popular and reliable GPS handhelds and makes it better. Enhanced ergonomics, an improved interface, paperless geocaching and expanded mapping capabilities makes eTrex more versatile and user-friendly, while maintaining its toughness and durability.
REI
With a 3-axis compass, full-color display and geocaching, the compact Garmin eTrex 30 offers a fun and easy GPS experience for outdoor enthusiasts.
Imported.
Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS)
Memory, mapping, a color screen and new internals, the Garmin eTrex may have a familiar name, but it's a totally new GPS for your adventures.
Average Price History:
| Activity: | Multisport |
|---|---|
| Additional Sensors: | Optional |
| Altimeter: | Pressure-based |
| Ant+ Enabled: | Yes |
| Average battery life: | 25 hours |
| Barometer: | Yes |
| Basemap: | Yes, worldwide |
| Batteries: | 2xAA |
| Battery Life: | Up to 25 hr. |
| Battery Type: | 2 AA |
| Built in Memory: | 1.7 GB |
| Camera: | No |
| Color screen: | Yes |
| Compact antenna: | Yes |
| Compass: | Yes |
| Dimensions: | 2.1 x 4.0 x 1.3 in / 5.4 x 10.3 x 3.3 cm |
| Display size: | 2.2 (diagonal) inches |
| Electronic Compass: | Yes |
| Expandable memory: | Yes |
| Gps Enabled: | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitor: | Yes |
| Internal memory: | 1.7 GB internal/expandable microSD card slot |
| Map Software Compatible: | Yes |
| Memory: | 1.7 GB |
| Number of routes: | 200 |
| Number of waypoints: | 2,000 |
| OS compatibility: | Windows / Mac |
| Online Community: | Yes |
| Position accuracy: | WAAS enabled 3 meters |
| Preloaded geocaches: | No |
| Preloaded map: | None |
| Routes: | 200 |
| Screen Pixels: | 176 x 220 |
| Speed And Distance: | Yes |
| Touch screen: | No |
| Tracklog Points: | 10000 |
| Turn by Turn Directions: | Yes |
| Visual map display: | Yes |
| Water Resistance: | IPX7 |
| Waypoints: | 2000 |
| Weight: | 5 ounces |
| Weight W/ Batteries: | 5 oz. |
| Wireless communication: | Yes |
Compare specifications to related products.
Similar Products:
 | Garmin Etrex 30 Gps Bundle | $229.99 - $369.95 |
 | Garmin eTrex 30 Handheld GPS | $299.99 |
 | Garmin Etrex 30 Handheld GPS Device | $281.99 |
Subcategories of GPS:
Garmin eTrex 30 Reviews:
Positive Reviews:
Great GPS
I bought the ETrex 30 to replace my Vista HCx that is getting frayed around the edges. So, I naturally compared this to the Vista.
The ETrex 30 is a worthy replacement to the Vista. It has a different menu system, so it is not initially intuitive for those who have used earlier ETrex models. Now that I've learned the new menus, I think they are an improvement and are easier to use.
The ETrex 30 has an astonishingly short start up time (once it has initialized and knows where it is at). It is the first GPS I've owned that seems to be ready immediately after pushing the power on button. Garmin says this is the first GPS they've produced that looks at the traditional USA satellites, and also the Russian GLONASS satellites. Maybe this helps. In any case, start-up is rapid.
During a recent trip to southern Utah, the ETrex 30 was able to receive signals in the Zion Park Virgin River narrows and other slot canyons. It easily gets signals indoors including buildings that have metal frameworks. I have not experienced signal loss, except in automobile tunnels through mountains.
The ETrex 30 has a profile system that is new to ETrex (but has appeared on other Garmin products). The profiles enable you to customize the ETrex 30 for different uses. I've set mine up for Auto, Hiking, and Bicycling. Each profile uses its own settings on menus and settings, so you don't see irrelevant screens and data. Data accumulation is shared, however. I do wish that the data accumulation was separate for each profile so that the trip computer was separate for each profile -- Auto, Hiking, and Bicycling.
The ETrex 30 has a good amount of internal memory and can also acccept an SD memory card. This can be useful for storing more than one map type. I downloaded topo maps to the internal memory, inserted a Garmin North American NT map card into the SD socket, and have both highway and topo maps installed. My profiles are set up to display the topo maps in the Hiking profile and the highway maps in the Auto profile. Pretty nice...
The User Guide is similar to the Nuvi guides -- simple and less than complete. A User Guide for dummies. I wish that it came with the comprehensive guide that earlier ETrex models provided. I called Garmin support several times to get questions answered that I think should have been in the User Guide. Example: How many archived tracks will the ETrex save?
In all, this is a great GPS. It is so good that my Nuvi will probably see limited use in the future. Why carry two GPS units when one (the ETrex 30) can do it all???
The ETrex 30 is a worthy replacement to the Vista. It has a different menu system, so it is not initially intuitive for those who have used earlier ETrex models. Now that I've learned the new menus, I think they are an improvement and are easier to use.
The ETrex 30 has an astonishingly short start up time (once it has initialized and knows where it is at). It is the first GPS I've owned that seems to be ready immediately after pushing the power on button. Garmin says this is the first GPS they've produced that looks at the traditional USA satellites, and also the Russian GLONASS satellites. Maybe this helps. In any case, start-up is rapid.
During a recent trip to southern Utah, the ETrex 30 was able to receive signals in the Zion Park Virgin River narrows and other slot canyons. It easily gets signals indoors including buildings that have metal frameworks. I have not experienced signal loss, except in automobile tunnels through mountains.
The ETrex 30 has a profile system that is new to ETrex (but has appeared on other Garmin products). The profiles enable you to customize the ETrex 30 for different uses. I've set mine up for Auto, Hiking, and Bicycling. Each profile uses its own settings on menus and settings, so you don't see irrelevant screens and data. Data accumulation is shared, however. I do wish that the data accumulation was separate for each profile so that the trip computer was separate for each profile -- Auto, Hiking, and Bicycling.
The ETrex 30 has a good amount of internal memory and can also acccept an SD memory card. This can be useful for storing more than one map type. I downloaded topo maps to the internal memory, inserted a Garmin North American NT map card into the SD socket, and have both highway and topo maps installed. My profiles are set up to display the topo maps in the Hiking profile and the highway maps in the Auto profile. Pretty nice...
The User Guide is similar to the Nuvi guides -- simple and less than complete. A User Guide for dummies. I wish that it came with the comprehensive guide that earlier ETrex models provided. I called Garmin support several times to get questions answered that I think should have been in the User Guide. Example: How many archived tracks will the ETrex save?
In all, this is a great GPS. It is so good that my Nuvi will probably see limited use in the future. Why carry two GPS units when one (the ETrex 30) can do it all???
Excellent GPS
I have gone through several GPS units (Magellan Meridian, Garmin Vista, etc and of all of them this has been the best in terms of a balance of fuctions and features. Garmin still needs to put some polish on the basemap as even at a 10' accuracy the points on the basemap are as much as 800' off...so you MUST either buy Garmin maps or find free (there are ways to do it) maps to load to the unit. Once you do that, it is SWEET. Takes less than 15 seconds to boot, locks in to a 10-20' accuracy in about 60 seconds or less, has more features that I typically need or use, the interface can be customized with changes to the order of icons for the applets, profiles, map and screen data, etc. If you are a geocacher, then you will love the easy sync with gpx or sites that have the Garmin plugin support setup or just send them via the USB. Batter live with standard alki batteries has been 18-35 hours total use and i have litiums and after 20+ hours so far they are only 1 level down on the meter....all in all this is and will be my favorite GPS for a long time to come.
Great GPS, need add'l software
I bought the eTrex to get to pre-selected field sites (conducting environmental surveys).
Good Stuff: The hardware is great- it is easy to use and has lots of useful features. It is small, has great battery life, and the 'joy stick' is easy to use. It picks up satellites very quickly (less than 1 min if at a similar location).
Bad Stuff: The screen scratched more easily than I would like. The biggest problem I encountered was uploading a list of waypoints (survey sites) from a spreadsheet. There is no way to do that with the provided software. You can purchase software online, but it can get pricey. There is free ware out there called gpsbabel, but I struggled to get that to work. If you are not computer savey, and have a lot of way points to upload on a regular basis, plan on spending a bit more.
Good Stuff: The hardware is great- it is easy to use and has lots of useful features. It is small, has great battery life, and the 'joy stick' is easy to use. It picks up satellites very quickly (less than 1 min if at a similar location).
Bad Stuff: The screen scratched more easily than I would like. The biggest problem I encountered was uploading a list of waypoints (survey sites) from a spreadsheet. There is no way to do that with the provided software. You can purchase software online, but it can get pricey. There is free ware out there called gpsbabel, but I struggled to get that to work. If you are not computer savey, and have a lot of way points to upload on a regular basis, plan on spending a bit more.
Just what I wanted
This GPS is perfect for my needs. I work as a wildlife biologist, so I need something dependable and that can quickly save waypoints while keeping an accurate track log of my off-trail hiking. This GPS is small enough to fit in my front pocket, or belt pocket on my backpack, to keep it accessible and not in the way. You can customize the menus to display the information you want, and even what pages are displayed. The color screen is easy to read, and the I would highly recommend the TOPO maps you can buy separately. Also, I've had problems with GPS's eating up batteries too quickly. With regular alkaline batteries, I can use the GPS all day long for several days and not have it run out of juice. I'm sure lithium would give an even better longevity of power. In any case, this GPS is great!
Excellent GPS
I picked up an eTrex 30 just before a weeklong backcountry trip in the Eastern Sierra. The unit is very easy to set up with a laptop, and amazingly accurate. This unit receives both US GPS and the Russian Glonass satellite signals, so satellite acquisition is blazingly fast. Using Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries, I ran the unit 6-8 hours daily for a week and still had plenty of battery life left, which was a pleasant surprise.
I've owned 7+ GPS units over the past 15 years, and this is, by far, the best unit I have owned.
The 100k built-in map won't do you any good. You will need to purchase the 24K topo map set - get the DVD, as it covers more territory than the preloaded micro-SD
I've owned 7+ GPS units over the past 15 years, and this is, by far, the best unit I have owned.
The 100k built-in map won't do you any good. You will need to purchase the 24K topo map set - get the DVD, as it covers more territory than the preloaded micro-SD
Great for the price
I am a biologist and needed a basic GPS unit to record where I collect my samples. This did the job. It is usually very quick to find satellites and records accurate data points within about 30 seconds or so.
The menu interface is very easy to understand and easy to navigate using the joystick. I haven't had any problems seeing the screen. Occasionally, the sun makes a glare but if I put my hand over the unit as shade, I can see fine.
I have yet to take it out on any backcountry adventures, but I will try to update this with that info in the future.
The menu interface is very easy to understand and easy to navigate using the joystick. I haven't had any problems seeing the screen. Occasionally, the sun makes a glare but if I put my hand over the unit as shade, I can see fine.
I have yet to take it out on any backcountry adventures, but I will try to update this with that info in the future.
Useful Tool
This model is an improved version of the Garmin Vista. The accuracy, including the altimeter, is great. The manual is definitely lacking, but by reading the professional reviews and experimenting, you can figure it out. The map which comes loaded on the unit is pathetic (missing major highways)but there are terrific free maps available for download that work with Base Camp which you download free from Garmin. I use my GPS mostly for work. I really like the Base Camp feature that links my data right up with Google Earth.
Easy To operate
Great to find tree stands in the dark, hiking and not getting lost, the older gps system would only tell me my position, if i didn't have a target area plugged in my navigation was limited. The built in road map assures my direction of travel, even in the woods.
I love it!!!!
It is big surprise to me showing all the map in the world.
Though it is not so precise but it is almost usable for travel by automobile in Japan. I don't feel any wish to purchase another detail map for my lovely eTrex 30.
Though it is not so precise but it is almost usable for travel by automobile in Japan. I don't feel any wish to purchase another detail map for my lovely eTrex 30.
Best GSP so far.
My wife and I used the GPS system at the Grand Canyon and it worked great. We hiked using the GPS to get us back to camp with NO problem, even my wife was able to use it.
Negative Reviews:
Great features, but poor documentation
I bought the eTrex 30 for two reasons. First, I needed an accurate pedometer for my daily power walks and second, I felt it would be useful for day hikes in the local mountains. For measuring my speed and distance walked, it runs rings around any pedometer on the market and it is an altimeter too.
I use to be a Scoutmaster and have a lot of experience navigating in mountains with a map, compass and altimeter, but the only GPS I have ever used before I purchased my eTrex 30 is the one in my car. That being said, my biggest complaint is the poor documentation. It does not define terminology or abbreviations when they are first presented. There is a dictionary in the appendix at the back, but it is awkward flipping back and forth in a PDF document that does not have a hyperlinked index. Also, the definitions often leave unanswered questions. Although the instructions look slick and tells you what all the functions do individually, it does not explain how to use them in combination with each other on a hike, for example. It assumes that you have used a GPS before. I signed up at REI for a beginning course on GPS, hoping to learn what the documentation does not explain, but it was canceled. The only other places it is offered are either too far away or at times I cannot attend.
There does not appear to be a start/stop switch for your hike. Instead, as best as I can determine, you enter an embedded menu and use the reset functions. When you do a reset, it immediately starts counting from zero. This is very awkward.
On the other hand, I like the software that can overlay your hike on Google Maps. So far, I only have the Los Angeles area city map loaded. I find that when zooming into a more detailed view, the eTrex does not keep your location centered and, in fact allows your location to go off screen in a direction that might not be apparent. As a result, you need to use the joystick to move the map left, right, up or down searching for where you are. I have not bought the topographic maps yet, so I cannot comment on using the GPS in the backcountry, but I suspect that the product might perform very well. My concern is that without instruction or decent documentation, I might never find out.
I use to be a Scoutmaster and have a lot of experience navigating in mountains with a map, compass and altimeter, but the only GPS I have ever used before I purchased my eTrex 30 is the one in my car. That being said, my biggest complaint is the poor documentation. It does not define terminology or abbreviations when they are first presented. There is a dictionary in the appendix at the back, but it is awkward flipping back and forth in a PDF document that does not have a hyperlinked index. Also, the definitions often leave unanswered questions. Although the instructions look slick and tells you what all the functions do individually, it does not explain how to use them in combination with each other on a hike, for example. It assumes that you have used a GPS before. I signed up at REI for a beginning course on GPS, hoping to learn what the documentation does not explain, but it was canceled. The only other places it is offered are either too far away or at times I cannot attend.
There does not appear to be a start/stop switch for your hike. Instead, as best as I can determine, you enter an embedded menu and use the reset functions. When you do a reset, it immediately starts counting from zero. This is very awkward.
On the other hand, I like the software that can overlay your hike on Google Maps. So far, I only have the Los Angeles area city map loaded. I find that when zooming into a more detailed view, the eTrex does not keep your location centered and, in fact allows your location to go off screen in a direction that might not be apparent. As a result, you need to use the joystick to move the map left, right, up or down searching for where you are. I have not bought the topographic maps yet, so I cannot comment on using the GPS in the backcountry, but I suspect that the product might perform very well. My concern is that without instruction or decent documentation, I might never find out.
It's more of a toy!
I actually just returned this item to REI today. I downloaded the manual off of the internet (of course they don't give you one with your purchase) and watched the instructional videos. The initial setup was OK, and if you load the maps, they are easy enough to follow with your trip. But the device itself really lacks accuracy. Distances are usually off--a lot. I went on a four mile trek today that my GPS said was almost 6. The average moving speed often exceeds the maximum moving speed--how does that work? The buttons are also inconsistent. What works one time doesn't necessarily work the next. So although it is kind of a fun toy to have to play with, it really isn't a tool worth the [$] (with tax) that I paid for it.
Hard 2 Use
Unintuitive screen menu and operations. Poor documentation. This device collects data you don't want or need. It accummulated position data ANY time it's turned on. I walked around my neighborhood for 35 minutes. The trip computer function said I'd travelled 519 miles, Max Speed 45mph, Moving Time 4:51, Moving Avg 107mph, Stopped Time 3:14, Overall Avg 64.2mph. What gives ? I have an email in to Customer Support. Their free BaseCamp software that's used to upload and analyze GPS data on your PC is also highly unintuitive and has poor data mgmt and analysis capabilities. If I don't get this thing working the way I need it to it will be returned to REI. I wish I could write a better review...
Unreliable
Even the slightest cover will cause failure to acquire sats.
Takes a long time to acquire sats.
Very slow screen refresh..
Very low res screen.
Very inaccurate position. Ex/ height off by several thousand feet.
Mapping software extremely expensive, limited to small regions and missing a lt of trails, on some parks missing all the trails.
I already have many GPS devices... This certainly ipad not impressed me.
Takes a long time to acquire sats.
Very slow screen refresh..
Very low res screen.
Very inaccurate position. Ex/ height off by several thousand feet.
Mapping software extremely expensive, limited to small regions and missing a lt of trails, on some parks missing all the trails.
I already have many GPS devices... This certainly ipad not impressed me.
An electronic challenge
I used the etrex. 30'in Peru It was accurate for position and speedy. It is a small easily carried. Screen is small but usable for location The Etrex has only enough internal memory for 1 or 2 programs, the rest are kept on micro sim cards. Downloads are $100 to $150 so you may run up a large bill quickly.
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