- 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
- Features a 2.2 in., 65k color display that can be viewed in bright sunlight
- WAAS-enabled receiver locates your position quickly and maintains reception under heavy cover
- 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
- 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)
- Altimeter tracks changes in barometric pressure to pinpoint your altitude while you're on the trail
- Supports geocaching GPX files for downloading geocache locations and details straight to the unit using the high-speed USB connection
- Stores and displays geocache location, terrain, difficulty, hints and descriptions—no more manually entering coordinates or toting around paper printouts!
- MicroSD™ card slot for storing additional data
- Operational buttons are located along the sides of the device for easy 1-hand operation
- 2 AA batteries (sold separately) provide up to 25 hrs. of use of the Garmin eTrex 30 GPS
- Waterproof design meets IEC 60529 lPX7 standards (can be submerged to 1m for up to 30 min.)
Imported.
| Best use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Preloaded map | None |
| Basemap | Yes |
| Wireless communication | Yes |
| OS compatibility | Windows, Mac |
| Display size | 2.2 (diagonal) inches |
| Screen Pixels | 176 x 220 |
| Visual map display | Yes |
| Color screen | Yes |
| Number of routes | 200 |
| Number of waypoints | 2,000 |
| Internal memory | 1.7 GB internal/expandable microSD card slot |
| Expandable memory | Yes |
| Compass | Yes |
| Altimeter | Pressure-based |
| Compact antenna | Yes |
| Position accuracy | WAAS enabled 3 meters |
| Batteries | 2 AA |
| Average battery life | 25 hours |
| Dimensions | 3.9 x 2.1 x 1.3 inches |
| Weight | 5 ounces |
(30 reviews)
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Apr 14, 2015Difficult to set backcountry routes
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May 16, 2014Excellent Backpacking GPS - few glitchesOverall, about one year in - great backpacking GPS - very light, very small, accurate with location and tracking. Have done well with shareware maps (look online) so no need to pay Garmin pr...
Read More Overall, about one year in - great backpacking GPS - very light, very small, accurate with location and tracking. Have done well with shareware maps (look online) so no need to pay Garmin prices. Battery life is great, with one caveat (see below). As others have noted, ascent/descent calculation, particularly as reflected in the trip computer is off. The trip computer (distance) will also "jump" when it's refining the initial lock, so let it settle down and check for a moment before you hit the trail and find it thinks you've gone 9 miles. Also, the trade off for weight/size is the screen is small. The battery caveat - the status bar was full with lithium batteries for six+ months. . .so I foolishly decided I didn't need spare batteries on a recent backpacking trip. Turns out that when they go, they go fast. . .two bars, then dead in 30 minutes. And that led, a day later, to a six-mile wrong turn in soaking rain. . .had a map, of course, but forgot that sometimes, the trail north actually does turn south briefly, a mistake I'd never had made with the GPS tracking. -
Mar 6, 2014Excellent and ReliableI have used Garmin products in navigating the Mojave desert on foot and by car for years in wildlife biology and hiking. The eTrex models are lightweight, hold an astounding number of waypo...
Read More I have used Garmin products in navigating the Mojave desert on foot and by car for years in wildlife biology and hiking. The eTrex models are lightweight, hold an astounding number of waypoints and tracks, and have an admirable battery life. Aside from not surviving being driven over by a large truck, these units are extremely rugged, as well! -
Oct 28, 2013Etrex 30The unit itself is more robust than my Etrex Vista Hcx and the addition of Glasnost satellites is great. However, even with the latest firmware (V 3.30), the unit does not calculate total as...
Read More The unit itself is more robust than my Etrex Vista Hcx and the addition of Glasnost satellites is great. However, even with the latest firmware (V 3.30), the unit does not calculate total ascent correctly. For example, on a number of recent trips the discrepancy between total ascent and descent was as much as 60% and the total ascent was off the correct amount by about the same percentages. In each case, Garmin's Basecamp software calculated both within expected GPS errors. My old Hcx and current Edge 500 calculate the total ascent correctly. Horizontal locatons are pretty good, but the Etrex 30 seems to not track in our conifer woodlands quite as well as the Hcx though I haven't run them side by side to confirm that. If total ascent is important to you (trail running, skiing, etc.) be warned. -
Jul 22, 2013Fully SatisfiedThis unit was purchased in early 2012 a few months after its release. I had done intense research and so far it seems to have been a good choice. Despite the fairly expensive maps, this GPS ...
Read More This unit was purchased in early 2012 a few months after its release. I had done intense research and so far it seems to have been a good choice. Despite the fairly expensive maps, this GPS is intuitive and robust. The interface with basecamp is also simple and creating then uploading/extracting routes and tracks is simple (even if you are not born in the 80's) This unit was once immersed for a few seconds and the unit has been working fine ever since. The only issue I see is the lack of "lock" position - unless it is there and I just don't know it... While in my pocket, I often get in different modes and change some settings... For this I only give 4 out 5 stars. Other than that, it is a great, compact and extremely useful device (especially when we go off trails) I would buy it again if I was to lose it or break it! -
Jun 19, 2013Geocaching with the eTrex 30 GPSAfter manually entering coordinates for years, I decided to take the leap into paperless caching with the eTrex 30. While a bit chunkier than the GPS units I've used in the past, the abilit...
Read More After manually entering coordinates for years, I decided to take the leap into paperless caching with the eTrex 30. While a bit chunkier than the GPS units I've used in the past, the ability to link to my computer and with a click, transfer the geocache coordinates, description, logs and hints onto the unit. It rapidly fixes on satellites and has amazing battery life, especially as it has a color screen. The screen is easily read outside and in the shade. It has held up well on the bike mount and survived a few inadvertent drops. Visibility on the bike is good. The transitions between screens and functions appear to require a few extra key strokes that could have been designed out but overall, is very intuitive to use. Overall, I am quite pleased with this product! -
May 30, 2013Works greatGreat GPS! It is small and light weight. The best part is that it turns on fast and finds the single quickly as well. It replaced an old Garmin eTrex Vista GPS of mine. It was well worth the...
Read More Great GPS! It is small and light weight. The best part is that it turns on fast and finds the single quickly as well. It replaced an old Garmin eTrex Vista GPS of mine. It was well worth the upgrade. There are web sites online where you can download free topo maps and put them on the GPS. -
May 26, 2013Good tool, need practiceThe Garmin was very accurate and worked great hiking and camping in Shenandoah National Park. The only complaint I have is that out on the trail I could not figure out certain features beca...
Read More The Garmin was very accurate and worked great hiking and camping in Shenandoah National Park. The only complaint I have is that out on the trail I could not figure out certain features because it wasn't really that intuitive. With some more practice and re-reading of the directions, I imagine it would be more useful.
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Read More I bought this unit with the goal of it providing route guidance in the Wind River Range backcountry, especially for ski touring when the trails are obscured by snow. I also purchased the Garmin 1/24K map of the northern mountains, which is necessary for route guidance capabilities. Those who complain that the manual is less than helpful are correct. But my big problem is that the Garmin quad does not label all of the trails, lakes, peaks. For example, it was very difficult to find Elkhart Park, the Pole Creek Trail was unmarked, etc. As a result, setting a route on the unit was next to impossible, and painstakingly slow. To do so, you'd need to have a paper map handy as a reference. I also found that with the small screen, it was difficult to get an optimal vantage point on the map. I've sent the unit back and am going to go with good old USGS topos.