Garmin eTrex 20 Worldwide Handheld GPS Navigator

Update 3/8/2014 Just returned from a hiking trip in Patagonia, my Etrex 20 performed extremely well. I viewed my trails on Google Earth and Map using the GPX files I recorded while walking in the cities, sailing in the lakes, hiking on the mountains and even trekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier. The maps I used are downloaded from the web links shown below.Update 8/19/2013 I have extensively used my Etrex 20 during my recent trip to the Pacific Northwest visiting many national parks with excellent performance. Both GPS and GLONASS were turned on. With full view of sky, the accuracy is 7-9 ft. During the hikes in the Olympic NP rain forest with tree tops over head, its accuracy is 20 to 30 ft.Etrex 20 is an excellent GPS unit with many features but requires a steep learning curve for a first time GPS user. These are my lessons learned:1. Make sure to download Garmin's BaseCamp and update Etrex's software via BaseCamp before doing anything else. BaseCamp is a PC program complimentary to the Etrex.BaseCamp is an excellent computer application for viewing maps, storing and organizing data, planning outdoor activities, and creating and sharing your adventures. With BaseCamp, you can:* Import and view maps in 2-D or 3-D, including your TOPO U.S. maps and City Navigator® maps.* Create, edit and organize routes, waypoints and more on your computer.* Create and share Garmin Adventures.* View playback of routes, tracks and adventures.The manual and the intro videos for BaseCamp:static.garmincdn.com/basecamp/en/Default.htmyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLz_3EG42rRDx6sN-eyPK7Gx05xYranmvv2. Free Garmin-compatible maps can be downloaded fromgarmin.openstreetmap.nl,gpsfiledepot.com,openmtbmap.org/download/odbl/#maps, andwiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download3. There is a 3000-tile limit for the maps installed on the unit. Since installing maps to the "Garmin" folder on the SD card using MapInstall takes a long, long time, here is my trick to just install once all the maps you want and you can get access to all your maps quickly using a PC.Create a folder named "Extra Maps" inside the "Garmin" folder on the SD card, and move all extra maps you will need later into the "Extra Maps" folder. This will largely avoid exceeding the 3000 tile issues because Etrex only loads the maps in the "Garmin" folder but not the maps in the "Extra Maps" folder. You can then move maps between the two folders based on your needs.4. These programs will come in handy: GPX Editor, GPSBabel and JaVaWa Device Manager in addition to BaseCamp.

This is update to prior review. I liked the eTrek 20 a lot but a question from Amazon got me looking at the Oregon 650t as well. Got question on review saying was comparing to Oregon. My kids ended up getting me that for Christmas. It IS more expensive (a lot!) but the t model includes the 1:100K map preloaded so I can have that for travel while keeping my 1:24K map inside for use locally. Also has a camera with flash that I can use to geocashe and general use. Nice when sailing and do not want to take regular camera. The Oregon 650t has a touch screen and its screen is quite a bit larger (3 inch diagonal vs 2.2) and only slightly larger overall(.3 width and .5 length with same depth). But it is more expensive so if price a factor (and when isn't it!) then the e Trek 20 is a great choice. At the moment Oregon 650t is 4 times as expensive as the e Trek 20 on Amazon so you have to really want those added features (or get as a gift!) to choose the Oregon 650t over the e Trek 20. On other hand it does include the 1:100K topo which goes for $80-100 but even so it ends up more than double the cost. But for those of us with Kindle Fire and I Pad (have both) and used to touch screen having that is very nice. Writing this before Christmas so have not tried the Oregon yet as it is sitting under the tree. Will repost after using a while and give comparisons. As mentioned below I found the toggle on the e Trek 20 bit awkward and I kept hitting the menu button when wanting to zoom in or out (same side) but once you get used to it works great. Manuals are not great but if you are adept at all with equipment like this you will eventually figure it all out. I suspect manual issues will be same with Oregon. For less than a third the cost of the Oregon (half if you want the 1:100K topo of US) it is a great device.Old review: Use this while hiking and sailing. Took a bit of getting used to with toggle vs touch screen. Kept wanting to touch the screen. Also menu can be bit confusing until you figure it out. Lots of features did not plan on using such as the area calculation (useful in measuring grass area of yard for fertilizer) etc. Bought with both 1/100K topo of entire US which is nice while traveling. 1:24K nice for my particular area. Did find installing the maps in the micro SD bit of a challenge. Overall extremely pleased and would buy again.

What I don't like is slow moving around the map, tiny screen and not very intuitive interface. For example the most basic function of a GPS IMO is to find your way home following the track that is always being stored in the unit. This function is not even shown in the owners manual and is buried down several layers of button pushing you are not likely to find without a lot of screwing around or instruction found online by other than Garmin. Practical use for real outdoor route finding is limited due to the small screen size. There are now apps for your phone that make much better GPS than this and give you a big clear screen, fast operation and eliminate extra gadgets. Also, the push button sticks or does not register unless you really push hard. Borderline 2 stars but giving it the benefit of the doubt until I've had it for a year. One more thing is Garmin maps are very expensive and only cover given regions or you buy more maps. Non-Garmin maps take notable effort to get loaded properly. Not sure what I really do like about this other than it has basic GPS functionality, good battery life and is accurate. Probably works okay for geocaching but again phone apps are a lot better for this.