Garmin eTrex 20x, Handheld GPS Navigator, Enhanced Memory and Resolution, 2.2-inch Color Display, Water Resistant

Although I do love exploring and getting off the grid, I've had one too many close calls where I found myself in the woods at night unsure where I was. Although I was miraculously able to find my way back each time, I knew that someday I would be the stupid guy who was never able to find his way back and died if I kept that up. So, after much research I found that the Garmin eTrex20 would be the best for me and to take backpacking.The thing you need to know about this product, is that the quick start manual (like other reviewers have said) is essentially useless as it only shows you the first steps in setting up the GPS. Since this is the first GPS I've ever had, it took me a couple of hours of tinkering with it and extensive googling to get this GPS setup the way I want it. I do admit that I learn something new every time I use it, and that once I master this device it will be something I can safely rely my life on. It's definitely geared towards people that are more tech-savvy and people that like to learn things hands-on (who reads manuals anyway :P ). The advantage of getting a Garmin is the bounty of free maps that you can download and the customization capabilities makes this product worth the cost.Yes, you can buy maps from Garmin for a pretty hefty fee. But, there's plenty of free maps that you can find online.I've used this a few times now backpacking, and has made finding my way much easier. The durability, waterproof, long battery life, and rugged exterior makes it a perfect companion for any outdoor enthusiast and survivalist.However, I would recommend getting a screen protector to avoid any major scratches on the screen.

Bought to replace an older Magellan GPS. This new unit has exceptional performance and quickly and accurately locks onto location. The standard map lacks detail but is easily replaced with good free maps. I downloaded the following on my PC to use with this GPS:1. Garmen BaseCamp - free software to communicate with the GPS.2. Maine Topo - An excellent free topo map of Maine available from the GPSFileDepot. Other states also available.3. Google Earth - An exceptional free program that works well with this GPS. You can mark locations or boundaries on this map and upload them to the GPS. You can also display hike tracks on Google Earth downloaded from the GPS. The attached photo shows the boundary for the Maine Forest and Logging Museum uploaded to the GPS and a hike around their trails downloaded to Google Earth. This is amazing free software you will want to use.The GPS has a feature to compute and display area by walking around a plot. It works surprisingly well. This GPS has good battery life, perhaps 20 hours or so. Only difficulty so far is learning to manage files with Garmen BaseCamp, confusing but not a big problem. The GPS compact size is great for hiking and works well stored in my jacket pocket. Overall an exceptional GPS.

The eTrex20x is relatively light (5 oz) and has excellent battery life. Using 2 Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries, this unit can run for 55 hours (five days, 11 hours per day). I conservatively replace the batteries when the battery indicator shows only one bar, but they may well last another day or so. This extended battery life reduces the number of replacement batteries carried on longer backpacking trips--a big plus. To help extend battery life, I seldom use the backlighting and typically do nothing but zoom the map in and out as needed to stay oriented and on the trail. I assume regular use of other features would shorten battery life.As other reviewers have noted, the big negative to the eTrex20x is the clunkiness of Garmin software, limited instructions, and the cost of Garmin topo maps. These problems are the reason I didn’t give the unit five stars. BaseCamp is the Garmin software used to manage the maps, tracks, routes, and waypoints used in the eTrex20x. It took some time to learn, but I was eventually able to load base maps and routes and then transfer them to the eTrex20x. For topo base maps, I use the state maps available from GPSFileDepot (https://www.gpsfiledepot.com). These 40-ft-contour state maps are free and work well for my hikes both on and off trail. To further help with navigation, gpx routes are easily loaded. Many gpx files of trials can be downloaded from the web and loaded easily into BaseCamp. So, for my needs (loading topo base maps and trail routes onto the eTrex20x), the software works.The eTrex20x has great reception. Even in forest and steep, cliffy terrain, it does a good job of finding satellites and keeping a location. The eTrex20x does have a couple features that can increase the accuracy of location fixes: the GLONASS satellite system and the WAAS/EGNOS augmentation systems. To save battery life, I keep both these enhancements off and use just the basic GPS satellites. I have found using just GPS provides sufficient accuracy, keeping my location to within a few feet of reality. As a result, the tracks (gpx file) recording my hikes are sufficiently accurate representations of the paths I took.Despite the marginal software (BaseCamp) that is used to load maps and routes before a hike, the eTrex20x has performed flawlessly while on the trail.It was worth the extra dollars to purchase the eTrex carrying case. The case protects the GPS and provides a clip that makes it easy to attach the eTrex20x onto the pack shoulder strap or belt.