Okay – so this page is only because I’ve not been able to find a comprehensive review of my eTrex 30 and whenever I need to get extra information or a quick reference guide as to what is best – or not!! – I usually go to this guy DC Rainmaker – in depth run/cycle/swim gear reviews. Until he adds a review for my eTrex 30 I will try my best to give you a good idea of what you can you do with a Garmin eTrex 30. Here goes…….
From the Garmin website – acronym overload!
Worldwide basemap
2.2″ 65K color, sunlight-readable display
3-axis compass and barometric altimeter
Wireless capability to share waypoints, routes and geocaches with other similar devices
GPS and GLONASS satellites for faster positioning
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.
eTrex minisite
See the Way
eTrex 30 has an enhanced 2.2″, 65K color, sunlight-readable display. Durable and waterproof, eTrex 30 is built to withstand the elements. It has an upgraded interface and stands strong against dust, dirt, humidity or water.
New Tools for Your Trek
eTrex 30 adds a built-in 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass, which shows your heading even when you’re standing still, without holding it level. 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, which can help you keep an eye on changing weather conditions.
Go Anywhere
With an array of compatible mounts, eTrex 30 is designed for use on ATVs, bicycles, in boats, as a handheld or in your car. Use the auto mount capability and City Navigator NT® maps for turn-by-turn driving directions, or the rugged mount for your motorcycle or ATV. Wherever you think you might take eTrex, it has the mapping and mounts to get you there.
Go Global
eTrex is the first-ever consumer-grade receiver that can track both GPS and GLONASS satellites simultaneously. GLONASS is a system developed by the Russian Federation that will be fully operational in 2012. When using GLONASS satellites, the time it takes for the receiver to “lock on” to a position is (on average) approximately 20 percent faster than using GPS. And when using both GPS and GLONASS, the receiver has the ability to lock on to 24 more satellites than using GPS alone.
Add Maps
With its microSD™ card slot and 1.7 GB of internal memory, eTrex 30 lets you load TOPO 24K maps and hit the trail, plug in BlueChart® g2 preloaded cards for a great day on the water or City Navigator NT map data for turn-by-turn routing on roads (see maps tab for compatible maps). eTrex 30 also supports Birdseye Satellite Imagery (subscription required), that lets you download satellite images to your device and integrate them with your maps.
Share Wirelessly
eTrex 30 lets you share your waypoints, tracks, routes and geocaches wirelessly with other compatible devices. So now your friends also can enjoy your favorite hike or cache – simply press “send” to transfer your information.
Keep Your Fix
With its high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver and HotFix® satellite prediction, eTrex locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover and deep canyons.
Find Fun
eTrex 30 supports geocaching GPX files for downloading geocaches and details straight to your unit. Visit Geocaching.com to start your geocaching adventure. By going paperless, you’re not only helping the environment but also improving efficiency. eTrex 30 stores and displays key information, including location, terrain, difficulty, hints and descriptions, which means no more manually entering coordinates and paper printouts. Simply upload the GPX file to your unit and start hunting for caches.
Plan Your Next Trip
Take charge of your next adventure with BaseCamp™, software that lets you view and organize maps, waypoints, routes, and tracks. This free trip-planning software even allows you to create Garmin Adventures that you can share with friends, family or fellow explorers. BaseCamp displays topographic map data in 2-D or 3-D on your computer screen, including contour lines and elevation profiles. It also can transfer an unlimited amount of satellite images to your device when paired with a BirdsEye Satellite Imagery subscription.
The size of the eTrex 30 compared to my Garmin Fenix 3 and two AA batteries. Its not huge but its not small either.
This is what the back of the eTrex 30 looks like.
The insides of the the eTrex 30 with the batteries removed.
The microSD card removed so you can see where it sits. There’s a simple metal cover that slides to lock the microSD card into place. Dropping the eTrex can sometimes knock the microSD card out of its secure little home. Yes. I did drop mine and it took me a while to figure out why my downloaded maps had disappeared from my eTrex. Only eTrex 20 & eTrex 30 have the ability for additional data storage.
The USB port for eTrex 10 20 & 30 are all covered by a tough silicon/rubber flap. This port is to transfer data, this port does not have the ability to charge batteries whilst in the unit. Even if those batteries are the rechargeable kind. I’ve tried and so has a friend. Data only.
Still here? Good. Next are the technical specs. This is filled with even more acronyms!!
I will try to add a lot more information here but in the meantime the table below will hopefully give you a good idea of the differences between a wrist worn and hand held Garmin device offers. Enjoy
| Function/Feature | Garmin Fenix3 | Garmin Epix | eTrex 10 | eTrex 20 | eTrex 30 | eTrex 30x |
| Actual Availability/Shipping Date | 01/02/2015 | 01/05/2015 | ||||
| GPS Recording Functionality | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Data Transfer | USB/Bluetooth Smart/WiFi | USB/Bluetooth Smart | USB | USB | USB | USB |
| Waterproofing | Yes – 100m | Yes – 50m | ||||
| Battery Life | Up to 50hrs in GPS | Up to 50hrs in GPS | Up to 25hrs | Up to 25hrs | Up to 25hrs | Up to 25hrs |
| Recording Interval | 1S OR SMART | 1S OR SMART | ||||
| Alerts | Vibrate/Sound/Visual | Vibrate/Sound/Visual | Sound | Sound | Sound | Sound |
| Ability to download custom apps to unit/device | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Acts as daily activity monitor (steps, etc…) | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Touchscreen | NO | YES | NO | NO | NO | NO |
| Connectivity | Garmin Fenix3 | Garmin Epix | eTrex 10 | eTrex 20 | eTrex 30 | eTrex 30x |
| Bluetooth Legacy (pre-4.0) to Phone | No | No | NO | NO | NO | NO |
| Bluetooth Smart (4.0+) to Phone Uploading | Yes | Yes | NO | NO | NO | NO |
| Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc…) | Yes | Yes | NO | NO | NO | NO |
| Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | Yes | Yes | NO | NO | NO | NO |
| Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | No | No | NO | NO | NO | NO |
| Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | No | No | NO | NO | NO | NO |
| Cycling | Garmin Fenix3 | Garmin Epix | eTrex 10 | eTrex 20 | eTrex 30 | eTrex 30x |
| Designed for cycling | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Power Meter Capable | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Power Meter Configuration/Calibration Options | Yes | YEs | ||||
| Power Meter TSS/NP/IF | Yes | YEs | ||||
| Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Strava segments integrated on device | No | No | ||||
| Running | Garmin Fenix3 | Garmin Epix | eTrex 10 | eTrex 20 | eTrex 30 | eTrex 30x |
| Designed for running | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Footpod Capable (For treadmills) | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Running Dynamics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, etc…) | Yes | Yes | ||||
| VO2Max Estimation | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Race Predictor | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Recovery Advisor | Yes | YEs | ||||
| Run/Walk Mode | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Swimming | Garmin Fenix3 | Garmin Epix | eTrex 10 | eTrex 20 | eTrex 30 | eTrex 30x |
| Designed for swimming | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Openwater swimming mode | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Lap/Indoor Distance Tracking | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Record HR underwater | WITH HRM-TRI/HRM-SWIM | WITH HRM-TRI/HRM-SWIM | ||||
| Openwater Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Indoor Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | YEs | Yes | ||||
| Indoor Drill Mode | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Indoor auto-pause feature | No | No | ||||
| Change pool size | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Indoor Min/Max Pool Lengths | 17M/18Y TO 150Y/M | 17M/18Y TO 150Y/M | ||||
| Ability to customize data fields | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Can change yards to meters | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Captures per length data – indoors | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Indoor Alerts | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Triathlon | Garmin Fenix3 | Garmin Epix | eTrex 10 | eTrex 20 | eTrex 30 | eTrex 30x |
| Designed for triathlon | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Multisport mode | Yes | YEs | ||||
| Workouts | Garmin Fenix3 | Garmin Epix | eTrex 10 | eTrex 20 | eTrex 30 | eTrex 30x |
| Create/Follow custom workouts | Yes | YEs | ||||
| On-unit interval Feature | YEs | Yes | ||||
| Training Calendar Functionality | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Functions | Garmin Fenix3 | Garmin Epix | eTrex 10 | eTrex 20 | eTrex 30 | eTrex 30x |
| Auto Start/Stop | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Virtual Partner Feature | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Virtual Racer Feature | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Records PR’s – Personal Records (diff than history) | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Day to day watch ability | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Hunting/Fishing/Ocean Data | Yes | Yes | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | No | Only with Garmin Bluechart g2 maps (extra) | YES (with optional Bluechart) | YES (with optional Bluechart) | YES (with optional Bluechart) | |
| Sun & moon information | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
| Jumpmaster mode (Parachuting) | No | |||||
| Geocaching | Via GPS coordinates | Yes (but not paperless geocaching) | YES (paperless) | YES (paperless) | YES (paperless) | YES (paperless) |
| Weather Display (live data) | With Connect IQ | With Connect IQ | ||||
| Picture viewer | YES | YES | YES | |||
| Navigate | Garmin Fenix3 | Garmin Epix | eTrex 10 | eTrex 20 | eTrex 30 | eTrex 30x |
| Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | YEs | Yes | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Routes | 50 | 50 | 50 | 200 | 200 | 200 |
| Markers/Waypoint Direction | Yes | Yes | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Waypoints/favourites/locations | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 |
| Track log | 10,000 points, 100 saved tracks | 10,000 points, 100 saved tracks | 10,000 points, 200 saved tracks | 10,000 points, 200 saved tracks | 10,000 points, 200 saved tracks | |
| Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS) | No | Yes | YES | YES | YES | |
| Basemap | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | |
| Ability to add maps | no | YES | YES | YES | ||
| Points of Interest | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | |
| Back to start | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | No | No | ||||
| Download courses/routes from phone to unit | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Sensors | Garmin Fenix3 | Garmin Epix | eTrex 10 | eTrex 20 | eTrex 30 | eTrex 30x |
| Altimeter Type | Barometric | Barometric | no | no | Barometric | Barometric |
| Compass Type | Magnetic | Magnetic | Tilt compensated 3-axis | Tilt compensated 3-axis | ||
| Optical Heart Rate Sensor internally | No | No | ||||
| Heart Rate Strap Compatible | Yes | Yes | ||||
| ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Capable | Yes | YEs | ||||
| ANT+ Speed/Cadence Capable | Yes | Yes | ||||
| ANT+ Footpod Capable | Yes | Yes | ||||
| ANT+ Power Meter Capable | Yes | YEs | ||||
| ANT+ Weight Scale Capable | No | No | ||||
| ANT+ Fitness Equipment (Gym) | No | No | ||||
| ANT+ Lighting Control | No | No | ||||
| ANT+ Bike Radar Integration | No | No | ||||
| ANT+ Trainer Control (FE-C) | No | No | ||||
| ANT+ Remote Control | No (can control VIRB though) | No (can control VIRB though) | ||||
| ANT+ eBike Compatibility | No | No | ||||
| Di2 Shifting Integration | Coming in update | Coming in update | ||||
| Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | No | No | ||||
| Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | No | No | ||||
| Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | No | No | ||||
| Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | No | No | ||||
| Temp Recording (internal sensor) | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Temp Recording (external sensor) | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Compatible with Firstbeat HR tools | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Software | Garmin Fenix3 | Garmin Epix | eTrex 10 | eTrex 20 | eTrex 30 | eTrex 30x |
| PC Application | Garmin Express | Garmin Express | Garmin Express | Garmin Express | Garmin Express | Garmin Express |
| Web Application | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect |
| Phone App | iOS/Android | iOS/Android | iOS/Android | iOS/Android | iOS/Android | iOS/Android |
| Ability to Export Settings | No | No | ||||
| Physical & Performance | Garmin Fenix3 | Garmin Epix | eTrex 10 | eTrex 20 | eTrex 30 | eTrex 30x |
| Physical dimensions | 2.1″x4.0″x1.3″ (5.4×10.3×3.3cm) | 2.1″x4.0″x1.3″ (5.4×10.3×3.3cm) | 2.1″x4.0″x1.3″ (5.4×10.3×3.3cm) | 2.1″x4.0″x1.3″ (5.4×10.3×3.3cm) | ||
| Display size, WxH | 1.4″x1.7″ (3.6×4.3cm) | 1.4″x1.7″ (3.6×4.3cm) | 1.4″x1.7″ (3.6×4.3cm) | 1.4″x1.7″ (3.6×4.3cm) | ||
| Display resolution, WxH | 218×218 pixels | 205×148 pixels | 128×160 pixels | 176×220 pixels | 176×220 pixels | 240×320 pixels |
| Display type | transflective MIP colour | transflective MIP colour | transflective, monochrome | transflective, 65-k colour TFT | transflective, 65-k colour TFT | transflective, 65-k colour TFT |
| Weight | 82g | 85g | 141.7g with batteries | 141.7g with batteries | 141.7g with batteries | 141.7g with batteries |
| Battery | Rechargeable Lithium-ion | Rechargeable Lithium-ion | 2 AA batteries (not included) | 2 AA batteries (not included) | 2 AA batteries (not included) | 2 AA batteries (not included) |
| Battery Life | Up to 50 hours | Up to 50 hours | 25 hours | 25 hours | 25 hours | 25 hours |
| Water rating | 10 ATM | 5 ATM | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| High-sensitivity receiver | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||
| Interface | USB | USB | USB | USB | ||
| Unit to unit transfer (shares data wirelessly with similar units) | YES | YES | ||||
| Built-in memory | 32MB | 8GB | 1.7GB | 1.7GB | 3.7GB | |
| Accepts data cards | microSD (not included) | microSD (not included) | microSD (not included) |
