Why shouldn't I buy an eTrex20 and other questions ....

[Fab Foodie]

On the face of it an eTrex20 seems to be a good relatively inexpensive entry to the world of Satnavery.

Up to know, maps, compass and dead-reckoning have been my guides. I'm looking to do more Audaxy type stuff and ride leading and it occurs that what spoils Audaxing for me is the navigating, so Satnav seems a good idea.
Geocaching (what we used to call 'Letterboxing' in the old manual world also might be on the cards.

I'm no software/gadget geek, but would like some mapping visible rather than just a cookie trail.
It runs on AA batteries which is cool even though I'm planning dynamo charging on the new steed.

Q1: Any reason not to purchase an eTrex20 as my first basic Satnav.

Q2: I can buy from Garmin for £170 with TOPO UK & Ireland Lite as well as the standard Basemaps software:
https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/outdoor/handheld/etrex-20/prod87771.html
Is the TOPO any good/worth the extra over a basemap version?

OR
Q3: Should I buy this from JL which I can get with a 12% discount (around £126 total) and additional warranty but without the TOPO light saving £45?
http://www.johnlewis.com/garmin-etrex-20-handheld-gps-black-orange/p1283079

Cheers
FF

 

[tubbycyclist]

The etrex 20 is becoming more popular with audaxers as people replace their old Garmin Vista's. No reason not to get one, although you may want to check the 30 as well if you plan to use it for other activities like walking.
Personally I would skip the Topo bundle and put Open Street Map on, it will be good enough for audaxes

 

[Deleted member 23692]

As an Etrex20 user allow me to help

A1 - There is no reason not to buy one as long as your not after cycling specific info like heart rate cadence etc. An added bonus is it runs on AA batteries so a blank screen isn't going to be such a a hardship compared with internal battery powered devices like the edge series

A2 - In short don't bother with spending £170. Instead use a copy of Open Street Map which can be downloaded free from here. As OSM is still being developed the maps on the link are updated every week or so to reflect any changes. All you'll need to fork out for is a 2gb micro SD card. Obviously OSM is a little light on detail once you leave the highway network, but as long as you can plot a route on Ride With GPS or suchlike the etrex won't let you down.

A3 - I would at that price

Edit.... the etrax 30 doesn't really offer much more than the 20, unless you consider wi-fi connectivity, an electronic compass and barometric altimeter worth paying the extra for. Personally I wouldn't bother

 

[Pikey]

Or if you wanted similar mapping etc... With the letter boxing potential, but one that will handle ant+ heart rate sensors, cadence sensors etc... Have a butchers at the dakota 20.

I've used mine on several audaxes using the free osm maps and it's been good as gold, even runs on aa's.

I even used mine with a hr sensor on the turbo this winter to give a readout and to record the data.

 

[tubbycyclist]

Or if you wanted similar mapping etc... With the letter boxing potential, but one that will handle ant+ heart rate sensors, cadence sensors etc... Have a butchers at the dakota 20.

I have the Dakota 20, and it is definitely suitable for audaxing and mine has been fine on long rides. There are a couple of differences which would draw me to the etrex first though. I think the touch screen vs the button driven menu is probably personal preference but can be fiddly to operate the Dakota with winter gloves, and the bracket for the Dakota is awful. In the etrex range, the 30 also supports ANT+ which is why I thought it may be worth a mention in addition to the etrex 20. For all things GPS and audax take a look at Francis Cooke's articles, which should help with the learning curve that comes with a new gadget.

 

[Deleted member 23692]

....and the bracket for the Dakota is awful.

Odd that. I've not had a problem using my Etrex on the Garmin bike brackets, which is the same one as for the Dakota/Oregon ranges. However I did try a cheap (ebay) Chinese copy and found that to be pretty useless at keeping a grip on the device on all but the smoothest of roads

 

[winjim]

Odd that. I've not had a problem using my Etrex on the Garmin bike brackets, which is the same one as for the Dakota/Oregon ranges. However I did try a cheap (ebay) Chinese copy and found that to be pretty useless at keeping a grip on the device on all but the smoothest of roads

The Oregon mount is good, and should you not quite clip the unit in properly, your Etrex 20 will survive being flung off your bike by a pothole and hitting the tarmac, with only minimal damage. DAMHIKT.

Screen protectors are a worthwhile investment.

 

[Pikey]

I have the Dakota 20, and it is definitely suitable for audaxing and mine has been fine on long rides. There are a couple of differences which would draw me to the etrex first though. I think the touch screen vs the button driven menu is probably personal preference but can be fiddly to operate the Dakota with winter gloves, and the bracket for the Dakota is awful. In the etrex range, the 30 also supports ANT+ which is why I thought it may be worth a mention in addition to the etrex 20. For all things GPS and audax take a look at Francis Cooke's articles, which should help with the learning curve that comes with a new gadget.

I've made a bodge to fix that, bit if inner tube and insulating tape..

 

[Fab Foodie]

Fab! A trip to JL looks on the cards

Any advice on a bike mount ... particularly one that fits a quill stem?

 

[tubbycyclist]

Fab! A trip to JL looks on the cards

Any advice on a bike mount ... particularly one that fits a quill stem?

The RAM mounts are good quality and there are lots of optional bases to fit virtually anything.

 

[martint235]

The RAM mounts are good quality and there are lots of optional bases to fit virtually anything.

I use the "cage" part of a RAM Mount but not the base. Just file a curved groove into the base of the cage, drill a couple of diagonal holes and then cable tie it to the stem over a bit of old inner tube. I found the mounts that RAM produces (particularly for the earlier Etrex Legend) to be flaky and their customer support non-existent.

 

[Deleted member 23692]

Genuine Garmin mount for me. With a slight bit of modification to the release tab I fitted on to a 70mm stem, and it works perfectly. You should have any difficulty fitting one to a Quill stem. But for added security I've added a short length of cord (with a plastic clipon the end) to the landyard holes that I can wrap round the stem so it won't hit the ground should it come off (which it never has )

 

[Crankarm]

My 2ps worth is go for the eTrex 30 over the 20 as the electronic compass of the 30 is far better than the vector compass of the eTrex 20. Plus I prefer the altimeter facility as well. £168 for the eTrex 30 + TOPO uk and ireland at Cotswold Outdoor.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/cat....ep?compareProduct=87774&compareProduct=87771

http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/garmin-etrex-30-topo-uk-and-ireland-a2110188?id_colour=180