[Closed] Garmin Etrex - 20 / 25 / 30 / 35

I can't help with most of your questions, as I have only used the 20x. I use a chinese copy mount and while I would never go anywhere without strapping it to the stem with the lanyard I added as extra safety, the £2 mount is surprisingly good. I like the joystick control button, don't really miss a touch screen.

It does have its frustrations though, pans up and down and zooms in and out slowly, would be nice to have a bigger screen for my old eyes,but it is a joy not to have to keep referring to paper maps all the time. Like the fact that it uses normal batterries too, good for bikepacking trips.

I replaced by Garmin Etrex with a Garmin Edge Touring. I found the Etrex mount to be pretty crap and the device to be very slow and clunky. The Edge is miles better IMO, mount is secure and very easy to remove the Garmin when needed. I find it great for navigation. Only downside is that is it a touchscreen but once its set I really never find myself needing to touch the screen. Also the battery is built in unlike the Etrex.

I paid £130 from Halfords but I think they have gone up since then.

I've had an eTrex 20 for 5 years now. Generally satisfied with it, as lesshaste says above, scrolling/zooming is pretty slow. Biggest weak point is the mount - Lanyard plus elastic band to stop if falling off on the bumpy stuff. That's with genuine Garmin mounts too. In hindsight, wish I'd bought the 30 so I could hook up HR and cadence, but if you're never going to bother it with that, then no point paying extra.

I’ve got the 20x too. Screen is small but it works well. Battery life is great. Get a genuine bike mount - they’re not much more than the cheap copies. Still I’d use a lanyard too.

I was put off the 25/35 because the screen is much lower resolution and won’t work with gloves.

Got the etrex 30 again I use a lanyard and band for guaranteed security. I really like it and have used it for following trails and race stages on and off road, in fact that was the original reason for choosing it. You can get relatively cheap maps for it and the ability to use normal batteries is a plus for me. I've not found the toggle button to be a hindrance. I'd replace it with the same again if I was in the market for a gps

I have the 30. Not had an issue since I stopped updating the software (the first one had to be replaced with a refurb from Garmin)

I like the 2xAA batteries, which is one less thing to consider if buying a used Garmin. Spare batteries are easily available and Eneloops will last several days between charges

The 30 has a lanyard loop that I always use. The weakness on mine wasn't the mount, it was the keyway on the back of the Garmin that slides into the mount; this only became apparent when the refurb was a secure fit on the original mount

I don't tend to move between displays on the move, but on the odd occasion that I did it was difficult especially with gloves. Might be better with practice

I use a 20 with a lanyard, although it’s never fallen off any genuine or copy mount I’ve used. Agree with all the above. Separate batteries and no touch screen are big advantages for me.

everyone is suggesting a lanyard for a very good reason- the mount is just not fit for purpose. It will fall off on rough stuff especially on a rigid bike. I speak from experience.

I used the rab mount personally - space underneath to store spare batteries as well

One of these though I also made an upfront base for mine

Nothing would persuade me to use the official Garmin one

In use the map screen is too small so, if for example a route has a diversion, you cannot really navigate using it.

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On my second 20x (fell on the first one and cracked the screen 🙁 ) - If I was buying new I'd go for the 30x, just for the electronic compass.

I've had 3 ebay mounts on 4 different bikes and they've all been fine. I always use a lanyard, but the only time it's been needed (other than crashing) was when I hit big potholes at warp speed on the road bike (even then, I'm not convinced I'd clipped it on properly).

As above, Eneloops last all day (probably 24 hours, but I've not gone beyond about 16) and it's reassuring to have a spare set in your bag.

There's a page somewhere* on how to set them up for easy menu navigation - you end up being able to toggle between the map page and the odometer by pressing the 'back' button on the top right.

I've found that the 'OpenFietsmap' free maps work very well, but the included Garmin 'Topo' map is OK for roads.

*Edit - it's here:  http://www.aukadia.net/gps/lwg_4.htm

I've had an Etrex 3 for years and really rate it; you can set up profiles for different types of usage in addition to cycling, so it make a good general purpose GPS.

Unlike others I've not had issues with the Garmin mount (so long as the head unit is properly engaged) but as it's zip tied to the bars it can slip around the bars when things get bumpy.

Fit lanyard to whatever you get. Even if like on my Wahoo you need to secure it behind a screw in battery charger cover. I've lost a lesser computer when it jumped out it's mount during some button pushing and ended up under the wheels of a car. Loop lanyard around your bars as a leash and if it pops out of mount it dangles from your bars instead.

On my MTB I use a little mount that replaces the top cap on the stem. It's great. £5 on eBay. Road bike has an out front mount. Ps I don't use an etrex.

I had a 30 and it popped off the mount on my road bike on a descent and was lost despite an hour looking. Got a 800 now

Have the 30 (will be up for sale very shortly) and the Garmin mount is pants, I've had other Garmins that had a far superior mount so goodness knows why they changed design.  Screen seems smaller than my other Garmins and prefer buttons.