Reduce the Wire and Get Misplaced — This Photo voltaic-Powered GPS Lasts Perpetually: Garmin eTrex Photo voltaic Assessment

I had no intention of beginning my overview of the brand new Garmin eTrex Photo voltaic off this fashion. However there it’s on the sprint of my truck, absorbing juice that’s bouncing off my shades as I drive residence this morning, and admittedly, I’m a little bit blown away. I’ve used loads of photo voltaic merchandise over time and I don’t suppose I’ve ever used one that’s this environment friendly.

However I digress. Within the final month, this little GPS unit has turn out to be a part of my every day life. I take it all over the place I am going, and have even created a customized mount for it in my 4Runner. I make it a degree to import and export routes and waypoints randomly all through the day. And, finally, I’ve come to understand the truth that the unit requires me to place in a little bit work to get what I want from it.

That every one stated, should you take note of product opinions (and we do), it’s what’s been baked into the eTrex Solar ($250) that has been given as a lot consideration as what has been overlooked of this minimal machine. So, the next isn’t simply going to be an knowledgeable overview of my expertise with the unit, however a possibility to debunk among the lingering questions on the market.

In brief: The Garmin eTrex Photo voltaic is a stripped-down, solar-powered handheld GPS unit that offers you easy-to-read info in an easy-to-use package deal. It additionally has multiband GPS, which gives pinpoint accuracy and staves off obsolescence.

To learn extra on the spectrum of GPS-enabled units at the moment, try GearJunkie’s Finest Handheld GPS Gadgets information for the hen’s-eye view.

Garmin eTrex Photo voltaic Assessment

So, One other GPS?

Not fairly. The eTrex Photo voltaic is a straightforward, stripped-down, solar-powered GPS handheld. Designed for the outside fanatic and arriving sizzling on the heels of the newer eTrex SE, the unit permits you to acquire waypoints, create routes, and entry them with ease via a collection of easy but particular menus. It’s, in brief, every little thing you may ever need in a GPS unit with out all the superfluous bells and whistles of higher-end items.

However the actual shining star (no pun meant right here) is the power to photo voltaic cost the unit. This can provide you limitless battery energy regardless of the mode you’re working in. And whereas I’ve but to succeed in limitless hours with the unit, preliminary testing exhibits nice promise. With a easy display screen, minimal processing energy, and restricted gizmos, the machine merely sips juice, and the photo voltaic panel can simply maintain it topped off for prolonged expeditions.

Rounding out the spectacular options and advantages of the eTrex Photo voltaic is its multiband satellite tv for pc capabilities. Whereas sometimes a performance reserved for high-end GPS-enabled units, this tech has been trickling right down to the lots, and by having the ability to connect with completely different satellite tv for pc frequencies, you could be assured that your place is correct.

The eTrex Photo voltaic additionally has a devoted menu merchandise for geocaching, which it might do natively or by pairing the unit along with your smartphone and utilizing the Geocaching app. This makes the eTrex Photo voltaic a helpful device so that you can take within the open air by yourself, or when spending time having enjoyable with the entire household.

Pairing the eTrex Photo voltaic along with your smartphone permits you to entry expanded options reminiscent of cellphone notifications in addition to climate and dawn and sundown occasions. It additionally permits you to plan your journeys forward of time.

This may be accomplished via the Garmin Explore app which additionally makes managing waypoints and routes simpler with out complicating the working system. The Discover app additionally permits you to work together with navigation apps like Gaia GPS to import and export info.

What It’s Not

I typically don’t learn opinions about merchandise I’m testing. I additionally keep away from message boards as a lot as potential. However I used to be wanting up a few technical specs on the eTrex Photo voltaic and located myself studying posts and opinions that simply didn’t line up with any of the advertising supplies from Garmin concerning the eTrex Photo voltaic. The detrimental feedback had been spreading like wildfire. What was the deal?

Lots of people assumed the eTrex Photo voltaic and its disposable battery-dependent associate — the eTrex SE — had been going to be successors to the eTrex 22x or 32x. A minimum of by way of having a colour display screen and what the working system was going to be.

However when the SE launched again in March after which the Photo voltaic in November, it grew to become manifestly apparent that these had been extra just like the eTrex 10 — a barebones unit that targeted merely on doing what GPS units do greatest: navigate.

That stated, it’s true that the eTrex Photo voltaic doesn’t have a colour display screen or function turn-by-turn instructions. Sure, routes and waypoints could be imported to it, however you can’t add customized maps or TopoActive maps to it. Moreover, there isn’t a joystick to navigate via the menus. As a substitute, it has a multi-button method that individuals who’ve used the Foretrex collection will acknowledge.

However the longer I used it, the extra I noticed that it’s bought every little thing I might ever need in a GPS unit, sans goofy fishing calendars or built-in flashlights. Do you could have a spot you wish to go to? It’ll take you there. Need to know easy methods to get residence? The eTrex Photo voltaic has you coated. And typically that’s all you want.

Sips of Sunshine — An Expedition-Prepared Photo voltaic System

Having examined loads of outside gear over time, I’m greater than prepared to confess that some solar-equipped gear is a ache within the ass. It’s important to have panels angled simply the appropriate strategy to get an honest quantity of solar energy pulled in. Ultimately, it may be extra of a wrestle than a profit.

That’s not the case with the eTrex Photo voltaic. The primary time I walked out the door with the unit into the solar, I used to be pulling in 112% of photo voltaic depth. That climbed as much as 142% as soon as I positioned it and let or not it’s.

General, on common, once you’re strolling about with a transparent shot to the sky, you may count on to web round 70-80%. The quantity is at all times fluctuating, however the level right here is that the eTrex Photo voltaic’s receptors are depraved delicate and thereby efficient. That is if the unit is on or off. Sure, that’s proper — this little goober is taking sips of sunshine even when it’s powered down.

By way of good points primarily based on that efficacy, I picked up 19 minutes of battery life after 10 minutes of leaving the eTrex Photo voltaic within the solar. Garmin states that 1 hour of 100% photo voltaic depth will achieve 2.5 hours of battery life. One of the simplest ways to realize these sorts of outcomes is clearly by preserving the unit in a single place, however by all means — cost the place you may and when you may.

That being stated, if somebody had been to ask me if the photo voltaic function is well worth the $100 upcharge from the Garmin eTrex SE, I must inform them sure. With the photo voltaic function, you could have limitless hours of utilization. If there’s no solar, don’t fear — you could have not less than 200 hours of battery life. Which, not for nothing, continues to be greater than the 168 hours you’ll get with the eTrex SE.

Now, is that $100 price it for everybody? I prefer to know that I don’t must depend on batteries for every little thing. I additionally prefer to know that if I pull one thing out of my gear closet, I don’t mechanically must cost it. Don’t overlook, you additionally get the multiband GPS function that the SE mannequin doesn’t have.

In my life, I don’t know if I’ll ever want one thing that lasts greater than every week with out a cost. However I do know there are many individuals on the market who can profit from this function. It is advisable to decide if that’s you.

Battery Life

Throughout its completely different product strains, Garmin has been pushing prolonged battery lives in recent times. With the ever-growing recognition of the Apple Watch that may solely final a few days, it makes loads of sense for Garmin to tune their watches to run nearly a month on a single cost. It has additionally made it a degree to level out that its newest addition to its Foretrex line has greater than double the battery lifetime of its predecessor.

The eTrex Photo voltaic is Garmin’s first solar-powered handheld GPS machine* — however it’s not the primary solar-powered product. It’s been utilizing solar energy in watches to enhance battery life for the previous few years. Being that they’re a wearable machine, this eliminates the burden of needing downtime to cost. Including this performance to the eTrex gives the identical factor, which finally enhances ease of use, reliability, and dependability.

However then you concentrate on a handheld GPS just like the Montana 700i ($700). That factor comes off just like the holy grail of GPS items however solely has a battery lifetime of 18 hours. I suppose this leaves the door open for brand new merchandise, however it’s a little bit of a head-scratcher. At $450 greater than the eTrex Photo voltaic, you’d suppose it might be one of many first handhelds to get photo voltaic and multiband GPS.

Once more, I’m not right here to take a position why Garmin does what it does. I proceed to get pleasure from its merchandise.

*The Edge 540 Solar and 840 Solar are bike computer systems.

Multiband GPS Reception

Space Force (I nonetheless can’t consider we named it that) is answerable for the 24 satellites that make up our GPS sat-nav constellation. They do every little thing from preserving these huge tin cans up and working to changing them as they both put on out or turn out to be out of date. Always, we’ve got 24 satellites energetic in area, in addition to some older birds from earlier generations.

That is the place the entire thought behind multiband GPS comes into focus. For years, GPS has been counting on two frequencies of GPS — L1 (Civilian) and L2 (Navy). In 2021, it began utilizing the L5 band for civilian use. We at present have 16 satellites in orbit utilizing the L5 frequency with the plan to have all 24 utilizing L5 by 2027.

A multiband GPS machine, just like the eTrex Photo voltaic, can make the most of each the L1 and L5 frequencies to provide the unit an undeniably dependable and correct connection. This implies no leaping and lag — what you see on the display screen is as actual because it will get. It additionally means there’s a decrease propensity for shedding a sign and a better propensity for buying one.

This functionality additionally minimizes points with interference which might happen should you go inside a constructing, are below a forest cover, in a canyon, and so forth. I reside out within the woods and I had an accuracy of 6 ft with the eTrex Photo voltaic. Most individuals are blissful in the event that they get 16 ft, which is the usual with GPS-enabled mobile units.

When you think about the truth that the eTrex Photo voltaic is each solar-powered and multiband, it creates a lovely stability between fascinating and inexpensive.

Importing and Exporting Routes & Waypoints

Out of the field, the eTrex Photo voltaic has a easy, city-oriented base map baked in. This can be a profit, because it permits you to maintain the unit uncluttered from the get-go. However that doesn’t imply you may’t add routes and waypoints to it, or export them to a different database.

I’ve been utilizing Gaia GPS for the final 3 years. It’s a strong route-making utility that permits you to share the routes you make in addition to entry the data you save offline. I initially bought into it to map out the unmarked off-roading trails the place I reside and at a spot I prefer to get bizarre at up in Vermont. Then it grew to be my place to trace my adventures.

Different standard mapping apps, reminiscent of CalTopo, work with the eTrex Photo voltaic as effectively (actually any that may export GPX tracks will work additionally). The method is usually a little tenuous at first, however when you get the dangle of it, you’ll end up importing and exporting with ease. The profit right here is the power to load up beforehand tracked routes from different customers onto the eTrex, which you should use with out your cellphone for a extra lo-fi mountain climbing expertise.

I gained’t get into the weeds concerning the method, as it might be completely different from cellphone to cellphone, app to app. However you wish to export and import GPX information. These information are native to the eTrex Photo voltaic and can work with none points.

The entire course of feels a little bit old fashioned. However the good thing about all of it is that it permits you to get acclimated along with your route. Which is one thing loads of of us overlook to do.

Geocaching With the Garmin Photo voltaic

Letterboxing, the duty of utilizing bodily instructions to seek out hidden containers has been round because the 1800s. However seeing that GPS, as we all know it, didn’t exist till the early Nineteen Nineties, geocaching didn’t catch hearth till the early 2000s.

Just like letterboxing, with geocaching your objective is to discover a hidden container. The large distinction in geocaching is that you simply use a GPS unit to seek out the container. That container will comprise a ledger so that you can signal, however will greater than possible have a treasure so that you can take residence and replenish.

Geocaching has a large following and is sort of a little bit of enjoyable. The containers aren’t typically out within the open — they usually’re not solely within the woods. In some circumstances, they may very well be below rocks, tucked into holes and timber, or lodged in cracks in ledges. In different circumstances, they are often tethered to storm drains, situated below a bench in your favourite restaurant, or in much more advanced locations the place the actual diehards like to cover their cache.

To make use of the eTrex Photo voltaic to geocache, you’ll must navigate to the geocaching exercise on the unit and comply with the directions on the display screen. It will require you to register with Geocaching in addition to registering the unit with the platform. Geocaching is free to make use of should you’re an informal geocacher, however there’s a premium subscription obtainable if you end up obsessive about it. Which tends to occur.

One main good thing about geocaching with the eTrex Photo voltaic is that it’s a primary alternative for the unit to be absorbing the solar. It’s additionally a ton of enjoyable by yourself or with family and friends.

Carry Choices

Garmin does a terrific job of providing carry choices for all of their handheld GPS items. From circumstances to clips, there are virtually a dozen methods to hold the eTrex Photo voltaic. Nevertheless, as a result of this unit loves the solar, I might advocate a carry choice that retains it uncovered to the solar. It’s essential to keep in mind that even when the eTrex Photo voltaic is off, it’ll cost if it’s within the path of daylight.

I initially thought-about the Backpack Tether ($21). I quickly realized that by design, this selection solely benefited me after I had my pack on. So I went with the Spine Mount Belt Clip ($10). This clip permits me to apply it to my pack, on my belt, on the collar of my shirt or jacket, or wherever else I might consider carrying the eTrex Photo voltaic.

Notifications

I’ve at all times been somebody who needs to remain within the know. Suffice it to say that no matter watch I’ve wants to have the ability to get notifications from my cellphone. It’s a first-world drawback, and my ancestors would beat me mindless in the event that they knew what I’ve turn out to be. Nevertheless, I do know I’m not alone. None of us actually must have notifications on the eTrex Photo voltaic, except — nevertheless — our different units are tucked away. However even then, I’m undecided easy methods to gauge the profit in opposition to the distraction.

The eTrex Photo voltaic just isn’t a touchscreen, which I like, however by way of notifications, it might make them extra of a trouble than they’re price. There’s no strategy to swipe away your Ring digital camera notification telling you that Amazon is at your own home if you are 50 miles from nowhere. With the notification taking over one-third of the display screen, you must press a button to take away it if you wish to see what you must on the display screen.

I don’t find out about you, however after I want to have a look at the display screen of my navigation machine, it’s as a result of I’m in search of info. To not be distracted by my social life.

Room for Enchancment

For what it’s, I believe the eTrex Photo voltaic is likely one of the easiest-to-use GPS items on the market at the moment. It does an unbelievable job of preserving issues easy and straightforward to entry. While you’re out and about attempting to determine all of it out, that’s what you need. That stated, I wouldn’t thoughts seeing a pair extra options baked right into a future model of the eTrex Photo voltaic.

The Skill to Cost Different Gadgets

Being that the battery on the eTrex Photo voltaic is limitless, it might be a implausible addition to have the ability to cost different digital units off of it. It’s not expertise that Garmin at present makes use of in its through-and-through GPS items (although it’s featured on the inReach Messenger machine), however it might be a superb addition to a tool reminiscent of this.

inReach Know-how

Garmin already provides this selection on quite a lot of its higher-end units. I might be prepared to drop one other hundred on a unit just like the eTrex with that expertise onboard.

I additionally suppose that it’s inevitable that individuals are going to need a photo voltaic choice in a few of Garmin’s extra superior handheld GPS items. To not maintain choosing on the Montana 700i, however that unit is simply ready to get solarized. And it ought to. Worrying about battery life blows.

Garmin eTrex Photo voltaic Assessment: Conclusion

Many moons in the past I labored for a big outside retailer, and earlier than that, I had been reluctant to get into handheld GPS items normally. However working there — it was unavoidable. As workers, we had been in a position to borrow and check out gear, and I had the chance to make use of a a lot older eTrex machine after I summited Mount Washington.

Reader, I fell in love. It was nice to see the route I took in comparison with how different individuals had gone up who had used the machine earlier than me. However I by no means discovered a must make one a everlasting a part of my package. It wasn’t till I moved to the place I reside now, surrounded by trails situated in areas with spotty cell reception, that I noticed the necessity to have one in my pack.

Suffice it to say that I’ve embraced this chance with the eTrex Solar. I’ve even used it to map out the extra standard routes I take my 4Runner on within the woods. However the huge takeaway right here is that you simply get out what you place in with the eTrex Photo voltaic. It’s as much as you so as to add the waypoints and populate the bottom map. It’s simple to do, it simply requires pre-planning in your half.

So, should you’re somebody who likes to go on outside adventures — of all styles and sizes — I might counsel that you simply contemplate the Garmin eTrex Photo voltaic. With what you’re getting for $250, you gained’t miss the turn-by-turn instructions or colour display screen. You’ll, nevertheless, benefit from the ease of use in going via the menus and utilizing the monitoring and waypoint options.

You’ll additionally benefit from the pinpoint accuracy and the truth that you don’t want to fret about charging it. Simply stick the unit within the solar once you’re out and about.

All in all, I hope this overview eliminates among the confusion and chit-chat concerning the eTrex Photo voltaic. I don’t consider that Garmin ever alluded to being something greater than the revolutionary mountain climbing GPS handheld machine that it’s. Individuals get wrapped up within the mistaken issues, and it finally ends up catching hearth and inflicting distractions. By way of handheld GPS items, the eTrex Photo voltaic would be the greatest $250 you’ll ever spend.