The second of the brand new eTrex range, the Garmin eTrex 20 is the eTrex 10 but with more advanced features. While the eTrex 10 is a base model which is solid, modern and super-user friendly, it remains fairly basic in terms of mapping and GPS features. The eTrex 20 builds on this, adding an enhanced full-colour screen, a slot for micro SD cards, a bigger memory and crucially, compatibility with OS-powered on-screen mapping.
BEST PRICE FOR THE GARMIN ETREX 20 GPS
| Stockist | Product | Price | |
  | Garmin eTrex 20 Outdoor Handheld GPS Unit | under £150.00 |  |
 | Garmin eTrex 20 GPS Handheld Unit | £161.99 | |
 | Garmin eTrex 20 GPS | £169.99 | |
  | Garmin eTrex 20 (US and Canada) | under $170 | |
Full review of the Garmin eTrex 20
As already mentioned in our review of the eTrex 10, this series of three GPS devices operates from the same basic model and layout. Designed to be compact in the hand at roughly 4 x 2 inches height by width, the new eTrex models are all rugged but stylish, waterproof and ergonomically designed. Operating from a much improved control panel/dashboard as compared to previous eTrex designs, the user will find getting around the eTrex units a lot easier than many modern overcomplicated handhelds. Before having a look at the pros and cons of the second in this trilogy of handheld GPS, let’s analyse what it brings over and on top of the base model eTrex 10.
Key Benefits of the eTrex 20
- Super visibility – enhanced colour display
- More trip stats – the eTrex 20 offers loads more trip analysis features including improved trip odometer, topographic map data in 2D or 3D, virtual compass with estimated distances, times of arrival, average speeds and more
- Different GPS profiles for activities – modes for recreational, geocaching, automotive, marine and fitness
- Easier user functionality – customize your dashboard with altimeter, compass, odometer, trip data and more however you want to view it
- Extensive map support – compatibility with wide range of patented Garmin maps via Micro SD slot or large 1.7GB internal memory
BEST PRICE FOR THE GARMIN ETREX 20 GPS
| Stockist | Product | Price | |
| Garmin eTrex 20 Outdoor Handheld GPS Unit | under £150.00 | |
| Garmin eTrex 20 GPS Handheld Unit | £161.99 | |
| Garmin eTrex 20 GPS | £169.99 | |
| Garmin eTrex 20 (US and Canada) | under $170 | |
Our critique of the Garmin eTrex 20
The eTrex 20 does so much more than the eTrex 10 – this device is a proper GPS mapper, not just a basic co-ordinates machine and for this reason you should consider spending a little extra and going for the 20 model over the 10. The eTrex 10 is great at what it does but at perhaps £60-£80 more for the eTrex 20 in return you’ll get a complete quality GPS mapper. As you’ll know, here at SatelliteMapReview.com we are into maps and give a lot of weight to the mapping abilities of a GPS in considering it overall. In this aspect the eTrex 20 scores high because of compatibility with Garmin’s topographical maps powered by Ordnance Survey. Considering its size, the little screen gives you fantastic detail as you track your route over the familiar OS features. Marine charts and journeys by car are also catered for within Garmin’s mapping range. We particularly liked the elevation profiles accessible on this little GPS and also the way topographic detail is available in 2D or 3D as you like it.
Our conclusions…
Our gripe would be on size, especially the small screen and we’d remind you again this is a compact device compared to some. However for the amount of features you get with the eTrex 20 and the superb relative price it’s hard not to recommend this GPS over its competitors.
BEST PRICE FOR THE GARMIN ETREX 20 GPS
| Stockist | Product | Price | |
| Garmin eTrex 20 Outdoor Handheld GPS Unit | under £150.00 | |
| Garmin eTrex 20 GPS Handheld Unit | £161.99 | |
| Garmin eTrex 20 GPS | £169.99 | |
| Garmin eTrex 20 (US and Canada) | under $170 | |
Compare this model with other handheld GPS of a similar price:
Garmin eTrex 20 with OS map rendering:
