Folks have been enjoying the eTrex GPS product for several years now with its excellent features to help backpackers and hikers find their way in various outdoor environments. Garmin created the eTrex10, which is an improved model with the interface enhanced. It also includes the worldwide base map, accessories for spin mounting, and paperless geocaching.

Some buyers that have both models say that the new one is better than the original, does not cost as much, has more accurate readings, and provides more data for the user. On the other hand, some feel the older eTrex is superior because it does not have the often problematic joystick controller, and the display is better. Personal preference determines which is best based on what the user likes the most.

Since the introduction of the eTrex10, Garmin has created the eTrex20x and the eTrex30x too. We give you more information about these in the Version section of this review to help you decide which one is best for you.

All of the eTrex GPS models are ruggedly built to withstand the rough treatment they will receive in the outdoors. Backpacking and hiking activities are brutal on gear equipment, so this family of GPS devices is ready to handle what you can dish out. Just like the other versions, the Garmin eTrex10 is a handheld navigator that is lightweight with a compact antenna.

Its altimeter is satellite-based, and the screen can be seen easily in sunlight because it is black and white. The black and white screen is a controversial point with customers because full-color screens are available and often preferred. However, because it lacks color graphics, visibility is improved outdoors.

Part of the excitement (or disappointment, depending on your viewpoint) of the eTrex10 model is how you navigate through screens and maps. This is by button and a joystick feature. The joystick is a rolling ball in the upper right corner of the device, so it does not protrude like a game joystick controller as you would think.

Both the buttons and joystick can be manipulated easily with bare or gloved hands. The issue that some people have with the joystick controller is when it is put in a pocket or backpack. There is no way to shut off that part of the mechanism, so it accidentally flips through the screens and maps without your knowledge.

The Garmin eTrex10 shows low and high elevations points along with waypoints of a track that will provide the estimated distance and time between two points, plus it is compatible with Windows. Another versatile aspect of this product is its ability to withstand water. It is water-resistant IPX7 and tough, so it is protected from rain and splashes. This item is waterproof for 30 minutes as deep as one meter, so you can drop it in puddles or streams without harming it.

Of course, you want a mechanism that is beneficial and responsive to your needs in the wilderness. This GPS receiver is WAAS-enabled and gives a reliable signal and fast positioning with the GLONASS and HotFix support. It will display and store critical data that includes terrain, location, difficulty, descriptions, and hints, so the manual entry of coordinates and printouts are not needed anymore.

Also, the Garmin eTrex10 shows topographic data of maps on a computer screen in 2D or 3D images with elevation profiles and contour lines visible. On the black and white screen, you have all the essential information needed to guide you along the way of your journey plus leave breadcrumbs for you to follow your way back in case you become lost out there.

Just so you know what to expect for size and weight of the eTrex10, we will list it here. It is five ounces in weight with the overall dimensions of 1.3 wide x 4 long x 2.1 thick in inches. The display is monochrome and 2.2 inches in size.

This is not the lightest GPS model out there, nor is it the one with the largest screen. The Garmin eTrex10 is a basic model that is economical for those that do not want to shell out a lot of money for a simple navigational device. It does not have all the bells and whistles that some of the other products have, which honestly, is not desired by plenty of folks that want a GPS mechanism.

To keep you on the right track along your trip or journey of exploration outdoors, several features are incorporated into the eTrex10 model. It has a worldwide base map preloaded that you can depend on for your basic mapping and trailing needs plus the BaseCamp software. This software allows the user to organize and see waypoints, maps, tracks, and routes.

You can even use BaseCamp to make Garmin adventures and share them with other companion explorers, friends, and family members. When combined with the Birdseye Satellite Imagery, you can send any number of satellite views to a device. It will find your position precisely and quickly to keep the location accurate even in difficult terrains such as canyons and thick brush. With this technology, you should never be lost anywhere because the eTrex10 has your back with its mapping skills.

Although there are no preloaded maps with the eTrex10, you do have the waypoints and capabilities of tracking back to keep you from getting lost. Many people have noted that this version does not have the features and maps that the Etrex20x and the eTrex30x have, but it is also more economical too.

This is the initial receiver to have both GLONASS and GPS tracking of satellites at the same time in one device.The GLONASS satellite, in case you did not know, is a Russian Federation system that works 20% quicker than a GPS. Within this one product, you have both of these technologies at your disposal to keep you on track in the wilderness.

Best used for backpacking, hiking, paperless geocaching, and general use for exploration outdoors, the eTrex10is also great for geotagging photos and windsurfing.Yes, we said windsurfing. One customer uses this device to keep track of his routes and landing positions while windsurfing.

How is that for innovative? It works much better than phone apps for geocaching especially in strange and remote places and can be much cheaper than other methods of tagging and timestamping photos in the field. Anywhere you need a handheld GPS device is the perfect place for the eTrex10.

Okay, so Garmin has created the eTrex, the eTrex10, the eTrex20x, and the eTrex30x that all seem quite similar in their build and capabilities, right? Let’s try to sort out some of the pros and cons of these to help you choose one that is best for you. Compared to the eTrex 30x and the eTrex 20x, the eTrex 10 has the same display size and the same tracklog.

The display type is slightly different with monochrome, and the other two are 65K color TFT. The eTrex10 has only 50 routes while the other two have 200. It does not have compatible custom maps, ability to put on more maps, an electronic compass, or a barometric altimeter.

The display resolution of the eTrex10 is less with 128 x 160 pixels. The other two are 240 x 320 pixels. The physical size of theTrex10 is thicker and not as wide as the other two versions.

All of them have the same battery life of 25 hours, the same weight, and Bluetooth technology. The eTrex10 has been purchased more online and has more reviews from customers than the other models and is more economical. What does this mean?

The Garmin eTrex10 is cheaper, thicker in size, with less resolution and routes, and a monochrome display instead of color. It lacks the ability to load maps, a compass, and a barometric altimeter.Otherwise, all three eTrex models are fairly the same.

Even though you cannot load maps into this device, you can take website information of trail maps and download them. Waypoints are marked easily with just a single click too. The capability of automatic tracking is used without taking up much of the memory.

In the controversy of which is better this model or the original eTrex, some users that have both models claim that the eTrex10 is not accurate and works with terrible lag time. Others feel that even this primary mechanism can be confusing to operate for those that are new to GPS models.

At the same time, some think that this is one of the more manageable devices that can be used without the instructions even. As you can see based on customer opinions, how you will feel about the Etrex10, and how it functions will depend significantly on your background knowledge of GPS devices.

Garmin eTrex10, easy to operate and handle or not? Well, that depends. The buttons for functioning are on the sides of the device to operate it efficiently with only one hand. It can be simple to operate without using the manual as well.

This product works with Garmin accessories for spine mounting. However, the black and white screen is not as sharp as one that is in color, and it could use a lanyard or clip to secure it to clothing or backpack. The Garmin eTrex10 fits in a pocket easily, but that does not work well with the joystick that moves around in a pocket or backpack. It will navigate through your maps and routes on its own without your knowledge as you journey along your path.

Powering up is simple because you only have one choice for battery juice with the eTrex10. It gets power from two batteries of AA size for 20 hours of performance. Polaroid batteries work the best but are not necessary. The battery life is great according to plenty of users who are quite pleased with this aspect of the eTrex10.

In choosing a GPS product for your outdoor navigational needs, you have much research and thinking to do about what features and capabilities are essential to you individually. What others think has a bearing on your decision, but in the end, it is what you value most that are important. Several customers did not like that the eTrex10 lacks features and maps that the other eTrex versions have or the black and white screen.

It has no preloaded maps, can be slower than others and has a joystick controller that can be a problem sometimes. On the other hand, the Garmin eTrex10 is a product of high quality that is economical, basic, rugged, and designed to guide you in unfamiliar territories. For a simple handheld GPS product without all the flashy features, the eTrex10 is one of your better models currently.