[Closed] GPS for bikepacking - Garmin Etrex 20x?

FWIW, I prefer the larger screen of the Oregon, especially if you are going to use OS mapping.

The OpenStreetMap project has resulted in some really good alternative mapping. Certainly worth trying out. I have both OS and OSM on my Oregon.

There was a company called iOffer doing "dodgy" OS mapping for a while. I'm sure there are still hooky copies around. I'll admit to owning one of them. I "justify" it to myself by having an ongoing OS subscription and having previously bought OS mapping in other, non-Garmin-compatible versions I don't feel I need to buy it all again.

The Oregon mount works fine for me. I have them on 4/5 bikes. I always use a leash too, wrapped around the bar. This is just a safety precaution. The only time I've "needed" it was an OTB where I knocked the Oregon with my knee and it ripped it (and the mount) off the bar.

+1 for the Oregon. It's a bit bulky when compared to the Edge models but it's what I use both here and abroad. Runs off AA batteries. The Oregon has an inbuilt charger that the eTrex doesn't have. There's a quick hack to allow you to use anyone's rechargeable batteries rather than just Garmin's silly expensive ones. I've the 600 but the newer version, the 700, has working Bluetooth capabilities and you can pair your phone with it. It will pair with HRM, cadence and temp sensors but not power.

I put a bit of old innertube around the bar prior to fitting the mount, the device isn't perfectly balanced over the point above the bar so it can rotate if you get some big hits. I just made a leash from some old shock cord.

I've both OS & OSM mapping on mine. The Ordnance Survey maps are bitmaps meaning they don't zoom particularly well. The OSM maps are vector based so as you zoom in they keep their sharpness. Also OSM only shows you the detail that's sensible at the zoom level you are at so the screen doesn't look cluttered.

can take OS tiles via a microSD card

I had OS maps for my Edge Touring but I sold them. Not enough detail when you're standing there in real life and zooming in just made it blocky because they are bitmaps. OSM is vector, so the more you zoom in the more you can see.

I do have Back Country Navigator on my phone though which I use occasionally to cross-check things like RoW status. But that's not often.

For me, Edge Explore (which replaced the Touring) is great for exploration (hence its name). It's very useful for modifying routes on the fly or detouring to a town or petrol station or something.

And the Garmin mounts are a bit rubbish from what I read – anything better out there?

The bungee-on ones you get with the device are great at first but then the bands stretch and they get rubbish. But being the de-facto standard means that there are tons of third party mounts available which are great.

I've got an Etrex 20x and use it bikepacking amongst other things. It's ok, a bit clunky and the screen is very small. It works well with preloaded routes but isn't great if you're making it up as you go due to the small screen and the non user friendly way of creating routes on the device. I wanted something small and cheap to use for winter mountaineering too. It works for what I use it for but I think there are probably better things out there these days. I have a Garmin mount and it has worked very well.

Edit: taking easily replaceable batteries was an important feature for me too.

Used an Etrex for years and it's great for navigation. Good solid, dependable unit.

It is clunky though. Bit of a relic of the past in many respects and not nearly as user friendly as most modern bike GPS.

And with the advent of power banks, AA batteries are less of an advantage. In fact I tend to run a dynamo when touring so it's a disadvantage if anything.

Mine gets used very rarely now, only when out in the wilds and I know I'll get lost without it. But purely as a navigational aid, it's great.

Many people use OCM maps for free, or I think some people will see you packages ready to install. Not as good as OS but do the job.

I had an eTrex 3.0 for years and was really happy with it (battery life is also ridiculously good). As others have said the Oregon (I have one now) is better but also considerably more expensive.

The eTrex (and Oregon) are great multi-purpose GPSes whilst the Edge units are pretty much exclusively for bikes.

The eTrex 35 Touch looks to be a more modern version of the eTrex (comes with maps too) and I've seen them online for less than £150.

I also have an Etrex20x. It does what it does very well and has been dependable, but I echo the comments above. It's a bit clunky and the screen is very small if you're trying to do anything more than follow a pre-programmed route (it is usable though). Not sure how well it would work with OS maps (I use Open Street Maps which have a surprising amount of detail for my local area - more than OS in some cases).

If I was buying again, I would love an Oregon, but they're significantly more expensive. I'd consider an Etrex30  for the electronic compass (so you don't need to be moving to keep the map orientation in 'head-up' mode.)

Thanks very much folks - much appreciated.
I'm not intending to use this for normal riding, just following pre-loaded routes on wee tours and bikepacking trips - if that makes any different i.e. Etrex / Oregon?
Oregon does look neater kit though, and I can get a refurbed version for £190.
And sounds as if OSM might be good enough for what I need anyway, so that might save buying the OS data.
Nice one - thank you

I've got a Dakota20, similar to the Oregon but considerably smaller/cheaper. Works perfectly for bike touring.

If you do get an Etrex/Dakota/Oregon then have a look at this site for settings https://www.navigation-professionell.de/en/ and this for power saving - http://www.gpsrchive.com/Oregon%206xx/Power%20Sources.html (actually about the Oregon 600 but the tips are valid)

The Dakota is now discontinued, and replaced with the Etrex Touch. It is mostly a smaller version of the Oregon.
It does have shorter battery life than the Etrex 22x / 32x.

One word of warning on the Etrex if you do get one. They have a limit on the number of trackpoints they allow for a route. Can't remember the exact figures, but I think a Track allows 10,000, and a Route allows something like 2,000 or thereabouts.

So for long routes, upload it as a track and make sure it has less than 10k track points. And then double check on the device that the full route is there!

Richpips is selling an oregon 300 on bearbones with or without os maps if that helps