Why use an eTrex?

It doesn’t look pretty, it lacks a lot of options that dedicated cycle computers have and it sure won’t win the user friendliness award (no app? Gasp!) So why on earth would you want to use this?

Fact is, if you want a navigation system that has the user friendliness of a Garmin/Wahoo, the looks, connectivity and the functionality of one, then buy one. This is perfectly fine and totally acceptable. You have my permission. No amount of tinkering is going to make your eTrex behave like a Wahoo or a Garmin Edge. The most important thing is that you’re comfortable and having fun, otherwise you won’t go out and ride your bike.

The pros

The following is a list of reasons why I prefer an eTrex over other dedicated cycling computers:

  • Long, long, long and even longer battery life. I can get ± 40 hours out of one set of AA-batteries on an eTrex 30.
  • While using it, you can attach it to an external power source for (you guessed it) even longer battery life
  • It takes AA batteries, which are sold pretty much everywhere, in addition, they’re highly portable. You can even put in rechargeable ones if that’s your thing
  • I bought my eTrex 30 around 2012, this thing has taken a serious beating over the course of many trips, many years, and it’s still working perfectly fine.
  • I can tinker with map colors, mine have such good contrast I can see everything in full sunshine with the backlight turned off
  • I like how the eTrex 30 does not have a touchscreen. I can operate it with gloves on, in rain. This is a downside of the 35 in my opinion.
  • Expendable internal memory, which you can use, or not
  • I can attach it to a decent bicycle mount
  • The fact that I can’t connect it with my smartphone (or Strava) is a huge plus for me. When I ride my bike I’m disconnected from the online world, which means mental relaxation time.
  • I like the rugged look it has, it makes me chuckle
  • It connects to various accessories including but not limited to heart rate monitors, cadence sensors and temperature sensors

The cons

Even though there aren’t many cons, it’s not zero

  • I won’t lie, it can be a hassle uploading tracks on the thing, you need a cable and a computer so changes on-the-go are generally not possible
  • It exports .GPX and not .FIT data meaning you won’t get stats like intensity minutes on Garmin Connect
  • Nothing of what you cycle will count towards any Garmin Challenge whatsoever
  • I had to replace my etrex 30 because the rubber of the casing broke down and it was not waterproof anymore. This happened to the 30x as well, both after 6 – 8 years of use. Next time I’m buying a silicone case to see if that will increase longevity
  • The eTrex 35t and I had a short-lived relationship – its battery life was absolutely horrendous. I was lucky to squeeze out 8–10 hours from a set of AA batteries.