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TIP: The online Bushwalk Inventory System can help bushwalkers with a variety of bushwalk planning tasks, including: Manage which items they take bushwalking so that they do not forget anything they might need, plan meals for their walks, and automatically compile food/fuel shopping lists (lists of consumables) required to make and cook the meals for each walk. It is particularly useful for planning for groups who share food or other items, but is also useful for individual walkers.Request for help learning how to use Garmin Etrex 20 GPS
Fri 25 Sep, 2015 6:46 pm
To the Melbourne Bushwalking community,
I recently purchased a Garmin Etrex 20 GPS. Since it arrived in the mail I have attempted to sit down and teach myself how to use it. I am a complete beginner when it comes to using a GPS and am finding it overwhelming trying to teach myself. There are a couple of useful resources on the net and some tutorials via Youtube showing you how to set up but nothing caters entirely to an absolute beginner like myself.
I am hoping that there is someone out there who knows how to use this thing and would be willing to either point me in the right direction of some better beginner resources or even better, meet up with me (or chat on the phone) and show me the basics. I live in Melbourne's inner north but would be willing to travel to see someone who knew what they were talking about.
I set off on the Australian Alps Walking Track in 6 weeks time so am very keen to get the hang of this thing as soon as possible.
Please let me know if you would be willing!
Laura
I recently purchased a Garmin Etrex 20 GPS. Since it arrived in the mail I have attempted to sit down and teach myself how to use it. I am a complete beginner when it comes to using a GPS and am finding it overwhelming trying to teach myself. There are a couple of useful resources on the net and some tutorials via Youtube showing you how to set up but nothing caters entirely to an absolute beginner like myself.
I am hoping that there is someone out there who knows how to use this thing and would be willing to either point me in the right direction of some better beginner resources or even better, meet up with me (or chat on the phone) and show me the basics. I live in Melbourne's inner north but would be willing to travel to see someone who knew what they were talking about.
I set off on the Australian Alps Walking Track in 6 weeks time so am very keen to get the hang of this thing as soon as possible.
Please let me know if you would be willing!
Laura
Re: Request for help learning how to use Garmin Etrex 20 GPS
Fri 25 Sep, 2015 8:17 pm
Ask away. I am sure folks here can help with specific issues. What are you trying to learn?
Re: Request for help learning how to use Garmin Etrex 20 GPS
Fri 25 Sep, 2015 9:57 pm
Even quicker is to search on YouTube. Lots of instructional clips to help you out. Ask those you can't understand.
Re: Request for help learning how to use Garmin Etrex 20 GPS
Sat 26 Sep, 2015 10:02 am
lozzyrob wrote:tutorials via Youtube showing you how to set up but nothing caters entirely to an absolute beginner like myself.
GPSGuided wrote:Even quicker is to search on YouTube
Request for help learning how to use Garmin Etrex 20 GPS
Sat 26 Sep, 2015 10:56 am
The search function is your friend.
If you use the search function, you will find a similar thread asking for tips on using the Etrex 30, which is basically the same device less a few features.
Look for my post on Francis Cooke's essays.
If you use the search function, you will find a similar thread asking for tips on using the Etrex 30, which is basically the same device less a few features.
Look for my post on Francis Cooke's essays.
Re: Request for help learning how to use Garmin Etrex 20 GPS
Sat 26 Sep, 2015 3:10 pm
I've posted some tips in another thread before: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=15200#p269919
Have a look there if you haven't already. In that post I had links to AAWT gpx track files, but haven't checked if they are still active. Have a look at those gpx files and and see if they might help you.
Also if you don't have maps for your eTrex 20 yet, have a look at andrewp's OSM maps with topo contours also linked in that post.
The very basics are in a few videos that Garmin made a while back http://www8.garmin.com/learningcenter/o ... ail/etrex/, but you've probably seen those already.
While it is entirely possible to preplan a trip on the device itself, it is easier to use the PC software Basecamp (or the older Mapsource) to view tracks and routes before copying the route to the etrex 20.
When you're new to GPS receivers, it can seem daunting with the various options and settings. Even after using various models of GPS receivers, there are always new things I find that aren't documented in the manual.
I have the eTrex 30 and I'm in inner eastern burbs, and more than happy to help if you have specific questions.
Have a look there if you haven't already. In that post I had links to AAWT gpx track files, but haven't checked if they are still active. Have a look at those gpx files and and see if they might help you.
Also if you don't have maps for your eTrex 20 yet, have a look at andrewp's OSM maps with topo contours also linked in that post.
The very basics are in a few videos that Garmin made a while back http://www8.garmin.com/learningcenter/o ... ail/etrex/, but you've probably seen those already.
While it is entirely possible to preplan a trip on the device itself, it is easier to use the PC software Basecamp (or the older Mapsource) to view tracks and routes before copying the route to the etrex 20.
When you're new to GPS receivers, it can seem daunting with the various options and settings. Even after using various models of GPS receivers, there are always new things I find that aren't documented in the manual.
I have the eTrex 30 and I'm in inner eastern burbs, and more than happy to help if you have specific questions.
Re: Request for help learning how to use Garmin Etrex 20 GPS
Sun 27 Sep, 2015 8:12 am
keithy wrote:Even after using various models of GPS receivers, there are always new things I find that aren't documented in the manual.
Some say that's a Garmin ploy...
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