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Garmin eTrex Solar GPS Review: Stay Found on Your Next Adventure
By Archyde News Service
For outdoor enthusiasts who value reliability and extended battery life in their navigation tools, the Garmin eTrex Solar GPS emerges as a compelling option. Priced at $249, this handheld GPS unit offers the potential for unlimited battery life through solar charging, extensive GNSS support, and a rugged build designed to withstand the rigors of outdoor adventures.
The base model, the eTrex SE, without solar capabilities, is available for $149, offering a more budget-friendly choice for users who don’t require solar charging.
design and Features
The eTrex Solar is designed for ease of use, featuring “five large buttons covered in soft touch material and a 2.2-inch monochrome display.” This simple interface allows for intuitive navigation, even with gloves on, a crucial feature for hikers and backpackers in colder climates. A lanyard opening and an integrated belt loop clip offer versatile carrying options, ensuring the device is always accessible.
Durability is a key consideration for any outdoor gear, and the eTrex Solar doesn’t disappoint. It features a USB-C charging port, protected by “a rubber gasket to prevent water ingress,” and boasts an IPX7 water-resistant rating, meaning it can withstand accidental submersion in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes.
Performance and Battery Life
One of the most significant advantages of the eTrex Solar is its potential for extended battery life. Garmin advertises that “in an area with 75,000 lux sun — bright sunlight — the battery is advertised as providing unlimited GPS navigation support.” While the reviewer was unable to fully test this claim, they noted that they “never had to charge up the unit during my testing either, so you can count on this device to last longer than most of your adventures do.” They also “regularly saw the solar intensity appear in the 70-80% range so the device is great at collecting minimal sun too.”
Beyond solar charging, the eTrex Solar offers impressive GPS performance, supporting multiple global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, IRNSS, and Beidou. This extensive support ensures accurate positioning in a variety of environments, even under dense tree cover or in deep canyons. A built-in “three-axis compass” further enhances navigation capabilities, providing reliable directional guidance.
Software and Connectivity
The Garmin eTrex Solar can be connected to a smartphone via the Garmin Explore app, unlocking additional features and capabilities.”With this connection, you can unlock and explore the full details of geocaching, and you can view your current weather right on the eTrex Solar.”
The Garmin Explore app also facilitates software updates, cloud storage syncing, trip planning, smart notifications, and expanded mapping options. The device itself can store “a thousand waypoints and locations and support 50 courses and 200 activities.”
Geocaching and Beyond
The eTrex Solar is especially well-suited for geocaching, a popular outdoor activity that combines hiking with treasure hunting.Its accurate GPS and waypoint storage capabilities make it easy to navigate to geocache locations, and the Garmin Explore app provides access to detailed geocache details.
Beyond geocaching, the eTrex Solar is a valuable tool for a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, backpacking, fishing, and camping.Its long battery life, rugged design, and reliable GPS performance make it an ideal companion for anyone venturing into the wilderness.
Addressing the Counterargument: Why Not Just Use a Smartphone?
While smartphones offer GPS capabilities, they often fall short in terms of battery life and durability compared to dedicated handheld GPS units. Battery life is crucial “to preserve for communications and
