Garmin eTrex 20 GPS Receiver Instruction Manual

Manual Garmin eTrex 20 GPS Receiver Instruction Manual

Garmin eTrex 20 GPS Receiver Instruction Manual

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Garmin eTrex 20 GPS Receiver

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Garmin eTrex 20 GPS Receiver Instructions

Here we offer the Garmin eTrex 20 GPS Receiver manual completely free and in English. We have cataloged this manual in the GPS Receiver section on Manualverse, and it has been rated by 1 users with an average rating of 5. If you have any specific questions about Garmin eTrex 20 GPS Receiver, we suggest checking the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section of this manual.


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Garmin eTrex 20 GPS Receiver Specifications

Feature Specification
Device type Handheld GPS/GNSS receiver
Power source Two AA batteries (not included)
Supported battery types Alkaline, Lithium, Rechargeable NiMH (selectable in Setup > System > Battery Type)
Recommended batteries NiMH or lithium; lithium for below-freezing conditions
Operating temperature range From -20° to 70°C (from -4° to 158°F)
Water rating IEC 60529 IPX7 (accidental immersion in 1 m of water for 30 minutes)
Satellite systems GPS and GLONASS (GLONASS can be toggled)
Satellite augmentation WAAS/EGNOS
Satellite acquisition time 30 to 60 seconds (outdoors, open area)
Position calculation aid Garmin AutoLocate
Compass GPS-based heading (3-axis electronic compass only on eTrex 30/30x)
Barometric altimeter Not available (eTrex 30/30x only)
Controls Thumb Stick controller, zoom in/out keys, back key, menu key, power/backlight key
Computer interface Mini-USB port (under weather cap)
USB modes Mass storage mode or Garmin mode
Memory expansion microSD memory card slot (under battery)
Computer compatibility Windows 7 and newer; Mac OS 10.4 and newer
Supported file format GPX (waypoints, geocaches) in GPX folder
Default map spheroid WGS 84
Time format 12-hour or 24-hour; automatic time zone by GPS position
Track recording methods Auto, Distance, Time
Map orientation modes North Up, Track Up, Automotive Mode
Optional map support City Navigator maps for address searching
Waypoint averaging recommendation 4 to 8 samples, at least 90 minutes between samples
Mounting Mounting spine on rear
Battery cover D-ring locking ring
Compatible software Garmin Express, BaseCamp, Garmin Connect app
Regulatory label Electronic e-label (Setup > About)

Garmin eTrex 20 GPS Receiver Details

The Garmin eTrex 20 is a compact handheld navigator built for hikers, cyclists, geocachers and outdoor professionals. It is managed through a main menu that opens from any page by pressing the menu key twice. Users can move, insert or remove menu items and change the page sequence, so the most-used screens are always close at hand. Data fields on every main page can also be customized, with dozens of options such as trip odometer, sunrise, ETA at destination, GPS accuracy and velocity made good.

Navigation centers on waypoints, routes and tracks. Waypoints can be marked at the current location, edited, deleted, projected by bearing and distance from an existing point, or refined with waypoint averaging until the confidence bar reaches 100%. The Route Planner builds multi-point routes that can be reviewed on the map, reordered, renamed or reversed. Track logs record time, location and elevation for each point, and can be saved fully or partially, shown on the map in a chosen color, and archived automatically.

The Where To? menu finds destinations by category, by name with Spell Search, or near another location. When navigating, the route is drawn as a magenta line on the map. The included maps support pedestrian and cycling routing on roads and trails, but not automobile navigation. Advanced map settings control auto zoom, zoom levels for map items, guidance text, text size, detail level and shaded relief. A Measure Distance tool calculates the distance between two map locations.

The compass page uses a pointer toward the destination, and a Course Deviation Indicator (CDI) can be enabled to show drift left or right of the course line, useful on water or open terrain. The trip computer displays current speed, average speed, trip odometer and other statistics, with big-number and dashboard options. Routing settings let users optimize calculations by distance, time, on-road or off-road guidance, lock the position onto roads, and set avoidances for road types and terrain.

For geocaching, caches can be loaded as GPX files from geocaching.com, including large pocket queries for premium members. After a search, attempts can be logged as Found, Did not Find, Needs Repair or Unattempted, with comments. Other main menu tools include proximity alarms that sound a tone within a set radius, area calculation by walking a perimeter, an alarm clock, calculator, calendar, stopwatch with lap timing, sun and moon data, and predicted hunting and fishing times.

Profiles store settings and data fields for different activities, saving changes automatically. The satellite page shows location, accuracy and signal strength, and the device can run with GPS off to edit data or save battery. Battery life can be extended by lowering backlight brightness and timeout, slowing map drawing and turning off GLONASS. Files transfer by drag and drop or BaseCamp, and the device should be rinsed with fresh water after exposure to salt or chlorinated water.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can't find the answer you need? Here are some frequently asked questions about the Garmin eTrex 20 GPS Receiver, and we answer them below.


What batteries does the Garmin eTrex 20 use?
It runs on two AA batteries, which are not included. Garmin recommends NiMH or lithium batteries, and lithium is best below freezing. Set the matching type under Setup > System > Battery Type.

How long does it take to acquire satellite signals?
It usually takes 30 to 60 seconds. Go outdoors to an open area and wait while the device searches for satellites.

Is the eTrex 20 waterproof?
It is water resistant to IPX7 and can survive accidental immersion in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. Longer submersion can damage it, so wipe and air dry it after it gets wet.

Does the eTrex 20 have an electronic compass or barometric altimeter?
No. The 3-axis electronic compass, the barometric altimeter, the elevation plot and Sight 'N Go are only on the eTrex 30/30x. The eTrex 20 still shows heading and has a compass page that points to your destination.

Can I add memory or maps to the device?
Yes. You can install a microSD card under the battery for extra storage or pre-loaded maps. Optional City Navigator maps also let you search for addresses.

Which satellite systems are supported?
The device supports GPS and GLONASS, plus WAAS/EGNOS correction data. Using GLONASS gives faster fixes in difficult places, but it drains the batteries faster.

How do I connect the eTrex 20 to a computer?
Lift the weather cap and connect a USB cable to the mini-USB port. The device works with Windows 7 and newer, and Mac OS 10.4 and newer. It shows up as a removable drive or a mounted volume. Install batteries first, because the USB port may not provide enough power to run the device.

Can I use the eTrex 20 for car navigation?
The included maps can create pedestrian or cycling routes on roads and trails, but not routes for car navigation.

How do I update the software?
Install Garmin Express on your computer from garmin.com/express, connect the device with a USB cable, and follow the on-screen instructions. Garmin Express also handles map updates and product registration.

What should I do if the device stops responding?
Remove the batteries and put them back in. This restarts the device without erasing your data or settings. To go back to factory settings, select Setup > Reset > Reset All Settings > Yes.

Will I lose my data if I remove the batteries?
No. Stored data stays on the device when you remove the batteries. If you won't use it for several months, take the batteries out.

What is the operating temperature range?
The eTrex 20 operates from -20° to 70°C (-4° to 158°F). Keep in mind that alkaline batteries lose capacity in the cold and can rupture at high temperatures.

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