Amazon.com: Garmin 010-02256-00 eTrex 22x, Rugged Handheld GPS Navigator, Black/Navy : Electronics

I had to replace my old eTrex 20. I got the eTrex 22 rather than a used eTrex 20 in part because it advertised greatly increased internal memory, 8G. Well that is a flat out lie on Garmin's part. Out of the box, it has less than 1G memory available to download your own maps. The mapset I had installed on the 20 will not fit on the 22x! yeah sure it comes preloaded with a map but I won't be able to tell if it's as good as my old one for some time and I'd rather not find out by getting out in the back of beyond. I was expecting to be able to have my old map set which is very detailed for my corner of the world, and then the preloaded map for the rest of the country. Nope. That was pretty much the only 'improvement' of the 22x over the 20 and it isn't even real. Other than that it's great if it's just like the 20 but I am not happy with Garmin, this is bait and switch.I've had a chance to take it out in the woods now. The built in map appears to be thorough, the couple of trails I've tried it on, but the symbology is very poorly done. Would not get a good grade in any cartography or GIS class. The trails are shown as a very thin faint dashed line which doesn't show well against the colored background used for National Forest land. I have to be zoomed in pretty far to see it. Water courses are all symbolized the same - the same thin blue line no matter how big the river or small the creek. This is very poor symbology. It's not communicating the information you have a right to expect from anything calling itself a topo map. So no I do not want to use the built in map (that takes up nearly all the 8 G of memory) as my primary map, yet there's no room left in memory to install the map I used to use on the previous version.

4 stars because 5 would be perfect. NO NAVIGATION INSTRUMENT is 100% perfect 100% of the time.I have used this for a couple weeks walking and driving around town and hiking in The White Mountain National Forest. It DOES A GOOD JOB FOR THE MONEY!NEED TO KNOW. My unit would not work until updates were installed. The Open Source map is a GLOBAL (the entire planet) shaded relief map. That is a colossal amount of data. Plan on adding a micro SD card for extra memory, connecting to a computer and allowing LOTS of time for updates before using. After updating you may choose only the map regions you need to save memory. I like having the whole planet! Also, there is NO "lock safety" for the toggle and buttons. Be careful not to have them pressed while carrying the unit in a pouch or case.A little about me. I have been hiking/camping for over 50 years and never been "lost" for more than a short time (99.9% who say they never get disoriented occasionally either never goes out or lies). I could always get back to a known point in a reasonable time with map/compass, with both or only one (paper maps & magnetic compasses can be off too!). I do know how to get around in the woods. I do NOT backpack without paper map & magnetic compass.I have been using a handheld GPS for several years. They are good tools when properly used (always with paper map & magnetic compass). This Etrex 22x replaces my Garmin Oregon that was dropped & lost in a National Forest (Lesson learned, keep it tethered).In some ways I like the Etrex22x better.It has a nonslip side and fits my hand nicely. It is one hand usable (I think light weight gloves will be ok with it). The included Open Source map is more than adequate for basic navigation. This map is updated by users and in some places provides info only a user would be able to contribute. This map has some points paper maps do not have. You can add micro SD cards for specific maps. It's helpful to compare information on several maps while backpacking.Etrex 22x has all the basic features/functions needed for general navigation.There is, of course, a learning curve. Garmin support is VERY HELPFUL. Be sure to use their expertise and learn the device BEFORE you go out.Some product info is confusing because the manual is for two GPS units (and, of course, some YouTubers are not correct).Etrex22x does NOT have a 3 axis compass or barometric altimeter. The compass only knows direction while moving (remember your magnetic compass!). The altimeter DOES know elevation from the satellite beacons. I have a barometric altimeter and have compared it to the etrex22x. I find the 22x more reliable. In TRACK MANAGER and ROUTE PLANNER you will find an elevation plot.Etrex 22x CAN BE used for automotive navigation. It WILL relocate route on roadways. It can also plan routes for bicycle and pedestrian. You must select mode of travel.Etrex 22x Open Source map DOES have some boundaries for state and federal lands. These boundaries are not as detailed as what is provided with micro SD cards, but do give the general area. Open Source maps are updated as new info becomes available. Check for updates every once-in-awhile.Overall, I am confident that the etrex 22x will track my hike and give me the info I need to navigate The White Mountain National Forest and Wilderness areas (some impressively varied terrain!), on and off trails (again, along with a magnetic compass and paper map). This replaces a much more expensive GPS unit that had a map specific card installed. It was a tough act to follow. It does well. For the money, I am impressed.

This GPS navigator is packed full of features. It offers a plethora of modes to mark waypoints. The screen is sharp and clear. Its screen lighting is sufficient enough to view the screen in sunlight. The ability to interface with the unit via bluetooth was one of the deciding factors that made me choose to go with the 22x model. Overall, the GPS unit is well made, compact in design, and offers more than enough features to cover all of the things I will use it for.

My 13 year old son was going on a 10 mile hike with 3 of his friends in a place with no cell phone service, we got this as a primary GPS for him to use to make sure they didnt get lost as the trails are not clearly marked. We downloaded the GPX file for the trail and uploaded to the unit, he was able to follow it and mark way points along the trail. He was also using Gia Gps with the same GPX file on his phone when we got home we compared the data between the 2 devices and the data was very similar. The screen is small and the user interface is a bit dated but its basic and it works. For short hikes this is a good unit, if you need a backup for longer hikes or planning on being out for a few days this is a great secondary GPS.