Should you buy a Garmin eTrex solar?

The eTrex may break new ground for other devices in and out of the Garmin family. The Garmin eTrex Solar offers good value for its price. A user gets a lightweight, handheld GPS that has basic navigation functions, offers tracking and TrackBack, Sight and Go, gives weather conditions, moon phases, and never needs charging.

How long does eTrex solar last?

In terms of gains based on that efficacy, I picked up 19 minutes of battery life after 10 minutes of leaving the eTrex Solar in the sun. Garmin states that 1 hour of 100% solar intensity will gain 2.5 hours of battery life.

What makes the eTrex solar so special?

The eTrex’s real groundbreaking feature is solar charging capability. The solar cells on the unit's front side are so sensitive to sunlight and respond so rapidly a user can watch the solar battery discharge and charge live on the screen. The eTrex Solar can renew itself over and over again endlessly.

Does eTrex solar have a base map?

Out of the box, the eTrex Solar has a simple, city-oriented base map baked in. This is a benefit, as it allows you to keep the unit uncluttered from the get-go. But that doesn’t mean you can’t add routes and waypoints to it, or export them to another database. I’ve been using Gaia GPS for the last 3 years.

Do I need a subscription to use eTrex solar?

There is no subscription to Garmin services required to use the eTrex Solar GPS. Nor is a subscription required to use the Garmin Explore App. This feature was easy to use and accurate. The eTrex Solar’s menu of options is easy to set up. I added weather, moon phases, distance, and area size to the menu. The weather was easily updated. HOWEVER.

How does eTrex solar charge?

The eTrex Solar charges quickly using the built in solar panels and gives ever changing readouts on the solar energy it’s receiving or outputting. The USB-C charging cable for the internal battery has become the universal standard for charging devices these days.