Author Topic: Garmin eTrex data fields – what have you got?  (Read 4065 times)

Samuel D

Garmin eTrex data fields – what have you got?
« on: 14 October, 2017, 09:45:26 pm »
I have an eTrex 20 and I’m trying (not for the first time) to rationalise its operation.

If you have the same or similar device, would you care to share:
  • the number and type of data fields you use on the Map page
  • the number and type of fields on your Trip Computer page
  • which pages you have added to Main Menu > Setup > Page Sequence (i.e. the screens that are cycled through when you repeatedly press the Back button).
… and of course anything else you feel like telling us about your decisions. For example, I like leaving the device on the Satellite page when I’m walking with it, so that accidental operation of the joystick does nothing (but with this thread I’m interested in cycling use).

I understand your preferred data fields may change from time to time, but I’m curious what people have found useful.

Thanks!

Pingu

  • Put away those fiery biscuits!
  • Mrs Pingu's domestique
    • the Igloo
Re: Garmin eTrex data fields – what have you got?
« Reply #1 on: 14 October, 2017, 10:35:25 pm »
eTrex 30:


58 by The Pingus, on Flickr


52 by The Pingus, on Flickr

Page sequence: Tracks > Trip Computer > Map > Home

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Garmin eTrex data fields – what have you got?
« Reply #2 on: 14 October, 2017, 10:52:03 pm »
I use the map page with speed and clock time showing. I don't feel the need for much other information.
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

Re: Garmin eTrex data fields – what have you got?
« Reply #3 on: 14 October, 2017, 10:52:56 pm »
Mainly used for randonneuring/audax purposes.

On the map view
  • Trip Odometer
  • Time of Day

On the data view
  • Trip Odometer
  • Time of Day
  • Speed
  • Total Time
  • Moving Avg
  • Overall Avg
  • Total Ascent
  • Elevation
  • Heading
  • Battery
Some of those choices are probably a little arbitrary, but I don't think I've ever wished for much else.

Don't use any of the other views.


T42

  • Apprentice geezer
Re: Garmin eTrex data fields – what have you got?
« Reply #4 on: 15 October, 2017, 08:44:15 am »
Map:  Currently Speed & BPM. On an Audax, Speed and ETA next control

Trip computer:

Speed - BPM
Distance - Total climb
°C - Current altitude
Moving time - Stopped time
Moving kph - Overall kph
I've dusted off all those old bottles and set them up straight

frankly frankie

  • I kid you not
    • Fuchsiaphile
Re: Garmin eTrex data fields – what have you got?
« Reply #5 on: 15 October, 2017, 08:56:04 am »
Next Point and Distance to Next on the map page.

On the Trip computer page:
Next Point : Distance to Next
Elevation : Distance to Dest
Trip Odometer : Speed
GPS Signal : Sunset time
GPS Accuracy : Time of day


As you can see I can't really find a good use for more than about 6 fields.
when you're dead you're done, so let the good times roll

Chris N

Re: Garmin eTrex data fields – what have you got?
« Reply #6 on: 15 October, 2017, 11:32:09 am »
Etrex 30 here.

Overall average speed and trip odometer on the map page

On the data page (set to 'Large data field' dashboard with small numbers):
Trip odometer
Speed/Overall Average speed
Max Speed/Total time
Elevation/Total ascent
Also shows battery, time and GPS signal at the top of the page.

Re: Garmin eTrex data fields – what have you got?
« Reply #7 on: 15 October, 2017, 11:36:38 am »
Three pages on my 20: map, data, list of tracks.  Speed and distance on the map page.  Data page largely as found.

Samuel D

Re: Garmin eTrex data fields – what have you got?
« Reply #8 on: 15 October, 2017, 05:21:06 pm »
Many thanks for the contributions, all.

Does your bicycle convert into a sailplane, Pingu?

JonB

  • Granny Ring ... Yes Please!
Re: Garmin eTrex data fields – what have you got?
« Reply #9 on: 15 October, 2017, 05:27:19 pm »
Data screen,

259 by Jon Banks, on Flickr

Map screen,

268 by Jon Banks, on Flickr

Just have these as separate screens which I scroll through with the back button.  How does the satellite page stop any accidental joystick 'damage', I sometimes remove the unit off the bars to go in cafes etc and if I put in a pocket it can go a bit weird, don't like to turn it off as it affects the overall average speed.

Samuel D

Re: Garmin eTrex data fields – what have you got?
« Reply #10 on: 15 October, 2017, 05:36:54 pm »
Any joystick input has no effect on the Satellite page. Since these devices don’t have a way to lock the screen, so to speak, that can be useful – especially in a pocket.

You can go to the Satellite page from the Main Menu, of course, but I like having it available from the Back button since I use this function often. Also, who doesn’t like seeing all the satellites and their position in the sky? The magic of GPS never gets old for me.

You’re also a sailplane pilot, JonB?

Kim

  • Timelord
    • Fediverse
Re: Garmin eTrex data fields – what have you got?
« Reply #11 on: 15 October, 2017, 06:57:56 pm »
eTrex 30 here.

Trip odometer, time of day, heart rate and elevation on the map display.  (With current speed, cadence and temperature on a traditional cycle computer beside it.  eTrex works in metric, bike computer in silly units, so I have the best of both worlds.)

Some stuff on the data screen that I almost never pay attention to, but moving and overall average speed and total ascent certainly feature.

Cudzoziemiec

  • Ride adventurously and stop for a brew.
Re: Garmin eTrex data fields – what have you got?
« Reply #12 on: 15 October, 2017, 07:21:38 pm »
I have overall average speed and stopped time on the data fields, randonneuring for the purposes of. All sorts of stuff on the data page, though no glide ratio. Not sure about page sequence, nor can I remember which "profile" it's set to.  e20.
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.

Pingu

  • Put away those fiery biscuits!
  • Mrs Pingu's domestique
    • the Igloo
Re: Garmin eTrex data fields – what have you got?
« Reply #13 on: 15 October, 2017, 08:20:09 pm »
Does your bicycle convert into a sailplane, Pingu?

Arf  :)

JonB

  • Granny Ring ... Yes Please!
Re: Garmin eTrex data fields – what have you got?
« Reply #14 on: 15 October, 2017, 08:32:08 pm »
Any joystick input has no effect on the Satellite page. Since these devices don’t have a way to lock the screen, so to speak, that can be useful – especially in a pocket.

You can go to the Satellite page from the Main Menu, of course, but I like having it available from the Back button since I use this function often. Also, who doesn’t like seeing all the satellites and their position in the sky? The magic of GPS never gets old for me.
Thanks for the info, I think I'll set that up  :thumbsup:

You’re also a sailplane pilot, JonB?
I was a bit confused by this comment here and above for Pingu but it's just sunk in ... glide ratio! Not sure if you've got this in the 20 as it doesn't have the barometer but it gives an old school of version of incline (1 in 10 = 10% etc, apologies if you actually know this).

This has been useful, think I'm going to ditch the big speed field on my data screen and get an extra one in, maybe height or overall time




Pingu

  • Put away those fiery biscuits!
  • Mrs Pingu's domestique
    • the Igloo
Re: Garmin eTrex data fields – what have you got?
« Reply #15 on: 15 October, 2017, 09:17:41 pm »
I was a bit confused by this comment here and above for Pingu but it's just sunk in ... glide ratio! Not sure if you've got this in the 20 as it doesn't have the barometer but it gives an old school of version of incline (1 in 10 = 10% etc, apologies if you actually know this).

This has been useful, think I'm going to ditch the big speed field on my data screen and get an extra one in, maybe height or overall time

It gives the decline, so a 10% incline shows as -10:1.

frankly frankie

  • I kid you not
    • Fuchsiaphile
Re: Garmin eTrex data fields – what have you got?
« Reply #16 on: 16 October, 2017, 03:05:52 pm »
This has been useful, think I'm going to ditch the big speed field on my data screen and get an extra one in, maybe height or overall time

Funny - I was going to say the reverse, as that single big data field is a useful way of getting 'Next point' up to a legible size, and 2 of the other 3 'fixed' items displayed are ones I have anyway (time and GPS signal strength) so very little is lost by it.

Easy to store alternative layouts by using the 'Profiles' feature of the GPS.
when you're dead you're done, so let the good times roll

Cudzoziemiec

  • Ride adventurously and stop for a brew.
Re: Garmin eTrex data fields – what have you got?
« Reply #17 on: 16 October, 2017, 03:57:37 pm »
I'm pretty sure the 20 also has glide ratio. Will check soon.
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.

Samuel D

Re: Garmin eTrex data fields – what have you got?
« Reply #18 on: 17 October, 2017, 04:05:38 pm »
The eTrex 20 does indeed have the Glide Ratio field.

The mental gymnastics of converting that into something familar, such as per cent gradient, would be too much for me, I think. Besides, the gradient isn’t all that interesting to me. What is more interesting is vertical speed. The eTrex has a Vertical Speed field too, but the units are not the familiar metres per hour of VAM. Metres per minute is the closest option, I think. Maybe I’ll try that, though who knows if it’s accurate enough to be useful on an eTrex 20. The eTrex 30 would fare better here.