GPSrChive Discussion Forum

Hello all,
It’s not the first time I see people comparing newer etrex 32x with older gen and saying the screen on the older was better
The same from 30x to 30.

*** edited to conform with forum posting guidelines ***

sources

https://www.reddit.com/r/Garmin/s/o4Ehv5sRrK
https://www.gpscity.com/questions?qid=83224

Is this true ?

Yes.
the etrex 32x screen does not reflect light and is much darker and mostly impossible to read without backlight.
With backlight on, i however never experience any problem to read the screen, even with only around 50% light level.
For my usage the dark screen does not cause any problem, i only check the device now and then and use the light at that time. But if you rely on the screen to always be visible, then backlight will have to be on and will drain battery faster.

Other models (GPSMAP 66 at least) reflect some of the light and are much more readable even when the backlight is off.

With the back light on are the colours still as colourful as the older 20x/30x? Versions as the colours on those model are as good as on my Amoled display on my epix!

Here is for comparison images of the Etrex 30 vs 30x vs 32x.
With brightness on max and then brightness off, with light from a lamp on top of it to have some reflection.
Unfortunately couldn't test them outdoors under the sun, because...there is no sun hehe

brightness max

IMG_6618.jpg

brightness off 1

IMG_6620.jpg

brightness off 3

IMG_6619.jpg

brightness off 3

IMG_6621.jpg

The Etrex 30 is the most luminous, at least on the conditions I had (maybe outdoors in the sun could be different).
The colors on the 32x are better, being the most sharp screen.
Hope it helps others

For the Etrex 32 screen, check that the Shaded Relief option is not enabled.

For all 3 shadow relief was off with the same settings for map visualization.

I thought of opening a new thread, but maybe the admin can just change the tille of this one to "Etrex x2x vs x0x vs x0"
Having had the chance of having this 3 units with me for some days I made some basics comparisons.
All comparisons were done with TopoActive Europe West 2024.20.
Only map on the sdcard, not on the device.
Only map active.
Same sdcard for the 3 devices
Same options
Latest firmware on all 3 units. Etrex 32x is gen2

- Create an itinerary to a POI 7kms from my place by bike:
Etrex 30: 00:56,70s
Etrex 30x:1:08,13s
Etrex 32x: 3:20,82 (I was so amazed by this result that even did a full reset, and re-did it 03:14,26)

- Getting GPS Fix
Etrex 32X was the faster of the 3, catching signal by the window, with it closed. The other two needed to be outside.
Didn't measured but 30 seemed to get a faster fix than 30x, but not by much. Found it strange since I thought it was the same chipset.

-Zooming the map
Etrex 30 is faster than the 30x and both are way faster than the 32X

-Boot up time
Etrex 30 17,88s
30x 20,11s
32X 18,18s

The colors are better on the 32x, lovely colors with sharp image.
The 32x as I said in the post Etrex 32X Gen2 Automotive Navigation, it doesn't do automotive navigation with the TopoActive Map 2024, while others do.
On my side, either I have received a deffective unit (I bought it refurbished) or garmin didn't arrive to pack up the same "performance" that we had on the on the previous units on certain tasks. Zoom was painfully slow. To the point of zooming out, picking the 30, zoomin out for the same range and the 30 finishing before and I was still waiting some seconds on the 32X.

Given that for me this was a secondary cycling gps I prefer to sell the 30x and send back the 32x and stick with the 30.
Hope it helps anyone, and if you have data on those units and want to share it would be interestings.

In order to share the difference in speed in of Etrex 30 (fw 5.90) and Etrex 32x (fw2.90) here is a video.
Both running TopoActive 2024.20 Europe out of same branded sd card.
Due to this difference, and the calculation time difference (on a 2nd Etrex 32x unit!) I decided to contact garmin support, and they decided to open a ticket.
Let's see what they say.

For the ones that want to see the outdoor "performance" of the etrex 32x vs 30 and the speed difference on rendering map here is a clip.

Spoiler

Etrex 32x vs 30 map rendering-(640p30).mp4

Mind you there is not a lot of sun. Brightness is on the max.
Again: same brand sd card, TopoActive 2024.20 west, no shadow relief, detail: normal, gps only, and both units had their time to get a fix.
Video has been shared with garmin team. From the time I had a 30x I never recalled having this delay on rendering the map.

skinnie wrote: Thu Feb 06, 2025 7:22 pm In order to share the difference in speed in of Etrex 30 (fw 5.90) and Etrex 32x (fw2.90) here is a video.
Both running TopoActive 2024.20 Europe out of same branded sd card.
Due to this difference, and the calculation time difference (on a 2nd Etrex 32x unit!) I decided to contact garmin support, and they decided to open a ticket.
Let's see what they say.

Here is the answer from garmin after all videos shared:

"Thank you for your patience, after speaking with engineering team about your report we wanted to provide some more insight about the performance of the eTrex 32x.

Unfortunately, the newer models do have slower processing speeds, particularly when it comes to tasks like map loading speed and route calculation. We've made every effort to optimize the performance, but due to hardware differences, these models will always be slower when compared to their older counterparts like the eTrex 30 and 30x.

If speed and efficiency are a priority for you, we recommend taking a look at our GPSMAP 65s, which has a larger memory and processes routing information much faster than the eTrex 32x."

It is what it is. I may test a bit more with other maps, but again with same maps the 30 is so much faster.
If anyone has been on the same boat don't hesitate to share your findings.