I have been looking at the eTrex 30 and the GPS Map 62ST.

The eTrex 30 takes SDHC Cards and is smaller than the more expensive 62ST. The eTrex 30 is also compatible with the Russian Glonass GPS system and this can speed up position fixes apparently. I don't know if these GPS systems will read the new Chinese Beidou GPS system, but I think the accuracy available to civilians is not so good. The EU Galileo GPS system is still about 8 years away.

I don't really like the joystick control on the eTrex 30 and find the 62ST easier to operate. As already said, it has a bigger screen so is better if you want to mount it on a bike, etc.

The 62ST can be connected into auxiliary equipment in marine use, etc.

My biggest problem with the eTrex 30 is that it comes with a crude base map and Garmin will not sell the 1:100,000 map that comes with the 62ST. Garmin seem to be adopting a "sell the eTrex 30 GPS unit cheap and make their profit on the 1:25,000 detail maps at €100 apiece" policy.

Unfortunately I would have to spend a lot more than the cost of the eTrex30 in maps, if I want a detailed walking map of say parts of Norway or maybe Iceland. But that works out very expensive if I only use these supplemental maps for three days and don't revisit the area again.

Basically I am waiting for something like the Map62ST with Glonass capability, but of course Garmin will not say when their next batch of new GPS models will be issued.

I realise there are other map options including scanning paper maps and linking these to Google Earth, etc. but a built in good quality map is better.

Grey Beard