damaged etrex 30x works fine but Win10 does not recognize it

**~~ntrex~~** · 31st October 2021, 11:45 AM

Hi there

Ever since I bought the etrex 30x (I bought a used one), I had issues with getting it connected to my Win10 machine.
In another forum, I found the hint of holding the joystick up and starting the device: this worked always!

Yesterday, I broke the front cover and the joystick of my etrex 30x.
The GPS as such is working fine. All functions are available, maps, etc. but I cannot get it connected to my PC.
I removed the entire front and back cover since the joystick is broken. The joystick mechanism still works fine and can be operated with a pen. Navigating up, down, etc.: all fine.

Entering the pre-boot manu by holding the joystick down and starting the device work as well.

When pushing and holding the joystick up and starting it, all I see is the Garmin lettering. Nothing else!

For me, it is hard to believe the only thing that broke is the USB connection. Power through USB still works though...

I have also tried another Win10 machine and made sure the cable is fine by connecting another GPS device to my computer.

Is there anything else I can try to connect the device to a PC?

Thanks for your help!

**asprin624** · 31st October 2021, 02:57 PM

You can get a complete replacement house for the Etrex 30+ here:

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Plus use an approved Garmin cable to connect with.
Std USB cables are a hit and miss when it comes to Garmin units connecting to Windows 10.
I know I have a couple of Etrex 20,22x,30x and 32x units to connect to Garmin Express.
Also I use a browser called XYploer that see everything.

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**~~ntrex~~** · 31st October 2021, 03:08 PM

I checked AliExpress already. The frontcover is out of stock (in any color).
Don't have the Garmin cable... I used the one that worked before.

**asprin624** · 31st October 2021, 03:11 PM

Try a shop near you for a new housing for the 30x also get a Garmin cable too.

Try here if not they can give you advice

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A store in Holland has it.

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**~~ntrex~~** · 31st October 2021, 03:21 PM

I just bought another used one that looks quite new.
It ships with the original cable...

If I cannot connect the old one the my PC, I hope the tracks data can be transfered from the old one to the new one via ANT+

**asprin624** · 31st October 2021, 06:16 PM

You can use Garmin Explore on your smartphone if you can not connect to your PC.

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Plus from now on get an SD card a good one and keep all your maps on there along with any and all GPX files.
That way when you run into problems with the Etrax you can still remove the SD card and up it in another GPS from Garmin.

Spoiler: My SD card

I also have TopoActive Europe on the SD card too.
It installed to the memory via Garmin Express so I just moved it to the SD card.

If you tell the Etrex to track you will need to move the GPX to your SD card.
It will always save to the GPX folder on the Memory side.
At the end of the day I connect my Etrex to the PC and copy all the new tracks to the PC for save keeping.

I only use Free TOPO maps there are many sites that have them.

**~~ntrex~~** · 1st November 2021, 07:12 AM

The GPS came with a 16 GB card but I removed it and put the map I use on the phone itself because of speed reasons: Zooming with the map on SD is much slower.

Is there a way to tell the Etrex to move existing tracks to the SD card?

**asprin624** · 1st November 2021, 07:52 AM

I have never had a problems with any of Etrex's zooming in on the map.
I set the map to a level that is good for me and leave it at that.
The only time I do use the zoom in on the map is when I am near a Geocache.
So I do not know what you mean by it being slow.
You have to tap the zoom on button a couple of times to get the the level you want.
I use SanDisk Micro SD 16GB class 10 or SanDisk Ultra Micro SDHC 16GB - UHSI & A1
The Etrex units load fast with them when I turn them on.
Plus use only the countries you need. You do not need all of Europe.
Example:
I use a Topo of Germany,Belgium,Holland and Luxembourg.
If I am in Spain I use Spain,France and Portugal
I do not use car maps on any of my units the screen is to small for that. (It is called a handheld unit)
There are many Routeable TOPO Maps that work with not problems at all.

As for GPX tracks:
All Garmin units when tracking save the tracks to the Memory of the unit.
Like I said when you are finished using the Etrex then hookup to your PC and manually copy the GPS file or files over to the SD card.
I do this all the time it takes less than a minute to do.
I make my own tracks with Garmin Mapsource and copy them over to the SD card.
Or I go to a website like "wikiloc" and download ones from other users that I use.

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**Magnetron** · 1st November 2021, 10:57 AM

Ummm Have you checked with Garman to see if they still do a Service exchange unit.
Back in the old days they did a exchange for a price and you got a New or refurbish device.