[OSM-newbies] Garmin eTrex 20/30 - is altimeter important for recording GPS data for mapping?

[Sebastian Arcus]

On 31/01/13 05:35, Cartinus wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I first used a (loaned) Garmin GPSmap 60Cx (without compass and
> altimeter) and then bought a GPSmap 60CSx (with compass and altimeter).
> I never use the compass or the altimeter for mapping, but the extra
> features have a noticeable negative effect on battery life.
>
> So if I had a do over, then I'd buy the one without the compass and
> altimeter.
>
> On 01/30/2013 10:33 PM, Sebastian Arcus wrote:
>> I was looking at the eTrex series from Garmin to use for mapping on OSM,
>> as they seem to be robust, compact and have specially long battery life
>> (25 hours on 2 AA batteries). The main difference between 20 and 30
>> seems to be that 30 has altimeter and compass, while 20 doesn't have
>> them. Is this important when recording GPS tracks to use for mapping on
>> OSM? Doesn't compass and altitude data come from GPS satellites anyway?
>> Or an internal altimeter and compass are more accurate?
>>
>> If anybody here has either of the above GPS units and uses them for
>> mapping, it would be useful to hear a first hand opinion.
>
>

Thank you all for the input. Really useful to hear some real life views.

Sebastian