Using the Garmin Explore App alongside the eTrex SE for Navigating a Course

[@babsschloss]

I've ordered the eTrex SE and i'm looking forward to trying it out in the hope it will help with my deteriorating old man's eyesight. I'm betting the high contrast of the monochrome screen and minimalist 'map' will stand out better than the far busier, topo map enabled colour models. I've been using an Oregon 650, mainly sticking to the nice big compass arrow for route navigation, rather than the map screen. Have you considered putting together a guide to GPS navigation for those of us with less than fabulous eyesight? I find a device with a 3-axis digital compass, together with a GPS watch that provides off-course alerts and turn-by-turn notifications gets the job done without the need to continually stop to put on glasses. I've also adopted a Suunto 9 Peak Pro watch, simply for its very simple, high contrast navigation screen (albeit small).

[@DONTTREADONMEMETALDETECT-ye1lq]

Newbie here... just setting up... so I can pair to my android, and then pair to google maps? and track myself on google maps via satellite vs cell towers?

[@riverdog6875]

Nice video but what about those of us who use the Explorer app with Garmin maps

[@xxgg]

So... eTrex SE can work as a bluetooth GPS receiver for smartphone/tablet? Just like Garmin GLO 2? But it works with any apps that can use location service? or only with Garmin Explorer app?

[@ukgpstraining]

Sadly it works just with the Explore app, I hope this helps.

[@xxgg]

@@ukgpstraining So it works as a bluetooth GPS receiver with Explorer app only? Basically using the phone as a larger display with nav? hmm ok thanks

[@nicholashoward2696]

Hi can you still pair with the app if you also have a garmin watch already paired.

[@ukgpstraining]

I normally use Garmin connect app with my watches and not explore, we do find if you have both the Explore app and Garmin Connect app open at the same time it can stop communication hence we only have one app open at a time. I have both my Garmin watch and an Etrex SE paired at the same time but can only sync the navigation from one device at a time, kind regards GPST

[@nicholashoward2696]

@ukgpstraining ok thanks that what I thought you can only use one at a time.

[@ukgpstraining]

No problem@@nicholashoward2696

[@waltereerdekens1713]

Can I use it as a personal gps back tracker everywhere in the world ?

[@ukgpstraining]

Yes you can, I hope this helps.

[@oldman_eleven]

Thank you for your tutorials. Do you know of anyway to load custom maps to the app? There is no option in app for Satellite imagery at least in my country. Very frustrating. I have accessed the storage location for maps on my phone but the files dont seem to be in a common map format. THanks

[@ukgpstraining]

Apologies for late reply we had missed your message, garmin's own app uses their own version of open sourced maps ands other maps cannot be added, I suspect this will be down to license costs as the app is free to use with your Garmin Where as apps using more detailed maps such as Ordnance Survey generally have a cost, I would email Garmin with the suggestion - www.garmin.com/en-US/forms/ideas/ Kind regards GPS Training

[@oldman_eleven]

@@ukgpstraining appreciate the response. I did contact them and they said sat imagery is only available for USA. Such a shame. ✌️

[@N1nj4un1corn]

my etrex se keeps rebooting as long as i try to navigate with it. 10 seconds between rebooting. If am fast enough to stop the navigation the rebooting stops. I get no weather displayed. Everything else works fine.

[@ukgpstraining]

I would contact Garmin support as your unit should not be re-booting in this way, Kind regards

[@N1nj4un1corn]

I got a new one and it has the same problem / bug. I think it's a problem with the Explorer app and android 14. If locking at course points on the SE. All course points has a distance of 0...

[@nicholashoward2696]

Does this also work if you have the garmin instinct watch.

[@ukgpstraining]

Sorry, I honestly don't know, give it a go and let me know if it works or not.

[@pesymistik]

Yes explorer app works with instinct 2 watch, but such a small screen is rather backup than the main GPS unit ;)

[@ArjunSharma-z8i8k]

Does this have a feature to share the location to friends and family?

[@ukgpstraining]

Yes, you can do live tracking. But, it needs to use the data from your mobile phone.

[@unclepete100]

Am I the only user who finds the Etrex SE and Explore software buggy ?

[@ryadaw3]

It’s awful! Latest iOS update killed the Bluetooth functionality between the two devices. Garmin needs to up their game bad!