Navigating Product Reviews: My Love-Hate Relationship with the Garmin ETREX 32x

Writing a critical review always makes me a little nervous. After all, no one wants to unfairly judge a product—or worse, hurt someone’s feelings. But when feedback is honest, constructive, and aimed at the product rather than the people behind it, it can be valuable for others. Today, I’m sharing my experience with the Garmin ETREX 32x, a GPS device designed for hikers.

A Lifelong Love of Hiking—and Maps

I’ve been an avid hiker since my teenage years, and now, in my late 70s, I’ve covered countless trails across the Peak District, the Lake District, and the entire Pennine Way. For decades, my trusty Ordnance Survey (OS) maps and compass were all I needed. Many hikers of my generation still swear by them—and for good reason.

But as technology advanced, so did my curiosity. My first foray into digital navigation was OS maps on my iPhone. It was a revelation—real-time location tracking, easy route planning, and no more fumbling with paper in the wind. Of course, tech isn’t perfect: phones can die, get wet, or slip from your grasp (though, admittedly, a paper map can blow away just as easily).

The Leap to a Dedicated GPS Device

Encouraged by my family (who liked the idea of extra safety on solo hikes), I decided to explore dedicated GPS devices. Garmin dominates this market, and after reading glowing reviews, I settled on the ETREX 32x. I purchased it from GPS Training, a specialist retailer that impressed me with their excellent customer service and prompt delivery.

First Impressions: Clunky and Confusing

Unboxing the ETREX 32x, my initial reaction was disappointment. The device felt outdated, with a shockingly small screen (just 3.5cm x 4.5cm—less than half the size of my iPhone’s display). But aesthetics aside, the real struggle was usability.

The interface was far from intuitive. Despite promises of seamless route and track planning, I found myself lost in menus, struggling to locate basic functions. The preloaded maps were also disappointingly sparse compared to OS maps, forcing me to spend an extra £150 on detailed UK mapping.

A Steep Learning Curve

Perhaps I should have seen the challenges coming—after all, GPS Training’s very business model revolves around teaching people how to use these devices. I eventually signed up for one of their courses, hoping to unlock the ETREX’s potential.

After several hikes, my frustrations remained:

• The tiny screen made navigation difficult.

• Map loading was frustratingly slow.

• The device froze multiple times mid-hike, forcing me to reboot or revert to my trusty paper map.

Compared to the OS iPhone app (which I’d rate a 9 or 10), the ETREX 32x barely scrapes a 5 out of 10 in my book.

Is It Me—or the Device?

This raises an important question: Are my criticisms fair? Plenty of users rave about the ETREX 32x, awarding it 9 or 10 out of 10. Does their expertise compensate for its flaws? Or is this device simply better suited to a different kind of user?

The Bigger Question: Can We Trust Reviews?

My experience has made me reflect on the nature of product reviews. How much should we trust them? Are they sometimes misleading? And should someone like me—who may not fully grasp a product’s complexities—even leave a review?