Garmin eTrex Vista HCx Color High-Sensitivity Mapping Handheld GPS
by Garmin
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin eTrex Vista HCx Color High-Sensitivity Mapping Handheld GPS
Customer Review: Great Mapping Device, poor choices in map downloads
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had my Garmin eTrex for about two months now and by itself it's good product, but when you couple it with a fully functioning map software, it's great. It's small, compact, easy to use, and you can carry it with you anywhere. There's just couple of things to be aware of. When I purchased the eTrex I assumed the mapping software included in the purchase was sufficient to guide you almost anywhere. I was wrong. You almost have to purchase the mapping software, in order to get up to date information on locations, waypoints, areas of interest etc. That's an additional $100. But you have to be careful which of the three choices you choose. Down loadable directly to the device, a CD Rom, or a SD card preloaded with the software. I chose the down loadable version which took several hours to download via FIOS connection, only to find it was not compatible with the software that Garmin provide at the time of purchase. The way to go is to get the CD rom so you can manipulate the information on the computer that you would like to see on the hand held. So the software that I have on my computer that Garmin provided is virtually useless without some type of mapping software. I would prefer that Garmin package the software and the device together, but I imagine the price would not make it conducive to the consumer.Customer Review: Super hand held GPS
Summary: 5 Stars
I originally purchased an Etrex Legend from another source which is basically the same as the Vista but it started to give bad coords after two weeks so I sent it back. Looking at Amazon, I found the Vista just a few dollars more so I purchased it. Love the fun of the extra features--altimeter and electronic compass. I installed two AA batteries and oriented myself to the features for several days, went geocaching twice and the batteries still were working. For geocaching, it brings me in to about 8-10 feet of a cache (my estimate)making them easier to find than my old Magellan that died because of leaking batteries.The color screen is bright and easy to see, I did install the SD with North America on it and that went well: however, to be safe in driving I'd recommend a full size auto GPS. This hand held is a little too small for safe driving. I'm not an avid geocacher as I do it when I feel like it while camping but it does a good job for me. I recently ran across some lithium batteries and I installed two of them. Battery life should be forever now! The biggest problem I have is that it is not fully compatible with a McIntosh computer but I knew this before I boughtit and was happy with what I expected. If you want a GPS or need a GPS I recommend this one highly-particularily with Amazon's low pricesCustomer Review: I don't get it! ONE STAR not FIVE!
Summary: 5 Stars
I own a auto GPS by Garmin and I have been very happy with it so I thought this would be a good purchase as well. With the auto GPS you turn it on and off you go! This GPS device is not the same thing. Firstly, you will need to purchase TOPO maps for hiking or city maps for use in roads and residential areas. Plan on spending at least another $80-$200 for one or both which you can get at Amazon. Nothing mentions this in the on-line literature or anywhere. This GPS can be used for geocatching right out of the box as it does give your the coordinates but not much else. You will need AA batteries as this thing does not include a rechargeable batters. Also, you need to get a MicroHD card to store the maps that you purchase on. I purchased an 8GB card. When I called tech support (who were rude)they told me that an 8GB card was not compatable and I could only use a 2GB card with this unit. Nowhere is this mentioned in the provided literature, manual, or the web site. I haven't tested this but this is what the tech support woman told me with her bad attitude. By this point I had had enough of this little gizmo and I packed up my Garmin eTrex Vista HCx and back it went to Amazon who was most cooperative with the return.Customer Review: Bought the Garmin over Magellan
Summary: 5 Stars
Bought the Garmin over the Magellen. For the past 5 years I have been using the Magellan Mariner 330 which has served my purposes, this eTrex Vista HCx is just the greatest upgrade. Coupled with the microSD expansion card, color daylight LCD screen, looooooooong battery life and turn for turn ability I'm a very happy camper. I also purchased the Maps for Topo/City USA. Bought everything from Amazon cheaper and everything was free shipping!
Update..Dec08. Been using this little unit and still find is a great upgrade. Battery life is excellent, bright color screen is great. Small but everything is so sharp and bright I have no problem viewing info.
The turn for turn is a great tool. Swap mirco SD card from Topo to USA and a route is planned very well. Have saved many time in getting to places that "other" people were so sure on how to get there. Thank God no voice."Take turn, make U-turn" Only complant is in the degree of detail the MapSource programs provide. National Geographic topo so much better.
Update April 2010. Still love this little unit, does it all, turn for turn, in topo or street maps. Battery life 25 hours longer.
Customer Review: Fantastic, Very satisfied
Summary: 5 Stars
I will keep this as short as possible. The only drawback is the small screen, but that's what you sacrifice for extreme portability and honestly, it doesn't bother me that much.
I'm in Iraq and most civilian GPS systems and even some of our own can't get a signal inside our armored trucks w/o an external antenna, but this one can even without the high-sensitivity feature turned on. I've taken it out on four patrols for a total running time of about 36hrs and the batteries only read half-drained. Granted they're lithium batteries and I use the backlight VERY sparingly, but still, very impressed.
It's everything I would want in a GPS, I had the RINO and while that was nice, this is so much better since I RARELY used the radio feature. It's worth the money, shop around, I found mine for just over $200 new.
If you don't already know, the loaded maps are sparse, so don't expect a lot of detail w/o shelling out some cash for new maps, but that's the case with any GPS.
Bottom line, great product, Garmin impresses me again. If it's good enough for me in Iraq, I don't see where this bad-boy would fail.