Garmin eTrex Vista HCx Color High-Sensitivity Mapping Handheld GPS
by Garmin
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List Price: Our Price: $186.18 You Save: $113.81 (38%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $160.00 (click here) Category: GPS or Navigation System See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
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for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin eTrex Vista HCx Color High-Sensitivity Mapping Handheld GPS
Customer Review: Great Handheld GPS! Super Easy to Use!
Summary: 5 Stars
This thing is fantastic! It finds signals while in dense woods with stormy cloud covered sky's. Incredibly easy to use and has all the features that you could possibly want. (You only need one hand to operate all the features) I purchased this along with a micro SD card w/ reader from Amazon, and this was up and running in seconds. Check the Web [...] for free topo maps and simple instructions on how to download, and you will not regret this purchase. I had originally purchased the Summit and had trouble with getting maps onto the unit. (May have been my inexperience with this kind of stuff) For a few dollars more, I purchased this model. Glad I did! You will save [...] by purchasing this on Amazon rather than Cabela's or elsewhere. Check the website that I mentioned, get all the information on maps and how to get started and you will be ready to use your unit as soon as it arrives. (The site has a link for purchasing the SD card and reader super cheap from Amazon.) This little thing made my hunt that much better while being in unfamiliar territory.Customer Review: Great for what it is
Summary: 5 Stars
I use this for two purposes. Foremost is for marking waypoints when I am hiking about and want to record the location of observations. Its excellent for that. I download these with GPS babel in GPX format so I have text records of my waypoints, and also use it with National Geographic TOPO maps on my computer. I've never installed additional maps and yet it has helped me, by turning the tracking on and comparing the bends in map to the bends in paper maps to figure out exactly where I was on some obscure dirt road in Nevada more than once. I also use it for casual, not die-hard, geocaching with my kids for occassional fun. For these purposes, it is excellent and I have used in both North and South America. I like the small size, light weight, and its not too hard to use once you learn how it works (navigating menus, etc). I don't use it as a primary navigation device for my car (although I have in backcountry when needed). If you want an automobile navigator, get a Nuvi with a screen you can see safely while driving in traffic.Customer Review: Huge Leap Forwards
Summary: 5 Stars
I started out with the original yellow eTrex years ago. From there I migrated through the Venture, Legend, GPSMAP 60Cx, and now to the Vista HCx. The 60C(S)x series has a SiRF GPS chipset, whereas these new eTrex HCx models are rumored to carry the MTK GPS chipset. Well, whatever Garmin has placed in these new high-sensitivity eTrex units is amazing. Battery life is phenomenal -- using cheap alkaline cells I'm getting over 24 hours of use with the Vista HCx (w/minimal backlight use). Sitting inside near a window I'm regularly seeing +- 9 foot accuracy. Comparing the Vista HCx to my GPSMAP 60Cx they are both close in performance, with the edge going to the Vista HCx for both satellite reception and battery life. The small form-factor is a plus, too. The only negative comment I have is that due to the additional pixels in the screens for the HCx models, viewing them indoors or in the shade with no backlight is difficult. However, outside in the sun they are bright and crisp, as well as when the backlight is on. This GPS is a keeper!Customer Review: An excellent GPS receiver for Geocaching
Summary: 5 Stars
I was just recently introduced to the hobby of Geocaching by a relative and enjoyed it very much. My wife and I decided to purchase a GPS receiver of our own. After much review, I narrowed my choice down to the Garmin Vista HCX and the Garmin 60CXS.
Both of the devices are excellent and will probably come down personal preferences concerning button placement and how they "feel" in your hand. I can tell you that you would be pleased with either.
I chose the HCX for the following reasons.
Extremely quick and accurate satellite acquisition.
Very bright and readable screen.
Convenient geocaching options makes it fun and easy to use.
Price is very good for the performance and features you get.
As far as shopping through Amazon goes, I continue to be delighted, purchase after purchase, with how efficiently the process runs. I have never been as thoroughly satisfied with any merchant as I have been in my dealings with Amazon.
Customer Review: Excellent GPS!
Summary: 5 Stars
I owned an entry level GPS from Garmin for the past 8 years (the basic yellow model). The yellow model served my needs during hunting season, but I had problems with reception in the woods and struggled to lock on to satelites in a timely fashion. Recently, I purchased the new Vista Hcx model and have been extremely satisfied with this model. This new model allows me to lock on to satelites in a matter of seconds and I am able to maintain a signal in the thickest tree cover. Heck, I even get great reception inside my house. Other benefits of this model include the ability to use micro-SD card for memory expansion (I have all the US/Canada maps loaded on a 2 gig card), digital compass works great even when standing still and the ability to upload 24 custom waypoint markers (I have uploaded 24 hunting icons such as tree stands, track, blinds, etc..). The price at Amazon can not be beat, Bass Pro Shops were easily $100 more. If you are in the market for a great compact handheld GPS unit, this model is for you.