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: Awesome GPS!
Summary: 5 Stars
I had high expectations for this GPS (eTrex Vista HCX) and I've been very happy with it's performance and features. I powered it up (after eagerly tearing the box open) and it wasn't long before I was out finding geocaches with my buddies. I mostly use it for geocaching, but also use it for navigating around town and when I'm out of town in unfamiliar areas. I bought a 1GB microSD card and downloaded the maps, which makes the GPS even more of a really good general navigation tool.
I've had the eTrex Vista HCX now about month and am at the point where it's intuitive for me to configure, adjust and use in different modes. I use road-following mode when I'm on the road going somewhere new and want road info, then I use the off-road mode when I'm hiking or geocaching and want "direct to-the-target" information. The size is very nice, small enough to shove in my pocket if I want to and the screen is plenty big and has easy-to-use zoom and scrolling controls. The USB cable is very handy for downloading maps or geocache coords. The color screen is very nice. When I was deciding on a GPS I didn't think I needed the color screen, but I ended up getting it because it came with the model that offered an electronic compass and altimeter, features I definitely wanted. It turns out the color is very nice and I'm really glad I got it. Overall, I think this is a very capable, fun, compact, easy to use GPS, especially for under $250 on Amazon.
Paul (in Encinitas, CA)
Customer Review: So Far So Good
Summary: 5 Stars
I haven't had any freeze-ups or lock-ups with my unit. I wanted the high sensitivity, the mass storage capability, and I thought the compass would be nice. So the Vista HCx fit the bill. Everything has worked as expected. I know the compass is a small feature, but I really like it, and my wife will like it when trying to tell me where to go. Occasionally, I can even get satellite signal in my office at work, which is like a cement basement with no windows. I knew that the mapping software was going to cost extra, so that wasn't a surprise. I recently found some legit and legal free road maps that work on this device though. The free maps won't offer nearly as much as City Navigator does, but it will work until I want to spend another $100. Cloudmade offers OSM maps in the img format. Create a folder on your MicroSD card called Garmin, download the map into the folder, then rename the map "gmapsupp.img" Then load the MicroSD card back in. I think doing it this way only allows for one map at a time. I don't know much about computers and have a mac so this was the easiest way for me to do it. It does take some playing around with to get used to all of the features. But I bought this as a toy not as something I need, so it's fun. This manual is pretty useless, but I have heard that some of the other manuals for different models that you can find online are much better. If I start experiencing lock-ups I will definitely add to my review.Customer Review: Almost perfect
Summary: 4 Stars
If you have been frustrated by the inability of the previous incarnations of this product to acquire satellites when you were in moderate tree cover, or deep canyons, this is the unit you have been waiting for. I've been delighted by the improved capabilities of the new antenna. In the few months I've had this GPS it has never failed to acquire.
The menus have changed, but once I've gotten used to them. I think they are an improvement. Having a dedicated `menu' button works better than scrolling the curser over to select menus
The only reason I couldn't give this product 5 stars was that I have an old Black & White etrex vista which I had used to save a lot of tracks. I found that I was unable to download many of my tracks to the new unit. It seems they reduced the number of track points from 750 down to 500 so it truncated many of my tracks. Although annoying, I still wouldn't have let it bother me too much if I was told that a fix was on the way. But instead, the response from customer service was basically "Too bad all the new products like that." As cheap as memory is these days, and the fact that this latest unit has tons of expandable memory you would thing Garmin could be a little more accommodating of their long term customers. Allow me to store them on the expandable memory, give me a conversion tool (although this would reduce my resolution), something, anything, but don't just tell me "sucks to be you!"
Customer Review: Rugged little work horse!
Summary: 4 Stars
This unit definitely does what it is suppose to do. The color screen is vibrant, and adjustable brightness for any conditions. Love the ability to upgrade the memory with MicroSDHC card. Side buttons take a bit of pressure to push, so I would not recommend it for a small child. I have used other eTrex models, and they are the same with the buttons. The rear USB port for the car charger and for up/down loading data is very nice. The rubber stopper thingy that conceals the USB port is a bit flimsy though, and doesn't seem to fit very tight. Not sure how this thing would survive a drop in a shallow puddle because of it. The one thing that I must say is that this unit is about a hundred times better with an added downloaed US Map. It opens a lot more menu items. I was amazed with the versatility once I purchased the additional map. Now I can use it in my car to get turn-by-turn directions, just like a more conventional car GPS unit. The built-in games are very lame, but who cares. I'm sure no one is buying it for the games. Battery life is awesome! It can tell the difference between regular alkaline, and the more expensive and longer lasting lithium batteries. Even with the alkalines, it seems to last forever. I would definitely recommmend it. I would also recommend that Garmin cut their prices for downloadable maps by AT LEAST half. Crazy how much they want for them - but then again, they do make the unit much much much better!Customer Review: Research paid off - A great GPS
Summary: 5 Stars
This unit is everything I thought it would be after doing a good bit of research.
It is compact, easy to operate, has a super clear screen (although not huge), and great backlight allowing it to be read easily.
I have been using it for geocaching for the last few weeks, and so far the signal reception has been incredible. I have always had plenty of satellite reception even while laying the unit in my lap or or the dash while driving. It usually gets me within 6-10 feet of the cache I am looking for.
The unit is fairly intuitive, and is highly customizable. Plus it comes with Garmin's respected support (I know it sounds like a commercial, but if you check around, Garmin is rated really high on the their customer service).
The screen is not oversized for driving use, but it will provide mapping directions once Mapsource maps are purchased seperately. You may also want to get a microSD card (2GB) to hold any maps you may want to load. I got mine from Amazon for around $25.
Comes with everything you need to get going. The click stick control works very well. The side buttons are a little firm, but I guess that is due to the material around them which allows the unit to be be waterproof/resistant. The software is very customizable and you can change many things about the unit's operation.
All in all, I am very happy with this purchase.