Garmin eTrex Vista Handheld GPS Navigator
by Garmin
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List Price: Our Price: $65.00 You Save: $234.99 (78%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: GPS or Navigation System See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin eTrex Vista Handheld GPS Navigator
Customer Review: Excellent navigation tool
Summary: 5 Stars
Anyone who has read "Longitude" would understand that owning this device 500 years ago would have allowed one to rule the entire planet--without exaggeration. This toy is also important today, and I personally use it for navigating the NY Harbor. A few key points: 1) In the two months I have owned the device I figured out how to calculate my estimated time of arrival to the Varizzano Narrows Bridge from the Liberty Landing Marina (a 7 mile journey) with only a 1 minute error while sailing downwind in a steady 10 to 20 knot breeze. 2) Outside, I have never had any reception difficulties. 3) The batteries last a long time 4) Charting your speed in real time allows you to get a better feel for the sailing capabilities of your boat in different conditions. 5) The device saves the path you just traveled on the map, allowing you to critique your selection of tacks and navigating prowess.
A few key points about what the device lacks. 1) Tide prediction information 2) Software for your pc so you can "hotsync" your handheld data to your pc. I think most if not all these options are available for the Vista, but they add hundreds of dollars to the overall cost.
Customer Review: A "Newbie" sounds off... BUY ONE!
Summary: 5 Stars
Ok... this is my first GPS unit and I am still learning. But I did my homework and studied the various units available for months. What I wanted was a feature rich, portable, waterproof, dependable, quality GPS that I could live with a long time. I almost made the leap for a Garmin III Plus, until I read of the new ETrex family being released this spring. I decided the Vista model was for me and to wait for their eventual release. I have had this unit now for a month and I am absolutely WOW'd by this amazing little device. My primary reason for a GPS is for the many tours I take on my motorcycle, locally and across the country. I have recently completed a 4 day trip and it performed flawlessly. I also use it on my weekend rides to explore and better learn the area in which I live.
My Vista will be a semi-permanent fixture on my bike, when I'm not hiking and for the occassional use in my car.
To say it simply, it just exceeds my "rookie" expectations in every way. It does what it says it will do, it's a perfect size, easy to use... I love it. If your needs are similar to mine, buy it. You won't be disappointed. I'm glad I waited!
Customer Review: Great 4 wheel and jogging tool
Summary: 5 Stars
I use this device for 4 wheeling in the desert. I have the topo and waypoints set and am able to find any place I have researched on my desktop computer. I recently used the topos to find a hot spring which was hidden in a deep valley in a very remote location. Only by the use of a GPS could I have found the source of the spring in the dense brush.
I also use it when I'm jogging to keep track of the time, distance and the speed at which I am running.
Other uses I have found are calibrating my car speedomoter, finding the general altitude at which I am traveling and keeping track of my discoveries in the desert.
I find the topos quite useful in driving off-road, but I also agree that they are not maps I would find helpful for hiking. When I'm driving on BLM Open Route Roads I find they are all on the map, but when I'm looking at trails in the area around the roads, well, I am often disappointed.
I also recommend the cigarette power adapter, since the 2 AA batteries can burn out in a day without it.
Overall a very useful device. So 5 Stars for the device and 4 stars for the maps.
Customer Review: good gps with lots of functions
Summary: 4 Stars
Cons:
-screen is small
-screen detail is somewhat pixilated
-panning/scrolling on map is slow. Screen goes blank for a moment. Then it takes it awhile to redraw the map.
-occasional loss of satellite lock when under moderate tree cover (although this is probably true of all gps)
-designed for left hand use if this is an issue
-data cable is included but car adapter is not
-must be outside of backpack in order to receive signal (I guess gortex is too thick)
-cause an accident by watching the gps rather than the road
Pros:
-compact
-good intuitive use of menus except for marking waypoints
-excellent trip data: distance, elevation, average moving speed time or overall average, how long you have moved or stopped for, elevation, current speed and direction and more
-works inside the car
-excellent car navigation
-excellent hiking navigation
-has altimeter and compass
-detail on base map gives major hwys and roads
-detail on extra map excellent (eg., will give street numbers of individual houses)
Customer Review: Not for new user or for trail riding on an ATV
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this for when we go trail riding on our ATVs. Although I have used GPS systems before, I am new to the eTrex. I rated it so low for a number of reasons.
The Compass is useless, unless you hold it at the exact required angle it will not read correctly. While this might work if you are hiking, it is not going to work on an ATV.
The supplied Map Software is useless. I could not even find my own street! It lacks detail, it lacks road names, it lacks place names, it is totally lacking and a waste of time.
The GPS itself is very sensitive to location/environment. It barely works on the second floor of our house. It barely works in our car. It works well when outside with a clear view of the sky.
I was unable to set any useable waypoints using the eTrex itself but did manage to set a couple using the supplied software.
The only function that I liked and that seemed to work well is the Trip Computer.
Overall, very very disappointing considering Garmin's reputation. I will be returning it and will try something else.