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| GARMIN 010-00630-00 Etrex Vista GPS Receiver | 
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| Brand: Garmin
Category: CE
List Price: $299.99
Buy New: $209.95
You Save: $90.04 (30%)
New (71) Used (4)
Avg. Customer Rating:  139 reviews
Sales Rank: 392
Platform: Not Machine Specific
Media: Electronics
Memorabilia: No
Tracks: 20
Batteries: 2
Batteries Included: No
Native Resolution: 176x220
Display Size: 2
Includes MP3 Player: 1
Size: Garmin Part #010-00630-00
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 2.2 x 1.2 x 4.2
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.
MPN: eTrex Vista HCx
Model: eTrex Vista HCx
UPC: 753759071134
EAN: 0753759071134
ASIN: B000PDR1LS
Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Good February 11, 2008
I tend to get lost in the 3500 acres of woods I hunt in now as I have only been hunting there for two years and I have yet to learn all the landmarks. Not an issue for stand hunting, but when I just want to mess around, I don't wanna loose my way.
This unit has a great signal...much better than my old legend, sometimes a little too good it seems. Works very well in the woods though in heavy tree cover, and thats what I wanted it for, also the tracks function is great and has let me create some of my own maps of my hunting area. The electronic compass works well also and fills the gap when you stop moving...which is what its intended for I think. I no longer fear that I will get lost as this unit is rock solid, but I do still take a good old magnetic compass just in case this unit dies an untimely death.
I am now learning my hunting area quickly without fear of getting lost, even with heavy tree cover and for that in itself this is worth every penny and gets my 5 stars.
I feel this should be mentioned...I am playing with opensource mapping software now and again, and while it takes a little more work due to the now proprietary usb output of this gps (my legend output a standard NMEA serial protocol) with the help of gpsgate from franson this new gps is able to do what I want in that respect also.
Improved reception over Vista CX February 11, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This unit is quite nice. Much improved GPS engine over the Etrex CX series. Naturally the software is quite mature at this point allowing a lot of customization, and they apperently got the odometer issue fixed as well.
The GPS seems to get a lock very fast even the cold start when shipped from Amazon brand new got a lock in under 3 minutes inside the house. I am in So Cal far from the Garmin factory so this was really a cold start. Holds sats well gets a fix faster than my Sirf equiped Garmins (76CX and Nuvi 370).
Screen is just a bit darker than the Etrex CX it is replacing, but not a big deal.
Pro's
Fast response on GPS
Slightly faster screen redraw than the Etrex CX (tested with same maps same area)
Very nice software, unit is flexable in functions, topo, marine, street routing, compass, altimeter, barometer
Pocket sized
Water resistant
Uses Standard Memory Cards that are affordable!
Okay base map (for US)
Con's
Should have the international basemap, really how much would it cost to add this data to the US basemap?
All the detail maps are options (so you do need to buy some optional maps to do a lot with the unit).
Screen could be larger (but device would be larger too)
Lacks speech capability
They took out tide station data (can be added back if use topo or added to other map sets if you know where to look).
would be nice to load map sets into folders and select them rather than changing cards.
All in all this is a really well evolved product, and a pleasure to use.
They need to make a routing street map with a elevation layer. So you can have a map with elevation data like a topo and also routable streets. Ideally you could turn on or off the elevation layer.
People have complained that the GPS is inaccurate with TOPO 2008. It is not the GPS the Map data in the topo maps is not accurate the streets are drawn out of proper location, its not the GPS.
Still after all this this likely the best all round GPS available today!
Great GPSr February 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Love this product. Upgraded from a Garmin Venture Cx. This GPSr does not drop a sat signal and the digital compass is a great feature. It points to the POI (cache) while standing still. Couldn't be more positive about this GPSr.
Garmin Vista HCx Excellent product! February 3, 2008
This is my first hand-held GPS and I am very impressed. When you travel as much as I do the "Exits" feature and available overnight accommodations nearby really comes in handy. I bought it for Geocaching but have not used it for that yet. The easy-to-read screen with adjustable backlighting was the feature that sold me. The screen resolution is very good.
A Bittersweet Rating for the HCx February 2, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I rated the unit a 4, but there is a story behind this. I'm on my 4th Vista HCx. When I powered the first one up on occaision, the display had a white, bleached out appearance, almost like I was in direct sunlight, but I was indoors. If I turned it off, and powered it back up, the problem would go away. Garmin replaced it, saying it was a hardware problem with the board. On the replacement unit they sent me, the lanyard slot was broken right out of the box. It was a one piece plastic pin molded right to the main body of the unit. The 3rd unit had the same washed out display problem that I had with my first unit. Now I'm in the process of getting my 4th unit. It's been grueling, and anybody else, I would have been at their doorstep with the flaming torch and a pitch fork. But the Garmin support has been amazing, and they are making things right. The buttons are hard to push, and it gets a little annoying scrolling through all the screens at times. There's a lot to learn with using a GPS, and it takes practice over time to really get to know how to use it and learn all the things that it is capable of, but it's a good little unit over-all with tons of features and a great display, so I'll be patient and see how it all ends up. Anybody else, I would rate this a 1, but I'm giving them a 4. Despite the problems, it's a good unit otherwise and the support has been excellent.
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