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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:
 Over- priced and Over-complicated December 29, 2007
7 out of 26 found this review helpful
I bought the Garmin eTrex Vista for my solo flights thru the tooleys on my Polaris 800 in case I got...well, lost. I haven't taken it into the wild with me yet because I cannot trust it. The first review I wrote on this item was never posted, I guess that was because I didn't rate it high enough to generate any sales. I took the Vista along on an ATV trip in another state 1300 miles away. When I got home the Vista said I was still in that other state. Along Lake Superior it was basically useless. I'd give it to my young nephew to use as a toy, but then I'd feel responsible if he got lost with it. It's either too complicated (having to read the manual before every use) or I have a Le`mon. Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer chances. I think it's a rip.
 Garmin GPS rules. :) December 28, 2007
1 out of 7 found this review helpful
This being my first GPS I am very happy. It has saved me twice in the forest. I am so happy with this product I got one for a friend. :)
David
Great upgrade - very happy! December 18, 2007
15 out of 15 found this review helpful
This is my third eTrex GPS receiver, and each has been a worthwhile upgrade. I started with a Legend about 4 years ago, which I thought was great at the time. A couple of years ago I bought a Legend Cx, and this provided me with the added benefits of a colour screen, expandable memory, a longer battery life and, somewhat surprisingly, a significantly better receiver - I could get a good signal under tree cover, unlike before, and even a fix inside my one-storey house, despite it not having the new SirF3 chip. I was in two minds about upgrading to the HCx model, as the only gain would be an even more sensitive receiver (but a slightly poorer battery life). So, I opted to change from the Legend to the Vista to increase functionallity. I think it was a good choice because the extra sensitivity, and quicker processing speed, seems significant and worthwhile.
The main complaints about the eTrex models appear to concern the lack of a good inbuilt map, and the extra cost of the associated Garmin-specific software needed to put this right. While these may be valid criticisms, they should not come as a surprise to anybody who has done their homework. If your main interest is in street navigation, an eTrex model is not your best option; try one of the Nuvi models, if you want to stick with Garmin. This is prinicpally an outdoor device to aid hikers: light, small, robust and tells you where you are (in terms of latitude and longitude, or local grid coordinates); it's best used in conjunction with a good topographical map, rather then being something that replaces it. The inbuilt base-map (of interstates, main roads and rivers) is only there to provide a basic reference, not for detailed navigation. The functionality of the device can be greatly enhanced by buying additional maps (whose price can be comparable with the receiver itself!), but there are several different types depending on your needs: roads/towns, topographic or marine. You can preview them (free) on the Garmin cite before you buy them, to make sure that your choice meets your needs.
Great GPS but................ December 14, 2007
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
Garmins new H series receiver is great. Another Etrex does not work well below deck in my sailboat, the HCx works great.
I originally thought the barometric altimeter would be a total waste on a boat but as a barograph, it is excelent. The graphing barometer is a great barograph.
WARNING. In the past 10 years, all of the Garmin GPS's I have owned put out the standard NMEA 0813 data string as well as their propritory Garmin data. This unit only puts out Garmin format. This means it can not comunicate with most charting/plotting programs. After 2 days of searching, I found 'Franson GpsGate' which will translate Garmin data to the standard NMEA 0183. Except for that short comming, it is a fine GPS.
 Functional but a design disaster December 12, 2007
39 out of 50 found this review helpful
Be aware this product is virtually useless right out of the box. It works fine but the included map has detail down to my nearest interstate and no further. You have to buy more detailed maps to do anything useful.
The included software is ancient but functional. A lanyard is provided but you'll need a microscope and tweezers to thread it though the connection point. A belt clip is optional and the necessary AA batteries are not included. Hey Garmin, nice bit of nickel and diming!
The whole product could do with a wave of Apple's magic design wand. The unit feels like it's upside down. All the control buttons sit above the screen with the main joystick (they call it a rocker, but there's also a rocker on the left side) resting under your left thumb while the quit button is on the top right requiring two handed operation for navigating the menus.
Having said all that, it feels nice and chunky in your hand. It's surprisingly small but thick and sturdy. It does the job fine but could be oh so much easier to use.
Three stars. They lose one each for design and ease of use, or lack thereof.
UPDATE December 18th 2007 - I bought Gamin's recommended accessory National Parks Map East on CD to go hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains. When I tried to transfer a map to the unit from my PC, I found that it cannot be done for this model. But it's a recommended $100 dollar accessory for this product!
Apparently, you can only download waypoints and trails from the CD but not the map. If you want to upgrade the map you have to buy a preloaded microSD card, except that at the time of writing the map I want is not on SD yet.
I've returned the eTrex Vista and ordered Garmin's GPSMap 60Csx.
Jeez Garmin, I really want to like your products but do you have to make me work so hard for it?
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