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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: $221.99
You Save: $78.00 (26%)
New (67) Used (3)
Avg. Customer Rating:  137 reviews
Sales Rank: 336
Platform: Not Machine Specific
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Tracks: 20
Batteries: 2
Batteries Included: No
Native Resolution: 176x220
Includes MP3 Player: 1
Size: Garmin Part #010-00630-00
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3
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: 753759028329
EAN: 0753759028329
ASIN: B000PDR1LS
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Perfect for me June 2, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Bought this for geo tagging my photography and routing on my motorcycle. Both uses are perfect for this device since it is nice and small but still has a readable screen. I bought the navigator NT software and it does a good job routing the roadways when I go riding. I obtained a RAM mount and it sits right on my handlebar when riding and I do not need any voice prompts so the screen gives and arrow and a written prompt for me and it is all I need.
 Garmin Etec Visa HCX May 25, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Great GPS but be prepared to spend lots of time learning to use it!! Much to complicated for everyday use and better at telling you where you've been than planning ahead.
Small screen but cool in-your-backpak GPS May 23, 2008
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
First I have to say I have been a professional computer programmer since 1978 and our industry generally agrees that the Programmers who work for the two GPS maker's are the worst in the industry.
After buying the Vista HCx I see that this "myth" hasn't had reason to change.
Given that all GPS software looks like it was written by someone who learned how to program 5 minutes ago, the Vista HCx is a good single-function GPS unit. But once Apple's iPhone or iPod Touch adds a GPS unit, its game-over for Garmin and Magellan.
I love GPS's, I use the Vista for my hikes and walks around the forest preserve and since I'm now filming for commercial television (yes I'm trying to change careers) I often have to mark the lat/long of a filming location. This Vista HCx is great for that.
But like the low-rating review said, without the City Navigator software (sold separately) its really just a hiking GPS, which you can find for much, much cheaper. So if you only want to hike and track your trails, get the cheapest handheld unit you can find.
I like the HCx with the City Navigator loaded. I purchased a 4-GB microSD card for it, and loaded up the entire North America map set onto the card. Now I can fly anywhere in the U.S. and have a street-level mapping GPS "in my pocket".
Be warned, however, although the HCx supports 4GB microSD cards, the GPS software only supports map files up to 2 GB's. Ironically, the Garmin MapSource software will create a larger file. I had also purchased the Topos maps and tried loading both into the GPS. This exceeded 2 GBs in size. After loading the file into the GPS for nearly 24 hours (yes, it took a day and a night over the slow USB cable) the unit did not recognize its own map files. After ready some materials on the support pages, and knowing a thing or two about operating systems, I first thought it was the 4GB card, but then took a chance that it was actually a software "integer length" issue and deleted the Topo maps and got the file down to 1.8GB (under 2 GB) and guess what? It worked great!
Now that I've got it working the way I want it to work, the only real problem is keeping the backlight on while using it so I can see the LCD screen. It doesn't come on when you turn on the unit, you have to hit the power button a second time and then press the joy stick to remove the backlight meter level from the screen. Again, poor program design at its worse.
I know this sounds so negative, but all Garmin and Magellan GPS's have crappy software so if you're a GPS user, you're use to working with these things.
But once the iPhone with GPS comes out Garmin and Magellan will be dragged (kicking and screaming I suspect) into the 21st century of programming user interfaces.
If you have any doubts, DONT! Buy it. May 23, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
WOW, that is about all I can say about this device. I cache and love it. On several caches here in Las Vegas the description will say you will loose signal, not with this baby. I was very surprised. And boy is it accurate. This is my first unit I will admit but I am sooooo happy with it. Truly a great product.!
Very Good Upgrade from eMap May 19, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Pros:
Excellent satellite reception, many, many nice, customizable features, long battery life. "Tracks" is one of my favorite features of the GPS, where you can download to the PC, a second by second record of your movements. And contrary to other reviews, it seems the Map Setup now does allow setting the Tracks feature up to 10,000 points (based on your SD Chip capacity ?). Works with MetroGuide North America v6.0 (which I already had). I have all of North America easily on a 2Gb chip (1.1 GB). Built-in Routing is limited, but works. Not bad for a little pocket device.
Cons:
USB interface to PC seems awfully slow when transferring the maps. Display is bright, customizable and well laid out, but small. First unit I got locked up intermittently. Returned it and the 2nd unit is working perfectly.
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