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Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS ReceiverUser Review: - first time GPS ownerThis is our first GPS device. We just started geocaching with the family and it's been great fun so far. color screen is great, apparently accuracy is pretty darn good. my 10 year old works the controls most of the time. we're normally real close to our goal. Only thing that needs work is the map. you only get base maps, which is highways. I know Garmin sells more maps, but that just seems crazy to have to pay another $100 or so to make this device more useful for everyday. just my 2 cents. otherwise love it! User Review:  - Huge Leap ForwardsI started out with the original yellow eTrex years ago. From there I migrated through the Venture, Legend, GPSMAP 60Cx, and now to the Vista HCx. The 60C(S)x series has a SiRF GPS chipset, whereas these new eTrex HCx models are rumored to carry the MTK GPS chipset. Well, whatever Garmin has placed in these new high-sensitivity eTrex units is amazing. Battery life is phenomenal -- using cheap alkaline cells I'm getting over 24 hours of use with the Vista HCx (w/minimal backlight use). Sitting inside near a window I'm regularly seeing +- 9 foot accuracy. Comparing the Vista HCx to my GPSMAP 60Cx they are both close in performance, with the edge going to the Vista HCx for both satellite reception and battery life. The small form-factor is a plus, too. The only negative comment I have is that due to the additional pixels in the screens for the HCx models, viewing them indoors or in the shade with no backlight is difficult. However, outside in the sun they are bright and crisp, as well as when the backlight is on. This GPS is a keeper! User Review:  - Well Built & Works Well BUT Lacks Street ResolutionI purchase this Garmin eTrex Vista HCx to replace using my laptop + GPS + MS Streets & Trips. This Garmin is well built - solid, sturdy, waterproof, & the screen is crips & clear with vibrant colors. It obtains satellite signals quickly, even indoors. The side buttons are a bit difficult to depress, requiring quite a push. Unfortunately, out-of-the-box, the system comes only with a set of "base maps" which are totally useless for all but interstate travelers, & even then leaves quite a bit to be desired. Get out your wallet. To get any real use from the system, plan on spending about $100 for each map set you purchase separately. City Navigator North America 2009 comes closest to MS Streets & Trips and Delorme Street Atlas USA, but simply does not have the streets resolution of those products. For $100, it should be at least as good, if not better, than those PC products. Plan on going hiking, another $100 or so for the Garmin topographical maps set. Going to Europe? Another $100. Adds up quickly! The unit does NOT come with a useful Users Guide & thus the learning curve can be quite steep, depending upon what you wish to do with the unit. For example, it should have been easy to find how to get the unit to return the display to your current position after you navigate away from it. Garmin tech support was great. After purchasing the City Navigator North America 2009 map set, I could not get it to unlock using their online system's directions. Called tech support, waited about 2 minutes, & got a very helpful individual who guided me through the process. If you are a city dweller who rarely ventures out into more suburban or rural areas, this system will probably meet your needs. Unfortunately, I live in a more rural part of the state, & the streets resolution simply doesn't cut it here. But for a walking tour of Boston, or hiking through Cleveland, this will do you well. The primary reason for purchasing this particular unit was to take with me as I do outdoor photography in my travels. I can use it to create a track of my travels, which I then download to my PC along with my photos. Using GPicSync from Google, I then merge the data to tag locations of my photos. Works well! Finally, I gave this product an overall 2 rating because (1) you have to add maps in $100 bites to get any usefulness out of this product, and (2) even adding those maps does not provide the streets resolution it should have compared to other mapping products available today. The unit is well built, and Garmin technical support is excellent. But for the price, it should provide a lot more surface detail than it does. User Review: - GarminI have A job working as an Engineer Assistant and I use the Garmin GPS to Pin Point certain fixed objects. The Garmin has been reliable. User Review: - wowI HAVE THE VISTA HCX. I JUST SPENT A WEEK IN THE MT ADAMS WILDERNESS HUNTING.I BOUGHT THE PRE LOADED MICRO SD WITH THE 2008 TOPO MAP. IT WAS SO EASY JUST PUT IT IN AND THERE IS A NEW ICON ON THE MENU.. THAT SIMPLE. EVEN IN THE DEEPEST DARKEST FOREST I NEVER EVEN CAME CLOSE TO LOSING RECEPTION. IT WOULD RANGE BETWEEN 10FT AND 40FT. ALL FIVE TIMES THAT I TOLD THE HUNTING PARTY WHERE I COULD BE PICKED UP AT DARK I EMERGED FROM THE WOODS EXACTLY AT THAT POINT USING THE PROXIMITY WAY POINT FEATURE. I WAS GETTING ABOUT 18 HOURS OUT OF A PAIR OF KIRKLAND BRAND AA BATTERIES NEEDLESS TO SAY THE OTHER THREE GUYS ARE GETTING THE VISTA FOR NEXT YEAR. |
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