The Vista HCx is the top of its range and therefore price but offers good features. Its solidly built, uses AA batteries (therefore rechargables are economic) and feels good in the hand. its quite intuitive to use although the first few expeditions needed to take the handbook!

Using it... Read full review »

Fantastic!!

byHoboePerson Mar 30, 2010

2 Helpfuls 3 Helpfuls

Pros Easy to Use, Compact, Simple Setup

Recommended it? Yes

If you are reading this and the other reviews of the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx then you are doing your homework and wondering if this GPS is as good as all the hype makes it out to be. The short answer is YES! I have an old Garmin 12 Map which has served me well, but was getting a bit long in the... Read full review »

average gps

bynpatel279 Mar 28, 2010

Helpful? 1 Helpfuls

this gps may be used for those who guy backpacking, because these gps will not work in the real world Read full review »

So so unit

byemjt Jul 23, 2007

6 Helpfuls 7 Helpfuls

Pros Interfacing ability with other electronics. Weight and battery life are most acceptable.

Cons This unit will not bring you close enough to your mark.

Recommended it? No

Extremely slow to acquire signals. Typical accuracy is greater than 20 meters. Selector button works intermittently if at all making it most frustrating when trying to mark a waypoint. It does have great battery life and communicates effortlessly with computer and other data collectors. Speed... Read full review »

Awesome Little GPS Unit

byshawnft Apr 30, 2007

6 Helpfuls 7 Helpfuls

Pros Very versatile and useful

Cons too big for some things, too little for other things

Recommended it? Yes

This is a great little GPS unit.
I have used one, both for recreation and at work for the past three years.
I really like the tracking features, and I also really like the go to feature. It is readable in the dark with the back light. It is very easy and intuitive to use once you get the... Read full review »

Great for finding your way in the woods or when rafting. Good for driving too.

byandreiuta Mar 8, 2007

12 Helpfuls 13 Helpfuls

Pros Versatile unit, great accuracy.

Cons Very small memory. Need to buy the expensive map sets.

Recommended it? Yes

I've always felt that a GPS will be an unnecessary luxury when hiking. I mean, I was always able to find my way using maps, so what could a GPS bring new. In spite of this, two years ago when Garmin came out with a promotion offering this model for about $260, I decided to give it a try. I really... Read full review »

E Trex Vista

byrob-afkbrb Aug 29, 2006

3 Helpfuls 4 Helpfuls

Pros Versatile, small, water resistant, easy to read and configure.

Cons Battery life sux, limited gpsr map software, memory is not expandable.

Recommended it? Yes

Had it for three years now. Found out that you MUST calibrate the compass unless you want to be confused. I'm a traditional navigator with compass/map, stars, etcetera. Going electronic seemed natural for me but it takes time to get used to. When backpacking, find a spot on top of your shoulder... Read full review »

Best All-Around GPS Value

bytiktok4321 Aug 3, 2006

9 Helpfuls 10 Helpfuls

Pros Color, good International basemap, battery life, easy to use, fast interface, very useful...

Cons VERY expensive upgrading to Auto Kit or adding detailed maps. 24 MB limits Mapsource...

Recommended it? Yes

Sure, this may not have every feature that every person wants in a GPS, but for the price, I'd love to find a better value.

I've owned a Garmin Legend (the monochrome version) for almost 4 years now. Unfortunately, when I moved to my new house about 6 months ago, it somehow got lost... Read full review »

Its become my friend and hiking companion!!!

byquadradox Feb 3, 2006

22 Helpfuls 23 Helpfuls

Pros Includes most practical features I need. Easy to learn. Has contributed significantly to...

Cons Maps limited, somewhat outdated, content not supplemented easily by other vendors or net...

Recommended it? Yes

I'm grateful I felt an urge to to try the Garmin Color Vista C after nearly abandonning the whole handheld GPS (Global Positioning Systems) endeavor.

SOLID NAVIGATIONAL ASSISTANCE AND BEYOND

The device has been a sheer delight, far more benefits than I expected. I've taken it... Read full review »

DECEPTIVE PRODUCT DESCRIPTION!

bycoates199 Jan 17, 2006

11 Helpfuls 12 Helpfuls

Pros Small, color screen, waterproof

Cons NEED HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN EXTRAS TO MAKE THE FEATURES WORK!

Recommended it? No

According to the first sentence of the product description on Garmin's web site this unit has, "automatic routing". The description goes on to tout other features, but routing is by far the biggest improvement. What the description does not describe is the additional $100 in software you will need... Read full review »

Sophisticated, Comprehensive Tool

bypzoba Nov 5, 2005

14 Helpfuls 15 Helpfuls

Pros 1,000 ten character waypoints, electronic compass, basemap

Cons Battery life - carry spare batteries!

Recommended it? Yes

Introduction
I am a big fan of GPS devices. I started out with Loran-C navigation for use on a boat back before GPS was available. I love the great outdoors and do lots of hiking, skiing, hunting & fishing. This unit is my third Garmin device. I have the Street Pilot for use in my car and I... Read full review »

Great for business use

byzerotsm Sep 18, 2005

3 Helpfuls 4 Helpfuls

Pros Has Barometric Altimeter

Cons Sometimes takes a long time to acquire a lock on the GPS satellites.

Recommended it? Yes

I need periodically to check radio tower sites to make sure that they are really located where the license says they are. I also need to know exactly where I am in relation to the tower when taking measurements of the pattern of an AM station. The Garmin eTrex Vista really fills the bill.
... Read full review »

Garmin Vista

bysbellville Jun 30, 2005

3 Helpfuls 4 Helpfuls

Pros Great size and easy to use.

Cons No external antenna. No programmable buttons.

Recommended it? Yes

I have used this gps in just about every environment and the gps continues to work after all the abuse I put it through. The size is perfect and the Vista is easy to use. I am very happy with this product. Two things I would have liked to have with the Vista. To have an external antenna and one or... Read full review »

Stay Away

byp-o-consumer Jun 6, 2005

4 Helpfuls 5 Helpfuls

Pros USB, free software to pull screenshots into PC, Light weight, small size.

Cons See review, I ran out of word space!

Recommended it? No

I got one of the first units on the market and the software was flakey. Lots of lockups, weird operation etc. After the fourth use, the backlighting died. After a warranty repair I noticed new firmware was available that fixed most of the bugs, so I tried an upgrade. This rendered the device... Read full review »

Best Garmin Yet

bymark_mcintyre May 23, 2005

3 Helpfuls 4 Helpfuls

Pros Small size, great screen, fun and easy.

Cons Price.

Recommended it? Yes

This is my third Garmin. All have worked well - but the Vista C I really like.

This unit has great battery life, in fact, much better than my monochrome Vista unit. The 12 hour life is really obtainable. The screen can be read in bright daylight. Navigation around the unit is easier due... Read full review »

Great handheld

bytwelfelt May 5, 2005

6 Helpfuls 7 Helpfuls

Pros Reliable, functional, fits in a pocket

Cons Not color

Recommended it? Yes

I bought this GPS unit a few years ago after I received some unexpected - but owed - money from my ex-wife. Since I felt it was 'free' money I decided to splurge and bought myself this GPS.

At the time I purchased the unit I worked for a major electronics store and handled the repair of... Read full review »

Nice unit, nice price

bypiggiwacked Apr 12, 2005

5 Helpfuls 6 Helpfuls

Pros compact, easy to use, great price, durable.

Cons small black and white screen can be difficult to read.

Recommended it? Yes

I bought this gps originally for my motorcycle and have used ti in my car as well. It has great mapping features and is compact enough to fit in your pocket. It requires Mapsource software by Garmin which is very user friendly. I would recommend purchasing from www.gpscentral.ca. I have had nothing... Read full review »

Garmin not reliable

byekimsepol Apr 11, 2005

3 Helpfuls 4 Helpfuls

Pros The color screen is very easy to read compared to the vista.

Cons Garmins reliability is pretty bad.

Recommended it? No

I purchased a Garmin Vista about 2 years ago and the mouse button broke. It wouldn't mouse right which meant you couldn't reset the trip computer. I did like everything else about the unit. I mostly used it as a cycling computer and for driving. A little hiking. In the 2 years it was probably used... Read full review »

Full Featured Model Delivers Solid Performance

byprashton Mar 31, 2005

14 Helpfuls 15 Helpfuls

Pros Versatile and Full Featured compact unit in rugged case

Cons Poor screen illumination, high price mark up outside the USA

Recommended it? Yes

I bought my Vista 18 months ago at REI. Unlike many purchasers, this unit was bought for business purposes as I need to locate and map old oil well locations in places like Venezuela. The more features, the better, was my reason for selecting the top of the line model. I paid $300 for it.

... Read full review »

It works in the Arctic!

byjoec66 Mar 1, 2005

2 Helpfuls 3 Helpfuls

Pros Dependable in an Alaska blizzard. It'll save your life

Cons snowmobile engine interferes with satellite reception

Recommended it? Yes

From my journal on my year of teaching in Alaska

"At almost exactly 2:00 PM I met Pick and Dave at the snowmobiles parked between Pick's place and the school. Dave's new machine's throttle cable was frozen so it took a few minutes with a hair dryer to get us going.

The earlier... Read full review »

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Garmin Etrex Vista HCX (Newly Overhauled)

The Garmin Etrex Vista HCX Refurbished is a Manufacturer refurbished line. This product has been checked, tested and packaged by GarminComes with a one year manufacturers warrantyFull 12 Month WarrantyHigh- sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiverBright colour screenBarometric altimeter & Electronic compassMicroSDTM card slot