Garmin eTrex Vista® Handheld GPS Receiver

Pros: Great device; fun, accurate, and easy to use.

Cons: Poor reception in deep canyons; no external antenna.

The Bottom Line: What a great device! Smart design, and lots of fun to take with you on a hike. Don't leave home (and head to the wilderness) without it.

Review: I love my eTrex Vista.

Purchase. I bought it last year (Summery 2001) when I started day-hiking in the mountains around L.A. Wanted to buy it at REI for $375, but they couldn't keep them in stock. So I had to pay $399 at a map shop, but...

Pros: Digital compass, good base map, WAAS, and LOTS of other features

Cons: Loses reception if not facing skyward.

The Bottom Line: Compact design and loads of features make this GPS receiver a winner.

Review: I have had my Vista for almost a year and I have been extremely happy with it. I bought it primarily to do geocaching, so I would consider myself a casual user. It is loaded with features, too many to talk about here in detail, but I will comment on...

Pros: 24MB, Waterproof, large backlit display, compass, trip computer, PC interface

Cons: powerup time, indoor reception

The Bottom Line: Overall, I am very happy with the Garmin Vista, and my father's Legend model with 8 MB RAM isn't bad either.

Review: When you travel as much as I do, and move from place to place, having a GPS with you can be a real timesaver.

This model is Garmin's top of the line for handheld units. It has 24 MB memory compared to the Legend's 8 MB, and a built in...

Pros: built-in compass, barometer, large memory, waterproof

Cons: no cons, really!

The Bottom Line: Very happy with it. Great device for outing or in vehicle. RECOMMENDED!

Review: This review is more as comparison to G armin eTrex Legend which I owned previously. I bought this device second hand at around US$200 after selling away my Legend at the same price. Why I wanted to upgrade is just ...

Pros: Features, size, waterproof, mapping, altitude profiles, multiple tracklogs

Cons: $, battery life is short

The Bottom Line: Best "tracklog" of any GPS, loaded with features, if you have any interest in a handheld GPS you must check out the Vista!

Review: I had been researching and wishing for a GPS receiver for a couple of years. I just could not seem to justify spending that much money for something that is not essential. This Christmas my wife surprised me with a GPS, a Garmin etrex Vista!
The...

Pros: Small, Lightweight, Feature packed

Cons: Add on software is expensive and of questionable value

The Bottom Line: Best handheld I found after extensive research, and I've been very pleased with it's performance.

Review: I compared the Garmin Line with the Magellan Line - Garmin eTrex series is much smaller and lighter than equivalent Magellan (or other brand)handheld GPS receviers and the screen size is almost the same (slightly smaller in one direction). Considering...

Pros: FUN, ACCURATE, EASY TO USE, COMPLETELY EXPANDABLE, SMALL, IT'S A MUST FOR BACKPACKERS.

Cons: I only have one.

The Bottom Line: Buy it. Then log onto Geocaching.com and find a whole world of GPS fun. You will get your moneys worth and then some.

Review: This product is the best thing I have ever seen. I use it for everything from driving to school in the morning to hiking in Glacier National Park. It is accurate, fun, and reliable. I would suggest getting the car accessories for it.

If you...

Pros: Maps, altimeter, speed measurement, timer, everything!!!!

Cons: Screen Size is a bit small, reception through trees

The Bottom Line: I would highly recommend this devise to anyone and everyone who hikes, bikes or enjoys walking for fun.

Review: My friend talked me into getting this devise. I really thought it was silly to need a devise that tracked your exact location at all times, you altitude, and speed. I was really not expecting to use this very much, but boy was I wrong.

I...

Pros: Lots of features, light, waterproof, okay+ reception and battery life.

Cons: Slow downloads of maps to Vista.

The Bottom Line: The eTrex Vista is a great GPS unit, especially for out-of-car use. I highly recommend it.

Review: The eTrex Vista has a lot of good features, but when I read reviews on Epinions some people were concerned about battery life and reception. It was still the best GPS I could find for my needs, so I bought one. So far I am pleased beyond my expectation ...

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

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

The Bottom Line: Trail navigation, hiking & teaching nav. skills: Buy It. Finding streets in your car: Don't Buy It.

Review: 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 ...