Garmin eTrex Vista HCx Handheld GPS Receiver

Pros: Includes most practical features I need. Easy to learn. Has contributed significantly to my safety.
Cons: Maps limited, somewhat outdated, content not supplemented easily by other vendors or net updates.

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 ...

Pros: Versatile and Full Featured compact unit in rugged case
Cons: Poor screen illumination, high price mark up outside the USA

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 ...

Pros: Great device; fun, accurate, and easy to use.
Cons: Poor reception in deep canyons; no external antenna.

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: 1,000 ten character waypoints, electronic compass, basemap
Cons: Battery life - carry spare batteries!

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. ...

Pros: Versatile unit, great accuracy.
Cons: Very small memory. Need to buy the expensive map sets.

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 ...

Pros: Small, lots of feature, nice display, detail base map
Cons: poor reception, no memory expansion

I bought this unit with Magellan Meridian at the same time so I can do a side-by-side comparison. (See my review for the Magellan Meridian on this site as well).
If you wondering why I pick up the top of the line eTrex along with low end Meridian...

Pros: Digital compass, good base map, WAAS, and LOTS of other features
Cons: Loses reception if not facing skyward.

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

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: Small Size, can upload/download data to your computer, easy to use, great software
Cons: Poor antenna reception, no provision for adding external antenna, awkward for one-hand use

I've had my eTrek Vista for almost a year, and overall it is a capable unit. I use it mostly for hiking, but have used it in my car on occasion.

The Vista runs on two AA batteries, or can be powered via an interface cable to through a...

Pros: Reliable, functional, fits in a pocket
Cons: Not color

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 ...

Pros: Small, lightweight, waterproof, large memory, electronic compass, barometric altimeter
Cons: Slow serial connection, battery life a bit short, no connection for external antenna

I had originally picked up a Garmin ETrex Venture, which is physically identical to the Vista, however only has a 1mb built-in points of interest database, and has no ability to load in mapsets (point data only).

I decided that if I was going...

Pros: Small, lightweight, good display, lots of memory
Cons: Short battery life, weak GPS signal

I have never owned GPS before so I have no frame of reference for comparison.

Here is what I use it for:
- As I drive around I mark places that I frequently go to. I have downloaded the street level maps for my city and surrounding area...

Pros: Features, size, waterproof, mapping, altitude profiles, multiple tracklogs
Cons: $, battery life is short

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: With a map, this thing makes you a foolproof navigator. It's SMALL.
Cons: With map, I'm already a foolproof navigator. Sat reception, battery life are lame

Bought this for military use, to augment the GPS I'll get when I deploy. Here's the basic features: **About the size of a cell phone, with a 2"x1.5" black and white high res backlight (when you need it) screen. **Has 5 buttons on the sides and a ...

Pros: built-in compass, barometer, large memory, waterproof
Cons: no cons, really!

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 ...