Handheld GPS Reviews - Customer reviews - GARMIN Etrex Vista HCx GPS Receiver

Manufacturer: Garmin

List Price: $299.99
Our Price: Too low to display
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Refurbished Price: $214.99
Used Price: $150.00

Average Customer Rating: -

Product details

Offers (80)

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Spotlight customer reviews:

Name: J. Vila
Location: NJ
Date: 2007-08-15
Customer Rating: -

Summary: So far very happy with the HCX as my first GPS unit
Comment: I was pleased with my purchase from Amazon - they seemed to have one of the best prices and best shipping FREE! And it came pretty quick too.

It's my first GPS unit - so I can't compare it to any other, nor do I really know how to use it to its full potential, but so far I love it.

Yes, it only comes loaded with Base Maps, but so far that's fine by me. I find my way so far with the major highways using it in the car, and was able to use it on the boat in the Cape May/Delaware Bay area with the coastline - that was nice! All Garmins seem to be that way with just the base map and the description says so as well. I will continue to use it as is until I can decide which map set(s) is what I need. That's one downside to the unit, city maps and topo are a little expensive, and blue charts are really expensive.

I haven't had a problem with satellite coverage yet, but I haven't been in woody areas.

I would have given this 5 stars but:
1) I couldn't rate this as 5 stars when I can't compare it to previous experiences of these devices or knowing full potential of gps systems and knowing what this might be lacking.
2) I completely was aware of the additional costs of maps, but still not too happy about that.

Name: Perry W. Stout
Location:
Date: 2008-04-13
Customer Rating: -

Summary: eTrex Vista HCx worthy successor to eTrex Vista C
Comment: I purchased my Vista HCx to replace my Vista C, which at three years of age was beginning to show signs of case wear. The HCx is almost identical to the C in form and function, and conversion to the more capable device was therefore easy. If you like the Vista C you will love the HCx, since installing a 2 GB Micro SD memory card in this unit can theoretically provide 80 times the map storage capacity of the 24 MB Vista C.

The biggest challenge was loading maps onto the HCx. I own Topo USA 2008 and it seemed "reasonable" to transfer the entire database into my handheld. I immediately ran into two limits. First, the Topo USA 2008 dataset is approximately 3.8 GB, which required choices regarding which maps would go onto the handheld. After editing out the flat center of the United States, I ran into limit number two--the HCx can only recognize 2025 map files. My 2 GB mapset was composed of over 3,000 map files, which forced another edit session. Eventually I decided to load Hawaii and the West into the handheld (I live in California and vacation and travel in WA, OR, NV, ID, MT, and UT from time to time). I eventually selected some 2000 map files which use approximately 1 GB of memory.

Data transfer was painful--apparently the HCx uses USB 1.1 for data transfer, not USB 2.0. The unit took 1.5 hours to set up the transfer file, and another 1.5 hours to actually transfer the information. Hence the data transfer itself took over three hours, which was in addition to the two hours or so I spent working with Topo USA and discovering the maximum file limits of the HCx. At least I should not have to transfer data again any time soon.

Given the current file limits of the HCx I probably would not bother buying a 2 GB Micro SD card if I had a chance to do things over--a 1 GB card should be perfectly adequate.

I think the unit is probably worth its $330 suggested retail price, and it is definitely worth the steeply discounted price I found on Amazon.

Name: DadeCityCharlie
Location:
Date: 2007-09-25
Customer Rating: -

Summary: Not half bad
Comment: I'm new to GPS and Garmin. I bought it because i was interested in the Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass and thought i'd check out GPS.

I ordered it on Tuesday and got it on Friday with the standard shipping. I was surprised by how small the whole thing is but the screen is very clear and easy to read. It took less then a minute to find the satellites. It took a while to figure out how to use it because i'm not much on reading directions but is easy to learn.

The base map is not very detailed regarding roads. Only details available are state highways and interstate highways. The map does do well with the names of towns. I decided to purchase City Navigator. It seems kind of expensive but there's not much choice. I saw a few programs where you can make your own maps but the process seemed kind of complicated for a newbie.

The unit itself is very nice. I like all the different data it can give. I'm not sure how accurate all of it is but it seems fine for my needs. I will do some hiking and biking but mostly use it for driving.

It does seems to be a bit of a battery hog. I use Radio Shack green NIMH batteries and they lasted for about 8 hours.

I do look forward in learning all it can do.

Name: Ed Carr
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Date: 2007-10-24
Customer Rating: -

Summary: The Vista Hcx is Okay
Comment: I chose this model based on a review here. The basic map is just that, basic. I guess Garmin makes it money on all the maps you must buy in order for the unit to really shine. Someday I spend as much as I did for this unit on maps... so keep that in mind. Well, Geocaching is a blast, probably easier with a Topo Map.

Name: M. Castle
Location:
Date: 2008-06-02
Customer Rating: -

Summary: City Navigator Download & Bicycle Mount
Comment: I like my HCx and other reviewers have detailed the pros and cons. I don't understand why the HCx can't profile altitude as accurately as the Vista C. I give this a four star because Garmin does such a poor job of documentation.

First, the bike mount. DO NOT buy the Garmin handlebar mount ((Garmin 010-10267-00). It won't work with the HCx. Instead, buy the rail-mount kit (Garmin 010-10496-00 for small handlebar or 010-10496-01 for larger handlebar). If you do a Google search, use rail-mount and not handlebar mount.

I am a GPS novice and this is intended for folks like me. If you bought a preloaded SD card, you can ignore the rest of this. If you have a DVD with City Navigator (v8 in my case) and want to download it to an HCx, this may help. I already had a certified DVD with City Navigator (came with my GPS 18 USB program for laptops) and bought a Vista HCx along with a blank 2 GB micro SD (BTW, SD cards greater than 2 GB won't work with the HCx). Garmin allows you to install City Navigator on two units. I spent several hours on the Web trying to find out how to download City Navigator to the HCx. I finally called Garmin support and, after the obligatory twenty-minute wait, talked with a very helpful person named Chris. Here's what he told me:

First, you have to go through the process of unlocking the map for the GPS unit (I had already done that -go to the Garmin Website follow the instructions). This is the sequence to download City Navigator.

1. Turn on the HCx and connect it to your computer with the cable
included in the kit.

2. In MapSource, make sure that upper left box is set to City Navigator
(not Trip & Waypoint Manager).

3. In the top tool bar, click on Map Scale and zoom out to 1500 miles.

4. In the top tool bar, click on the Map Tool (funny looking icon that
resembles a square).

5. With the mouse, move the icon to the upper left corner of the map.
Hold the left mouse button and move it to the bottom right corner.
This will create a box with the entire map inside. Anywhere is fine as
long as the entire map is within the box.

6. In the top tool bar, click TRANSFER. In the dropdown menu, click
"Send to device". You may have to choose your GPS from a menu. If
you download the entire map, (about 1.5 GB), it will take an hour.

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