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 (81)

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Spotlight customer reviews:

Name: R. Metzger
Location:
Date: 2007-11-30
Customer Rating: -

Summary: Fantastic, Very satisfied
Comment: I will keep this as short as possible. The only drawback is the small screen, but that's what you sacrifice for extreme portability and honestly, it doesn't bother me that much.

I'm in Iraq and most civilian GPS systems and even some of our own can't get a signal inside our armored trucks w/o an external antenna, but this one can even without the high-sensitivity feature turned on. I've taken it out on four patrols for a total running time of about 36hrs and the batteries only read half-drained. Granted they're lithium batteries and I use the backlight VERY sparingly, but still, very impressed.

It's everything I would want in a GPS, I had the RINO and while that was nice, this is so much better since I RARELY used the radio feature. It's worth the money, shop around, I found mine for just over $200 new.

If you don't already know, the loaded maps are sparse, so don't expect a lot of detail w/o shelling out some cash for new maps, but that's the case with any GPS.

Bottom line, great product, Garmin impresses me again. If it's good enough for me in Iraq, I don't see where this bad-boy would fail.

Name: Paul
Location: Encinitas, CA
Date: 2007-10-17
Customer Rating: -

Summary: Awesome GPS!
Comment: I had high expectations for this GPS (eTrex Vista HCX) and I've been very happy with it's performance and features. I powered it up (after eagerly tearing the box open) and it wasn't long before I was out finding geocaches with my buddies. I mostly use it for geocaching, but also use it for navigating around town and when I'm out of town in unfamiliar areas. I bought a 1GB microSD card and downloaded the maps, which makes the GPS even more of a really good general navigation tool.

I've had the eTrex Vista HCX now about month and am at the point where it's intuitive for me to configure, adjust and use in different modes. I use road-following mode when I'm on the road going somewhere new and want road info, then I use the off-road mode when I'm hiking or geocaching and want "direct to-the-target" information. The size is very nice, small enough to shove in my pocket if I want to and the screen is plenty big and has easy-to-use zoom and scrolling controls. The USB cable is very handy for downloading maps or geocache coords. The color screen is very nice. When I was deciding on a GPS I didn't think I needed the color screen, but I ended up getting it because it came with the model that offered an electronic compass and altimeter, features I definitely wanted. It turns out the color is very nice and I'm really glad I got it. Overall, I think this is a very capable, fun, compact, easy to use GPS, especially for under $250 on Amazon.

Paul (in Encinitas, CA)

Name: T. L. Guse
Location: Minnesota United States
Date: 2008-07-13
Customer Rating: -

Summary: Best Trail GPS
Comment: This is the best trail GPS I have owned. I have been using it for a few months now and here is what I have observed:

1. Battery power is a big one for me. This gets the 25 hours that is says it gets. I often backpack camp for a few days at a time and don't like changing batteries all the time.

2. Size is great. If you have a case with a clip you can attach this to your pack or straps and it's barely noticeable.

3. The software and programming is a plus. You can easily make waypoints with the waypoint manager software. The on board software has many features as well. I tend to use tracking a lot. Geocaching management is built in. Maps are expandable if you use topo of street maps purchased seperately and are stored either on board or on the optional sd card card that can be put in.

My recommended additions for this product:

1. Get a solid case like the case from foarm. The one that comes with it is ok but if you do a lot of bushwhacking you'll was a more protective case.

2. Get a screen protector like InvisibleShield. It's worth the investment.

3. Since this is a trail GPS, buying the Topo 2008 DVD or whatever is current from Garmin is a plus and you won't regret it.

So overall an excellent product with room for expandability and is very durable. This is a perfect companion for hikers and backpackers.

Name: Peter J
Location:
Date: 2008-08-15
Customer Rating: -

Summary: So Far So Good
Comment: I haven't had any freeze-ups or lock-ups with my unit. I wanted the high sensitivity, the mass storage capability, and I thought the compass would be nice. So the Vista HCx fit the bill. Everything has worked as expected. I know the compass is a small feature, but I really like it, and my wife will like it when trying to tell me where to go. Occasionally, I can even get satellite signal in my office at work, which is like a cement basement with no windows. I knew that the mapping software was going to cost extra, so that wasn't a surprise. I recently found some legit and legal free road maps that work on this device though. The free maps won't offer nearly as much as City Navigator does, but it will work until I want to spend another $100. Cloudmade offers OSM maps in the img format. Create a folder on your MicroSD card called Garmin, download the map into the folder, then rename the map "gmapsupp.img" Then load the MicroSD card back in. I think doing it this way only allows for one map at a time. I don't know much about computers and have a mac so this was the easiest way for me to do it. It does take some playing around with to get used to all of the features. But I bought this as a toy not as something I need, so it's fun. This manual is pretty useless, but I have heard that some of the other manuals for different models that you can find online are much better. If I start experiencing lock-ups I will definitely add to my review.

Name: D. Mark Levin
Location:
Date: 2008-01-21
Customer Rating: -

Summary: The eTrex Vista HCx is a great bargain!
Comment: I bought the eTrex Vista HCx as a back-up to my Garmin Map60 CSx since it appeared to have most of the same features for about half the price. I was very pleased with my decision because this little brother of my other one works just as well and has all the really necessary features as the more expensive model. In fact I can't see that it is missing any features except a way to plug it into a cigarette lighter for power or a way to hook up an external antenna--two features I really don't need.

I like its small size (the antenna is built into the housing), the color screen is great and big enough to see, it handles a memory card, etc. It's easy to operate, though I find the Map60 CSx easier just because the buttons are on front and there are more of them. On the eTrex Vista HCx the buttons are on the side (except for the "joystick") and each button handles a couple of features. But with a little practice, it's just as easy and efficient as the Map60 CSx.

It's a fantastic GPSr--and a great value for the dollar. I highly recommend it.

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