The lightweight and compact Garmin eTrex Vista HCx is built for rugged outdoor use in mind. No matter how tough the enviornment, the WAAS-enabled high-sensitivity reciever can determine your exact location, even in canyons and thick foliage.
The Vista HCx is also equipped with a host of other features such as a barometric altimeter, electronic compass, microSD card slot and automatic routing for wherever you may rome. The Vista HCx handheld navigator features a bright color screen for easy visibility in all lighting.
The included barometric altimeter can be used to track changes in pressure to determine your exact altitude, or it can be used to plot barometric pressure over time, keeping you alert to changing weather conditions.
Adding maps to your eTrex Vista HCx is very easy thanks to the Vista HCx’s microSD card slot. Just plug in optional preloaded microSD cards with MapSource data for your land and sea trips. Getting map data is as easy as inserting a MapSource card with detailed street maps. The Vista HCx provides turn-by-turn directions to your destination. The microSD card slot is inside the waterproof battery compartment, so in the event of wet weather, you don’t have to worry about damage to your card.
What Comes With It?
Inside the box, you will receive… eTrex Vista HCx, basemap, MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager software, USB cable, wrist strap, quick start guide, user’s manual.
Product Benefits & Features
- High-Sensitivity, WAAS-Enabled GPS Receiver Provides Peak Performance In Any Environment
- Lightweight, Compact & Waterproof
- Features A 1.7-InchH X 1.3-InchW Screen With 256-Level Color Tft
- Built-In Basemap With Automatic Routing Capability
- Connects To Computer’S Usb For High-Speed Map Downloads
- Integrated Electronic Compass
- Integrated Barometric Altimeter
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D. Adams's Rating:
A nice little trail or road GPS. With the correct maps it’ll navigate turn-by-turn or just wherever you walk. You can have multiple maps loaded on it at once (I currently have City Navigator 2009 and Topo. 2008.) Sensitivity is good. It can obtain a lock quite quickly and almost never drops it. Connectivity is basic mini-USB (no special cables for interface or external power) Two AA batteries seem to last forever.
And now…a few bad things. Turn-by-Turn navigation doesn’t seem to be quite as good as a car GPS. It’ll even take different routes than another Garmin. Menu’s are a tad confusing and take some time getting used to, especially going through the maps. Button layout is alright, but some of the keys seem a bit too stiff and are difficult to use without fumbling the GPS around a little (though I do have rather large hands).
Also, one thing I should probably bring up, the micro-SD slot seemed to get jammed once when I was putting a card in. I don’t know if the lock got stuck in the locked position, but I couldn’t get the card inserted. I finally did get it in, but I still don’t think the slot feels quite right when putting the card in… But, all interfacing the card can be done by USB so it no longer needs to be removed…
Well, all in all, I think this device deserves a strong 4 stars.
Mark Lienert's Rating:
I’ve owned this unit for about a month now and used it several times for geocaching. It’s been working great for me and I love the color screen. If you are outside and you have WAAS enabled, this thing will be accurate to about 7 to 9 feet! The electronic compass is a nice feature too. The battery life is also very impressive. The basemap is not too detailed, but that’s to be expected. It’s a shame to have to spend another $99 for the street mapping software. I haven’t shelled out the money for that yet, but I am considering it.
I would also recommend getting some kind of clear screen protector for the screen. They also make a vinyl carrying case which has a clear plastic screen cover built-in. Anything to keep the screen from getting scratched.
All in all, it’s a great GPS receiver for the money.
K. Beitler's Rating:
I bought this for use with my boy scout troop ( OK that’s what I told the wife). The TOPO maps are a must. It doesn’t work very well as a street navigator but that’s not what it’s for.
We used it to navigate around Washington D.C. and while walking around it was great to be able to just pick a monument and walk right to it. Driving was another story. It wanted to take the shortest route and guided us to roads that were closed but that was before the TOPO software so I am unsure of how it would work for driving now. It was clumsy for driving though. We eventually bought a Garmin Nuvi for the car and now we have the best of both worlds. If you want it for the woods and your willing to drop another $90 for the map software this is for you. If your hoping to use it on the road too maybe its not the right choice it works but you could kill a fly with a hammer too.
Bigfoot's Rating:
I started out with the original yellow eTrex years ago. From there I migrated through the Venture, Legend, GPSMAP 60Cx, and now to the Vista HCx. The 60C(S)x series has a SiRF GPS chipset, whereas these new eTrex HCx models are rumored to carry the MTK GPS chipset. Well, whatever Garmin has placed in these new high-sensitivity eTrex units is amazing. Battery life is phenomenal — using cheap alkaline cells I’m getting over 24 hours of use with the Vista HCx (w/minimal backlight use). Sitting inside near a window I’m regularly seeing +- 9 foot accuracy. Comparing the Vista HCx to my GPSMAP 60Cx they are both close in performance, with the edge going to the Vista HCx for both satellite reception and battery life. The small form-factor is a plus, too. The only negative comment I have is that due to the additional pixels in the screens for the HCx models, viewing them indoors or in the shade with no backlight is difficult. However, outside in the sun they are bright and crisp, as well as when the backlight is on. This GPS is a keeper!