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Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS Bundle
Item # 769532For your reference, this page contains historical product information.
Purchase the powerful Garmin eTrex Vista HCx in this convenient bundle pack and get lots of accessories at a low package price.
- Bundle includes: Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS receiver, Topo 2008 DVD, 128MB MicroSD™ card and carrying case
- High-sensitivity chipset delivers super-fast signal acquisition and lock for reception in narrow valleys, dense woodlands and urban jungles
- Expandable memory has unlimited potential with the addition of larger sizes of microSD cards (sold separately)
- Upload detailed maps via USB interface (cable included); power is supplied through interface
- 256-color TFT technology produces a bright, sunlight-readable display
- Electronic compass provides accurate bearing while standing still
- Precise barometric sensor with pressure recording tracks elevation gain and loss, as well as weather trends
- Comes preloaded with U.S. basemap; accepts detailed maps from MapSource® software (sold separately)
- Follow 50 reversible routes with 1,000 user waypoints with names and graphic symbols
- Audible alarms for anchor drag, arrival, off-course, proximity waypoint and clock
- Trip computer calculates current and average speed, sunset and sunrise, trip time and distance
- Weatherproof case keeps unit functioning in wet conditions; waterproof to IEC 529 lPX7 standards
- WAAS-enabled (Wide Area Augmentation System) receiver delivers sub-3m accuracy
- Two AA batteries supply up to 32 hrs. of typical use (batteries sold separately)
- Compatible with most MapSource products including BlueChart®, City Select® and U.S. TOPO 24K
- Also comes with PC/USB interface cable, MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager DVD, lanyard, owners manual and quick reference guide
Imported.
Item 769532
Related Items:
Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS Bundle Specs
Specification | Description |
| Position accuracy | WAAS-enabled 3 meters |
| Routes | 50 |
| Waypoints (total) | 1,000 |
| Memory | microSD card slot |
| PC Compatible | Yes |
| Compass | Yes |
| Altimeter | Yes |
| Color screen | Yes |
| Quad helix antenna | No |
| Compact antenna | High sensitivity |
| Display size | 1.7 x 1.3 inches |
| Screen Pixels | 220 x 176 |
| Battery type | 2 AA |
| Battery life at 70 degrees | 32 hours |
| Dimensions | 4.2 x 2.2 x 1.2 inches |
| Weight | (GPS unit) 5.6 ounces |
Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS Bundle Customer Reviews
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
- Compact (11)
- Long battery life (10)
- Reliable (10)
- Easy to read (9)
- Strong construction (8)
Cons
- Complicated controls (4)
Best Uses
- Hiking (12)
- Travel (7)
- Geocaching (6)
- Adventure (5)
- Auto (4)
- Primary use:
- Personal (12)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Outdoor enthusiast (11), Technically savvy (7)
Reviewed by 13 customers
Sort by
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Read
- Easy To Set Up
- Reliable Performance
- Simple Controls
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Software
Best Uses
Comments about Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS Bundle:
This is a great unit, IF you own a PC. The text in the product listing does not make it clear that it is ONLY compatible with a PC, even though Garmin does offer same software in a MAC compatible format. It would seem to me the simple answer would be to have a drop down box with Mac or PC as different ordering selection. Otherwise a killer unit... I have an older B&W Garmin Legend. The high access and color is great and the bundle price is decent.
- How long have you owned it:
- A month or less
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Read
- Long Battery Life
- Reliable Performance
Cons
- Complicated Controls
Best Uses
- Adventure
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Travel
Comments about Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS Bundle:
Great little unit. My wife uses it, and its performance is comparable to my Garmin 60 CSX. It's a full-featured unit, so it might take a little while for a GPS newbie to get the hang of it. But the learning curve is definitely worth it.
- How long have you owned it:
- One-to-three months
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Set Up
- Long Battery Life
- Reliable Performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Hiking
Comments about Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS Bundle:
Got this as a gift about a month ago and took it on a long weekend section hike of the PCT in socal. I'm still very much a novice user, but I've seen several things I both like and dislike so far.
On the plus side, the memory card holds a very impressive amount of data! I was able to load all the topos in California for everything south of Lake Tahoe and still have room to spare. I also found the MapSource software easy to learn and use. On the trail, the unit would quickly lock on a location when turned on and seemed very accurate (I was following with 7.5 paper maps). I played around with the track and route features, but it will take more experience to use these effectively.
There are a couple of things I've found annoying. First, you have to readjust the backlight level each time you turn it on. Would like it to save the last setting and start there. I also found the screen hard to read in most light, but that's probably more my boomer eyes than the unit. Also, plotting a route on a trail is very tedeous work either on the unit or with the software. A "trail based auto-route" feature would be a very worthwhile addition.
All in all, as a GPS novice, I feel that this bundle was a great addition to my safety and security on the trail. Knowing that I can quickly get an exact location and bearing at any time is real peace of mind to this old map & compass dog (but I don't plan to stop carrying them!)
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Read
- Easy To Set Up
- Long Battery Life
- Reliable Performance
- Simple Controls
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Travel
Comments about Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS Bundle:
I shopped and researched FOREVER and settled with the Vista HCX mainly because the package I bought incuded TOPO 2008. First off... A GPS IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE SOFTWARE YOU PUT ON IT so get ready to also buy City Navigator for another $100 or so. Once that's done, you'll have a great little toy that might save your life someday. I am very happy with my purchase.
- How long have you owned it:
- A month or less
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Compact
- Long Battery Life
- Reliable Performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Bicycling
- Hiking
- Travel
Comments about Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS Bundle:
This is a very nice GPS bundle for hikers or mountain bikers. Sensitivity in forests is much better than earlier Garmin GPS in this price range. [...]
- How long have you owned it:
- A month or less
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Read
- Long Battery Life
- Reliable Performance
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Complicated Controls
Best Uses
- Adventure
- Auto
- Boating
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Travel
Comments about Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS Bundle:
First, the elevation must be calibrated every use because it uses a barometer! So this is no surprise, and the calibration is extremely easy to do.
Second, the number of pages you have to flip through can easily configured.
This GPS is so configurable it's amazing. However, I wish it would allow you to save a configuration set. For example, one for the car and one for hiking. Second - I wish there was keypad / control lockout feature. It is especially an issue with the thumbstick being accidentally depressed if it's an a pocket or a case.
- How long have you owned it:
- More than six months
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Read
- Long Battery Life
- Reliable Performance
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Complicated Controls
Best Uses
- Auto
- Hiking
- Travel
Comments about Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS Bundle:
I have used this unit for hiking and driving. Only problem with the unit is the vast number of features and remembering the keystrokes required to get to the feature can be hard. You can't learn the system by just trying to do things. Download the Owner's Manual from the website and go through it page by page. You will discover many more useful features. Take the REI GPS field course and learn more. Just when I think "why doesn't it do this?" I figure out how to access that information. Ony problem is the high cost of the software. I have more $$ in software than the unit cost. Europe driving directions cost $$$. Never have had any reception problems. Works in the car, indoors at home, and in canyons, but not in metal or concrete buildings, though. Great unit over all.
- How long have you owned it:
- More than six months
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Read
- Easy To Set Up
- Long Battery Life
- Reliable Performance
- Simple Controls
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Limited maps included
Best Uses
- Adventure
- Auto
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Travel
Comments about Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS Bundle:
We have enjoyed geocaching and this unit is compact, easy to read, and very accurate. We have learned a lot and are still learning. We have downloaded geocaching sites using the USB cable with no problems and have found most of them. The ones we didn't find wasn't the GPS fault as some have changed coordinates. This unit can do everything but talk to you about navigation. It also has a memory slot which allowed me to download the eastern US roads and streets and it looks like it can probably hold the whole USA on a 1GB memory card. So far we are very happy with our purchase of the Legend HCx.
- How long have you owned it:
- A month or less
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Greatb Displays
Cons
- Software Bugs
Best Uses
- Hiking
Comments about Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS Bundle:
Update 2.60 for this unit has corrected some of the initial problems with the distance calculation and with the battery monitor when using lithium batteries. There remains a dicrepancy between the distance displayed on the Computer Page and the distance shown on the Saved Track Page by about 10%. Another remaining bug is in the elevation function. The elevation HAS TO BE CALIBRATED each time the unit is powered on OR IT DOES NOT WORK! The units positive qualities are its increased receiver sensitivity and its great color screens. It tracks well and never loses satellite lock even in canyon bottoms, forrests or inside of buildings.
- How long have you owned it:
- One-to-three months
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Read
- Long Battery Life
- Reliable Performance
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Complicated Controls
Best Uses
- Adventure
- Geocaching
- Hiking
Comments about Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS Bundle:
This product is great for geocaching and allows you to store your finds in one convenient location. The hardest part about this product is the vast number of screens that you have to flip through to get the one you are looking for. I use this product primarily for geocaching and the ease of use for this is great. I recommend this product for someone with enough patience to read the manual. Once you have the basic functions down then play around with it. This Garmin can be a challenge, but for the money and the accuracy you cannot beat it.
- How long have you owned it:
- More than six months
- Primary use:
- Personal
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