Posted: 8/26/2008 11:09:47 AM EDT
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Okay, I'm very new to GPS receivers and would like one for a number of purposes (Hiking, Driving, Boating and Geocaching). I believe I've found a unit that (with the appropriate mapping software) will fit the bill. I'm seriously considering the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx. Does anyone have good/bad expierences with this unit? Is there another you'd recommend? |
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You can't go wrong with Garmin. The regular Vista receivers seem to have a bit of problems in deep canopy. The Vista HCx has a stronger receiver which should produce a quicker/stronger sat lock in those situations. That being said, I do not find any fault in the Vista HCx or regular Vista models 99.9% of situations. |
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If you want one for all purposes, you'll need two. Ones that are good for driving suck for hiking. United good for hiking, suck for driving. I just bought a Garmin Nuvi 205 that I have loaded 2008 MapSource Topo's to, it works great for driving and 4x4ing. I plan on getting either a Vista or maybe an Oregon model from Garmin for hiking. |
Truth. I have a summit HC for the hiking part. |
Based on what I've read, the foregoing rings true. FWIW I should have the Garmin Colorado by week's end. From what I hear, the preloaded base maps are worthless for street navigation. In order to utilize routing, one needs to buy City Navigator NT maps on top of that. I'm wondering if I should not have ponied up the extra cash for the Oregon... Ah well another interesting GPS thread here.... |
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You *could* use a handheld for street navigation but you're lacking two big things. Sound (as in turn by turn directions) And the interface based on POI's. If you have to constantly look at your unit for directions, you're not paying attention to the road. And the interface on POI's is important. You can load POI's into a hand held, but they take several button presses to locate. |
I agree that having both a car and hand-held GPS is ideal, but those concerns are not an issue with the Vista HCX loaded with Street Navigator or Metroguide software. The Vista HCX does have automatic routing, turn-by-turn capabilities. I upgraded hand-helds from an old Garmin Legend to a Vista HCX last fall, and could not be happier. The color screen is nice, uses less battery power than the Legend, has great features (barometric altimeter/electronic compass), and a vastly improved antenna - I've not had trouble receiving signals in basements, hotel rooms, canyons, thick foliage, etc. |
| A cheaper Etrex legend C will meet your needs from the sounds of it. I've got three handheld GPS's with mapping capability, all three do everything I want them to. Some are easier to get around the menus with and find features (especially if it's not intended for hiking or using advanced functions, i.e. dumb mode that everyone understands), but after all this time, the only real recommendation is that you don't get a model with an electronic compass (saps battery life) and that you get a color model because the B&W units are too hard to read at night when driving with the backlight on and you are tired. |