GARMIN 010-00630-00 ETREX® VISTA® GPS RECEIVER Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought think unit several months ago.On a fishing trip back in September 2008, it all of a sudden stopped getting signal.I contacted Garmin support when I got home and followed their instructions to fix the problem.It still didn't work.I called customer support again, and they told me to send the unit in for repairs.I had to pay the shipping.A few weeks later, I got another unit in the mail with dirt encased in the buttons, scratches on the screen, and nicks in the casing (worse condition than the unit I sent in).The "lightly used" unit functions pretty well, but has frozen on several occasions.I contacted Garmin and told them that this was a poor exchange policy, and they essentially told me to deal with it.
This unit does not function as well as other reviews have suggested.It is not any faster than other GPS's in terms of picking up signal.The maps are also pretty rudimentary.I will say that the battery life is quite long and it is pretty easy to use.
Given the terrible customer support (I was on hold20-30 minutes each time I called), and the fact that the unit's function is equivalent to other GPS's on the market, I would highly recommend against purchasing this product.

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Product Description:
HIGH-SENSITIVITY, WAAS-ENABLED GPS RECEIVER PROVIDES PEAK PERFORMANCE IN ANY ENVIRONMENT; LIGHTWEIGHT, COMPACT & WATERPROOF; FEATURES A 1.7inchH X 1.3inchW SCREEN WITH 256-LEVEL COLOR TFT DISPLAY; BUILT-IN BASEMAP WITH AUTOMATIC ROUTING CAPABILITY; CONNEC

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Magellan eXplorist 200 - GPS receiver - hiking Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought one of these low-end GPS systems for use outdoors and was very impressed with the no-frills but quality menu design and simple and intuitive operation.

I've taken the Explorist on a number of trips and found that it did well when I was driving along with the GPS unit sitting on my dash or when wandering in the Sierras where I live. I took it on a trip to San Francisco with my girlfriend and we used it to navigate us back to my parking spot with zero difficulties. Don't let the low price fool you... Magellen did a nice job with this little beauty. I have dropped it a number of times, once it fell about 20 feet and survived with zero marks and works as good as new.

I've also used the unit to find my way on back-woods trails and to mark my positions and visited checkpoints. Takes a bit of re-learning to get used to setting checkpoints, but once you get the hang of it, this tool shines and does a good job of getting you back to where you started.

Last year, I used it to help chart our course when I was blocker for the company motorcycle group on our yearly ride. I don't drive motorcycles but drive my sports car as the water and luggage hauler and general navigation and electronics/communications support person. The Explorist came through repeatedly in showing us our exact location and kept us from taking a few wrong turns. I coupled the Explorist with pre-printed maps with coordinates printed on them so that it was quite clear where we were at all times.

While the color displays on GPS units are neat, the black and white display on the Explorist does seem to sip battery power lightly and I was getting about 2 - 3 days of use out of batteries with near constant usage. On the motorcycle trip I kept the unit powered down until I needed to check position, so for a ten day trip, I only changed batteries once. I'd recommend using the newer rechargables with 15 minute charge time to save $$$.

The only thing I wish was a bit different would be the little steel screw that you have to twist off to get the battery compartment open. Not sure why they make the little twist piece so hard to get big fingers around, but a small sharp tool or hook is all you need to pull that piece out and then you can twist the screw off. The big thing is to NOT lose that screw once you have the case apart!

I do thing it is a good investment to get a small leather pouch for the GPS so that you do bang it around too badly in rough terrain. Yes, it is extremely tough and well built, but hey, it cost $$$ and why not keep it looking good? ;>)

There is also a small hole at the top for threading a strap through so you won't lose the GPS. Suggest a bit of leather cord to push through and hook to a belt or whatever.

Perhaps one day I'll replace the GPS for a more capable unit, but for now, this thing really does the job and I'm pleased with it.I consider it an essential travel tool now.

5 stars - Well built and for the money, quite the steal. My hat is off to Magellen!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Magellan eXplorist 200 - GPS receiver - hiking

Product Description:
Meeting your more advanced navigational needs, eXplorist 200 features TrueFix technology, an 8 MB built-in background map plus the ability to save up to 5 track log files, 500 points of interest and 20 routes. The built-in map includes roads, parks, waterways and more, to help you find your way. Put the power of easy-to-use and affordable GPS in your pocket.

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Lowepro 3.5-Inch Navi Handheld GPS Carrying Case (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This carabiner clip case is styled after the chalk bags rock climbers use and is marketed towards outdoorsy types and people on the go who may not always have both hands free. The vertically-oriented chalk bag hangs off your belt loop or other strap and the drawstring opening allows you quick, one-handed access to your device. Instead of fumbling with a zipper, you can just reach down, stick your hand through the elastic opening and pull out your unit. I prefer carabiner-style bags over other kinds of bags (like shoulder straps) because of the convenience and outdoorsy feeling I get wearing them, almost like a side arm. I don't have to fish through my pockets or backpack when I need the device.

Soft and cushiony, the neoprene bag protects your device against scratches, accidental drops, and other mishaps. One potential flaw, however, is with the way the carabiner is attached. The clip itself is metal and very strong, but where it meets the bag, it is not sufficiently ruggedized. Instead of a riveted eyelet or a thick strap of ballistic cloth with reinforced stitching, it is a thin piece of nylon material sewn into the neoprene skin (see my photos in the gallery). It does not look like it can take much punishment. An accidental yank or a snag against an object (like a door handle or hook) might cause the stitching to rip. This is only really of concern in outdoor environments where trees and branches might be sticking out, but since this bag is marketed towards such users, I am flagging it as a consideration.

Also, as mentioned by other reviewers, the spare battery compartment is too tight. It fits 2 AAA batteries perfectly, end to end, but not 2 AA batteries. They have to be crammed in there and forced closed.

Overall, an attractive bag that is convenient if you like the chalk bag design. It also fits iPods, digital cameras, and other mp3 players. If you prefer a zippered, non-carabiner version, Lowepro has the Lowepro 4.3-Inch Navi Sleeve GPS Carrying Case (Black).

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Product Description:
Lowepro's protective 3.5 Navi Bag takes an inventive approach to hitting the trail, or anywhere, with your handheld GPS device. Portable, rugged and easy to access with a handy drawstring and toggle closure, the bag is made of stretchy neoprene for a snug and protective fit. Soft interior fabric protects the touchscreen from dust, scratches and abrasion. Use the extra-sturdy carabiner to clip the 3.5 Navi Bag to any belt, strap or loop. A built-in, zippered side pocket holds two AA-sized batteries—an ideal solution when you need spares for a long hike.

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Garmin eTrex Handlebar Mount Bracket Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The mount consists of two pieces.One piece fastens onto your handlebars.It attaches very firmly and will prevent the unit from moving even over the roughest terrain.The other piece replaces the standard battery compartment cover on the GPS. When you want to mount the GPS to your bike you just snap the two components together.
I was impressed by the quality of the pieces and suspect that it will be very durable. I only have two negative comments regarding this design.First, the handlebar mounting piece is tightened on via a screw.I have a road and a mountain bike and will want to switch the unit between the two.I would have preferred some sort of quick release mechanism that does not require the use of tools. Secondly, I wish that the battery cover did not have to be replaced with the new one.The one that comes with the bike mount is not rubberized and it has a clip on it that could catch on things.That means that you'll want to put the original cover back on the GPS if you want to use it as a hand-held.Having to use two different covers means that there is just one more piece that you'll need to remember to bring on your trips - and one more thing to possibly lose somewhere.
Despite these gripes, I am very impressed with the mount and can recommend it.

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Product Description:
Now securing your GPS onto the handlebar of your bike is a snap with Garmin's Bicycle Mount Bracket for Etrex/Summit. This bicycle mount fits bars up to 1 inch in diameter and is a safe, secure way to take your GPS with you. It's also great for motorcycles and ATVs. The Garmin Bicycle Mount Bracket comes with hardware and instructions.

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Garmin eTrex Vista H Handheld GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this GPS unit to prepare for a Garmin GPS class I was asked to teach.I own several GPS units and I am a GPS/GIS professional focussing on training and consulting. I usually restrict my GPS usage to professional grade mapping equipment (Trimble, specifically) but I recently branched off into the world of recreational GPS to expand my training offerings.I've used the eTrex series GPS before and this Vista H unit is another nice addition to the line-up.Let me say that if I were buying an eTrex to use as my sole GPS unit, then I definitely would have opted for the color screen (Vista HC or HCx).The color screen adds a lot more bang for the buck.

Garmin has done a good job with these little units.The Vista is small, light-weight, and quick to respond. The new high-senstivity (that's what the 'H' stands for) receiver locks onto satellites very quickly.The internal compass and altimeter work very well and are easy to calibrate and turn on/off.On the negative side, something I find to be true for all of the eTrex models is that the operating system a bit clumsy to learn and I usually need to spend a good 5 minutes re-orienting myself to it when I use the eTrex in the field.I find that the buttons on the unit are not intuitivey laid out so it is hard to remember which one does what.Once I'm in the flow of using the eTrex, however, I can navigate through the pages/settings fairly easily -- it just requires those first few minutes of reaquainting myself each time.I would definitely recommend a bit of training before you use the unit -- especially if you plan to collect tracks.A common problem that Garmin users have is that their track log shows a long, continuous line on the map that connects -- with a straight line -- your new location to your last one.This can leave a long straight line on your map if, for example, you used the unit in Phoenix on your last hike and are now starting it up in Los Angeles.It's all about managing the track log.

The unit costs under $200 which is a great price.I like that I can collect points and lines (waypoints and tracks) that I can then add to Google Earth (directly) or to ArcGIS.The workflow for adding to ArcGIS is a bit convoluted as the GPS file format has to be converted first and that requires third-party tools.There are many of them out there, it's just a matter of trying them out and finding what works for you.

As a GIS professional, I find the Garmin model of buying base map data unuseful.The eTrex comes with a very basic base map.If you want more detail (topo maps, for example) then you must purchase these from Garmin. The base map you buy is only good for 1 GPS unit.So if you own multiple eTrex, for example, you must purchase the same data multiple times.In the world of GIS, once you acquire data -- such as topo base maps -- then it is yours to use as you want.With Garmin, you are not free to load your own data onto the GPS unit.

For the sake of comparison, I usually use my Trimble Juno SB unit for GPS hiking.This unit costs more (starting at $750) but it offers a professional workflow.This is not something that is important to most hikers, but it can make a world of difference to those using GPS for search and rescue, fire management, etc.The Juno is designed to collect GIS-ready GPS data which means you can collect points, lines, and polygons as well as attributes then export the data directly to shapefiles.Best of all, you can load your own data onto it -- imagery, existing shapefiles, CAD, and other file formats.The unit might cost more initially, but you are free to load whatever data you can acquire onto it and it allows you to quickly bring your GPS data into a GIS without having to manually enter attributes.You get to collect all of your user-defined attributes in the field while logging your GPS positions.

I would definitely recommend this unit as a basic mapping GPS unit though I would suggest spending a bit more to get the color screen.Also, if this is your first foray into GPS, invest in some basic training -- it will save you a lot of frustration and help you get the most out of your GPS unit.You can usually find a half-day Garmin training class by searching around the state parks and community college non-credit programs -- there are also online training courses you can find by doing a Google search.

Happy trails!
www.GeoMattix.com

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin eTrex Vista H Handheld GPS Navigator

Product Description:
Ideal for serious hikers and climbers, the rugged eTrex Vista H is an affordable, high performance GPS handheld featuring a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, detailed built-in basemap, USB interface (faster downloads), and 24MB of internal memory. In addition, the compact eTrex Vista H includes an electronic compass for continuous bearing information and a barometric altimeter for precise altitude. Put the great outdoors in the palm of your hand.

An affordable, high performance GPS handheld.


High-contrast, backlit 2.4-inch LCD display and 64 x 128 pixel resolution for clear map display. Click to enlarge.


The built-in electronic compass provides bearing information even while you're standing still. Click to enlarge.


Pinpoint Your Location--and Direction
The Vista H's barometric altimeter pinpoints your precise altitude, and its built-in electronic compass provides bearing information even while you're standing still.


The Vista H can also receive position corrections from the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), which makes its already-accurate positioning data even more reliable. In fact, when you turn on WAAS, you can increase the accuracy of Vista H's position reporting to within three meters. The device's high sensitivity means peak performance in any environment, from heavy foliage to deep canyons.


Add More Detail
The Vista H's basemap contains lakes, rivers, cities, interstates, national and state highways, railroads, coastlines, and landmarks. It also comes preloaded with marine navigation aids. And, with 24 MB of memory, you can add even more map detail with data from Garmin's entire line of MapSource mapping products (add maps in a snap with the high-speed USB connection).


24 MB is also plenty of room for waypoints, routes and saved tracks. The Vista H's automatic track log saves up to 10 tracks for retracing your path, and stores 20 routes with up to 125 waypoints per route.


See More Detail
With a high-contrast, backlit 2.4-inch LCD display, and 64 x 128 pixel resolution, you'll have no problem seeing your maps. The Vista H is compatible with mapping software including topographic maps, Bluechart and inland lake maps. It also includes built-in celestial tables for best times to hunt and fish.


Handheld Performer
The Vista H is engineered for comfortable, efficient handheld use. With its slim form factor, and weighing in at only 5.3 ounces with batteries, the Vista H is ready to go wherever you might take it. The four-way cursor provides smooth, one-hand operation, allowing you to move through menus and screens with ease. The rugged waterproof case (IPX7) gives you added protection against the elements, and a pair of AA batteries gets you up to 17 hours of use.


One-Year Warranty
The Vista H is backed by Garmin's one-year limited warranty for a little peace of mind while you're on the trail.


What's in the Box
eTrex Vista H, database (Marine Point Database), basemap, USB cable, lanyard, owner's manual, and quick start guide

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Garmin eTrex Summit HC Handheld GPS Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this unit for use on hikes, bike rides, and other similar outdoor activities.I've had it for a few months now, and overall, I'm only somewhat satisfied.Here's a list of pros and cons that have stuck with me so far:

Pros:
-easy to read/see color screen (even in bright sunlight)
-highly customizable screens (types and amount of data shown on each screen)
-fairly easy to learn and operate
-many features, including barometric altimeter and electronic compass

Now, the cons to this product may not be specific to this unit.It may be more a function of the limitations of GPS:

-inaccurate (sometimes highly) "tracking" of horizontal position or trail actually traveled (I've compared to trail maps and Google Earth visible trails, and some of my tracks are inexplicably way off)
-inaccurate barometric altimeter (sometimes hundreds of feet off.I've turned it on, and had elevation readings of -200 feet!!) which must be constantly calibrated.Also, if you calibrate at the bottom of a climb, by the time you reach the summit, it may be over 100' off.
-very inaccurate odometer data, and inconsistencies in the data.For example, I recently hiked Half Dome, which is 4800' vertical gain...this unit only registered 1500' total ascent, but the begin elevation and end elevation shown were well over 1500' different.Also, on the same Half Dome hike, the odometer read 5 miles hiked, but the track total registered a more accurate 8.3 miles.
-very "stiff" buttons.

Again, the inaccuracy may be a function of the limitations of GPS, but the odometer inaccuracies in terms of total distance, total ascent, descent, etc. was disppointing.Perhaps Garmin needs to come up with another way of calculating these values.I think a lot of these values are calculated using current horizontal and vertical velocity, which may be inaccurate at any given moment.With inconsistencies at any given moment, it is difficult for the unit to calculate the actual horizontal and vertical distance traveled.

In any case, overall, I would recommend this product for simple trail and waypoint marking.But it should be understood you will only get "general" information, and not anything resembling very accurate data.

**EDIT**Garmin released a firmware patch in Feb of '08, and it has really helped with the accuracy of certain data.The total ascent data is much more accurate now, often within 100' of actual climbed distance (that may not seem so great, but it was horrible before).Also, the distance measurements are better.When I save a track, the distance per the track is much more close to the odometer reading, usually within a mile for a 10-15 mile hike (which again, is just ok, but better than before).

Overall, the unit does seem to be more accurate in all ways now, perhaps due in part to this firmware update.Also, tracks seem to be more accurate in terms of comparing visually to maps.I'm more happy with the unit now, and would probably give it 4 stars if I reviewed it today.

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Product Description:
A staple among outdoor enthusiasts, Garmin's eTrex Summit HC provides peak performance in any environment, making it easy to navigate on the trail or atop the water. The unit is equipped with a high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver, which locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover and deep canyons. The advantage is clear: whether you're traipsing through thick woods or strolling near tall buildings and trees, you can count on the eTrex Summit HC to help you find your way when you need it the most. At the same time, the Summit HC's easy-to-use menu lets you create and view waypoints (up to 500), save and view 10 track logs, access setup features, and more. It even offers 24 MB of internal memory and a detailed basemap, so you can load waypoints and routes from the included MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager software and add map detail from Garmin's entire line of optional MapSource mapping products.
Besides appreciating its small size, boaters and outdoorsmen will also be happy with the Summit HC's unique button layout, with five buttons located on either side of the unit. The benefits of this design are twofold: First, the Summit HC is a breeze to operate with just one hand, and, second, with the buttons on both sides of the unit, the bulk of the front is dedicated to the 256-color, sunlight-readable TFT display. This makes it easy to distinguish map details regardless of the time of day.
The Summit HC also includes a built-in electronic compass that provides bearing information even when you're standing still, along with a barometric altimeter that tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude. You can even use the altimeter to plot barometric pressure over time, which can help you keep an eye on changing weather conditions. The Summit HC's basemap, meanwhile, contains lakes, rivers, cities, interstates, national and state highways, railroads, and coastlines--in short, a host of helpful details for your outdoor adventures.
Other features include an IPX7 waterproof housing, a built-in patch antenna, a TrackBack feature that lets you reverse your track and navigate back to your starting point, a USB interface, a hunt/fish calendar, and a geocaching mode. The Summit HC, which runs for up to 14 hours on a pair of AA batteries (not included), measures 2.2 by 4.2 by 1.2 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a one-year warranty.
What's in the Box
eTrex Summit HC, basemap, MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager software, USB cable, wrist strap, quick start guide, user's manual.

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Garmin eTrex Vista HCx Color High-Sensitivity Mapping Handheld GPS Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you are reading this and the other reviews of the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx then you are doing your homework and wondering if this GPS is as good as all the hype makes it out to be. The short answer is YES! I have an old Garmin 12 Map which has served me well, but was getting a bit long in the tooth. I wanted something a bit smaller, lighter, with color screen and was water tight. The Vista HCx meets all of these needs and so many more. It is small in size, but with a fairly big and bright screen (easily readable in the sun) for its size.
Every review I read touted the extra sensitive antenna and how it picked up and locked onto satellites inside of homes or buildings. Well I can honestly tell you that it does all this and does it quick. How this happens it Garmin magic. I was always told you had to have line of sight to pick up satellites, but not in the case of the Vista HCx, it can get them just about anywhere short of being in a bunker.
The menu is intuitive and easy to navigate, so much more that my old Garmin 12 map. The long story short, this little GPS is the one for everyone else to beat. If you are seriously considering a GPS purchase for hiking or navigating the back country, do not look elsewhere, this is the one to get!
The base maps in the Vista HCx are of course upgradeable through additional accessories purchases from Garmin (at substantial cost), but worth the money. How Garmin managed to pack so much into so little a package is a mystery to me. Do yourself a favor, stop reading the review and just buy one, you will not be disappointed.
BTW, I purchased mine through Amazon.com and took advantage of the free shipping. It arrived four days ahead of when it was scheduled to arrive which was a nice surprise. Amazon has a very good price and I have always been happy with my purchases through them. And no I am not getting paid to say these nice things about Amazon, I am just a very satisfied customer.

Dan...

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin eTrex Vista HCx Color High-Sensitivity Mapping Handheld GPS

Product Description:
Neither deep foliage nor steep canyons will faze the rugged Garmin eTrex Vista HCx navigator. Equipped with a high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver, the unit locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover. The advantage is clear: whether you're traipsing through thick woods or strolling near tall buildings and trees, you can count on the Vista HCx to help you find your way when you need it the most. The Vista HCx also includes a built-in electronic compass that provides bearing information even when you're standing still, along with a barometric altimeter that tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude. You can even use the altimeter to plot barometric pressure over time, which can help you keep an eye on changing weather conditions.
Adding maps to the Vista HCx is easier than ever thanks to the device's microSD card slot, which accepts cards preloaded with MapSource data for your land and sea excursions. Just insert a MapSource card with detailed street maps, and the Vista HCx will provide turn-by-turn directions to your destination. Plus, the card slot is located inside the waterproof battery compartment, so you needn't worry about it getting wet.
Besides appreciating its small size, users will also be happy with the Vista HCx's unique button layout, with five buttons located on either side of the unit. The benefits of this design are twofold: First, the Vista HCx is a breeze to operate with just one hand, and, second, with the buttons on both sides of the unit, the bulk of the front is dedicated to the 256-color, sunlight-readable TFT display. This makes it easy to distinguish map details regardless of the time of day.
The Vista HCx basemap, meanwhile, contains lakes, rivers, cities, interstates, national and state highways, railroads, and coastlines--in short, a host of helpful details for your outdoor adventures. Other details include an IPX7 waterproof housing, 1,000 waypoints with names and graphic symbols, a built-in patch antenna, a USB interface, a hunt/fish calendar, sun and moon information, and a geocaching mode. The Vista HCx, which runs for up to 25 hours on a pair of AA batteries (not included), measures 2.2 by 4.2 by 1.2 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a one-year warranty.
What's in the Box
eTrex Vista HCx, basemap, MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager software, USB cable, wrist strap, quick start guide, user's manual.

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