GARMIN 10-00243-00 Etrex Vista GPS Receiver Reviews

• Magellan Meridian vs. Garmin eTrex

  
  By A108PNZSATREKR on 2003-03-20
  I bought the Meridian Platinum and the Garmin Vista to do a technical comparison. They are both great units with similar price and features. I also tested the next level down: Meridian Gold and the Garmin Legend with similar results. Here's my take:

  If small size and high resolution are important to you, buy the Garmin.

  If you prefer a larger screen, larger buttons, a floating unit, or something that can be viewed beyond an armslength away, get the Magellan. If you require reading glasses, avoid the Garmin.

  Here is a list of specific comments:
  - Size: Garmin fits easily in a shirt pocket. Magellan is 114% larger by volume and is better suited for a fanny pack or large coat pocket.
  - Weight: Magellan is 51% heavier.
  - Display: Magellan display is 66% larger, viewable beyond an arm's length. Garmin not viewable beyond an arm's length.
  - Pixels: Garmin has over twice as many pixels.
  - Resolution: With the smaller display and higher pixel count, the Garmin screen resolution is about four times greater.
  - Both are waterproof. Magellan floats...Garmin doesn't.
  - Reception: Magellan had slightly better reception, probably due to larger internal antenna.
  - Screen protection: Magellan has a raised frame around display to help prevent scratches, but it also collects lots of dust on the screen as a result.
  - Maps/waypoints: Low resolution for the Magellan made small map features difficult to discern. Garmin much easier to read with a large variety of highly detailed map symbols/icons.
  - Features: Similar for both, but the Magellan had a few extras I liked: audible alerts for turns, a "windshield" navigation view with waypoints drawn in the "distance", a "speedometer" view with dial, sun and moon location displayed on the compass dial.
  - Buttons/knobs: Garmin's buttons are all on the sides and are very small. You won't be able to operate them with gloves. I like the little joystick for the left thumb very much, but folks with clumsy hands will not. Magellan's buttons are large, easy, and labelled.
  - Magnetic compass: Garmin must be held flat for this feature. Magellan's compass works in any position. (With motion, separate heading indicator works at any orientation on both units.)
  - Battery life and accuracy: About the same for both.
  - PC cable/DC car adapter: Garmin slides onto the back. Magellan has an awkward screw-in device.
  - Mapping Memory: Garmin has 24 MB ready for upload from mapping software (sold separately). Magellan requires additional memory card...
  - Owner's Manual: Garmin provides complete owner's manual. Magellan only provides a quick-start manual. Complete manual is electronic and divided into two files.
  - User interface: I found the Garmin software and menus to be slightly more intuitive.

  Result: I wanted a small unit for outdoor activities and occasional automobile travel. I like small, high-precision devices with lots of detail. I kept the Garmin.

  I also ordered the car dash mount, DC auto adapter, belt carry case, and MapSource MetroGuide USA CD. I have been very pleased with each of them.
  
  

• As the eTrex line goes, this is worth the investment

  
  By A41JUIFTT1J4B on 2001-11-26
  As a business traveler, I've been privy to some very cool emerging technologies. One of these gadgets are the GPS devices that are appearing in rental cars. The company from which I rent provides an in-car GPS that has more advanced features than what you'll find in a handheld, but the maker of the product is Magellen. With this in mind I set out to get a GPS of my own.

  I didn't need fancy talking directions; I was looking to this device for play. I live in the Rockies, and my wife and I like to explore dirt trails on the weekends. A little off-roading can lead to hours of fun, but it can also get you lost in a hurry. As well, I wanted something for Geocaching. (...) This being my first GPS, I wanted to also make sure that the GPS I selected would grow with me.

  With the name Magellen in mind, I quickly found an array of devices here on Amazon. The reviews proved mixed, so I headed to another review site for back-up. Reviews there were mixed too, and one individual even suggested the Garmin outright. I talked to a few friends, hit a few sporting goods stores, and in the end, the Garmin eTrex series fit the bill.

  The Vista in particular is the top of the eTrex line, and you won't be disappointed if you're looking for the same qualities I was. As GPS screens go, it was sizeable and clear. Though built for left-handed individuals (and I'm right-handed), the QuickStick feature provides complete one-hand operation after you get used to it. The Vista also has the most memory of the eTrex line allowing you to hold more detailed maps should you decide to purchase them from Garmin. Don't get me wrong; the maps that are included are pretty thorough in their own right.

  Among the top features that sold me on the Vista over the other eTrex devices, were the altimeter and the compass. The altimeter is nice, especially in the Rockies, but probably not the most useful feature for flatlanders. The compass is gold. If you tell a GPS device where you want to go, it will give you an arrow that points you in the right direction. However, that arrow only works while you are moving. If you want to stand still and either (a) know what direction you are facing or (b) move very slowly to fine tune your hunt, then the compass is a must have feature. I cannot stress this enough - it makes Geocache hunts exceptionally accurate.

  And on accuracy, I find that I get a lock of about 20 feet. Depending on the cloud conditions or the foliage, it may vary but I typically max out at around 50 feet. I was sitting in the back of a taxi, headed back to the airport and I was easily able to track the road I was on, the direction, the speed the driver was going, how far we went, and so on - the Vista had no problem keeping up.

  Keep in mind that GPS signals do come from the sky, and if clouds or other obstacles block the sky, then the accuracy will weaken. On a rainy day in Oregon, I couldn't get reception.

  As batteries go, I've found that the Vista gives me about 12 hours on two AA batteries. This can vary depending on how much I use the more advanced features (WAAS, and the compass). I turn the compass off while I'm tracking a Geocache, and when I get within 100 feet, I turn it back on. Oh, and in terms of Geocaching, Garmin has provided waypoint icons for Geocachers that can be added to your Vista.

  If you leave the GPS on during a hike, the TrackBack feature will leave a breadcrumb trail to follow back at just the click of a button. I've used this feature several times, and it will guide you back without flaw. For hikers or hunters using the GPS in heavy foliage, it may be a better practice to set occasional waypoints in clearings. This will give you the most accuracy, and save your battery.

  In reviewing my initial desires for a GPS, I was looking for assistance in the back woods, Geocaching fun, and room to spare. All the features make outdoors fun more enjoyable - and safe. In terms of Geocaching, the accuracy of this device and the compass (gold) has made getting to the target a snap. And with the extra memory and firmware updates (such as the Geocaching icons), this device will be sure to keep up with me for years to come. I'm eager to see how it holds up this winter in backcountry snowmobile trips.
  
  

• For recreational use, the Vista is excellent!

  
  By A2FSLC8HUJ05Q1 on 2001-11-05
  I have had GPS receivers for several years. I use them for hiking, bicycling and car navigation. What I discovered in the eTrex Vista is about every feature one could ask for in a hand-held GPS receiver: rugged design (it will take a dunking), a digital compass, barometric altimeter and the capability for loading additional detailed map data.

  The Vista also has WAAS capability. This means it can receive a special signal from a WAAS-designated GPS satellite that gives you more accurate positioning (currently enabled for North America). I can't always receive this satellite, but I recall on one occasion when I did, my Vista indicated it was accurate to within 8 feet! Normally, the Vista is accurate to within 50 feet or so, depending on satellite conditions. For recreational use, that is as accurate as I need, certainly as accurate as other similarly-priced GPS receivers on the market.

  The map and digital compass work well together. On a recent hike, after ascending North Carolina's Table Rock mountain a friend asked me "What lake is that over there"? I didn't know, so I pointed the Vista at the lake and turned on the digital compass to get a bearing to it. Then I displayed the map page. I remembered that the map can be displayed with 'north up' or 'track up'. When I set the map for 'track up' while not moving (and the compass turned on), I discovered the map turned to orient itself to north (just as you would orient a paper map). After adjusting the zoom level, I could clearly see the lake displayed. Then I panned the map pointer to the lake to get its name and distance. "That's Lake James," I told my friend, "and it's 8 1/2 miles away".

  At the time, I was displaying topographic map data that I had downloaded from Garmin's 'MapSource' Topo USA CD-ROM set. When navigating by car, I display MapSource MetroGuide data (MapSource CD-ROM's are sold separately). However, even out of the box, the Vista has useful map detail, including state/country borders, lakes, rivers, coastlines, major streets and roads, and interstate exit information (gas, food, lodging, etc.).

  When you download MetroGuide data to the Vista, you add minor street and road detail, many local businesses and points of interest. You can enter an address (within a metro area that you downloaded) and the Vista will find the location for you. You can also find intersections or points of interest by spelling their names (or the beginning of a name to narrow down the list, then select an item from the list). As with other GPS receivers, you can add your own waypoints, label them (with up to 10 characters), give them special symbols, and easily look them up later.

  MapSource CD-ROM sets come with a program that will let you load, save and edit your waypoints and routes (the Vista itself comes with a serial port interface cable). The program works with nearly all Garmin GPS receivers, so I was able to back up the waypoints and routes from my older Garmin GPS receiver and copy them to the Vista.

  The Vista does not have address-to-address route planning, but you can buy software that does this, then load the route into your Vista. You can manually enter or edit routes on the Vista's graphic map before your trip, easily selecting waypoints or intersections by pointing at them. The Vista can then guide you along your chosen route as you travel (a great feature for finding unfamiliar rural roads in the dark). The Vista has a nice back-light for the high-res LCD display (I recommend getting the cigarette lighter power adapter and auto mount if you intend to do car navigation).

  A feature that hunters and fisherman might like is a calendar that lets you look up the optimum times for hunting and fishing for a particular day and location. There is also an animated graphic display of the sun and moon to accompany the sun/moon rising/setting time display, which can also be accessed from the calendar.

  Garmin occasionally updates the software for their GPS receivers. You can download it from the Garmin web page yourself, then load it into the Vista. I have easily done this myself a couple of times.

  I have just a few quibbles: they should have given the Vista more than 24 MB of memory so you could download more than three metropolitan areas at a time from the MetroGuide CD-ROM set. Also, my other Garmin GPS receiver has an 'active route' page, which is a nice feature missing on the Vista.

  Otherwise, it's hard to imagine a more powerful personal navigation tool. Imagine holding a compass, altimeter and detailed map in the palm of your hand, that also shows you where you are, where you are going, how far it is and how long it will take to get there! The Vista is excellent!
  
  

• Compact, Loaded w/Features, Powerful, Easy to Learn & Use!

  
  By A23LMHJE70YCB0 on 2001-06-05
  Before purchasing my eTrex Vista, I had never owned or used a GPS Unit but I had read a considerable number of articles on GPS and before I finally made the decision to buy, I spent several weeks reading whatever I could find with respect to user reviews, editorial reviews and so on! Simply put, the eTrex Vista is a super handheld GPS Unit. It is easy to learn & use and it has the best features of any comparable unit. It's very small & weighs only 8 or 9 ounces with batteries but don't let the size fool you, it's a powerful unit and performs beautifully in open country, desert areas and on the water. It does have it's problems in heavy cover, as do all other hand held units. In the open country, desert or on water, this little beauty locks on to five or six satellites every time. From what I now know, the only other unit I would recommend is the eTrex Legend and that's only if you feel you have no need for an electronic compass or an altimeter. Personally, I love having the electronic compass available and I have found that I enjoy using the altimeter as well. You already know all the features this unit has or you would not be trying to make a decision on buying it but I'll touch on a few of them. The built in 24 mb of memory is great. It's just enough to download detailed mapping software for one state or for two or three large cities and their metro areas. I find the electronic compass very useful when trying to return to a Waypoint, especially when hiking or wandering around in open country or a desert area. Following a route backwards is no fun and can be boring as well. Note, the electronic compass can be turned off when not in use, to conserve battery life. I rarely have it on, except when returning to or trying to find a Waypoint. "Battery Life" that's an issue that no one seems to cover honestly but I will! If you turn on the unit at the start of a field trip, hike, whatever and leave it on, which maybe necessary if you start out trying to locate a previously marked Waypoint, etc. and you leave the electronic compass on, as well, you will get a max of between 10 & 12 hours of battery life. That's a Fact! If anyone tells you different, it's BS! I now know several others people with Vistas and that fact is consistent with everyone of them. If you turn the compass off until you need it, if you need it at all, on a particular outing, you can extend the battery life to about 14 or 15 hours. If you don't start out trying to find a Waypoint and you only turn the unit on to mark your starting Waypoint and possibly a few other Waypoints along the way and then turn it on for your return only, you can count on between 15 & 18 hours of battery life. But either way, let's get real people, batteries are cheap, even quality alkaline batteries. Hell, if you buy them at one of the super stores, you can get them in packs of 24 or even 48 for about .45 cents each. That's darn cheap and they certainly are not so heavy that you can't carry a half dozen extras on your person. Two final observations. One, as mentioned, this unit works great in open country and on the water, etc. but it's not the right choice for use in a vehicle. Certainly it can be used in that capacity but if that's primarily what you will be using it for, I suggest you look for a unit that is designed for that purpose. Two, I'd be willing to bet that whoever design the Vista is left handed because the so called "Click-Stick" is on the left side of the unit which makes it almost impossible to use one handed, with your right hand. The reason being that the thumb on your right hand covers the screen when using the "Click-Stick" and you must be able to monitor the screen when using the "Click-Stick". Fortunately for me, I was able to teach myself to use it one handed, with my left hand. It was awkward at first but to my surprise, it didn't take very long to get comfortable with it. Since most of the population, by far, is right handed, I'd say that Garmin definitely screwed up, placing the "Click-Stick" on the left side of the unit! All in all, I love the eTrex Vista. It's a little pricey but then again, how much is your safety & peace of mind worth to you? If the "Click-Stick" was on the right side, instead of the left side, I would have give this unit a strong five star rating!!!
  
  

• Everything is good except the compass

  
  By A1B3GHY8MEV3T5 on 2004-07-24
  I have used my eTrex Vista for over 200 miles of geocaching now. I really like everything about this product except the compass. In order for the compass and direction finder to be accurate, you must hold the eTrex perfectly level. This can be very annoying, especially when walking or on a slope. And folks, the direction finder is a very important feature of any GPSr--you might say it is the reason you get a GPSr. If I get another GPS unit, it will be a Magellan brand with a 3-axis compass. You can hold those at an angle and the compass is still accurate. If you bike a lot, get the Garmin handlebar adapter--turns your eTrex into the world's greatest bike computer!
  
  
• good gps with lots of functions
  By A3SP69VBE3AILV on 2002-01-11
  

  Cons:
  -screen is small
  -screen detail is somewhat pixilated
  -panning/scrolling on map is slow. Screen goes blank for a moment. Then it takes it awhile to redraw the map.
  -occasional loss of satellite lock when under moderate tree cover (although this is probably true of all gps)
  -designed for left hand use if this is an issue
  -data cable is included but car adapter is not
  -must be outside of backpack in order to receive signal (I guess gortex is too thick)
  -cause an accident by watching the gps rather than the road

  Pros:
  -compact
  -good intuitive use of menus except for marking waypoints
  -excellent trip data: distance, elevation, average moving speed time or overall average, how long you have moved or stopped for, elevation, current speed and direction and more
  -works inside the car
  -excellent car navigation
  -excellent hiking navigation
  -has altimeter and compass
  -detail on base map gives major hwys and roads
  -detail on extra map excellent (eg., will give street numbers of individual houses)
  
  

• Well-polished, major update of the classic Etrex
  By A36ETKH0B3LWTC on 2001-05-01
  I had a trusty eTrex Summit which I used for bicycling and hiking. I read about the new Vista version, and decided "why not?" since I liked the idea of having maps as well. After two weeks of using the new Vista, I am totally convinced that Garmin has surpassed its already wonderful design. The eTrex Vista not only has surprisingly useful mapping, but the entire operating system has been updated significantly, making this tool very powerful and very easy to use. A dozen small touches make you appreciate the refinements.. things like customizable information displays (on a bicycle I care about average moving speed. When hiking, I may care more about estimated time of arrival. When geocaching ...I care about distance to the secret treasure. ) The new Vista lets you customize the display to show just what you want. You can have a small font with many readouts, or a large font with fewer. The satellite page now tells you clearly the number and strength of each satellite, which helps you find the best spot for a start reading. And the map! I was surprised at how well it worked... I worried a lot that it would be hard to control, but the new addition of a small joystick works WONDERFULLY and makes it easy to control. [This same joystick makes navigating information displays easier too.] It is a perfect size and comfortable to use.

  I give the Vista an enthusiastic "thumbs up". The...price seems a little high at first, but after using this gem, I have to say its worth even more. Garmin has made one of the coolest electronic gizmos I've ever used.. and I own one!
  
  

• Went with the Vista and glad I did
  By A1ER1JLSV4QTJE on 2002-08-10
  I'm a novice at GPS so didn't know where to start in shopping. I asked around but not that many people have these type of units.

  I read all the reviews and did side by side comparisons as best I could. I wanted a device to go Geocaching so was looking for rugged, handheld, and easy to read. I chose the Vista model by Garmin and I have been well pleased. It was easy to learn, handy to use and I had my son using the device in a short time.

  I used it on a 1200 mile trip and found the maps and information included with the unit to take care of our travel needs. We especially liked the services at exit feature for our travel along the interstates.

  I was impressed with what these devices can do and how convenient they are to use. I ordered the cigarette lighter/serial attachment and it works fine. I also got the carrying case but I doubt that we'll continue to use it as it is hard to read thru the plastic window. We used the belt clip that is attached to the carrying case but usually let the case dangle when the device was in use. I bought a small pouch for carrying our cords, the device, and batteries. I would recommend this model to anyone wanting to get around and discover the fun of this way of travel.

  I read the complaints about left handed positioning but didn't find that to be a problem. I also read about tree cover being a problem for blocking satellites. We would simply look for a small opening in the trees and could usually pick up 3-4 satellites.

  I appreciated shopping at Amazon and the help that they could give with these reviews.
  
  

• Quite Disappointment GPS
  By A36QQE3NO7DP5U on 2003-01-10
  I purchased Magellan MAP 330X two years ago. That one was working really fine. But because its design was not as cute as I would expect, I sold it off eBay one year ago. Then I was searching for a replacement one, and it was found to be Garmin eTrex Vista. So I purchased it and used it during the 2002 Christmas vacation in California. To my much disappointment, it is really quite inferior to MAP330. The only reason I bought it was it it looks cute, easy to fit my pocket. However, on technically side, there are many problems. After making painfully decision, I decide to sell it and buy back the MAP300 again.

  First, Garmin's GPS does not come with the detailed city maps, which is sold separately for $99+. It is quite expensive. Magellan's city map comes with MAP330X. (Garmin's GPS is already sold higher than comparable Magellan's). Second, Vista's map on the screen is not floating. For example, if the street name is "Main St.", and the first two character "Ma" is happened to be cutoff on the left side, the screen only displays "in St.". Very bad, isn't it? MAP330X's text names are floating to fit in the screen. Third, very very bad, Vista is very slow and difficult to lock the satellite signals. And once it does lock, it is quite easy to get lost (see other reviews for any Magellan GPS). This is the main problem that makes me abandon it finally, even though I like its stylish design so much. Fourth, once it lost the satellite signals, it displays the message on the bottom of all screens and just will not go, which blocks the necessary information (such as elevator, distance, street name, etc.) that I will like to see even though the signal is off. Fifth, it is quite difficult to navigate the map to left, right, up or down. In MAP330X, you just move the cursor, using one hand only, can do it, whileas same functionality in Vista needs two steps and needs two hands. It is not likely to do it during driving. Sixth, although Vista outside design is quite cute, its button locations are very bad. It is very difficult to manipulate them using one hand during the driving. You may say it is not supposed to use it during driving. But using it during driving, so what, it is just a quite look on the screen, just like drinking an soda or eat a bite of McDonald. It does not cause any problem when using probably. Plus, it is only useful during the driving when one needs to figure out if he/she is in the right direction on highway, or if miss an exit, and how far it is needed to get the destination. Without the proper use of it with one hand, you bet how many people will be buying a GPS. Seventh, when Vista is first turned on, it locks the screen to scan the satellite frequencies (which is already quite long compared with MAP330X) and does not allow you to go to any other screen further. This is also very bad feature. Sometime I just want to see the map of last location, I don't really need to track the current location; or I just want to setup configurations, why should I have to wait the satellite signal? There're also other major issues such as not showing what's the version number of the firmware, how much memory is left, what kind of external map is loaded, etc.

  In this deflationary world, I make purchase carefully on high-tech gadgets. I understand the prices will drop quickly. So if I do buy it, I really expect to own it and consider the money is discarded. If a company does not provide a good product, it cannot expect to sell it too many, because nowadays there're on-line auction and trading sites everywhere. If a customer does not like the product generally after using it, he/she will sell it, say, at eBay. Therefore, the used ones get circulated again and again in the secondary trading market, making the new ones difficult to be mass sold.
  
  

• Great GPS Unit And A Great Price!
  By AQX5YNLR3GIPB on 2004-05-24
  Another reviewer here said it best: don't let the misleading negative reviews of this product prevent you from taking a good look at the Garmin eTrex Vista. (Honestly, what are some of these people wanting to do with a GPS device? Fix a waypoint on a specific part of a cow patty in a farmer's field somewhere?)

  This is the first GPS handheld I've purchased after carefully reviewing other models from other brands at a local store with true "hands on" comparisons. I thought the Garmin products were by far the most intuitive and user-friendly of the GPS handhelds I played with. Great features and an excellent value for the money. (...)

  Looking at the less expensive eTrex Legend and the Vista and wondering which to buy? Well, the Legend is great but it lacks the Vista's electromagnetic
  compass or air-pressure altitude indicator if that is important to you. It also has much less memory capacity (8MB) for storing detailed Mapsource maps.

  I have loaded my Vista with topo maps from Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont and it took up all 24MB of memory (of course, it really is a lot of detail we're talking about here). I would think that the memory capacity of the Legend could be a significant limitation if you are looking at getting into extra topo or metro guide maps. If you have no use for extra maps or an electromagnetic
  compass and altimeter, then the Legend might be the way to go.

  Personally, I think the Vista represents a better overall value for the dollar.

  Ignore the naysayers and compare the GPS units for yourself. I'm very happy with the Vista and would have made the same purchase if I had to do it all over again.
  
  

• Nice Features - Bad Reception
  By A29Y14AKG6D2K6 on 2002-08-30
  The eTrex Vista has all the features one would want in a small hand-held GPS. The small size is nice, and the 24 MB was enough storage to put in my US TOPO for MA, ME, and most of NH. Couple problems with the unit - the small display makes for difficult reading when moving - I used it on a boat and basically had to stop to see what was on the display - also it is just too small a display to see in the car (although it does fit nicely in the steering wheel between the air-bag and the outer rim) The big complaint is that the small size makes for a small antenna, and poor reception. I also tried to use the unit for mountain biking un-marked trails in western Maine, and it just doesn't do well in tree cover - 75% of the time it just said "need clearer view of sky" - so my path was marked with way to few waypoints to be useful. I found the same results when hiking in the woods around my home in Lunenburg. I tried downloading the latest firmware, but it made no difference ... I returned the unit and plan on trying the Garmin 76s - it has the same feature set (a few more), and a much larger display and antenna - it also accepts an external antenna which the the Vista does not.
  
  
• Reception
  By A2STOWPXSJX2KI on 2005-05-03
  I am in the mlitary and the use of this GPS was solely in a field environment. I orginally purchased this product when I went to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, CA. As a tank commander, I used it only when I was dismounted. There is no external antenna attachment so it was obviously useless inside the tank, even with the hatch open. A buddy of mine had a magellan in a Bradley and his worked and my Garmin did not. The next test was in Iraq. I deployed with 2/2 ACR out of Fort Polk, LA. All we had was HMMWVs so I thought the Garmin would work great. To much disappointment, the etrex would not get a signal in the HMMWV unless I had it propped up in the window. Fortunately, I had a plugger and FBCB2 so it really wasn't that big of a deal. The most usefulness was for marking UXO cluster bombs that had not exploded in civilian areas. I would mark the spot with a 10 digit coordinate and pass it on to the engineers. After about 6 months in the Iraq heat and extreme weather conditions, my screen started messing up. It had all these lines and I had to squeeze the sides so the screen would come into view again. It was very frustrating. I would not recommend this version for military personnel traveling in vehicles or needing something that is rugged.
  
  
• A "Newbie" sounds off... BUY ONE!
  By A12W8WX87VTN93 on 2001-05-28
  Ok... this is my first GPS unit and I am still learning. But I did my homework and studied the various units available for months. What I wanted was a feature rich, portable, waterproof, dependable, quality GPS that I could live with a long time. I almost made the leap for a Garmin III Plus, until I read of the new ETrex family being released this spring. I decided the Vista model was for me and to wait for their eventual release.

  I have had this unit now for a month and I am absolutely WOW'd by this amazing little device. My primary reason for a GPS is for the many tours I take on my motorcycle, locally and across the country. I have recently completed a 4 day trip and it performed flawlessly. I also use it on my weekend rides to explore and better learn the area in which I live.

  My Vista will be a semi-permanent fixture on my bike, when I'm not hiking and for the occassional use in my car.

  To say it simply, it just exceeds my "rookie" expectations in every way. It does what it says it will do, it's a perfect size, easy to use... I love it. If your needs are similar to mine, buy it. You won't be disappointed. I'm glad I waited!
  
  

• Damn cool little unit
  By A1CRKXZHTI95AI on 2002-03-26
  The Vista is all around good unit. It does have it's short comings, but in general is one of the best hand GPS unit out there.

  The problem with small hand GPS units are usually: Lack of memory, lack of battery life and poor screen resolutions.

  The Vista does not have the memory size problems. At 24 Megabytes of memory you can store a large amount of maps. In my case, I uploaded all of California, Washington and large chunks of Oregon in high detail and still had room left over.

  The screen resolution is not bad. You might think it is a bit small, but this is a hand unit, not a dashboard car unit that has the luxuary of surface area. They can not make the screen any larger without making the whole unit larger. The pixel count is also fairly large making the images on the screen pretty crisp.

  The battery life is also not that bad. If you turn on all the features of the unit, you can drain the 2 AA batteries in about 8 or 9 hours. If you turn on the power saver mode and turn off other features you can live without, you can get about 15 or 16 hours of use out of the unit. I do not think that is too bad, but it might annoy you. To me, it is not a big deal since I have rechargable batteries and regular batteries are cheap and easy to carry.

  Another nice things about the Vista is that you can navigate all the features of the unit while it is in your left hand. Some people do not like this, but I think it is cool since I can use my left hand pretty well. I notice some people are a bit clumy with their left hand if they are right handed. I have no problems though.

  The satellite tracking is good. Some people claim it does not track well in deep woods, but since I am urban explorer, I do not have those problems. I guess if you were a hunter, you might see that as a big negitive, but I have a Garmin Vista to keep me out of the deep woods.

  If you get a Garmin Vista you should also get the carring case to keep it protected, and also get the data/cigarette power adapter cable. When you get into the car you can hook this up and not use the batteriers.
  You will also need to buy one of the Garmin CDROM maps. They tend to be expensive, but the maps that come with Vista Garmin are really poor and are of no use.

  The other thing I notice is not with the unit itself, but the company that makes it. Garmin does a very good job of supporting the Vista and it's like brothers (Legend, Trek, Camo). Firmware updates are released often and do fix bugs that crop up. The manual is quite good and very useful. There are a number of websites that are very helpful for the first time GPS owner, so do not worry about support; you'll get it from Garmin or someone else who owns a Garmin.

  The Goods
  Small size
  Good screen resolution
  Large memory
  Plenty of features for the average trekker of any kind
  Battery life can be long, if managed properly
  Water proof, but does not float!
  Great support from Garmin
  Small size

  The Bads
  The maps that comes with it are worthless
  Battery life can be poor if not managed properly
  Satellite tracking might be bad under heavy tree cover
  
  

• The most feature rich handheld GPS available
  By A1M5MOU3UY9SAW on 2001-06-15
  As far as Garmin's eTrex line goes, this is the top of the line. The Vista packs an electronic compass, an altimeter, and 24 MB of memory for maps into the same handheld package the basic eTrex comes in. Plus they've gone ahead and improved the screen and added the "ClikStik" a clickable joystick.

  In terms of pure GPS functionality, the Vista adds the ability to get DGPS signals from the newly activated WAAS satelites. But obtaining those signals at present is a challenge.

  I personally found the ClikStik a bit hard to use at times, and not as responsive as I wanted, but it adds a lot of ease of use to the unit (imagine trying to move around on the map without it). The screen was a big improvement over the eTrex's screen, and readibility is vastly improved. Plus not having to go the requisite 1-2 MPH before the unit figures out which way you're walking (thanks to the electronic compass) is nice, and makes figuring out where you need to go while standing still a lot easier. Also the altimeter can be setup to automatically be calibrated with GPS data. It's again in the same rugged, waterproof case as the original, so it can take a little bit of abuse. And for those of you who don't want every waypoint to look like a flag, you can differentiate your favorite locations with a lot of different icons. Tracklogs and number of waypoints that can be stored is increased over the basic eTrex as well.

  There are downsides: Like the eTrex, satelite locks can be lost pretty easily under heavy cover or packed in a bag. The battery life is greatly shortened (if you turn on the compass and use the WAAS adjustments) compared to its simpler sibling. The Garmin maps (the only ones you can download to the Vista) are next to worthless in terms of accuracy. And then there's the price.

  If you're in the market for an upgrade or replacement of a handheld GPS, the Vista has to be in the running.
  
  

• A great piece of kit...!
  By A14RDKUNS0FEH0 on 2002-06-14
  Since there's a ton of reviews here to tell you why the eTrex Vista is such a great handheld GPS, I won't bother to recite features line by line. What I WILL do is address some of the Vista's shortcomings(?) that have been mentioned by a few. First of all, the 'lefthanded' issue. Yes, the Vista's click-stick (mouse) button is positioned for use by the left thumb ...but as a righthanded individual, I had little (no) difficulty using the Vista while holding it in my left hand; in fact, I see the 'lefthanded' use of the Vista as a positive ...for most of us, it *frees up* our right hand! As far as battery consumption is concerned, I intentionally ran my Vista continuously with all of the bells and whistles turned 'On' (backlight, compass, GPS) to see how long it would take to run down a set of 1700mAh AA NiMh 'Energizer' rechargables; after doing this several times, I found that the Vista ran for at least 9 solid hours under these 'worse case' conditions. For most folks, 9 hours would easily cover an entire day of use (whether hiking or driving). NiMh AA's are inexpensive, so buy two sets and simply keep an extra pair charged and on hand (in addition to the pair that you're using). With regard to the Vista's display size, some folks have noted that it can be difficult to read (small) when used in a mobile environment. Granted, the display doesn't lend itself to being read from much more than a few feet (arm's length) away ...but remember, this is, first and foremost, a 'handheld' unit and was designed accordingly. Personally, I've used mine in the car with the Garmin windshield mount and, when positioned slightly to the left or right of the driver (just below eye level ...play safe!), the display is quite readable. Speaking of the car, the Vista's lack of an external antenna connector won't be a factor for the typical user. When used in the front seat of an average vehicle (ie: uncoated glass windows to the front, left and right), the Vista's internal patch antenna easily tracks available satellites. In as far as reception while under tree cover is concerned, I've used my Vista while hiking in moderately heavy bush without difficulty.
  
  
• Good enough for GERONIMO
  By on 2004-04-21
  Well, prior to us deploying to Afghanistan, some of us got issued these Garmin ETrex Vista GPS's. After six months, it's still going stong. It's a rugged little piece of kit. It can get satellites almost anywhere in any weather. Our old(not to mention bulky) PLGR's could never get the accuracy that these things get: I'm talking about 4-5 meters within the grid that is being shown. Battery life is good at roughly 24hrs on a set of AA's. That's with the compass off though. Turn that feature on and you can watch the battery meter go down. My only other complaint is that it takes a little while to get booted up from turning it on to getting a grid to me, a minute can feel like a lifetime when your at the optempo of a combat zone. All in all, great thing to have as a soldier. It's easy to use, accurate as hell, and tough enough to survive stomping through the mountains of central Asia. Good work Garmin.
  
  
• Not very useful.
  By A1B93UZW8X1TVC on 2004-06-03
  I ordered this GPS unit for a trip out west to several National Parks. I also ordered the very expensive National Parks West maps from Garmin. I downloaded the maps for several of the parks I was to visit, so that I would get detailed trail maps once I got there. Once at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, I went to use my eTrex Vista with the "detailed" map and all I got was a rough location of the city I was near. Clearly the detailed map did not download properly, or when I entered map info for one park it overwrote the information I downloaded for other parks. The only park listed was the last park I downloaded and I never ended up going to that park, so my purchase was a complete waste of money. If you are completely incapable of reading a map, perhaps this unit can be of use to you driving down the road, of course it barely receives a signal from within a car, you have to get out and hold the unit if there are any trees or buildings around. The screen is also too small and not in color, and the batteries don't last long enough. I have stock in Garmin, so I suppose I should not bad mouth them too much, but if I could return this unit to Amazon, I would.
  
  
• Not what I expected...
  By ARSW44J26H0WY on 2006-03-23
  When I got the unit it kept shutting off for no reason. I'm sure it was a fluke but it was frustrating. I was going to exchange it and it realized that for an extra $50 I could get the Vista C, which is color, has a USB cable, and is an all around better unit. The regular Vista comes with a serial port cable and I don't have serial ports so I would have needed a $40 cable. I'm glad I went with the Vista C instead.
  
  
• Excellent but...
  By A1PNKBL114D76V on 2001-11-29
  Here in the Pacific NorthWest, it is quite easy to get lost in the back country trails. I used this Garmin eTrex Vista , with out fail (almost) every time. My only complaint, is that under dense tree cover, it tends to loose the single. Other than that, it does almost anything and everything I could ever want and more. I have already used it for "Geocaching" and its accuracy has been dead on each time.. down to about 15 feet. I couldn't be happier.
  
  
• A poor offering by Garmin
  By on 2004-06-10
  This expensive (for gps units) includes the PC Cable but DOES NOT include the ability to comunicate with your PC. After waiting 17 minutes for customer service I was told that I had to purchase a $29 software to be able to download my waypoints to my computer. I don't need extra maps - I only want to download my waypoints.

  In the waypoint view - over half of the display is the flag symbol and the co-ordinates are so small as to be practically useless in the field.

  This is my fifth Garmin product and in the past have been happy with the performance. I give this a 1 as it is little better than a $99 unit.
  
  

• my favorite new toy
  By A2QFGBAFB46PHL on 2001-09-24
  I originally purchased a Garmin eTrex Summit, and after only 3 months I was so pleased that I upgraded to the Vista model. With its built-in base map and improved screen resolution, I've been thoroughly pleased with this unit. Used in combination with National Geographic's Topo map discs, I've uploaded numerous routes and waypoints with relative ease. It has led me directly to my destination on several peak-bagging hikes, even when the route was not clearly apparent. The unit is solidly constructed, and battery life has been more than acceptable, despite several reviews I've read to the contrary. Only one issue keeps me from giving the Vista a 5-star rating; the 500 waypoint capacity seems very limited, given that the unit has 24 Mb memory available for topo map uploads. Overall, this has been one of my favorite and most frequently used gadgets I've ever purchased.
  
  
• Very good but there are a few details left for the user
  By on 2003-01-07
  Garmin eTrex Vista review...

  Well-packaged. Small screen is still very readable. Controls are fairly intuitive once you get used to them.

  Sucks up battery power. If you don't need constant updates be sure to use the unit in the "Battery Saver" mode. I've found that to be more than adequate for typical use (in a car, for instance, when you can't be looking at it constantly anyway).

  Note the software version you have. I'm new to Garmin products but according to their web page they update the software regularly. The eTrex Vista that I bought had version 2.28 of their firmware and they were up to version 2.50, three versions past mine. No big deal, I downloaded the latest version and installed it easily. The only catch was that they said to put the unit in Simulator Mode during the download--even though there is no such thing described anywhere in the manual. I did some reading and it seems to me that they must have meant Demo Mode. That's what I put it in and the download proceeded seamlessly. They warn you that downloading firmware may delete waypoints and other data you may have saved. It didn't delete mine but I'd still recommend getting the latest firmware right away before you have any data to lose.

  In summary . . . Bad: The unit I bought from Amazon didn't have anywhere close to the latest firmware. Good: It's easy to get the latest firmware.

  Along with the new software you can also download the latest version of the manual in PDF format.

  I plan to get one of the MapSource CDs in order to download more detailed map data into the unit. If you do that, however, the base map that the unit comes with will be erased (according to the Garmin website). You can get it back (again, by downloading the original database from their website) but I really don't know why the different databases can't play nicely together.

  Overall I'm very happy with my eTrex Vista.
  
  

• Good feature set, but the well known flaw is very annoying, especially given the price
  By AX5EPK0DQP23Z on 2006-08-26
  If you want a GPS unit for backpacking, this one (or the newer color version) has among the best feature sets. Downloadable maps, an altimeter, an electronic compass, etc. It's a Cadillac, unless you step up from the eTrex line to something beautiful but horrendously expensive like the GPSMAP 76CSx (super duper Cadillac). However, a few things need to be kept in mind.
  
  Few backpackers should need a GPS receiver at all. A map ought to get most people down the trail just fine. A paper map, not the expensive, propriety software 1:100,000 scale topo maps you can pay extra for to put on this unit (its built-in maps are of major roads, cities, etc.) But if you wear the newest Patagonia, have spring-loaded trekking poles, etc., you'd best get this expensive doo dad (and Garmin does overprice all their gear), so you'll be fashionable outdoors. Otherwise, think before buying any GPS receiver. Apart from geocaching, I don't see much use for hiking with GPS. If you rely on GPS to get you around, you'll learn it's entirely insufficient as a substitute for good land navigation skills. Learn to read a topo map, and figure out where to go without assuming your batteries will last on a device that shows you only where you are and where you want to go, but not what's in between. The one and only reason I got this is for off trail use, primarily as an emergency backup to make it easier get back to camp (and I got a deal on it, or I wouldn't have bought it). This GPS isn't anything I rely on for my safety, since it--like most GPS receivers--won't maintain a satellite lock in most of the forests and canyons I visit. In hindsight, if I were going to buy a GPS receiver again I'd probably just get the cheapest one out there, since there isn't much practical use for a backpacking GPS receiver apart from showing where you are in relation to a particular waypoint (of course, if I could afford a Rino for each family member...).
  
  The altimeter, of course, is barometric, so air pressure changes will affect it even if you're staying in one place. That's not a defect, it's just the way things work. Better than trying to get altitude accuracy from the satellites (GPS receivers are good at latitude and longitude, not altitude, which is why this unit has a barometric altimeter).
  
  You shouldn't need the electronic compass, because you should always have a real one. Real ones don't die when the batteries do. And the electronic compass uses more power when it's on.
  
  With those caveats in mind, this unit does about what you'd expect and want, with one exception: as people have said, it sometimes shuts off unexpectedly. This is not, as a recent reviewer guessed, a fluke with his own unit. It's a common problem with Garmin's eTrex receivers, generally attributed to poor battery contacts, but there was also a software glitch that contributes (Garmin claims they fixed it). It'll restart, but it shouldn't even happen occasionally.
  
  
• An excellent paper weight
  By on 2003-11-21
  This is a nice unit with a very crisp, high resolution display and a good interface given its compact size. The case and the controls seem very sturdy. I chose it over the competing Magellan models for these reasons.

  The 24 Mb of memory is more than enough to store an entire metropolitan area; in fact, I generally can fit about two metro areas. Transfer rates are slow via the serial interface and the MapSource software is a little clunky, but adequate.

  The software features are comprehensive. I have owned the unit for about 6 months and am still discovering new features and shortcuts.

  Unfortunately, I can only give the product 2 stars overall. This is because the one thing the unit does not do well is receive GPS signals. Given the fact that it is allegedly a "GPS receiver", this is a major shortcoming. I had hoped to use the unit as a sophisticated pedometer / navigation device for outdoor running, and as a cheap nav system in my car.

  My experience has been that it will not receive signals in the car unless held pressed to the glass, or better yet, outside a window which is down. It also does not seem to receive signals when in its carrying case, making it useless except when carried in the hand. It will not receive signals when under trees, near buildings, or under cloudy skies. In order to use it, I generally need to take it in my hand, walk around slowly with my arm upraised in the clearest area I can find, and wait 1-2 minutes to get a satellite lock.

  The unit is nice overall, with many features over the competing Magellan models. However, without the ability to receive GPS signals reliably, it might as well be a paper weight.
  
  

• Magellan Meridian vs. Garmin eTrex
  By A108PNZSATREKR on 2003-03-20
  I bought the Meridian Platinum and the Garmin Vista to do a technical comparison. They are both great units with similar price and features. I also tested the next level down: Meridian Gold and the Garmin Legend with similar results. Here's my take:

  If small size and high resolution are important to you, buy the Garmin.

  If you prefer a larger screen, larger buttons, a floating unit, or something that can be viewed beyond an armslength away, get the Magellan. If you require reading glasses, avoid the Garmin.

  Here is a list of specific comments:
  - Size: Garmin fits easily in a shirt pocket. Magellan is 114% larger by volume and is better suited for a fanny pack or large coat pocket.
  - Weight: Magellan is 51% heavier.
  - Display: Magellan display is 66% larger, viewable beyond an arm's length. Garmin not viewable beyond an arm's length.
  - Pixels: Garmin has over twice as many pixels.
  - Resolution: With the smaller display and higher pixel count, the Garmin screen resolution is about four times greater.
  - Both are waterproof. Magellan floats...Garmin doesn't.
  - Reception: Magellan had slightly better reception, probably due to larger internal antenna.
  - Screen protection: Magellan has a raised frame around display to help prevent scratches, but it also collects lots of dust on the screen as a result.
  - Maps/waypoints: Low resolution for the Magellan made small map features difficult to discern. Garmin much easier to read with a large variety of highly detailed map symbols/icons.
  - Features: Similar for both, but the Magellan had a few extras I liked: audible alerts for turns, a "windshield" navigation view with waypoints drawn in the "distance", a "speedometer" view with dial, sun and moon location displayed on the compass dial.
  - Buttons/knobs: Garmin's buttons are all on the sides and are very small. You won't be able to operate them with gloves. I like the little joystick for the left thumb very much, but folks with clumsy hands will not. Magellan's buttons are large, easy, and labelled.
  - Magnetic compass: Garmin must be held flat for this feature. Magellan's compass works in any position. (With motion, separate heading indicator works at any orientation on both units.)
  - Battery life and accuracy: About the same for both.
  - PC cable/DC car adapter: Garmin slides onto the back. Magellan has an awkward screw-in device.
  - Mapping Memory: Garmin has 24 MB ready for upload from mapping software (sold separately). Magellan requires additional memory card for an extra [$$$] to upload their maps (both sold separately).
  - Owner's Manual: Garmin provides complete owner's manual. Magellan only provides a quick-start manual. Complete manual is electronic and divided into two files.
  - User interface: I found the Garmin software and menus to be slightly more intuitive.

  Result: I wanted a small unit for outdoor activities and occasional automobile travel. I like small, high-precision devices with lots of detail. I kept the Garmin.

  I also ordered the car dash mount, DC auto adapter, belt carry case, and MapSource MetroGuide USA CD. I have been very pleased with each of them.
  
  

• Good, but not perfect
  By on 2003-05-07
  There have been too many minor technical problems with my unit. The screen resolution gets grainy. I had to send it back to the factory for that (it sometimes still happens), and one time it refused to let me mark a place. However, other than that, it is an incredible unit and an invaluable resource in a handheld. It's just that, for [$], I want perfection.
  
  
• Better Than I Thought
  By A9LOPHLALA6IB on 2003-12-05
  I'd like to start this review by saying that I'm a Registered Maine Hunting Guide with years of expirience navigating in the back country and plenty of expirience using different brands of GPSs. That said, I nearly didn't buy this GPS after reading some of the reviews for it, I'm glad I did.
  I recently returned from a 2 week hunting excursion in Northern Maine in unfamiliar territory. The Vista greatly aided me in knowing exactly where I was at all times. I purchased the Map Source Topo program for it and loaded my maps. I had room for all of Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire in it. While all the newer logging roads weren't on the map, a lot of them were.
  The electronic compass is a neat feature and saves you from getting out your regular compass when orienting yourself, but I do like a regular compass better.
  As I was all ready familiar with Garmin GPSs, this GPS was very easy for me to use. To many convienient features to list. This GPS did everything I wanted it to and then some. Battery life was exceptable and the only time I had any problem with reception was during a heavy snow storm while in fairly heavy tree cover.
  A friend of mine has the Garmin Legend GPS and while it is less money he was only able to load about half of the state on it. So for more money and features the Vista is the way to go.
  The small "shirt pocket" size, the topo map and all the other great features make this a "Must Have" for any back country traveler.
  If you're looking for a GPS to use in your vehicle, pick a different model, the small size of this unit that makes it great for hand held use makes it to small to use effectively in your vehicle.
  All in all this GPS is great in my opinion, it is absolutely perfect for me and my uses. Great quality, easy to use, convienient features, small size, fast updates. Have I left any thing out? If you're a hunter, hiker or back country traveler this is the GPS for you.
  
  
• poor reception
  By A1QJFJNPXKO5A0 on 2005-12-07
  I have had my etrex vista for three years now. The reception is extremely poor in any wooded area. Even if I could get reception, if there is sun light you can not read the display. If there is a clearing it works fine. Otherwise, it loses the signal and is not useful. Also, it have sent back to garmin twice, once within Warranty and the same issue the screen failed 6 months later. The cost out of warranty was 3/4 of a new garmin. I have found reading other people's reviews this is a common problem. In summary, save your money and buy another brand with a better antenna.
  
  
• Not for Hunting or Wilderness Treking
  By A3NYXGQCISF59W on 2001-11-14
  Very simple. If you are looking to be in wide open spaces, then this is a nice unit. If you will be hunting, fishing, hiking, or anything else which would require you to go into a forested area, then you need to look somewhere else. Maybe look to a Garmin GPS V.
  
  

• Coleman 50200 Exponent Flex 5
• Memorex High Performance AA Alkaline Battery 8 Pack
• Memorex High Performance AA Alkaline Batteries, 50 Pack
• Memorex High Performance AA Alkaline Batteries, 12 Pack
• Garmin Vehicle DC Power Adapter for eTrex and Geko (010-10203-00)

• GARMIN 010-10314-00 Carrying Case
• Garmin Vehicle DC Power Adapter for eTrex and Geko (010-10203-00)
• Garmin Bicycle Mount for eTrex and Summit (010-10267-00)
• GARMIN 010-00630-00 Etrex Vista HCx GPS Receiver
• Garmin MapSource Topo U.S. 2008