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Fire 1081
NY
January 27, 2010
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GPS OUT DOORS
Pros: ease of use
This unit is very good, and easy to use.
3 out of 6 viewers found this review helpful.
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wanttolike
cambridge
December 31, 2009
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DOES NOT MEET SPEC
Even with WAAS enabled, my unit drifts about 50 ft while
stationary
12 out of 23 viewers found this review helpful.
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Lawman
Wasaga Beach, Ont.
November 26, 2009
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NEVER BE LOST
Pros: nice size, rugged
Great. You can wander with confidence knowing you can get
to were you want to be at any time. It's neat to take off
on the mountain bike and explore then review your trip with
distance covered, speeds, altitude etc.
20 out of 40 viewers found this review helpful.
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Don
Dillon, MT
August 23, 2009
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GREAT GPS UNIT
We have purchased several of these units to use in the
Wildland Fire services. Great units and easy to use. Can
download basemaps from third party individuals online for
use with Garmin Mapsource.
39 out of 87 viewers found this review helpful.
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cosninocanines
Flagstaff, Arizona
August 21, 2009
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GREAT VALUE
Pros: better signal reception, fast signal reception, ea
Cons: jumpy compass
I replaced my old etrex Legend Cx with this Vista HCx and
what an improvement. Ths accuracy and receiving
capabilities are very much improved I have used it in deep
narrow canyons and heavy forest areas with no loss of
signal. The only thing I wish was better is the electronic
compass though very accurate it is a bit jumpy.
53 out of 87 viewers found this review helpful.
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Thomas
Fredericksburg, VA
July 1, 2009
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GREAT SIZE FOR ALL AROUND USE
Pros: long battery life-very sensitive receiver
Cons: hard to navigate to different screens
This is my fourth gps. I have an old e-trex legend and
decided on the new more sensitive circuitry in the Vista HCX
along with the extended battery life. I use it for bicycling
as well as sea kayaking and hiking. It outshines my older
models and hasn't let me down. I have two complaints. One: the inability to navigate to different screens with the thumb toggle. (The legend was a little easier in this
respect)
Two: the mapping software manufacturer has given
into greed! The earlier mapping programs permitted the use
of two separate units the new NT will only allow one unit.
If you have a second Garmin unit you have to purchase
another complete mapping software! All in all I would
recommend this to anyone wanting a light, dependable GPS.
99 out of 180 viewers found this review helpful.
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Alysa
Edmonton, AB
June 22, 2009
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VERY GOOD HANDHELD
This gps is very useful for all handheld needs. It has been
very accurate for geocaching, and is also very useful when
your on the road.
81 out of 179 viewers found this review helpful.
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Alysa
Edmonton, AB
June 22, 2009
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OUTDOOR GPS
The one I wanted!
77 out of 166 viewers found this review helpful.
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Terri
Minneapolis, MN
June 3, 2009
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GREAT GPS
Pros: very accurate
Cons: not extremely user friendly device
This is our first GPS hand held unit. We use our
GPS for geocaching, and it is quite accurate. In
the open, the unit has gotten us within one feet
of our cache. Not as accurate under trees, but
still not bad.
It isn't an extremely user friendly device, but
with a little playing around we have figured
things out.
We purchased the topo maps right away because of
other recommendations.
66 out of 159 viewers found this review helpful.
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Polar Bear
Trail BC
June 3, 2009
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GARMIN ETREX VISTA HCX
Pros: unbelievable battery life, awesome in heavy cover
I am very happy with this GPS. I have been using
Magellan products for years and they have been
considerably inferior to this product. This unit
is highly sensitive. I use it for hiking and
hunting under heavy cover. Never lost a signal
once. Totally impressed. I would recommend this
GPS to anyone who needs to get out on the trail
104 out of 186 viewers found this review helpful.
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Dave
Montrose BC
June 3, 2009
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BEST OUTDOOR GPS
Great GPS Though it is my first unit, Compared to
others I have seen and used, I found it user
friendly, and very useful on my quading
adventures. Would recommend it to anyone
traveling in the back country.
89 out of 186 viewers found this review helpful.
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Fred
Ottawa
May 29, 2009
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AWESOME UNIT!
I upgraded from the eTrex Vista, and wished I
only ever bought this one to start off.
Great firware, great sensitivity, nice display.
Very nice unit.
78 out of 193 viewers found this review helpful.
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Gary
Edmonton
April 23, 2009
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VISTA HCX
Pros: handy size, many useful features
Cons: documentation for this product is very poor
Great product, works inside and out. My only
negative comment is about the documentation.
Features and menu choices are not explained.
114 out of 223 viewers found this review helpful.
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GPS'er
Ottawa, ON
April 13, 2009
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OUTDOOR GPS
This GPS is turning out to be very easy to use.
We are first time GPS'ers and are enjoying this
product
131 out of 248 viewers found this review helpful.
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David
St Albert, AB
April 7, 2009
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GREAT ALL AROUND GPS
Pros: light weight, easily fits in your pocket.
Cons: screen dark in doors. adjust backlight on time.
Wanted a GPS that would work both in the back country and as a
street navigator. Although this GPS does its best work as you hike
through the bush, it will also direct you street by street to your
difficult to find destination.
83 out of 208 viewers found this review helpful.
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rlost
Niagara,ON
April 6, 2009
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GREAT
Pros: light, accurate, quick, easy to use
Cons: need to adjust screen brightness frequently, guide
Last GPS I used was several years ago and the improvements are
amazing. Fast acquisition, light and easy to handle, excellent
battery life, good screen, and very accurate. Takes readings even
inside my two story house (and tracked a flight from Buffalo to
Florida). The toggle actually works quite well. The user guide is
not great - I found it easier just to play around with it and see what
it can do
128 out of 242 viewers found this review helpful.
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the sportsman
qc, canada
April 3, 2009
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BEST OUTDOOR GPS
Cons: small screen
Perfect for me, light precise and do what I want....
141 out of 270 viewers found this review helpful.
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Jay
British Columbia
February 16, 2009
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SMALL AND VERSITILE
Pros: small, easy to use, good tracking and placemarking
Cons: more custamization with menus/data displays
I haven't used the unit extensively yet, but from
the small amount of use in the mountains either
by snowmobile or helicopter, it has been quick
accurate with minimal "black out" periods when
tracking. It very easy/quick to add placemarks
and surprisingly easy to navigate with the small
toggle. I am using it with the Canada TOPO maps
and they are also quick accurate.
113 out of 234 viewers found this review helpful.
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JB
Vancouver, BC
February 4, 2009
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GREAT LITTLE UNIT
Pros: light, small, easy to learn all features
Cons: doesn't come with maps and maps
This is a great GPS for the outdoor enthusiast.
It is small enough to fit in your pocket and
light enough to be hung around your neck by the
lanyard that comes with it.
It has all the features you'll need. The only
downside is that you have to buy the maps,
otherwise the GPS is useless.
112 out of 238 viewers found this review helpful.
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camiam
Manitoba
February 2, 2009
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WELL WORTH PURCHASING
Cons: could use a bigger screen for us old guys.
Worked great out of the box. I thought I would
have to purchase maps to start but it did come
with basic North America which is fine. I use it
snowmobiling and it is ideal. At first I thought
the fact that you have to fiddle with buttons to
get screen brightness up on every start was a pain
but when you are out in the bright sunlight, the
dark start-up screen is preferred. Easy to learn
how to operate. Hardly used the manual. The top
left button always gets you out of trouble. I like
the joystick/button function too.
88 out of 216 viewers found this review helpful.
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Easterworker
Newfoundland
January 8, 2009
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APPROPRIATE ALLROUND GPS
Pros: functionality, options and potential
Cons: price
This is an amazingly accurate little device. It
seems a little over priced when you consider that
there are only base maps included. To have all
the maps you need, if you are a traveler becomes a
pricey. However it Works perfect and 2 AA
batteries last forever. 20 hours realistic.
Amazing Feature is that waas is able to be either
on or off so you do not eat up all the power and
you really do not need incredible accuracy all the
time!
161 out of 331 viewers found this review helpful.
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Ian C
Collingwood, ON
January 6, 2009
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YOU'LL NEED TO SPEND MORE ON MAPS!
This is a fair GPS, and my first. The basemap is
utterly useless and very, very inaccurate. You will
have to spend another $100 or so to get an accurate
map if you plan to use this for anything more than a
high-tech compass. It's reasonably easy to use, and
well made, but it needs to have WAAS enabled otherwise
it's very inaccurate for positioning - up to 30m off!
Sometimes takes a while to calibrate satellites. Loses
contact easily indoors.
163 out of 326 viewers found this review helpful.
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Monique
December 15, 2008
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This GPS was our first purchased. We had no prior
experience with a GPS. We have found it simple to use.
The directions in the manual were straight forward.
Pros: easy to use, lightweight, color, easy to use
with our computer. Cons: the backlighting has to be
readjusted everytime it gets turned on, the
backlighting goes out after a predetermined amount of
time, accuracy varies sometimes greater than 3 meters
even in open spaces.
174 out of 336 viewers found this review helpful.
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ezee
November 30, 2008
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ETRAX VISTA HCX VS 76CSX
Recent bought a Vista Hcx and have been using the
unit for several weeks and also comparing it to a
76Csx.
1/ Impressed with the size and display quality -
batteries also last very well - been using
rechargeable NiMi 2500 ma. The jog stick works well
but takes a bit of getting used too - it also
protrudes and can inadvertently create a lot of
waypoints if it gets compress in your back pack.
2/ Disappointed with the trip computer - initially
found it poor f/w 2.6 - upgraded to 2.80 and now much
better.
3/ Overall the Hcx works quite well but it does not
seem to be as accurate as the 76CSX. It seems
slightly more sensitive in getting satellites and the
altimeter seems better but the position accuracy does
not seem quite as good - the trip computer also does
not seem as accurate - the following are the results
from a recent outing - cycle computer calibrated
against a car 16.7 Km - 76csx 16.8 Km - Hcx 14.6 km.
When the tracks were down loaded into map source
76Csx 16.7 km vs Hcx 16.1Km. Comparing the tracks
(logged every 2 seconds for a 2+ hour outting) when
down loaded on to map source the 76Csx seemed
somewhat better about half the time the tracks were
very close but often they would differ by up to 25m.
Based on previous tracks and trips the CSX seemed
more repeatable. This trip was logged on a bike ride
through very twisty trails with various types of tree
cover - some clear areas - some medium size pines
with snow on the branches and some areas of big
hardwood trees with some snow on the branches, very
few leaves. Around town the Hcx seems more affected
by tall building i.e. >15 stories (multipath ??) and
it does not track around corners quite as well.
3 For something small light and portable the HCX is
very good - for something somewhat bigger and
seemingly more accurate the 76Csx is slightly better.
Note: - tried both the 76Csx and 60Csx in a store and
the 76CSX locked on first and received more
satellites so I bought it. It was not a thorough
test but given a few minutes ??.
For casual use and fitting in the pocket I like the
Vista but if I am really concerned about my
location/position I prefer the 76Csx.
147 out of 308 viewers found this review helpful.
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Art Long
November 24, 2008
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NOT DISAPPOINTED
Finally got my eTrex Vista HCx after researching it to
death my first GPS unit...between repairing my truck
and dealing with life in general my $ came together.
I found it a steep learning curve as I need plenty of
hands on and re-reading directions (I drained the
first set of batteries in 2 days.) I made a point of
using the various modes even when I was driving to a
locations I knew. I hiked formal hiking paths in the
Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam areas of
Metro Vancouver Canada. Familiarization comes with
plenty of practice. I made a road trip to Quesnel BC
using it to check mileages, speed and accuracy. I was
impressed at the accuracy as I would check and compare
intersections and side roads. I have had no problems
acquiring satellites, even in my home office and in
the Fraser Canyon. Needless to say it has more
features than I have used yet but over the winter
months I will continue to challenge myself and be
ready for spring.
In my humble opinion I would rate my experience with
it as AAA.
156 out of 322 viewers found this review helpful.
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W. MacPherson
November 19, 2008
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ETREX VISTA HCX
Got all the feature I wanted.
It was as advertised.
Picks up satellites well.
Is very accurate.
Works great with Garmin's Topo Canada Mapsource
software(maps).
Manual could be better, but with a little practice
(trial-and-error) it all comes together.
Happy with product - recommend it if you want to map
trails.
167 out of 318 viewers found this review helpful.
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W. MacPherson
November 17, 2008
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GARMIN ETREX VISTA HCX
Has all the feature I wanted. All work well. Manual is a bit
vague, but lots with lots of trial-and-error you can find the
features. I used Energizer 2450 mAhr NiMh batteries and thy seem
to last forever. Seems to be Accurate to about 5-10 ft on the
Garmin TOPO Canada MapSource maps.
I am having lots of fun with the GPS and the Map package.
Looking forward to spring and lots of mountain bike trail
mapping.
132 out of 313 viewers found this review helpful.
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Brien Bowen
November 17, 2008
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VISTA HCX DRIFTS BAD
I am disappointed in etrex vista hcx. I bought this because I
was upgrading from the etrex legend. I find the hcx drifts up
to 150 metres off course. I emailed Garmin and their reply was
to update the software version to 2.8 which I did. All that did
was slow down the time it takes for the sats to fix. On a
geocache the legend showed me within a metre, the hcx said I was
still 56 metres away. I shut it down to reload and it was
better but still 16 metres off. How can I trust something that
far off. It could get me lost not get me home from being lost!
I will email or phone Garmin again and hopefully get it resolved.
I do like the size and the compass but again I don't know if I
can trust it. I still take the legend (which I gave to my son)
as a backup but find I'm using the Hcx as the backup.
148 out of 288 viewers found this review helpful.
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Andrea Boidi
November 16, 2008
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BEST ETREX ID'VE BUY
so in my opinion is the best etrex never built, i use it for bike
trekking and to drive me in the city, it does all this work very
well. it stay on my backbag everytime
positive features, quick satellite lock, in deep foliage o urban
situation, battery life is good. very recommended items
thx gps city its my 3° gps buyed and its the best
130 out of 286 viewers found this review helpful.
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Alan
November 13, 2008
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TECHNOLOGIST
The Garmin Vista HCx is an excellent handheld GPS. Its Small size,
Long battery life, High-sensitivity receiver, Barometric altimeter,
Waterproof, and Low cost are the features that sold me on this GPS.
The high-sensitivity receiver is super I get signal lock in my
basement. I use the Garmin Vista HCx for hiking, bicycle commuting,
canoeing, in the car, and for photography. Best all-round GPS model
for the money.
161 out of 330 viewers found this review helpful.
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John
November 11, 2008
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This is my second garmin product and to be quite honest I actually
prefer it over many other gps products. Its displays are easily
navigated. It is easy to see and automatically back lights at night to
alert you to turns on the road. I also find the battery life more than
adequate.
I primarily use this for cycling. It keeps track of my rides and most
importantly total assent. It is more reliable then my current wireless
cyclometer. It mounts to the handlebars using a bar adapter and the
units own backplate. The Back plate that comes with the bar adapter is
meant for a regular etrex ... not the HCx. This is due to the
memorycard space being larger than the backplate allows for.
I currently use only 1GB of data. However, I am considering upgrading
to 4GB. There is plenty of room with 1G to map your way from British
Columbia all the way down to California. However, It would be nice to
have more...
I considered the Garmin 705. However, the etrex HCX is a good
alternative.
154 out of 325 viewers found this review helpful.
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John
May 22, 2008
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On a recent canoe trip I took my Venture Cx but my canoe partner has the Vista HCx. I kept getting weak signal and losing my position while he had no problem monitoring his position while both on a portage and bushwhacking to a lake. I really like my Venture, but having seen the increased sensitivity I am thinking of upgrading.
170 out of 317 viewers found this review helpful.
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scott
October 4, 2007
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The HCX has excellent gps signal, but so far the trip meter is useless for hiking. It only records distance and time if you are traveling over 2.5km/h. I went on a 5km hike and the trip meter told me I hiked 1.8km and was stopped longer then I was moving. (The CX I was also carrying was correct) Gamin has just released software version 2.4 which improves it. (it seems to set the limit down to 1.5-2km or so) but on tough hiking trails you are still moving slower then this. you can determine the trip distance after you get home and upload the tracks into mapsource. the track distance is correct. but the trip meter (distance, stopped time, moving time) on the handheld is useless and a huge downgrade from pervious models which seem to work just fine.
160 out of 324 viewers found this review helpful.
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CBA
September 11, 2007
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FINDS SAT SIGNALS LIKE A BLOOD HOUND CAN FIND SENT
Ok, so this is my 4th hand held GPS that I've personally owned, a 60CS was the last before this one. I can't believe this things ability to lock onto satellites and report accurate locations. As an example, after just being turned on, it found signals through an open door while being used in a room WITHOUT windows. The nearest window (with closed drapes) was through two open doorways (on either side of a hallway) and through living-room... at least 18ft away... just incredible. This GPS also uses external power with a common USB cable that is provided in the box so you can use just about any USB style charging adapter and you do not have to worry about the batteries when connected to a computer. I am very happy with my new Garmin Vista HCx GPS.
174 out of 334 viewers found this review helpful.
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