Garmin Vista HCx gps (anyone familiar with it)

danattherock · 07-25-2008, 11:25 AM

I float NW Alaska rivers each Fall. I have the Garmin etrex Legend C unit now. I am looking at getting a second gps unit and wanted to know if anyone has used the Garmin Vista (or Legend) HCx. I see the Alaska chip is about $80 and that is convenient. But the altimeter/barometer is what I am most curious about. That seems to be the only thing the Vista offers over the Legend. Is it a worthwhile feature. Reason I ask is that I read in a review of the unit that the alitmeter had to be calibrated. If you don't know the sea level, that would be useless. Or am I reading into things to much. Is the calibration an automatic operation. Any insights on the Garmin Vista or Legend HCx. Or for that matter, on the Garmin Alaska sd chip? Having the older Legend C, I have had to download my maps for each float trip. The chip sounds like a neat idea on the surface. Anything I am missing? Any drawbacks? Thanks for any thoughts.

emilyyi · 08-04-2008, 9:07 AM

I have had my “eTrex Vista HCx” for almost a year and I just bought an “eTrex Venture HC” for my son. Both of them have very good signal receptions and longer battery lives, compare to the “eTrex Vista C” I had before. I like the “eTrex Vista HCx” better since it has the automatic routing function so I can use it as a driving GPS. The drawback for these units (may also be for all the Garmin units) is without purchasing additional maps, they are pretty much useless, and the maps can be very expansive. The maps have cost me more than the units.

-Emily

earlthepearl · 10-14-2008, 7:25 PM

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07-25-2008, 11:25 AM	#1
danattherock Join Date: Jul 25 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1	Garmin Vista HCx gps (anyone familiar with it) I float NW Alaska rivers each Fall. I have the Garmin etrex Legend C unit now. I am looking at getting a second gps unit and wanted to know if anyone has used the Garmin Vista (or Legend) HCx. I see the Alaska chip is about $80 and that is convenient. But the altimeter/barometer is what I am most curious about. That seems to be the only thing the Vista offers over the Legend. Is it a worthwhile feature. Reason I ask is that I read in a review of the unit that the alitmeter had to be calibrated. If you don't know the sea level, that would be useless. Or am I reading into things to much. Is the calibration an automatic operation. Any insights on the Garmin Vista or Legend HCx. Or for that matter, on the Garmin Alaska sd chip? Having the older Legend C, I have had to download my maps for each float trip. The chip sounds like a neat idea on the surface. Anything I am missing? Any drawbacks? Thanks for any thoughts.

08-04-2008, 9:07 AM	#2
emilyyi Join Date: Aug 04 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 3	Re: Garmin Vista HCx gps (anyone familiar with it) I have had my “eTrex Vista HCx” for almost a year and I just bought an “eTrex Venture HC” for my son. Both of them have very good signal receptions and longer battery lives, compare to the “eTrex Vista C” I had before. I like the “eTrex Vista HCx” better since it has the automatic routing function so I can use it as a driving GPS. The drawback for these units (may also be for all the Garmin units) is without purchasing additional maps, they are pretty much useless, and the maps can be very expansive. The maps have cost me more than the units. -Emily

10-14-2008, 7:25 PM	#3
earlthepearl Join Date: Feb 12 2008 Location: USA Posts: 12	Re: Garmin Vista HCx gps (anyone familiar with it) Garmin: MapSource - Trip and Waypoint Manager Garmin: MapSource - TOPO U.S. 2008 Garmin: MapSource - City Navigator North America

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