GARMIN 10-00243-00 Etrex Vista GPS Receiver

While the features and screen quality are awesome. I've found its ability to lock on and track satellites to be quite poor. My Vista has difficulty with maintaining more than 3 or 4 locks for any period of time. Even when I'm standing in the middle of a field on a sunny day, pointing my GPS to the sky it seems to have trouble. When using it in my car, while kept in my pocket, or a small bag to carry around it almost never is able to keep a solid lock. Even when I was in downtown on the Statehouse lawn it couldn't lock on enough satellites. I don't think it is reliable enough for use in the woods, and I don't want to have to worry about finding a clear area, or if it's a cloudy day to be relying on this device. It claims 20 or so hours with the battery but it sure does seem to eat them. GPS tracking is the primary use for this and it seems to have trouble with that.

Just finished my first weekend with the unit, and I have to say, it's a real treat to use. The screen is small, but its very high resolution so many details can be displayed on a relatively small device. The "click-stick" is a neat little idea for navigating the menus and scrolling the map around. One feature that I really liked about it, and the deciding factor between this and the emap, was that it's water resistant to 1 meter for 30 minutes. I plan on taking it river kayaking, so waterproof is good. The unit comes with 24MB of RAM, which I've found gets swallowed up very quickly by things like the MetroGuide maps. At around 8MB for every MetroGuide area, it doesn't give you much to go with. I did compare it to a friends emap unit, and the only things that would make the Vista better would be audio alerts and more RAM. Another rather strange thing about the device is that it would appear to be made for someone who is left handed. The "Click-Stick" is on the left hand side of the device, and me being right handed I'm constantly blocking the screen when I use it. I'm trainig my left hand to use it. :-)All in all, a great, compact, feature rich GPS device.

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!

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!

Garmin has outdone themselves with the eTrex line of GPS. I've used the GPS III Plus by Garmin, which used to be their top of the line for outdoor/personal use. Now, with the eTrex line of GPS available, the III Plus pales in comparison. I have a Vista and have found few drawbacks to the unit. The most prominent being battery life. I highly recommend the cigarette lighter adapter if you plan on using the unit in a vehicle. Also, if you plan to use it at night, take a flashlight along and don't use the backlighting on the eTrex. By doing these thing you will extend the battery life considerably. The only other negative is that maps tend to eat up the memory. But with 24 MB it has the most of the eTrex line and should be plenty for even powerusers. As for positives on the Vista I can't say enough! The size is very manageable, much more so than the older models. Satellite acquisition and tracking are right on. I've used the Vista several times in my vehicle with the unit sitting on the console and picked up several satellites. I've used it in severely stormy weather with completely overcast skies and was able to track my position. This also proved to be an excellent test of the unit's weatherproofing! The inclusion of other technologies, such as the WAAS capability, Loran TD position format and built in electronic compass truly defines the Vista as a leader of GPS units. I could go on but the best way to find out how well the Vista works, is to buy one and try it yourself! Enjoy!

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.

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.

About the size of my cell phone it fits easily in my purse, this little unit has surprised me with it's features. It is WAAS enabled and accurate (at least in Seattle and Puget Sound).

The biggest thing the Vista has that other eTrex products do not is 24 MB of memory. This extra memory allows for longer Track records than other eTrex products. Two other cool features included are a genuine magnetic compass (for use when stationary) and a real barometer. (It is also water proof like the rest of the eTrex products.)

When coupled with MapSource software this product is really neat. MapSource allows quick creation of routes and waypoints that upload quickly into the Vista. The Vista can also have all of the waypoints and tracks, routes created on it downloaded to your PC. I really like the track review and printing I can get from MapSource PC software. (MapSource is NOT included with this product)

The initial map in the GPS was a little disappointing. I immediately wanted more and better data. Fortunately this was quickly fixed by purchasing a MapSource cartography product as well. (I'm using "Waterways and Lights")

Another thing to consider is that the Vista likes batteries (new batteries every 13 hrs), yum, yum. You will probably want the cigarette lighter power supply and some rechargeable Ni-MH AA batteries.

Check out Garmin.com for Vista firmware and MapSource upgrades and bulletins. Their after sale software support for this product is very good.

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.

As an urban explorer, I'm not sure I fit the typical profile for a handheld GPS consumer. Nevertheless, having just returned from three weeks navigating the cities Great Britain on foot, I am completely sold on the utility of this product. I used the eTrex Vista in conjunction with the UK MetroGuide product which allows one to upload detailed maps, with the coordinates of tourist attractions, transportation facilitates, etc. No more burying my head in maps and hunting for street signs, with the GPS it's point, click walk straight to it! This product saved me hours of the wandering and frustration I experienced on my first trip. The only qualification I will make on using the GPS in the city is that tall buildings and narrow streets can cause loss of reception. I found this to be a workable limitation since one could always stand on an open street corner for a moment and take a new reading.

As the most expensive in the eTrex series, this unit has much needed extra RAM, a built in compass, and a barometer / altimeter. The built in compass is handy to help you keep on track when you lose satellite reception. Obviously, parked cars and other metal objects can throw it off, but you can toggle the feature on and off at will. I did not use the barometer / altimeter.

As with any tool, you need to spend a little time learning to work with it effectively. As a frequent traveler without the keenest sense of direction, I found the investment, both in time and dollars, well worthwhile.

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!!!

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.

I just bought myself the E-Trex Vista, I was alittle scared to spend the money on a unit that was so small.I had been using an Eagle Globalnav 12 but I was unhappy with not being able to download any map software for this gps also the Eagle will not let you save a track. After playing with the Vista for a few days I haven't thought about the price tag again, this gps is a treat to use I havent had any problems hooking up with satellites even while being inside holding the unit near the window. I would recommend the Vista to my friends.
I think now I would have paid a few dollars more if they would have offered a car lighter adaptor and a case,that to me would have made for a great package!

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)

The E-Trex Vista is a fully packed product that delivers everything promised EXCEPT viewability. Unless you are blessed with far above average eyesight you will find the product frustrating. I also have a Garmin GPS - 12 and thought the mapping ability of the Vista would be great. With eyes like an eagle you will be very happy - otherwise you will be driving around blind trying to see the tiny letters on the maps. I spend considerable time zooming in and out just to get rid of all the clutter on the small screen and then relocating myself in the bigger picture. One other problem is the "Track Back" is almost impossible to distinguish from the other lines drawn on the screen. I don't have a suggestion for improvement but just don't depend on using "track back" on streets or in any congested area.
Also, be aware of the current $50 rebate for purchasing the Vista and Map Source Software. I missed it by 2 weeks and feel like I wasted $50. Oh well.
Bottom line - the machine has bells and whistles that a techno geek like me appreciates. They ALL work - you just can't see it to appreciate what the capabilities are.
Next time I will not go for small size - I'll go for the largest practical screen!

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

This is the first GPS unit I have owned, but I have tried several out at school. This thing kicks bootie. Yes, it doesn't work that well in the THICKEST cover, and yes, you have to learn to use it left handed, but all in all, this unit deserves a 5. It tracks well, and the battery life is ample- i've been getting 10-14 hours life depending on compass usage. A great buy.

This is a solid unit loaded with features. Some people will find the design of the unit, which is made to be held in the left hand, awkward to master. (I was told by Garman this was done because if you were hiking with it in your right hand and fell, you would be most likely to try to use your right hand to break your fall - and the gps would be crushed.)

Clearly the major failing of this unit is that the interal antenna is only marginal, and it has no provision to add an external antenna. A big problem if you plan to use the unit anywhere there are lots of tall buildings, a moderate tree canopy, or in the car.
A frustrating limitation to an otherwise excellent unit.

Because of the limited antenna, my expereince is that it will often loose your track, which will make the units calculation of average speed, and your path, innacurate. (If the unit looses satelite reception, it will simply assume a direct line from the last reception point to when the reception is receieved again.

I should note that because of the hampered antenna reception, you are often forced to walk with the unit in your hand, with the antenna pointing up, to maintain satelite reception, as opposed to clipping the unit on your belt.

It does have a hunger for batteries - particularly if you use the backlit display. I always travel with an extra set.

Again, a solid unit - hampered by a poor antenna. If you are looking at this unit, I'd suggest looking at the GSMAP76S instead.
It has the features of the Visa with an external antenna port.

I received my Vista about two weeks ago and was excited to get it. After playing with the unit for about 30 minutes I was unable to get a satalite signal. Finally after I got in the middle of the field it picked up on 3 satalites. Thinking that this was a setup thing, proceeded to use the unit trailriding, in the car, walking around. Was pretty disappointed in the reception in all three places, satalite signal was being lost and accuired. One of the biggest disadvantages was if you have to turn on the unit close to trees it can't find a signal, even if the trees are 30 yards away and only 20 feet high and your standing in a opening. Now other than reception this unit does have an easy to use interface with some really cool features like the altitude, time stopped, average speed etc. But to top off the review I think for the money this unit is not worth it. Garmin needs to rethink there reception issue big time. I sent the unit back and looking for a better one.

Being in the military and deploying all across both the US and Europe, I have found the Vista to be a great help. The small size, great reception and ease of setup and use by far outweigh the monsterous battery consumption.
If you tend to get lost, need pin-point precision, or are just your average gadget freak, this item is a must have. Just be sure to have a supply of AA batteries on hand or a few sets of rechargables near-by.
The carry case, car charger and car mount are great accessories which allow you to protect and use the Vista just about anywhere. The charger is a must for vehicular use as it saves you from draining while driving as well.
Though I'd have hoped for a suction mount of the vehicle mount, I found that a good piece of velcro on the dash and on the mount works just fine (since I put it in my personal car as well as military vehicles I'm in).

I bought this thing ostensibly for a overall navigational aid, but it was really to go geocaching. Since then, I have ended up using it all the time. I keep it with me in the car, on the motorcycle, on the bicycle and on the trail. Very handy to have around. Kept me from being lost in the woods a couple times and being lost in San Jose once.

The downloadable maps set is a great addition, though ridiculously expensive, in my opinion. I have noticed a couple of problems with the maps. At first, I had trouble downloading maps from my PC to the unit. A couple on e-mails to Garmin, (Their customer service is great), and I got a new cable. That seemed to work, though I soon noticed that the old cable started working as well. Might have been a PC problem...not sure. But now, it refuses to let me load much more than a couple of MGb of data without freezing. I'm on the case with that, and hope that it can be fixed, but it is a problem. Especially with a unit that claims to hold 24 Mgb. Not sure if all that is a map problem or a Vista problem.

Past that, it has worked like a champ. I have had great reception, even under fairly heavy tree cover. The thing does eat a set of batteries in a long day. But you can tweak a few settings and they will last a bit longer.

Overall, I love it. Nice, compact design and a good feature set. A few faults, but nothing too major.

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.

This is a great little GPS! It has all the features of a full-sized console GPS but is compact for the outdoorsmen. It is not a good choice for the novice. If you are good at navagating through computer menus then you will have no problem with this unit. It is not a good choice for marine or automobile navigation, the display is much too small. If you are a hiker or hunter then this is the GPS for you. One major minus of this particular unit, it eats batteries! Hey you guys over there at Garmin, have you heard of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries!!! I would have paid [more money] for that feature, or do you have a cushy deal with Duracell? And why don't they make rechargeable AA Li-Ion batteries, hmmm....? And while your at it, include the stinkin' case. Really.

You definitely want to keep out from under trees or get out of your car if you want to make certain you don't lose the satellite signal. Definitely needs an external antenna jack. Other than that, it is excellent. Would definitely buy it again.

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.

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.

I purchased this for my wife's birthday, kind of like how Homer purchased a bowling ball for Marge on The Simpsons. I didn't get it engraved with my initials, though! Just like The Simpsons episode, Jill's taken the gift and made it her own, even though she suspect my ulterior motives (hey, I'm a geek, I love toys--and really, so does she!).

Her first use of it was in the Bahamas during a biology course she was doing down there, and it proved very useful, especially in comparison to some of the older units they had. I gave it to her the night before she left, and she just took it and the short instruction guide with her and had no problem figuring out a majority of its functions.

Since she's been back, we've recruited the unit (now called "Mary Jane") for use in Geocaching and it's been wonderful, able to keep signal in some heavy tree cover, consistently getting us within 10 feet of the cache.

If there's anything "wrong" with the unit, it's how power hungry it is (two AA batteries last for about 8 hours of use). We're investigating some rechargeable solutions, but it would have been nice if the unit had the ability to plug it in when you're not out in the field.

This incredible gadget has so many features it makes you feel like you're a member of the Enterprise crew. It also has enough menus and screens to leave even hardcore electronic gadget junkie satisfied. Yet, it has one shortcoming - it doesn't work half the time under real life conditions. Perhaps if you are in an open desert or a similar terrain it is reliable, but even with light tree cover (20-25%) or hills nearby it sadly reports "weak signal" and cannot calculate your position. To me, all the other features are an icing on the cake, but without being able to fulfill its primary mission, it becomes but an expensive electronic paperweight.

I bought the Garmin etrex vista as a travel aid in case I get lost driving somewhere. The road maps that come in the unit are only of large streets. I bought a CD from mapsource(roads and recreation) which was supposed to enhance the etrex maps to give more detail. The problems are that the maps are 5-10 years old. The cord that connects the etrex to the computer is a 9 pin (female)connector which required numerous trips to a local computer store in order to buy adaptors. Paper maps are more detailed, up to date and far cheaper than the gps which is what I should have stayed with.

Great little GPS for hikers and climbers. Couldn't be any smaller or lighter, yet the display is hi res and easy to read in sunlight. Software is easy to learn - I hardly used the manual. Antenna is sensitive enough it works INSIDE my house & away from windows (we have no metal in our roof). WAAS works in US and also in Australia - where its not supposed to! WAAS does not work in Europe, yet. However, WAAS is slow and you really need a good view of the sky, so I only use it for hi accuracy fixes. GPS altimeter is very accurate regardless of weather. Could be improved if the user could choose between barometric and GPS altitude - the GPS altimeter is weather independent. The only other criticism is the slow serial cable - REALLY! USB should be standard! This is my 3rd GPS. With WAAS disabled, it is as sensitive as a Garmin II+ and far superior in every other respect. Software configurability is fantastic!

I used to have a Etrex Venture, I was amazed with that GPS, recently I purchased the Vista at BestBuy in San Antonio, TX, what a marvelous GPS, I am amazed even more!!! It has all the options you may need from a handheld portable GPS, a very accurate altimeter, a electronic compass, and all the features that a etrex has. The only thing I could wish from Garmin is a Mapsource CD from Mexico and Latin America. The basemap is very good, it has the main highways in Mexico and some other information that the other etrex models does not. Only one more thing that I can say for sure:

People here in Latin America are starting to get very intersted about GPS devices (I am one of them), Garmin should start producing maps from Mexico an Latin America, and as I said in the review I wrote for the Garmin etrex Venture, Garmin should enlarge its distributors in Mexico, really is very hard to find Garmin devices down here!!! and if you find them, they are very expensive becasue the people who sells them aren't authorized reatailers, which means another thing *NO WARRANTY*

Based on the mix reviews I read on Amazon, I decided to purchase a Vista with the intention to return it if it doesn't live up to my expectation.

This is thoughts after a 3 days backpacking trip:

We visited Little Lakes Valley near Mammoth Lakes in central California. I uploaded trial topo map from Garmin's MapSource to the GPS unit which was really easy to do.

The first day there was completely overcast but the GPS worked fine. It was a bit slow tracking the satellites (maybe 1-2 minutes) and I would say the accuracy is within feets. For instance, when I approach a fork in the trail, the pointer indicated where I was on the fork just as I arrived at the spot. The 2nd and 3rd day were clear and this GPS was ready to navigate within 30 seconds! Mapsource is very accurate ( as far as this particular trail is concerned). What a great way to backpack. I had the comfort of knowing exactly where I am. I simply love this product. Well designed. Easy to learn UI. I spent less than 1 hour going over the literature and was very comfortable navigating around the different menues. The irony is: I am returning this GPS afteral. The reason: I am picking up the Rino 120 by Garmin. At least Vista gave me the confidence that Garmin makes quality product.

The basic road map preloaded in the GPS is adequate. It displays most of the main roads and freeway exits in Los Angeles area. I did experienced some problem while strolling in areas with dense tree. But this GPS is for outdoor use so this doesn't concerne me a whole lot.

I use this device for 4 wheeling in the desert. I have the topo and waypoints set and am able to find any place I have researched on my desktop computer.
I recently used the topos to find a hot spring which was hidden in a deep valley in a very remote location. Only by the use of a GPS could I have found the source of the spring in the dense brush.
I also use it when I'm jogging to keep track of the time, distance and the speed at which I am running.
Other uses I have found are calibrating my car speedomoter, finding the general altitude at which I am traveling and keeping track of my discoveries in the desert.
I find the topos quite useful in driving off-road, but I also agree that they are not maps I would find helpful for hiking. When I'm driving on BLM Open Route Roads I find they are all on the map, but when I'm looking at trails in the area around the roads, well, I am often disappointed.
I also recommend the cigarette power adapter, since the 2 AA batteries can burn out in a day without it.
Overall a very useful device. So 5 Stars for the device and 4 stars for the maps.

Somebody seems to have written that it took more than an hour to download data from MapSource to etrexLegend ( 8MB ), but I have successfully transferred various areas from MapSource to etrexVista ( 24MB ) and it took only 50 minutes. It is really a nice GPS in my hand !

Somebody seems to have written that it took more than an hour from MapSource to etrexLegend ( 8MB ), but I think it is wrong. I have successfully transferred various areas from MapSource to etrex Vista ( 24MB ), and it took only 50 minutes. I think it is very useful in my hand !!

My criteria won't be the same as others as route handling is important.

The Vista, I feel, does this very well. The Magellan software that comes with doesn't allow the creation of routes. When one does create a route, seems to me that ETA, ETE and other info is for the leg, not the route. I want to know when I'll get to my desired ultimate destination. The Vista seems to calculate ETA, etc., better when not currently heading to the target better.

The option vista software allows creation of a route to download. The vista has mag compass, barometer, average speeds, top speed, trip distance, total distance, and other info and features not available in the Magellan product.

The oomputer interface was USB where on the Magellan, it was DB9 which is harder to find on laptops these days, as I recall.

Vista has elevation profiles. Topo software less expensive for vista.

Had a Vista, lost it, bought Sportrak and used for awhile and just appreciated the features and route handling with Vista better.

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.

I have used this GPS (my third!!) for 6 months now. It is sooo easy to use - no manuals required! Literally. Basemaps are excellent for car touring. GPS is small and light - absolutely ideal for hiking. Read about the tech stuff elsewhere. As a user, it is near perfect - I just want a world base map not the current 1/3 of world basemaps (asia, europe or us).

Also these days 24MB is small - how about an option at 256MB! I'm sure that's the next model that I just described!!

WAAS seems no more accurate than normal? It's slow in WAAS mode. Give WAAS the flick.

I bought this unit for hiking and hunting in the Rockies. Like other reviewers have said there is alot to like about it. Garmin did a great job of packing 10 lbs of stuff in a very small package. But, there are some negatives to point out. The buttons and user interface software are the weakest points. Because the unit is small, the buttons are on the sides except for the "click stick". I have a hard time using the "stick" with gloves on and invariably push down when I meant to push to a side as an example. I also have a hard time pressing the small side buttons with gloves on. I find some of the screens and menu options counterintuitive but learned to navigate them after several mis-steps. Battery usage is high. Screen size is small so this probably isn't a unit you want to use in a vehicle.

this is my first gps so i can't really compare it to anything but the others i used in the stores. this ( eTrex Vista ) does every thing i would ever want and more. i use it for hiking and jeepin. and this thing is awesome. it does every thing from setting way points to tracking you back to where you started to telling you when the next full moon is. the mapsource software is great and highly detailed. the battery life is ok. 2 AA will last you for a long day hike or so. if you have the money and you are an outdoors kinda person i would go for this one.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I've been from Canada to Wyoming, walking the ground and in the air. The Vista is the best. From loading maps, to tracking and trips, it works like a champ.

This device has great potential but the technology is still a little immature. Zooming in/out as well as up/down/left/right even at low map resolutions is slow enough to limit on device trip planning. I have also had issues with the device shutting itself down at high temperatures >110 degrees Fahrenheit even while running the latest firmware (June 03). The speed and compass measurements are accurate and have acceptable update time resolutions. Summary: Great for moderate temperature hiking, no yet ready for road trips and extreme environments.

It has everything in. Barometer, altimeter, compass.....
I would have delightfully rated it 5 stars, but the only problem I had with my vista is that it eats out batteries very fast, despite of its built-in settings for different types of batteries. I use it exclusively for snowmobiling and it works great (especially if you had a 12V outlet in your sled, which I don't). If you're looking for a GPS loaded with features, get the vista. But i prefer using third party software to communicate with it. Garmin Mapsource is a wate of money. I got a version which simply wanted me to call Garmin support everytime I tried to chage description of a track.

I bought this GPS over a year ago and have been pleased with it's performance in a variety of conditions. I've used it in conjunction with the Mapsource US Topographic maps for Hiking, Hunting, and finding my way through Boston's confusing streets. I've used it in 30-100 degree weather, in the Adirondack mountains in the rain, and just for saving locations of places I visit.

Combined with the topo software, the Vista makes planning and getting to a destination easy. The detail on the unit and the number of features is fantastic. The 24 MB's has been adequate for all my uses to date. I enjoy the accuracy, backlight, click stick and it being weatherproof more than anything else. Battery life is decent and I find it quite user friendly. Be sure to check out all the available accessories.

After purchase, go to [website] to upgrade to the latest firmware.

I have had the misfortune of buying this product, I would not suggest it to ANYONE, you could toss your money out the window and get more of a benefit. The problem is this, Garmin, however may make great GPS hardware, there software ..., Real bad! whn=en you buy a Garmin GPS, you MUST use there software, if you do not, you will not have any information as to where you are. The ...is that there software is VERY expensive, and DOSNT EVEN WORK! I bought the Mapsource Metroguide USA for about ... and then I tried to install it, I selected the region I needed on my PC and I got a prompt to insert "disk 0" asking for some file I DID NOT HAVE, I didnt even have that disk! I have written Garmin about this, and have not yet heard back from them. Weather they fix my problem or not is not the issue, the point is if I were in your shoes, I would go with some other product! Good luck

Anyone who has read "Longitude" would understand that owning this device 500 years ago would have allowed one to rule the entire planet--without exaggeration. This toy is also important today, and I personally use it for navigating the NY Harbor.

A few key points: 1) In the two months I have owned the device I figured out how to calculate my estimated time of arrival to the Varizzano Narrows Bridge from the Liberty Landing Marina (a 7 mile journey) with only a 1 minute error while sailing downwind in a steady 10 to 20 knot breeze. 2) Outside, I have never had any reception difficulties. 3) The batteries last a long time 4) Charting your speed in real time allows you to get a better feel for the sailing capabilities of your boat in different conditions. 5) The device saves the path you just traveled on the map, allowing you to critique your selection of tacks and navigating prowess.

A few key points about what the device lacks. 1) Tide prediction information 2) Software for your pc so you can "hotsync" your handheld data to your pc. I think most if not all these options are available for the Vista, but they add hundreds of dollars to the overall cost.

When in operation, the eTrex Summit is a great unit. Once locked on, it holds signals well, and the data screens are intuitive and easy to navigate through. Map detail on the included basemap is pretty good, although exit data is a little odd (sometimes it will refuse to give you data for a road you are on, or give you the exits for an adjacent road). As a hiker's unit, it's good to know you can still get a bearing with the digital compass and know your approximate ascent rate with the barometer even without a clear sky view.

Now, the downside. Locking in is sometimes tediously slow, both on foot or in the vehicle. An external antenna would help, but there is no provision for one, and keeping the unit properly orineted is a bit of a trick. Once locked in, though, it is not much of a problem.

All in all, I am very satisfied with this unit.

I've had my Vista for several years now, and find it invaluable for hiking, driving, and touring foreign countries. I usually download the MapSource maps for whichever area of the US or Europe I'm going to, and it's saved me many a wrong turn! It works surprisingly well in urban environments, and I use it to navigate cities on foot. 24 meg of memory can store a lot of maps; I can easily fit all of the Metroguide New England states info in it.

The battery lifetime is good, but not as good as some other units. Turning off the magnetic compass helps considerably.
I do find the screen a little hard to read sometimes, but it crams a lot of information into a small space. All in all, it's a very nice unit, and I wouldn't be without mine.

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.

As a Fire Captain with a State Forest Fire Control Agency. This is one of our most useful tools,it has come in helpful in mapping fires and locating key locations and is used for giving locations for emergency helicopter evacuation. I recommend it to anyone one who plans on spending time in the outdoors.

I've had my Vista for a year and a half now. I use it every day, whether it's on my commute to and from work or just a trip to the store. Easy one-handed operation is a key feature. Works equally well in the cold or the heat. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

Availabilty was listed as "Seller: Office Depot
Usually ships within 1-2 business days." Wrong, on back order from Garmin. Plus this doesn't come from Office Depot, instead it comes from TechDepot, can't return it to Office Depot, guess you cant return it to Amazon either. So who am I really buying it from anyway. Very disappointed in Amazon and have never had a problem with them before. They need to carefully re-evaluate their strategy of representing other companies on Amazon.com site since they can't guarentee the service from these other companies. Well off to REI to get it I suppose.

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.

For what it's worth, I just used my ETrex Vista today to go GeoCaching for the first time. (My 9 year old twins and I had a blast!) Here's what I've noticed in my first week about the unit:

1. Reception seems to be excellent! It worked all day in the forest under moderate tree covering. I never got a notice that the signal was lost, and the navigation seemed to be dead-on in every instance.

2. Despite reports to the contrary, this unit seems to work great in my car! This was my biggest fear since I plan to use it while traveling, but so far it looks like my fears were unwarranted.

3. Accuracy is good. I took the advice listed on the Geocaching web site, and used common sense when I got to within 20-30 feet of the cache.

I've had nothing but positive experiences so far, and looking forward to more.

PCG

Pros
A very simple prouduct to use and understand. Most new GPS users that I show it too pick it up right away. The base map is excellent! I find that with these "Personal Use" GPS units if you mark a spot or waypoint it will never be completely accurate when you come back to it, however I notice that if I walk off a predetermined unit of length, like a football field
it is dead accurate.

Con
I have used the Garmin Topo maps and upload the various local topos to my unit, but come on, compared with a standard USGS topographical map or the TOPO software it just doesn't compare. So in a perfect world (in which you had lots of money) you could buy both the Garmin TOPO map and the National Geographic Topo Map.

I hate to admit but I know use it as the worlds most expensive bike computer. I use it on both my road bike and mountain bike and it certainly is rugged. You just cannot go wrong with this product.

We had Garmin Etrex Legends issued to us prior to departing for Operation Iraqi Freedom and these were life savers. Literally. These worked just as well as the expensive and clunky army PLGRs and they were more intuitive. Using the mapsource software we were able to load up operational graphics onto our Garmins which we used throughout combat. I loved it so much I shelled out the money to buy my own.
The only downside is this thing devours batteries and the display can be tough to read from a distance, but I think its small size more than makes up for it.

I like the small size of this unit, and the interface (at least for me) is much more intuitive than my Meridian. Unfortunately I decided to return the unit for the following reasons:

1.Satellite reception is flakey and unreliable. I kept losing signal and getting the message telling me that a clear view of the sky was needed. This seemed to occur even when I was outside, without tree or building cover.

2.Did not work well or at all from inside my car.

3.Satellite acquisition was usually slow and weak.

4.Accuracy was inconsistent.

5.GPS/PC transfer was not reliable.

I may have had a bad unit. I've ready far more good reviews than bad.

I purchased the Vista a number of years back. I have found that it is one of the most important part of my gear. It is easy to use, even my 6 year old duaghter loves it. I always have it with me. Updates are easly downloaded and installed. There has been great impovments in the undates each time. I have had no problems with the unit. It has handled the cold and the heat very well. I have never tested it in water yet, but that look like it will come up soon. I have used it for driving accross country, climbing, caving, hicking, biking, and would not go any were with out it.

I purchased my Eterex about 2 years ago, and have used it a lot since. I like to turn it on when on an auto trip across country. Click the scale small and use it to navigate off ramps as you wind through freeway interchanges. Always set a way point at your motel in a strange city. One night in Huntington, West Virginia, we were on our way back to our motel after a late dinner. Several minutes went by until we realized that we must have taken a wrong turn in the dark. We had no idea where we were or which way to go to the motel. Flick on the Eterex, and in thirty seconds we knew we were on the right street, but 4 miles away going in the wrong direction. I also love to go to National Parks and Monuments, and go off the beaten trails. Until getting the Eterex I was always worried that I could get lost, no trail, no markers, just more trees. Now, it's always set to tell men the direction back to the car and how far. I even use it on my walks around town to count miles of exercise.

For those of you who have never used one, the Eterex GPS system fits in a pocket or the palm of your hand, about the size of a cell phone. It has a general map of the entire US, including all towns and highways. It holds 24 megs of detailed topographic or other maps. You need to load the detail map of specific areas because you can't hold the whole US all at once. I bought the accessory CD set for topographic maps, and a cable to plug it into my desk CD for easier programming. The software set is easy to use. I got the topo maps because I'm off the road in the back country fairly often. You can also get a set of data on restaurants, gas stations, chain motels, etc. With that set the Eterex can tell you the direction and distance to the closest motel or other business.

One drawback that could be improved is the compass. It needs a little work. Oh, it works fine if you don't mind doing a double rotation calibration every time you turn it on, but that's annoying. I love the altitude graph that it draws giving a chart of your gain or loss of altitude, and current rates of assent or descent. You also can read current and max speed. We hit 86.4 mph once on our last road trip. Don't know where. High altitude reached on the last trip was over 10,000 feet while in New Mexico. You don't need that information, but it's fun to know. I should buy a plug adapter for the car. The batteries (AAA) last about 12 hours. Don't start into the woods without putting in new batteries.

Positional accuracy seems to be good to about 17 feet or less most of the time, about the length of a pickup truck. It doesn't work indoors very well, you need a clear view of the sky. Large trees can also interfere a little sometimes. In a car hold it near a window. I sit mine on the dash (rubber back doesn't slide) or on my outside knee. I never used the neck cord.

I'm completely new to GPS, so I did a lot of research before purchasing. I finally decided on the Vista because of size, features and value. Once I recieved it I found I got more than I had expected.
The Vista has a quality look, feel and heft to it. The controls are nicely weighted and have a real positive action to them, the screen is crisp and easily read in spite of its small size, overall the vista is simply a quality piece. You really get your moneys worth as far as the hardware is concerned.
More importantly, you get great value on the software side too, it is very easy to use for the basic functions and the more advanced features are easily learned and flow naturally from the basics. In just the two weeks I've had the Vista, I have already used it to set waypoints, plot a course to a destination and find a couple geocaches. It is very easily learned and user friendly for those not familiar with the technology, but seems to have enough features to satisfy those who are more heavily into the GPS scene. There are still many features to figure out, but it appears I can learn as I go with this unit.
I would recommend the Vista to anyone considering purchasing it for handheld use (hiking, biking, geocaching, etc.), its screen is probably too small to be practical for primary use as a car navigation unit. So far, I couldn't be any happier with the Etrex Vista.
I would also recommend Amazon.com, they not only had the lowest price, particularly with the free shipping, but they were lightning fast getting the order to me. I ordered on a Friday afternoon and received the package on Tuesday of the following week.
Kudos to Garmin and Amazon.com!

Bob W.

I just bought a Garmin Etrex Vista, which is my first GPS and will be mainly use for mountain biking. I bought the handlebar mount as well. I am very satisfied with this product. The only thing I dislike, which is not properly of the device itself, is that is dificult to find maps for Mexico. Other than that this device is the best in cost/benefit.

I have had this unit for just under a year. So far it has worked fairly well. Several reviews complain about poor sat reception and that it doesnt even work in the car.

I have been able to get good reception in the car, as accurate as 6 feet (when laying on the dash). While on my knee it stayed within 15-20 feet. Even in my house, away from the window i get spotty reception. I have not tried it under trees yet.

The features are awsome. all the data collection when laying a track is great.

I have also read in a few reviews that the unit will turn off for no reason. I have experienced this twice. When i turn it back on it goes back to what it was doing before shutdown (i was laying a trail). Not sure why this occurred but it is a bit annoying

This unit was a gift so i didnt get to do research and make my own choice. Had i had that oppt. i probably would have either bought this one or more than likely the 60CS. [...]

I go backpacking annually in SW Colorado and this was the only reason i was given this. I had no intensions to use the unit for street navigation. But I have played around with it. It seems to work ok but it certainly wasnt designed for street applications.

Once i start doing so geocaching and packing with it, testing it under different environments and coverage, i plan to update this review.

Until then i would have to say i have been please with the unit.

This is an excellent little GPS receiver. The screen resolution is quite good for a device this small. It has 24mb of memory built-in which is good. I use it mostly for outdoor sports and geocaching. The only thing I would change is to have the option of calculating altitude by GPS data or the electronic altimiter. It seems to do altimiter only.

Recommendation: I'd buy this if you want this particular combination of features. But to get the features there are large compromises in performance.

In this review, I will mention the Gecko 201, Quest, and Vista C. These are other units made by Garmin. I own a 201 and a Quest (early version) but have not yet used the other unit or the later Quest's.

Driving: When placing it on the dash I am forced to compromise between seeing the display and aiming the antenna outside of the car for reception, since the antenna is in the body of the unit. The effect depends on the design of the car (how big the windows are, I would guess.) On the Quest, the antenna flips up and it does not have this problem. Sunlight reflecting off the front face of the unit into the driver's eyes is sometimes a problem, and aiming to unit to fix this can compromise reception and/or readability. The battery life is short enough that I find a car plug necessary (at additional cost). However, the battery life can be extended by disabling features. It is not able to find automobile routes, such as the Vista C or Quest can do. I find that when I compare the cost of a Vista (plus maps and plug) with, say, a Quest (where these are included), they are pretty much the same. So I would not get a Vista if the only planned use was extensive route finding while driving. The Quest is a much better solution.

Hiking: I live in California. Here there are grassy hills to tree covered hills. I find that my main area of concern is finding my location when in the trees since in other areas I can navigate with a map (the GPS does not rule out needing a map, even with the topo map CDs) and my eyes. I have been comparing the reception of the Vista with my Gecko 201, and find that the 201 gets noticably stronger signals. This results in the 201 getting faster, better positions, and getting positions where the Vista will not, such as in moderate tree cover, which is where I'd really want a position. I find that e-compass and e-altimeter do not outweigh the fact I cannot get a position lock. So if your only planned use is hiking, I'd get something with better reception, and a Silva "Ranger" style compass.

I am finding that when I switch on/off the compass feature (to save battery life, the compass is a noticable drain) the software in the unit crashes and it shuts off. A pain, but not a fatal one.

However, all the preceeding being said, if you want a single unit that can get you to a park, then navigate around the park, and back to the car, this unit is cheaper that two separate GPS units for each aplication. And it nicely fits into a pocket for hiking. I also hear that geocachers like them since they need to get close to the cache in the car, and then take the unit out of the car to find the cache. I could see this unit being nice in that application.

This is my first GPS and I really thought it would perform better. The signal acquisition was poor unless clear sky was found and the boot up took way too long. The screen is really too small to be very useful however when used with TOPO & Metro-guide a lot of information is available. Maybe I still need to work with it but the GPS location shows on the Satellite screen not on the Map page so you need to switch between the two. the Altimeter is based on air pressure but can be calibrated based on GPS... Why not just use the GPS altimeter unless GPS is off. As for the Compass, forget it if any Iron is around (Car, train, ship...)

I purchased this for an Alaska trip and was less than thrilled. On the Plane I needed to hold it to the window and only occasionally got a lock, on a train I needed to be outside and on our cruise ship it only worked on the top deck. a full 360 degrees view of the sky was needed... It lost signal when in a valley if there were tall mountains around. But It did work on the Jeep dashboard contrary to other reports. Maybe they have metallic windshield tint that causes a block signal. (Most GMs, Lexis, saturn, saab, etc.)

But it did go everywhere as it fits into a pocket.

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.

I've used my Vista 5 or 6 times and it's been pretty pampered. Unlike some other reviews, I found its menus and controls fairly intuitive once I messed around with them a little bit. Then, just as I decided to start using this for some real geocaching instead of simply day hiking, the screen flipped out and failed. Now I often just get a bunch of lines across the screens, and there is "noise" on the screen even when I can see what I'm supposed to. The internal parts seem to be working, but the LCD failed very quickly (I've had this about 2 years, but with minimal use).
So, hopefully they'll fix the issue, since I see the same complaint from othes.

I have really enjoyed my Garmin eTrex . now as I am driving I do not have to say- Iwonder what our altitude is ? or I wonder if we are going north ? now all I have to do is look at my eTrex and the answer is there . It is really fun to be driving along and my pasenger will say WOW this little unit tells our speed , the direction we are going , how many miles we have driven and how far we have to go The altimeter is within 20 or so feet which is close enough while you are driving.

I bought the eTrex really wanting to love it but I didn't. I will try to not rehash everything the other reviewers have said but I will state the issues that I had.

The screen scratched easily and its small (not sure if it was just a plastic cover but its messed up right in the middle)

It was hard to get connected and had issues with cloud cover.



With all the funtionality it just wasnt that functional. The book was thick the buttons were confusing.

I still have it but I dont really use it and that is a shame because I know Garmin makes good products but this user just wasnt happy. I will recommend the name but not the product.

I love this unit, i have had it for 2 years now and have had very few issues. It is accurate and screen clear when looking closely gives great detail. I would however recommend spending the extra money on the color version, especially if you are mounting to a car, bike or motorcycle, makes quick reading much easier.

Few Minor Complaints:
-batteries dont hold snug and cause unit to shut off sometimes.
-no usb cable with this unit (parallel port is SLOW)
-monocrome screen hard to read quickly

I totally recommend this product.

Garmin's devices are pretty good. Somewhat tempermental, but mostly reliable. It's connecting their software and dealing with Garmin support that is a nightmare. And, you will need to call them because their software has all kinds of bugs and an archaic key system. Customer service hold time: 30-35 minues. Response time for email tech requests: a staggering 5-7 working days. Clearly Garmin does not care about its customers.

I had this GPS device for only 3 days and found it to be no better than mediocre.

Although at one point I was able to track 6 WAAS satellites and the display claimed accuracy to 17 feet, while driving along a straight road for 5.5 miles, it indicated that I was traveling approximately 350 feet to the side of the road. On two occasions on this straight road, it said I actually crossed the road and traveled on the opposite side.

I conducted a test by placing the unit where it would have an unobstructed view of the sky for 1 hour and leave it motionless. The trip computer reported that it had moved nearly a quarter-mile during that hour. I checked the accuracy at 15-minute intervals and it was constantly reporting accuracy between 12-24 feet.

The base maps are crude and inaccurate - a major 4-lane road (Hwy 7) in Tacoma, WA stops at 38th street. Really?!? If I drive down Hwy 7, it goes a couple of miles farther than the unit shows.

While using the compass you must hold the unit level in order to obtain accurate readings - understandable. There is even a little message that tells you to hold it level if you are off a little - nice. I tried and tried to find "level" according to the unit and after about 3 or 4 minutes was able to determine where "level" was. It was nowhere close to actual level. Now, if I am trying to navigate with the unit's compass while it is mounted to my bike, there is no way it is going to be level and accurate.

At 5.3 ounces, it doesn't even pass off as a good paperweight.

Fortunately I was able to return it to the seller with no problems for a full refund (Thank you REI!). I found out that Wal-Mart.com sells the unit for 50 bucks less than REI after I bought it though.

Recommendation: If you need a paperweight, get a rock - if you need a GPS, get a different one.


After some research, I found Etrex Vista as a very nice GPS unit. I was looking for something with a compass, altimeter, and also with a built-in area calculation feature. I was happy with this product, but it started to fail. The problem is that it simply turns off, no matter you are walking, cycling, or just stopped at a window. I tried several pairs of different rechargeable batteries and it kept turning off by itself.

My test procedure was the following: get a fully charged battery set, put it inside Vista, turn it on. Wait for some hours. After that, take a lot at Vista, if it is dead, turn it on again and check the batteries charge. If you have more than half, the Vista died too early. The batteries would have enough charge to keep it running for more several hours, and it usually did (as in these cases I turned it on again and it work for more several hours). I have repeated this procedure several times, replacing the batteries every time it really gets depleted, and it failed to me over 10 times (on partially charged batteries). Sometimes it runs smooth until the batteries are really depleted. Sometimes it just dies with one hour or two.

I got a replacement and it failed the same way, but this time my patience was out and I returned the replacement after "just" three sudden deaths. I think I can not even imagine to hike with this unit and have to check if it is tracking my path (turned on) every moment.

Other people say that you can add some extra aluminum to the batteries connectors, but I don't think I should have to patch a brand new unit. Also, as it dies even when stopped at my window (without any bumps), I think that adding aluminum to the batteries compartment would not solve the problem.

However, the features are very nice. And it works sometimes. I did not find any another unit with all those features in the $100-$200 range. By the end, I bought another unit, simpler, cheaper, and reliable. But it does not do everything I would like it to.

My Husband & I use Garmin eTrex Vista GPS device for Geocaching and we love it. (Learn more about Geocaching at [...]).

We been using this device regularly for 3 and a half months and have found it to be reliable and easy to use. This is the first GPS device we've ever used and found it easy to learn how to use it.

This device is small, light weight, and has an easy to read screen. Garmin eTrex Vista GPS device has a long battery life and easy to use control buttons. This device receives good reception-- must be used outdoors! No reception inside buildings.

Very minor complaints not really worth mentioning.

This is a great unit overall, but the rubber bumper around the edge of the unit is a real problem for those of us who live in the Southwest. It appears that exposure to the sun and heat causes the adhesive to disintegrate. I have had my unit since April 2004 and in just over two years, it had to be repaired twice for the same problem. I have spoken with a local Garmin dealer who confirmed that other Vistas (and similar models) have this chronic problem. Neither the dealer nor the Garmin can offer any solution but to send it in and pay for out-of-warranty repair of $125. They have no recommendation for adhesives. I have written to Garmin and have not received a response. I think this is a serious design flaw that Garmin has failed to address.

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.

I bought this unit a couple of years ago based on its features, but soon discovered that it can't normally do the one thing that all GPSs should, tell you where you are. I used my e-Trex Vista for about a year and half and would estimate that I spent 10% to 15% of the time staring at some type of lost signal message. The unit is totally useless under any type of tree cover and often has trouble holding a signal anywhere on overcast days, which means about half the time in the Seattle area where I live. I would not recommend this unit to anyone but my worst enemy.

As you can see I purchased this on 08/14/2006. My problem is a couple days ago while using this GPS a blue streak apperded about 1/2" x 2". It still works but I can`t read the screen so what good is it? What can you do about it. Please reply or foward to customer service to correct the problem. Thank You James D Rang Jr

I purchased the Garmin eTrex Vista for general hiking, biking and geocaching. I had never used a GPS system before, and I had no trouble getting started. It is very intuitive and easy to use. The map that comes with it is very basic (not a lot of neighborhood streets), but it is a great start until you can buy additional software. We purchased a neoprene case to keep it safe from nicks and a bicycle mount. We've found the compass to be very helpful for navigating, and the altimeter is really fun to have. We have had no trouble using it in the car on road trips. It can track fairly well...even sitting on the passenger seat. It is really neat on road trips because it gives you your current speed and average speed information, plus the elevation from the altimeter is great when driving through the mountains. In tems of the geocaching, it takes a little time to enter the waypoints, but we found it did a great job leading us to them. When you activate the use of the satellites with the higher numbers the accuracy has been as good as 8 feet so far.

This is my first GPS unit so I'm not sure how good others are. I've had it for 4 years now. I originally got it for backcountry skiing and mountaineering. Big problem is I live in the north west and the unit performs poorly under trees. It eventually gets a signal but you have to hang about, so I just use it to get waypoints, then turn it off.
I've used it on a bicycle after buying the bicycle mount accessory - works great. Used it in the car with no problems.
Last couple of years used a lot in sea kayaking. I bought the wallet for it, so that I can clip it onto the life jacket. No problems with leaks yet even though it has been completely immersed a number of times.
Good all round gps, doesn't work so well in woods. A color screen would be a worthwhile upgrade - the vista C.

I specifically ordered this unit because of the built-in compass. This electronic compass allows you to stand in one place and get true readings as opposed to other models that require movement to accuratly track your location and display directions to waypoints.


Being a member of the service, it is crucial that I know where I am in the world. I decided to purchase the Garmin eTrex Vista after much consideration of other handhelds on the market. It is one of only a couple in the $200 price range with a build in electronic compass, so you don't need to move around to get a bearing (a big plus when you're trying to sit tight, like hunting). Setting waypoints is easy, and changing pages on the fly is just a button punch away. The compact size is also a bonus (smaller than my digital camera). Along with a variable contrast display and backlight, it's even easy to read at night. Finally, the Amazon price was about $50 below MSRP. All in all, a great purchase.

I think that this receiver holds up to its promise and is a very helpful tool when navigating outdoors. I have used it on the desert and on the Baja peninsula mountains and performed pretty well. There is only one thing missing, this receiver does not warn you when you are about to lose reception (I could've used some kind of "beeping" noise) and neither warns you when you've lost complete reception. This is a very serious complication when you're traveling under heavy vegetation (pine trees) or under rain, when your complete attention is absorbed by the surroundings and where to make your next move, if you are tracing a new route through an unknown path this can be really scary. Other than that it performs extremely well and for the price offered by amazon is an exceptional buy. Just one thing that I recommend is that you remember to keep track of your satellite reception, since this receiver will not notify you.

I use it as a logger to record my flights. It's small, reliable, with enough memory for recording flight log, including altitude information.
The two AA batteries supply enough power for several flights.

I am very happy with the product.

Found this unit when I was looking for a power cord for a cheaper unit I bought at Wal-Mart. This one had more features and memory (24 MB v 8 MB) for about $20 more.

Battery life is above what I expected and the screen is adequate for use in a moving vehicle.

If you want to use it for any type of serious navigation though, you will have to purchase the MapSource add-on maps. Transferring them via the serial port is S-L-O-W.

I specifically ordered this unit because of the built-in compass. This electronic compass allows you to stand in one place and get true readings as opposed to other models that require movement to accuratly track your location and display directions to waypoints.


Being a member of the service, it is crucial that I know where I am in the world. I decided to purchase the Garmin eTrex Vista after much consideration of other handhelds on the market. It is one of only a couple in the $200 price range with a build in electronic compass, so you don't need to move around to get a bearing (a big plus when you're trying to sit tight, like hunting). Setting waypoints is easy, and changing pages on the fly is just a button punch away. The compact size is also a bonus (smaller than my digital camera). Along with a variable contrast display and backlight, it's even easy to read at night. Finally, the Amazon price was about $50 below MSRP. All in all, a great purchase.

I think that this receiver holds up to its promise and is a very helpful tool when navigating outdoors. I have used it on the desert and on the Baja peninsula mountains and performed pretty well. There is only one thing missing, this receiver does not warn you when you are about to lose reception (I could've used some kind of "beeping" noise) and neither warns you when you've lost complete reception. This is a very serious complication when you're traveling under heavy vegetation (pine trees) or under rain, when your complete attention is absorbed by the surroundings and where to make your next move, if you are tracing a new route through an unknown path this can be really scary. Other than that it performs extremely well and for the price offered by amazon is an exceptional buy. Just one thing that I recommend is that you remember to keep track of your satellite reception, since this receiver will not notify you.

I use it as a logger to record my flights. It's small, reliable, with enough memory for recording flight log, including altitude information.
The two AA batteries supply enough power for several flights.

I am very happy with the product.

Found this unit when I was looking for a power cord for a cheaper unit I bought at Wal-Mart. This one had more features and memory (24 MB v 8 MB) for about $20 more.

Battery life is above what I expected and the screen is adequate for use in a moving vehicle.

If you want to use it for any type of serious navigation though, you will have to purchase the MapSource add-on maps. Transferring them via the serial port is S-L-O-W.

This is a very nice piece of kit, but getting a bit long in the tooth. It did exactly what I wanted it to do, until I saw the Vista Cx. Sold my Vista to my dad and bought the Cx - well worth the extra money for the extra usability. All the annoyances on the old Vista model are fixed on the Cx:

* Greyscale LCD with feeble backlight compared to a color, daylight readable LCD - the brighter it is, the sharper it gets.
* Long, thin LCD c/f the squarer one on the Cx
* RS232 serial port vs USB port, which also powers the unit
* Map redraws are slow - faster CPU on the Cx
* No autorouting on the Vista - it's on the Cx, but you need the right maps
* No sounds on the Vista for route change reminders - Cx goes 'beep' in a variety of ways.

The eTrex was picked based on cost. My work changed in a way that it required that a gps receiver. Only need it to mark and record latitude and longitude. It was easy to use and the manual was understandable.

I've always used Garmin's, I've owned the II+ since it first came out and messed around with the 12XL & IV. Back in 2003 I bit the bullet and went for the vista because I thought it would be cool to "see" the map on the screen. Well after three years of use I've found that I'd rather know where I am than see graphics on the screen. I still use the vista but not for hiking or 4WDing, signal lock under trees is just not good enough. I'm going to get another Garmin because I'm so familiar with the interface but I've learnt my lesson, I'll get a model which accepts an external aerial. Your experiences may differ.

The eTrex Vista Garmin is a nice instrument, an elemental GPS and should be more usefull if we may have a software of certified maps for Colombia,S.A. unfortunatelly those are not available.

I was in a personal trip outside the US and I got amazed by the amount of information I could read on this little and not that expensive GPS. I was in Venezuela, near a little town called Tabay (bet you cannot find it in the map) and the GPS was able to locate it and give me precise information of my location, altitude and distances/location to each city around me. I also zoomed on the world map and it clearly displyed the mayor routs on it. Amazing! The only thing they can improve on it is if you want to use it for driving navigation (distances to each city is linear, not driving) and the communication with the computer (that is why I gave it a 4 and not a 5). Highly recommended for outdoor adventure.

This is my first GPS unit so I'm not sure how good others are. I've had it for 4 years now. I originally got it for backcountry skiing and mountaineering. Big problem is I live in the north west and the unit performs poorly under trees. It eventually gets a signal but you have to hang about, so I just use it to get waypoints, then turn it off.
I've used it on a bicycle after buying the bicycle mount accessory - works great. Used it in the car with no problems.
Last couple of years used a lot in sea kayaking. I bought the wallet for it, so that I can clip it onto the life jacket. No problems with leaks yet even though it has been completely immersed a number of times.
Good all round gps, doesn't work so well in woods. A color screen would be a worthwhile upgrade - the vista C.

As you can see I purchased this on 08/14/2006. My problem is a couple days ago while using this GPS a blue streak apperded about 1/2" x 2". It still works but I can`t read the screen so what good is it? What can you do about it. Please reply or foward to customer service to correct the problem. Thank You James D Rang Jr

I purchased the Garmin eTrex Vista for general hiking, biking and geocaching. I had never used a GPS system before, and I had no trouble getting started. It is very intuitive and easy to use. The map that comes with it is very basic (not a lot of neighborhood streets), but it is a great start until you can buy additional software. We purchased a neoprene case to keep it safe from nicks and a bicycle mount. We've found the compass to be very helpful for navigating, and the altimeter is really fun to have. We have had no trouble using it in the car on road trips. It can track fairly well...even sitting on the passenger seat. It is really neat on road trips because it gives you your current speed and average speed information, plus the elevation from the altimeter is great when driving through the mountains. In tems of the geocaching, it takes a little time to enter the waypoints, but we found it did a great job leading us to them. When you activate the use of the satellites with the higher numbers the accuracy has been as good as 8 feet so far.

I bought this unit a couple of years ago based on its features, but soon discovered that it can't normally do the one thing that all GPSs should, tell you where you are. I used my e-Trex Vista for about a year and half and would estimate that I spent 10% to 15% of the time staring at some type of lost signal message. The unit is totally useless under any type of tree cover and often has trouble holding a signal anywhere on overcast days, which means about half the time in the Seattle area where I live. I would not recommend this unit to anyone but my worst enemy.

This is a great unit overall, but the rubber bumper around the edge of the unit is a real problem for those of us who live in the Southwest. It appears that exposure to the sun and heat causes the adhesive to disintegrate. I have had my unit since April 2004 and in just over two years, it had to be repaired twice for the same problem. I have spoken with a local Garmin dealer who confirmed that other Vistas (and similar models) have this chronic problem. Neither the dealer nor the Garmin can offer any solution but to send it in and pay for out-of-warranty repair of $125. They have no recommendation for adhesives. I have written to Garmin and have not received a response. I think this is a serious design flaw that Garmin has failed to address.

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.

My Husband & I use Garmin eTrex Vista GPS