Garmin eTrex Vista Cx Handheld GPS Receiver

I'll start off by explaining why I purchased a GPS. Since relocating to a new town in Georgia, I found it hard to get my bearing and recognize directions. I did have a chance to try out the Garmin 60 series unit, and saw a good reason to get a similar type unit. Now, there is quite a selection of GPS units available and more features than you can use if you are driving. The car units are nice and readable, but they are limited to use in a car. I wanted a unit that I could use while walking or hiking, that was easily readable and that had convenient controls and not over complicated in use. I did what most people do, read reviews, and looked at the features and pretty much learned about the features on different brands. My brother-in-law, having worked first mate duties on yachts that used GPS, had a piece of advice. "Garmin is the only one I've seen on yachts". So, with that information, I decided to look at Garmin exclusively. Of course, this isn't the only source of information I used to make the decision. I went ahead and read some reviews on hiking units, now concentrating on Garmin. The Garmin my brother-in-law owns, was a little larger than I wanted, so I then started looking at the Etrex line. The main features I was looking for was ease of use, color screen and ability to be used in the car or walking/hiking. With the smaller unit the screen is smaller than a car version GPS. Obviously with the Etrex you are not getting a large , car sized screen, such as in the car units. But, with the color screen, even somebody like me that wears glasses, can read the screen. And, it readable when I'm driving.
Now the Etrex line.
There is a choice of the Venture,Legend and Vista.
The units have a black and white screen or a color screen.
Get the color screen! The difference between black and white & color is huge.
CX denotes color screen, as in Legend CX, Vista CX etc.
The units have similar features and internal memory,or a micro SD card.
They all have the little toggle on the front left, that moves the directional scroll to see different parts of the screen. If you've never used a GPS, what this does is scroll the screen sort of like in Google maps. You're not using a mouse but the toggle. Similar to the button mouse on a laptop.
Hard to explain, but suffice to say that it is better done when you are stopped, if you are in the car. The two buttons on the left side, magnify the map view or zoom out the map view. Below those two keys, the menu key takes you to a more than adequate menu of options. There are icons and text regarding each option. I like the layout, personally, the pictures are a little small to see when driving. So you should really set the unit to the map view and resist the urge to go through different screens while driving. Too easy to get distracted.
But, the toggle is easy, fast and I like the way it feels.
Also click it down and it can set a waypoint, which I'm not going to explain here, because I'm running out of characters as I type this.
I usually upload a map to an area I'm visiting, and study the map on a pc, before I go to that area. That way I know some of the streets and don't have to scroll the screen around too much, while mobile. The right side has a button at the top, that changes screens. You get a map view, a horizon, compass,and altimeter to name a few.
Don't have enough space to explain the rest of the features.
Overall,remarkable. Best choice for handheld. Fits in a shirt pocket.

I hunt in Alaska and it has been demonstrated to me more than once that the Garmin Etrex Vista CX is a very effective device to keep you out of trouble. When the sun goes down you are lost with out it. When you harvest game at dusk and must return later to retrieve it it's indespensable. I like the compass and especially the track/backtrack capability. This purchasing experence has been great. Good quality merchandice rapid response and faster shipment.

I recently purchased this unit and chose it above the legend series as this has not only the color screen, but also compass and altitude tracking. It does far more than I would ever need in a GPS unit, but it is small enough to mount on my handlebars and go out on my road or mountain bike. You can track 7 realtime functions (speed, moving avg, elevation, odometer, etc) on the same screen. I routinely have accuracy within 7 feet, and even keep reception under dense trees. I was just up in Glenwood Springs and lost my hat while hiking. I went back the next day, thanks to the bread crumb feature, and found it. I would definitely recommend this to anyone.

I am into Geocaching. I was using a PDA and a Pharos GPS. It was accurate but awkward. I read several reviews of different GPS units at the Geocaching.com site and decided the Garmin eTrex would be the right replacement.

Since I do a lot of shopping on ebay, I of course, checked here for it and found one for a decent price.

This Garmin GPS unit is great for Geocaching! It's small, sturdy and pretty easy to use. The display is a good size, clear and can be set to whatever brightness is desired. There are several screens that aid in navigation: satellites being used, map, electronic compass, coordinates, etc.

There are a couple things I don't like about the unit. First, the brightness level doesn't stay at the level I set it at previously when I turn it back on. Also, it takes reading the manual to figure out how to use it. I'm a techie so reading the manual is usually the last thing I do. So it was frustrating that this wasn't more intuitive. But the manual provides all the instruction you need.

I would definitely recommend this GPS unit for anyone who's into Geocaching. It's accurate, easy to load waypoints into (either on the unit itself or connected to a computer), battery life is pretty good and you can zoom in the view to 20 meters.

I hope this helps in your decision whether or not to purchase this GPS unit.

Great little GPS for the money. It gives turn by turn in the street and road mode and with a quick change of sd cards it finds my favorite fishing hole ot guides me through new waters in the 10,000 islands. Then back in the car to get me to my next destination. Love it.

Man! I love this unit! If you are into gadgets and gizmos this little baby is the coolest. Not to mention the original purpose of being a GPS! Garmin has a winner here. There is so much stuff on this thing it will take you a long time to play with everyting! I bought this unit for the barometer/altitude capability over the Legend because you can monitor the changes in barometric pressure to spot incoming storms, nice to know if you are out on a ridge or mountain top and don't want the Rescue teams to come looking for you due to your own stupidity! The price is right through the Nerds too. While their communication is slow their prices are great! Definintely THE tool to have if you are a hiker/hunter/outdoor enthuiast who likes to get off the beaten path.

Lasts a very long time on one set of AAs, at least 30 hours. Perfect for hiking if you get the topo maps. You might want to get a bigger micro SD card if you are loading maps. My 1 gig card holds about 9 states worth of maps. That's nice!!

This little unit is great for going out on the trail for a hike. Its extremely accurate monitoring your speed in the car too. The size is just right for making it portable. I chose this model over the Legend Cx since it has a built in Altimeter. Unfortunately, the altimeter isn't all that accurate. Unless you know the actual elevation or barometric pressure, you can't calibrate the unit or trust it for an accurate number. I've been on a boat at sea level and it told me I was at -22ft elevation . . . go figure. It does however work from a perspective that it gives you an accurate elevation profile of your hike if you download it to a computer. I think the altimeter will be more useful and accurate if I were to purchase the topographic map to use the iso lines to calibrate the altimeter more easily. All in all, a good unit with good battery life for an outdoor enthusiast.

Relatively easy to use, set up was flawless. Performance in the field is just great, but a set of maps must be purchased for the detail that one needs. I had previously used a simpler version and this one justifies the extra cost.

I purchased this GPS because of the electronic compass and barometric altimeter. I had a monochrome Gps before and the color screen has better clearity. This model also accepts micro SD cards and I have installed a 2GB card that will hold more maps, waypoints, and routes than I'll ever use. To date I have not experienced anything negitive.

I bought Garmin eTrex Vista Cx because i wanted a GPS to record tracks and points of interest. I record tracks with my bicycle or tracks when i go for walks in nature. The GPS receiver that has on is very good but i saw that now there is a better model the eTrec Vista HCx that has High sensitivity antena and i think that would be better!

My nice refurbished GPS died after using it only 3 times. Had to get reciept from seller & now I must send it in. Not happy at all. Should have spent the little bit extra for a new one. You live and learn!


Tom

The Vista has all the features needed for active outdoor life. It is small, but yet big enough for easy handling.
On the downside is only minor issues. For use at night it would be nice if the background light could be dimmed even more.

All in all the Vista is good value for money.

It is ideal for tracking but very uncomfortable for driving. The maps are quite expensive for it, but I like the machine!

THIS IS A VERY GOOD GPS. THIS GPS WILL DO EVERYTHING YOU WOULD WANT FROM A GPS, AND MORE. BUT, IT IS NOT A TOY. IT TAKES A GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME AND READING TO USE EVERYTHING IN THIS GPS. BUY THIS ONE, ONLY IF YOU ARE WILLING TO PUT THE TIME INTO KNOWING HOW TO WORK IT. YOU CANNOT BUY THIS GPS AND GO OUT INTO THE WOODS THE SAME DAY.

I bought this gps Garmin e-trex vista color about 5 weeks ago, I had only seen it in b&w an I was impressed by the performancen not only it is easier on the eyes with the colors but bateries last a lot longer. If anybody likes gps's like me I have 7 all of them garmin you will love the e-trex vista color.

Product is really good, I decide to buy due to a good price.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

I buy this GPS Receiver for work on surveying and was easy to us and fast heavy duty nice GPS Receiver

Love the color screen, ease of use! Not sure why I have to write 100 words to submit this review!? Makes no sense, Im a simple person and like simple words! Lets see, I like the shape and design, the color screen, the quick shipping.

They delivered it very quickly in much better time than I expected. Thanks for the great service. I would not hesitate to purchase from them in the future.

The Garmin is great - like the fact that is in color. It is very useful with for traveling. It was advertised as new in plastic wrap but was not - does seem to work though. I bought it because the price was good for a "new" GPS.

These guys are great. I needed it quickly and it arrived, as stated, fast and in perfect condition. Thanks.

USed my new eTrex Vista on a recent car trip to help guide the way. It was very helpful and accurate as we traveled the back roads of VT and NH. I haven't found anything I don't like about it as of yet. Suppose, one improvement would be to give it a voice!