The etrex Vista HCx displays detailed maps and navigational information on a transflective, TFT, 1.3"W x 4.2"H, 256-color, high-resolution, backlit display. Features exclusive to the Vista HCx include an electronic compass that displays heading when standing still, a barometric altimeter with automatic pressure trend recording and an elevation computer. The unit has a large-number option for easy viewing.
A high-sensitivity WAAS-enabled, 12-parallel-channel receiver is equipped with a built-in patch antenna to provide quick, reliable and up-to-the-second information. The waterproof
unit comes equipped with built-in Americas autoroute basemap and is fully compatible with MapSource products, giving you the most up-to-date detailed maps of your location available with just the push of a button. The Vista HCx also has a trip computer and is capable of storing 1,000 user waypoints with 20 reversible routes. A 10,000-point automatic track log has 10 saved tracks with1,000 waypoints each. Audible alarms are provided for anchor drag, arrival, off-course and clock. The Vista rounds off its feature list with built-in celestial tables and a micro SD card slot for expanded memory capability(SD card not included). Two AA batteries (not included) provide up to 32 hours of use. Includes USB interface cable,
bike mount clip and MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager CD. Units feature high-sensitivity receivers for even better tracking in heavy tree cover, canyons and mountains.
Dimensions: 2.2"W x 4.2"H x 1.2"D.
Weight: 5.6 oz.
The etrex Vista HCx displays detailed maps and navigational information on a transflective, TFT, 1.3"W x 4.2"H, 256-color, high-resolution, backlit display. Features exclusive to the Vista HCx include an electronic compass that displays heading when standing still, a barometric altimeter with automatic pressure trend recording and an elevation computer. The unit has a large-number option for easy viewing. A high-sensitivity WAAS-enabled, 12-parallel-channel receiver is equipped with a built-in patch antenna to provide quick, reliable and up-to-the-second information. The waterproof unit comes equipped with built-in Americas autoroute basemap and is fully compatible with MapSource products, giving you the most up-to-date detailed maps of your location available with just the push of a button. The Vista HCx also has a trip computer and is capable of storing 1,000 user waypoints with 20 reversible routes. A 10,000-point automatic track log has 10 saved tracks with1,000 waypoints each. Audible alarms are provided for anchor drag, arrival, off-course and clock. The Vista rounds off its feature list with built-in celestial tables and a micro SD card slot for expanded memory capability(SD card not included). Two AA batteries (not included) provide up to 32 hours of use. Includes USB interface cable, bike mount clip and MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager CD. Units feature high-sensitivity receivers for even better tracking in heavy tree cover, canyons and mountains. Dimensions: 2.2"W x 4.2"H x 1.2"D. Weight: 5.6 oz.
Average Customer Rating:
4.5 out of 5
16 of 17 (94%) customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Garmin® etrex Vista HCx Handheld GPS Unit
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
New GPS user satisfied,August 20, 2008
By doubleDDanny
"I bought the Garmin etrex Vista HCx after talking to friends and store sales associates. I am glad to say that they pointed me in the right direction. This unit is perfect for my purposes. I have already used it to help scout a new hunting lease and get a better lay of the land."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 2 for Garmin® etrex Vista HCx Handheld GPS Unit
Overall Rating:
2
out of 5
Problems,August 2, 2008
By rlmkamfrom Ward, AR
"I went through two of these and they both had the same problem. The features were cool but both of them locked up everytime I used them. So I took them back and bought a Legend Hcx and I love it. No problems out of it."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? No
Review 3 for Garmin® etrex Vista HCx Handheld GPS Unit
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Easy to use and dependable,April 15, 2008
By Hallnafrom Seattle, WA
"First GPS unit ever owned for backpacking. Easy to use and as accurate as you need it to be. At times can be 20 to 40 feet off but at that point you can see where you are."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 4 for Garmin® etrex Vista HCx Handheld GPS Unit
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Great GPS,February 20, 2008
By Ickk
"Easy to use and loaded with features! I Geocache with it, and use when I am in the backcountry skiing/snowboarding and hiking. Love the built in compass and altimeter. Small enough to carry in my pocket and I hardlt notice it."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 5 for Garmin® etrex Vista HCx Handheld GPS Unit
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5
Vista HCX,February 3, 2008
By RangerMacAlfrom Saginaw Mi
"The Unit works very well. I have had a few minor problems. Once and a while walking the unit showes North in the wrong direction. I must move a little and after a while it will correct. On the Road it has been very good. Downloaded Tapco Maping and that works most of the time but some of the areas did not download completely, but when it works it is great. On the highway the exit infomation is very usefull. I am not happy with how hard the screen is to see in sunlight without using the back light."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 6 for Garmin® etrex Vista HCx Handheld GPS Unit
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
A Nice GPS,January 27, 2008
By inONALASKAfrom Onalaska, WI
"Highly recommended. The best of both worlds - hand held and auto GPS. The highway mode is very nice. Well made and easy to use. Garmin out did it self. A little expensive, but it is worth the money."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 7 for Garmin® etrex Vista HCx Handheld GPS Unit
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5
Garmin handneld,January 16, 2008
By RVBobfrom Southeastern NC
"A user friendly unit right out of the box."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 8 for Garmin® etrex Vista HCx Handheld GPS Unit
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Garmin Vista HCx,January 13, 2008
By MORIDEfrom St Louis,MO
"This is my third Garmin product. Have been nothing but pleased, bought this to replace my Legend, wanted color, more mem and route guideance. Went back to Garmin because of quality of my Legend, The Vista ROCKS, use it for offroading with my Jeep and always have a signal no matter how far in the woods. Used it to get around Orlando on golf 3 courses in 3 days airport, hotel and various other never wrong. Buy it."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 9 for Garmin® etrex Vista HCx Handheld GPS Unit
Overall Rating:
3
out of 5
Missing Interface,January 8, 2008
By Geo2from Colorado
"Suggest getting the most memory you can afford - none comes with unit. Unlike the old etrex Vista, the HCx DOES NOT link to a PC/laptop for interface to MS Streets, etc. It ONLY interfaces to GARMIN for upload/downloads. Surprise - A step backwards!!!"
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 10 for Garmin® etrex Vista HCx Handheld GPS Unit
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Great gps,December 20, 2007
By bertifrom Buffalo NY
"Just returned from a Colorado elk hunt. The etrex vista hcx performed flawlessly !!!! Loaded the micro disc topo map and was off. What a great unit. Very happy and worth every penny. Will be using it for years to come."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 11 for Garmin® etrex Vista HCx Handheld GPS Unit
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5
Uploading to VistaHCx,November 1, 2007
By 4FA1from Michigan
"I have owned numerous other Garmin products, way back to the garmin 38?, including Vista, Vista C, and StreetPilot 2610. I wanted the "x" to be able to load large map sets. Unfortunately I "tested" my upload to my old Vista C and Garmin will not release that unlocked device to my new Cx. The H function does seem to lock on and track well. But beware of trying to load older mapsets. You may wind up buying a complete new set of topo and road maps from Garmin. They have updated their whole line for 2007-08."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 12 for Garmin® etrex Vista HCx Handheld GPS Unit
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Great under canopy connectivity,October 11, 2007
By Olakaifrom Kauai, Hawaii
"Throughout my years of conservation work in Hawaii I have had the opportunity to use various GPS units. While under the forest canopy I would often run into problems with satellite connectivity. At times it would take the GPS minutes to connect to the satellites. I recently decided to upgrade to a new GPS unit and was told that I should try a GPS with a high sensitivity antenna. The Vista HCx seemed to have all of the features that I needed. The first time I used the Vista HCx I planned to put it to the test. I acquired satellites near my truck and then turned my GPS off. I then hiked to our project area with my colleagues. While on our way there we found a point of interest and decided to "mark" it. I was amazed at the speed of satellite acquisition and accuracy that the Vista HCx had while in a valley and under the canopy. I was able to get 5-6 meter accuracy while my colleagues could not even lock on to the satellites. I was very impressed throughout the day. The GPS seemed to be able to acquire satellites within ten seconds of me turning it on. I felt really good when some of the crew started asking me to "mark" a point for them on my Vista HCx because they were unable to acquire satellites with their GPS units. I highly recommend this product to anyone that is in my type of field work."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 13 for Garmin® etrex Vista HCx Handheld GPS Unit
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
The Best Ever,October 8, 2007
By BandanaManfrom Columbus, Ohio
"I have always been a compass and topo map kind of guy and very skeptical of GPS units......that is until I bought a Garmin eTrex Vista HCx from Cabela's!
WOW! This GPS does everything and so much more that it would take volumes to tell all that it does! I'm so impressed with the Vista HCx, I find it easy to use after a few hours playing with it! The trick to these GPS unites is to use them frequently so you don't forget how to operate then as they have a lot of neat programs that can help you find your way.
We used the Vista HCx to mark as waypoints 30 trees to bow hunt from this past summer. There was no problem locating these trees once the season started....set the Vista HCx to "go to" a marked waypoint tree, and follow the arrow right there.
I have seen the Vista HCx accuracy down to 11 feet, if you can't find your tree at 11 feet somethings wrong!
The MapSource software is great and connects in real time to Google Earth to show your marked waypoints in real life!
I highly recommend the Vista HCx.....if I can use this with ease anyone can......you won't be disappointed with the performance of this GPS!
BandanaMan"
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 14 for Garmin® etrex Vista HCx Handheld GPS Unit
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Great Product,September 24, 2007
By Mattgpsfrom Bay City, MI
"The new HCX is great. I can actually get reception inside my house. When walking through heavy cover it no longer loses signal. And by accident, I found out how rugged the thing is. I forgot it on the top of my truck and didn't remember it until I heard it bounce off at 50 mph and land on the pavement. Believe it or not the thing still works. And the electronic compass is very nice - no more having to walk around to get an accurate compass reading. I use my GPS for everything, from traveling to hunting, and would recommend it to anyone."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 15 for Garmin® etrex Vista HCx Handheld GPS Unit
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
gps features,September 11, 2007
By oldhunter60from bockway,pa.
"i have used the gps for travel. i found the information on the gps matched the speed and distance on my speedometer accuraterly and the time spent traveling and stopping also."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 16 for Garmin® etrex Vista HCx Handheld GPS Unit
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5
Heads Up Before you buy,August 25, 2007
By CoolHikingfrom Newtown Square, PA
"Great product overall Garmin products are better than most of the competition. However, This product will need two inexpensive things immediatly when you pick it up. A sandisk 1GB micro card & MapSource Topo or Roads. I say that because the built in map is nice but lacks alot of detail. If you have the Topo software like I did, you cannot add it until you buy the Card. ** There is a known manufacture problem when hiking in very hilly areas. The math behind calculating distance walked will be wrong. The above software will correct the distance when you connect and compare the trip on the computer. Garmin says they are working on the problem and will have an update if you register the product. **Hcx fixes reception problems that the I have experienced in the past. You can even get a good fix inside a house! Woods seemed to be my biggest issue with my previous Legend."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 17 for Garmin® etrex Vista HCx Handheld GPS Unit
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Works great!,August 14, 2007
By LProusefrom Stockbridge, GA
"My main concern was lack of coverage in the woods, under trees. I had an older Garmin and it was useless in the woods for marking deer stands or anything under an umbrella of leaves.
The Vista HcX works absolutely great with no hint of poor signal strength.
So far, my only complaint is the manual. It could be a lot better and more clear. It's written as though the writer was in a hurry to get done with it. I'm no stranger to GPS or this type of gadget but even with my background I find the manual lacking as I try to figure out how to implement some of the features.
