Garmin eTrex Vista Portable Navigator - 010-00243-00
Garmin eTrex Vista - Handheld GPS - Compass - Altimeter

This unit is a great improvement over previous models. Being able to download & display topo maps is key. The controls, although not completely intuitive, are easy enough to learn to make this an extremely useful device. It is indispensible for getting to trailess peaks (in the Adirondack mountains in my case). The display screen could use more contrast for the topographic features. Maybe next time I'll spring for the color display unit. Navigation is generally accurate to 40 feet, which is fine. Great unit.
 
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My husband loves the product which was purchased by me for him along with the Mapsource TOPO 2008. While you get a cable to "connect" the eTrex to your PC for back and forth transfers, you don't get a male connection on the PC end. I have also never seen the type of connection used on the eTrex end. Now we must spend another $39.00 - $59.00 for the correct cable. I will check to see if there is a male adapter at Radio Shack, but I have my doubts. It would be really nice if the sellers (any) would include this information before purchase, so that you may use the software with the eTrex immediately when you get it. Otherwise, the product is great and we have gone through our deer lease and marked waypoints for everyone else's stands. Great product, but include the info about the cable!
 
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I'm new to the world of GPS equipment but have found my Garmin eTrex Vista easy and fun to use. I still haven't figured out everything on it but will be make good use of it. Even though I haven't used it much, I highly recommend this GPS. I'll know more with more use.
 
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I've used this device extensively while traveling (by car) through the country this summer, and doing quite a bit of backpacking in the southern Apalachians, Rockies and Sierra. Pros: - perorms well, easy to use - provides lots of useful information Cons: - slow display refresh - serial only (slow), no USB interface - only works with Garmin's own proprietary MapSource maps (which they charge quite a bit for). You CANNOT download other maps, such as those from TOPO (National Georgraphic) or Delorme. However, you can exchange waypoints and routes with those products, with mixed results. - poor reception areas of overhead tree coverage or misty (high density of small particles), otherwise reception is good I also got the bike mount (for both my bikes), car mount and car adapter. I recommend all of them.
 
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The E-Trex Vista is perfect for anyone who wants all the same features of a $500 gps for 1/2 the price. I have had mine for about a month noow with no problems, except for the battery life is only about 6 hours. Still an excellent value and an excellent GPS for the common hunter/outdoorsman.
 
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After doing a great deal of research before buying a new GPS I concluded that the Vista would be a very good unit. This has definitely been the case. The unit is very small, yet the screen is quite readable. The small size means that you will use it more. I had a larger GPS years before and although the screen was big I hardly ever used the unit and sold it. This unit fits in your pocket or takes a very small space in your gadget bag, camera case, or briefcase, so it is always handy to use. I use it for hiking, bike riding, jogging, car, and while flying in a Cessna (private airplane pilot). Also starting to get into Geocaching and it is great for that. The unit is feature packed and the compass and altitude functions are very useful and not found in other units. The Garmin MapSource software is overpriced, but all GPS manfactures still force you to use their proprietary software. The new MetroGuide Version 5 is much better than the olod versions and now uses map data from Navtech which provides maps for many high-end car GPS systems. I highly recommend this unit.
 
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I bought this about 8 months ago. My first GPS. Works good. Battery life is definitely not 12 hours, more like 5 hours at best. It will lose satellite signals under most trees (odd, but it will work fine inside my house?). Neat feature, if you buy the MetroGuide CD-rom (about $100), and have a laptop, you can use it in your car as a LARGE screen navigation system. The screen is small, but detailed (good trade off for portability). Check out the specs, but not all of the eTrex share the same screen. The cheaper ones are lower resolution.
 
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