Garmin eTrex Vista C Waterproof Hiking GPS
by Garmin
List Price:
Our Price: $100.00
You Save: $329.99 (77%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: GPS or Navigation System
See more digital camera details and other models
Digital product summary information
Manufacturer: GarminBrand: Garmin
Edition: Electronics
Model: 010-00368-00
Color: Silver
Publisher: Garmin
Studio: Garmin
Music Label: Garmin
Product features:
- Automatic route generation, off-route recalculation, turn-by-turn directions and more help navigate you safely to your destination
- An electronic compass provides accurate bearing information
- Mini-USB port for fast, convenient download of map data
- 256-color, sunlight-readable display, 20-hour battery life and 24 MB internal memory
- Measures 2.2 x 1.5 x 0.9 inches (WxHxD)
- Garmin eTrex Handlebar Mount Bracket
- Garmin eTrex Suction Cup Mount
- Energizer L91BP-8 Lithium AA Photo Battery (8-Pack)
- Sanyo Eneloop AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargable Batteries with Charger - 4 Pack
- Sanyo Eneloop AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries - 8 Pack
Digital camera reviews of Garmin eTrex Vista C Waterproof Hiking GPS
Digital camera Review: Another hit from Garmin
Summary: 5 Stars
I was reluctant to give up my trusty Garmin Etrex Legend, but I really wanted an altimeter and digital compass (for the unintiated, GPS compasses only work while you are moving). So, I took the plunge.
All I can say is... WOW. Garmin does such a great job with GPS!
The pros:
1. Brilliant color display-- better than expected. You really can read it in the light, especially with the strong backlight. Also seems speedier in terms of redraws than the old Etrex. I was a little worried that the screen is slightly smaller than before (the whole thing looks like a runt compared to the old etrex series) but honestly the color more than makes up for it.
2. Straightforward interface and controls-- Similar to the interface on the older etrex units with some new additions/ revisions. For example, you can now select which pages you can flip through from the right side key... pretty cool.
3. Weight-- practically the same as the old Etrex! Someone over there at Garmin understands what backpackers care about.
4. Battery life-- I havent' tested it to the limit yet, but if it really does last 20 hours, hallelujah! No more swapping batteries mid-trip.
5. Accuracy-- Others have complained about GPS accuracy in general, but in my testing with this unit thus far, it has been dead-on-- just like my old etrex Legend. Obviously, enabling WAAS improves accuracy. Altimeter and compass seem to function as advertised.
The cons:
1. Complexity-- There are so many features on this little thing that newbies may have a problem comprehending them all at once (I believe there are videos for those needing step by step instructions) Take it one feature at a time and practice, practice, practice. Non-auto-based GPS is NOT like an Ipod-- in order to take full advantage of it, you have to know about waypoints, tracks, routes, declination etc. It also helps to know how to navigate using traditional methods (i.e. map and compass), which you should always carry as a backup anyway.
2. Reception-- All Etrex's use a patch antenna, which used to cause me headaches due to lost satellite reception. However, I discovered that the anntenna works great IF the face of the unit points to the sky. If you don't want to tote this thing in in front of you like a geo-nerd you can belt-clip it to your backpack shoulder strap so it faces upwards. Using this method, I've hiked in some pretty thick forests in vermont, Minnesota, and upstate new york with satellite lock 99% of the time.
3. Cost-- This unit ain't cheap, but I have to say you get what you pay for. If you want something more down to earth with 75%-80% of the functionality, try the etrex legend or vista (non color). Those are a little simpler to operate as well. My old etrex legend saved my butt in the wilderness many a time, and I would totally recommend it.
Overall, I am totally satisfied. A solid upgrade to the Etrex series.
Summary of Garmin eTrex Vista C Waterproof Hiking GPS
The eTrex Vista C is Garmin's exciting, new, pocket-sized handheld that brings color, automatic routing, longer battery life, plus more to our popular-selling eTrex Vista. You won't miss a thing when you take this colorful, lightweight, easy-to-use handheld out hiking, biking, boating or even geocaching. The eTrex Vista C along with the eTrex Legend C are Garmin's smallest, least expensive products to combine a color TFT display and advanced GPS routing capabilities in a waterproof design.Amazon.com Product Description Garmin's pocket-sized eTrex Vista C handheld GPS unit combines Garmin's popular eTrex Vista with a color screen, automatic routing, and longer battery life, making it one of the smallest, least expensive waterproof products to combine a color TFT display and advanced GPS auto-routing abilities. You won't miss a thing when you take this lightweight, easy-to-use handheld out hiking, biking, boating, or geocaching.
 The main menu feature icons. View larger. |
 Crisp, color display for easy map viewing. View larger. |
 Altimeter display provides elevation information. View larger. |
 The eTrex Vista C packs loads of GPS features into a compact, handheld device. View larger. |
You'll enjoy outstanding accuracy of less than three meters (10 feet) when the device is enabled to receive enhanced GPS signals from the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) in the United States and of 15 meters or less in normal GPS mode. As on all eTrex units, the primary controls are located on the unit's side, so you can operate them with one hand. With the innovative rocker switch on the unit's face, you can input data and scroll through menus or pan the map page.
Other key features include an auto-route basemap (featuring general map data, including highways, major roads, rivers, lakes, and borders), a waterproof design (to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards--submersible in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes), 500 waypoints/routes/tracks (with graphic identification), 50 reversible routes, 20 saved tracks, 10,000 trackpoints, TracBack technology, alarms (waypoint proximity, anchor drag, and off-course, as well as a built-in alarm clock), a GPS patch antenna, selectable audio tones and color schemes, a stopwatch, a hunting/fishing calendar, sun/moon calculations, and a trip computer.
The Vista C also features an electronic compass for accurate bearing information while standing still; a barometric altimeter with local pressure and a 48-hour automatic pressure-trend recorder; and an elevation computer (which provides your current elevation, ascent/descent rate, minimum/maximum elevation, total ascent and descent, average and maximum ascent, and descent rate).
The Vista C includes a built-in, permanent basemap-- Americas Recreational--which cannot be altered. The Americas Recreational Routable Basemap v2 includes the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central and South America, and covers the area from longitude 30 to 180 degrees west and latitude 60 degrees south to 75 degrees north. The basemap includes a high-level worldwide map featuring borders and major cities.
Standard map coverage includes oceans, rivers, lakes greater than 30 square miles, lakes greater than 5 square miles in the United States and southern Canada, lakes greater than 10 square miles in central and northern Canada, principal cities, some smaller cities and towns, major interstates, principal highways, political boundaries (state and international borders), major airports, and a database of Interstate exits. This last category includes many establishments within about 0.25 mile of exits, including restaurants; diesel and gas stations; hotels, motels, and inns; overnight RV parking; dumps; campgrounds; truck stops; medical facilities; shopping and outlet malls; ATMs; and many other attractions.
What's in the Box
eTrex Vista C GPS receiver, basemap (Americas Recreational), MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager CD, PC/USB interface cable, wrist strap, quick reference guide, and owner's manual.
GPS & Navigation
Garmin BlueChart Anchorage to Juneau Saltwater Map microSD CardGarmin; Garmin; Garmin; Electronics; No Operating System; GPS or Navigation System
Best price: $136.90
Price in other shops:
Garmin BlueChart East Coast South America Saltwater Map CD-ROM (Windows)Garmin; Garmin; Garmin; Electronics; GPS or Navigation System
Price in other shops:
GARMIN 010-10344-00 2.5mm to 3.5mm Jack AdapterGarmin; Garmin; Garmin; Electronics; GPS or Navigation System
Best price: $8.02
Price in other shops:
Garmin Automotive Mounting Bracket for Geko GPS UnitsGarmin; Garmin; Garmin; Accessory; GPS or Navigation System
Price in other shops:
Garmin Cigarette Lighter Adapter for Garmin GPS 12Garmin; Garmin; Garmin; Electronics; GPS or Navigation System
Best price: $4.95
Price in other shops:
Garmin Roads and Recreation CD ROM (Benelux)Garmin; Garmin; Garmin; Electronics; GPS or Navigation System
Price in other shops:
Garmin Roads and Recreation CD ROM (Austria)Garmin; Garmin; Garmin; Electronics; GPS or Navigation System
Price in other shops:
Garmin MetroGuide CD ROM (Italy)Garmin; Garmin; Garmin; Electronics; GPS or Navigation System
Price in other shops:
Garmin eTrex Handlebar Mount BracketGarmin; Garmin; Garmin; 3.5" and 5.25" disks; GPS or Navigation System
Price in other shops:
Garmin Vehicle DC Power Adapter for eTrex and Geko (010-10203-00)Garmin; Garmin; Garmin; Electronics; GPS or Navigation System
Best price: $23.50
Price in other shops: