Garmin eTrex Vista C Waterproof Hiking GPS by Garmin
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Digital camera reviews of Garmin eTrex Vista C Waterproof Hiking GPS
Digital camera Review: Has everything a hamradio enthusiast would want...
Summary: 5 Stars
A lot of high-end GPS units cannot output your position in Maidenhead format (known as QRA locator, or grid locator to hams - for example, my home locator QRA grid is CM97ag). A prime example of this is Garmin's own Street Pilot III, which I also own - it can't report your position in Maidenhead format at all - a glaring omission IMO. Radio hams like me need this information on the LCD in front of us while we're navigating during radio contests.
The eTrex Vista C has the ability to output position to the LCD screen in Maidenhead format, while at the same time reporting position over the NMEA serial link (connected to your PC's USB port if required). This, together with its much praised color display, fast CPU and excellent routing ability, makes it an IDEAL unit for operating rover in VHF/UHF/microwave radio contests.
73, Dave, AD6A
Digital camera Review: Hiking companion, not just a gadget
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm delighted to have finally tried the Garmin Color Vista C after nearly abandonning the whole GPS endeavor.
I previously purchased a Magellan Meridian Color GPS for hiking after moving to Montana. The outdoor called and my "internal GPS" sense of where I'm going and have been is too weak to rely on for the trails around here. The Garmin Vista C worked much more intuitively than the Magellan. The learning curve was fast even though I'd not used any GPS for over a year.
After working out a couple of glitches, my Vista C has been a delight. I've taken it biking, kayaking and on many trails in Montana. City tours are not my favorite venture, but the Garmin served very well for me both on foot and for tracking where the taxi was transporting me. Now its accompanying my quest to learn cross country skiing. Besides basic directional assistance, I've begun using it even where I'm already confident that I know the trails in order to perform exercise monitoring, to log information on distance, duration, speed, altitude, calculating grade of ascent,landmarking favorite spots where I might want to hide a gift for a friend, and occasionally seeing how much time I have left to doddle before sundown.
The Magellan never became a companion like the Garmin has. It was tantalizing but seemed to fail on practicalities. It devoured batteries -- in fact even if I carefully made sure the device was turned off after less than an hour of use on a new set batteries and put it away, when I returned in a couple of days the new batteries were toast (including Energizer Lithium).
I do like the detail on topo maps for Magellan perhaps a bit better than Garmin's options -- but in practice the Magellan computer interface as well as the handheld interface were quite frustrating and combursome so the Magellan became a neglected "toy" on the shelf. The final kicker happened when I attempted to backtrack a trail and was led so far off course by the Magellan's limited satellite accuracy that I did become seriously lost for about 30 minutes. The Garmin made these frustrations a distant memory and real-time interaction with its maps seems to be helping me develop my internal navigational skills as well.
A FEW ERRATIC GARMIN GLITCHES
It "glitched" once trying to download to my PC which was apparently a corrupted file on the handheld. This has not occured again. The first tech I spoke with at Garmin was rather unhelpful and just told me to delete all of my handheld files (too painful to contemplate since they represented a week of hiking on the Lake Superior Trail). I asked to speak with a supervisor who was professional and gave several good solutions and contingency plans. Ultimately I did not have to use these more remote solutions, just deleted one old trail on the handheld that was a leftover from hiking near my own community.
The other glitch occurred when I was standing on a short hill between taller rock stands and short peaks. The device credited me with a lightening fast 11-mile bounce between these sites. It still downloaded to my PC okay this time and the anomaly easily edited out.
IMPROVEMENTS I'D LIKE TO SEE:
1. A thermometer added.
2. Of course there is always a wish for the WAIS information to be available more of the time in order to get the higher level of accuracy.
3. The software maps at least for this part of the world are outdated and could do more for topo detail. Major trails should be included, like Lake Superior Hiking Trail, the Colorado Trail, Appalachian, etc.
4. The Show Profile feature on the PC software should let you identify trail segments better. It shows the whole trail only and all the AUTOMATIC waypoints -- but not the ones you have landmarked.
Nonetheless I'm hooked. This investment has more than earned its cost in peace of mind, freedom to meander away from the trail and be confident I can get back, finding alternative trails or loops and understanding on the map how they meet up in real time as I am out there scrambling... improving my cardiovascular training ... and much more.
Digital camera Review: Know what you want to use it for.
Summary: 1 Stars
Over all, the Garmin Vista C isn't a bad little GPS. Its color screen is a pleasant addition to the Garmin family and its small size and shape is handy for the sportsman. The Garmin eTrex carry case is a must addition to purchase along with your Vista C to protect screen scratches and to help keep it clean. It also includes a nice belt clip. However, if you want to get a GPS for traveling, you probably want to re-think your choice of the Vista C. It's small and unexpandable 24K memory prevents you from realistically using the Garmin City Navigator CD-Maps. You can use the City Select maps, however Garmin is phasing City Select out soon and they will no longer be available. You will then need to purchase the City Navigator software which consumes all of your memory. So if you're looking for a unit to mark your favorite fishing hole or deer stand, this one will work fine. If you want a GPS that actually assists you with traveling, try something else. I was disappointed that since Garmin recently developed the Vista C that they didn't include more memory or make it's memory expandable knowing that the City Navigator software was so large. They could also provide software for it that fits it's memory, but they do not. What you get in the package is about all you'll ever have with this unit. So don't plan any US tours with it. Unfortunately, Garmin won't willingly tell you that in any of their sales information, so buyer beware.
It also does not provide an adequate car mount, leaving you , literally, "holding the bag". Anything that mounts on the dash is either illegal in most states or at the least, too far away to adequately see it while driving. Garmin makes some great products. But to have an excellent, overall complete unit, expect to spend $400+.
Digital camera Review: Lousy tech support
Summary: 1 Stars
The color version has way more features than the black and white and is worth the extra cost. Though, it still is finicky with satellite reception in places that it should be fine.
It's connecting their software and dealing with Garmin support that is a nightmare. Customer service hold time: 30-35 minues. Response time for email tech requests: a staggering 5-7 working days.
Digital camera Review: MAGNIFICO !!!
Summary: 5 Stars
ES UNA EXCELENTE HERRAMIENTA DE TRABAJO MANUAL, PORTATIL Y VERSATIL, CUMPLE SU FUNCION Y ADEMAS CUENTA CON UNA SERIE DE MEJORAS COMPARADO CON LAS ANTERIORES VERSIONES.