- Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 10 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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7 out of 8 people found this review helpful
4.5 stars
"Relief from the Magellan Explorists"
Pros: Map Software that does not require ACTIVATION, unlike Magellan
Cons: No antenna port. Map files limited to 2025 units (about 20% of America).
Summary: Pros:
Many Magellan GPS owners are now outraged that Magellan will not allow us to install the over $100 map software we bought only a year ago. Magellan map software requires the software to be activated online before it can be used. They have taken the position to deactivate all map software in order to motivate us to buy the just recently released new map software. So if this trend continues, the next time Magellen releases a new version, they will deactivate all the old software.
For those of you you wants a full featured GPS for street and forest navigation this does the trick.
Easy grip and human user interface. Only requires one hand.
Antenna is fairly sensitive compared to older GPS units.
Ability to use Micro SD cards. I am not sure what the max size compatibility is, but at least my 2 GB card works. M SD goe as large as 6 GB.
Map software is more friendly and then Magellan.
Screen is visible with out back lighting during the day.
Cons -
Its not really made for marine use (no tides, and does not float).
The software or GPS unit crashes during transfer of map files if the file is large. I had to keep the size below 1 GB to prevent crashing.
GPS will only accept 2025 map units for each file map file. Thats about 25% of the united states. So it will require about 4 files to get the entire country. Combine this limitation with the one above and it simply means that it will require multiple files to capture the entire country.
Very limited control over the file system.
No voice command for warnings or routhing. This would be a VERY NICE limitation if it can be over come. Voice play back would not require much hardware resource or sophisticated software. Why this KEY feature was left out of their top etrex unit is a mystery.
In major cities I walk, take the bus, taxi etc... and hence can not take my mobile GPS unit which has voice navigation.
Given its size and capabilities, I recommend this unit for hiking, but not for street or marine navigation because of its limitations.
If a firmware update gives it voice and tides, I would consider it sufficient for hiking, street, and marine.
Where to buy
Garmin eTrex Vista HCx:
$185.00 - $299.99
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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$185.00 | Yes |
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$299.99 | Yes |
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$243.49 | Yes |
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$242.21 | Yes |
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$250.00 | No |
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