Product Description
You won't miss a thing when you take this rugged, lightweight, easy-to-use handheld out hiking, biking, boating or even geocaching. Pack more detail into your adventure with the eTrex Vista Cx. The eTrex Vista Cx is loaded with the same popular features found in the eTrex Vista C, including barometric altimeter, electronic compass, sunlight-readable color and advanced GPS routing capabilities - all in a waterproof design. In addition, it comes with a blank 64 MB microSD card for storage of optional map detail. Download maps directly to the card or purchase microSD cards preloaded with MapSourceTopo and inland lake maps, BlueChart marine cartography, and City Navigator street maps. Support for English, Spanish, Portugese, and French languages. Automatic route generation, off-route recalculation, turn-by-turn directions with alert tones, and icon-driven menus for finding points of interest (when combined with Garmin's optional MapSource CDs) navigate you safely to your destination Longer battery life for more hours of outdoor enjoyment Mini-USB port for fast, convenient download of map data from Garmin's entire library of optional MapSource CDs using a PC Geocache Ready - Basically, geocaching is a high-tech version of treasure hunting. Geocachers seek out hidden treasures utilizing GPS coordinates posted on the Internet by those hiding the cache BlueChart compatible - MapSource BlueChart serves up the best offshore cartography around and works in seamless integration with a wide range of Garmin products WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) enabled - WAAS consists of approximately 25 ground reference stations positioned across the United States that monitor GPS satellite data. Assures accurate readings
Amazon.com Product Description
With the Vista Cx, Garmin has updated a much-loved device with expandable memory on microSD card so you can load optional map data for your hiking, hunting and other outdoor excursions. Add to that a bright, full-color TFT display, automatic routing, and long, 20-hour battery life, and you've got a great companion for your next outdoor or boating adventure. Plus, the Vista CX adds a barometric altimeter and an electronic compass.
The main menu feature icons. View larger. |
Crisp, color display for easy map viewing. View larger. |
Altimeter display provides elevation information. View larger. |
The Vista Cx features a bright color display, electronic compass and a barometric altimeter and much more.
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You can use the Vista Cx's memory card slot with preprogrammed microSD cards from Garmin (sold separately) that provide topographic maps, city streets, and nautical charts. In fact, the unit is compatible with most Garmin MapSource products including BlueChart, City Navigator, U.S. Topo 24K, and U.S. Topo and Recreational Lakes with Fishing Hot Spots. The unit comes preloaded with an Americas autoroute basemap that provides automatic routing capabilities including highways, exits and tide data. You can even get turn-by-turn directions when you're driving and an integrated trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed and more.
The Vista Cx's barometric altimeter system features automatic pressure trend recording while providing current elevation, ascent/descent rate, minimum/maximum elevation, total ascent and descent, and average and maximum ascent and descent rate. Meanwhile, the unit's electronic compass allows you to get accurate headings while standing still.
Like on all eTrex units, the primary controls are located on the side of the unit, so you can operate it with one hand. An innovative rocker switch on its face makes inputting data easy, and with it you can scroll through menus or pan the map page. Fast USB connectivity makes loading charts and maps quick and easy, while navigation instructions can be shared with repeaters, plotters, and autopilots using NMEA protocols through the dedicated serial port. Additionally, the case is water-resistant to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards (can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes).
Another key feature of the Vista Cx is the 10,000 point automatic track log; 20 saved tracks (500 points each) let you retrace your path in both directions. Meanwhile, there's a large numbers option for easy viewing, as well as a dual position display mode. Lastly, the unit includes built-in celestial tables for best time to fish and hunt, plus sun and moon calculations.
If you like the features of the Vista Cx, but don't need an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter, check out the Garmin eTrex Legend Cx.
What's in the Box
Vista Cx unit, 32 MB microSD card, USB interface cable, bike mount clip, MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager CD, lanyard, owner's manual, and quick-start guide.
Customer Reviews:
Great. Love It.......2007-11-12
I love my eTrex. It works for everything. I use it for hiking, mountain biking and road biking. It will run on 2 AA batteries for a long time if you turn off the map and just run the "computer" (speed/distance) screen. I've used it on a week long bike tour and only changed batteries after about 4 days.
With the add in microSD card (mine is 1 gig) I'm able to load up almost the entire U.S. for maps.
Much better that the special Edge bike computers since this is much for versatile. But if you are just a biker and you only need about 6 hours of battery live the Edge 305 is a decent way to get GPS data from your rides. The eTrex however can get you directions and real maps which is much better than the Edge.
fancy piece of junk.......2007-11-09
Ah yes you have read all the good reviews. This thing has everything, right? Barometric pressure, altitude, expansible memory card, color screen, USB connection, etc., etc.
So what could possibly be wrong?
Hhhmmm - how about the GPS - yes, this thing is supposed to be a GPS = Global POSITIONING System, with the emphasis on global here. Thing is: Satellite reception is simply just totally erratic. With my five year old Magellan I was almost always able to get a reading. This new fancy toy - forget it! Ah, sooo many satellites and then suddenly all gone - not even beneath any trees, right on top of the equator. And then try to re-locate. How a bout half an hour to find these pretty satellites again. Or maybe two hours. Yes, I can sit down outdoors and wait all day until my GPS graces me with re-initializing. Hard Reset - no problem, but does not really help.
Buy it? Forget it!!!
I wonder if the new HCx is any better, but this unit is everything but...
certainly it is NOT a GPS!
VISTA CX.......2007-09-28
Vista CX is a very good gps with many nice features. I rate it with 4 stars because it does not keep a good signal in deep woods. Other than that it is perfect. I sent it back for the Vista HCX.
Garmin ETrex Vista Cx.......2007-08-23
The unit arrived from Amazon in a timely fashion. The documentation included with it is rather cryptic but once you figure it out the Vista Cx is fun to use. Note - it has limited functionality unless you purchase the City Navigator map set and/or the Topo map set. (It will not calculate driving routes unless you have the City Navigator map set installed.) It does do a good job of tracking where you have been and allowing you to enter waypoints. I felt much more comfortable hiking with it as I felt I could always get back to my starting point with it!
The unit worked fine for three weeks and then it "died." It would not power up - even if connected to power via the supplied USB cable. I contacted Garmin and arranged for the unit to be returned to them for replacement. One of their tech support reps was very helpful - the other was not. I explained to them that I wanted to expedite the replacement shipment as I had a camping/hiking trip scheduled in a week and wanted to have the Vista along with me. I provide them with a credit card number so that they could ship out a replacement in a timely fashion. It took 12 days to get the replacement! When asked, Garmin said - "didn't anyone tell you that the unit was on back order?" Evidently not ...
I am pleased with the Garmin product and hope that this is an isolated incident with this particular model. Note that the Vista HCx will probably be replacing the Cx (same features but includes a newer, more responsive chip set).
A great, handable and complete puckett GPS.......2007-08-23
For a road motorcycle driver, or anyone who must use it in his puckett, it's size is as great as it's reception, even with it's small screen you can always see and follow what you're looking for. I would recomend about the base for bicycles, not to use this for motorcycles cause it's vibrations turn it damaged as happened to my GPS before, a real good Legend, the blue one. I'd sugest to Garmin, if they didn't do it yet, to designe as I did for my bike, a paded stand for it in order that it absorves the motor's vibrations and keep the GPS working right, and in the fotos they show from customers, not to show the one with the GPS attached to a motorcycle's handle bar, it is only for bicycles use, without vibrations.
Product Description
Auto navigation kit (City Select NA, full unlk, auto mount, friction mount, dash mount and 12-volt power cable)
Amazon.com Product Description
Get your Garmin eTrex Legend C or eTrex Vista C in gear with this automobile kit. The kit includes MapSource City Select North America v6, which contains rural and metropolitan maps for the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. In addition to 5 million points of interest, you'll find detailed maps containing highways, interstates, business and residential roads with attributes such as turn restrictions, speed categories and other navigation features. Trip and waypoint management features let you transfer waypoints, routes, and tracks between your Garmin GPS and your PC.
The Auto Navigation Kit also includes a 12-volt cigarette lighter adapter, as well as mounting hardware for your dash, a friction mount and a console mount.
What's in the Box
City Select North America software (CD-ROM) with full unlock, console mount, friction mount, dash mount and 12-volt cigarette lighter power cable
Customer Reviews:
Garmin eTrex Vixta Cx.......2007-06-03
I bought this for my eTrex Vista Cx. This kit is well worth the money. It works great when I'm on the road and I find the Vista easy to read and follow even though it is small. My wife and I plan on taking a road trip across the country and this will definitely come in handy. I also bought a 2 GB memory card and I would suggest doing the same if you're planning on using the road mapping software included with this kit. With a 2 GB memory card you can fit all of the maps on the North American CD and not have to worry about adding or deleting anything to make room.
In other reviews I had heard that this kit wouldn't work with the Vista Cx because of the memory card but this is untrue. I e-mailed Garmin before I bought this kit and they confirmed that it would work with the Vista Cx and it definitely does.
Anyways, great add-on for your compatible Garmin GPS. I highly recommend this if you plan on using the GPS for any travelling. The mapping software makes it pretty hard to ever get lost again.
No regrets.......2007-02-15
Does what it is meant to do. Surprisingly stable given than it isn't secured to the dash. The mapping software is good. It covers the whole US. I tested it against my preferred local routes and it tended to use main roads rather than short cuts. Also, one time, the route recalculation algorithm tried to send me right when it should have sent me left. I suppose this is a function of the GPS itself rather than the mapping software. To be fair, it has been pretty reliable apart from that one event.
Overall, if you have a handheld GPS and want to expand it for road trips, I think this is great. I don't regret spending the money I did on it.
Garmin Auto Navigation Kit.......2007-01-12
What a wonderful gadget to have. My husband and I have tracked our hikes while hunting, traveled all over Utah, Florida and Georgia since we purchased this kit. It has been a great asset when it comes to finding your way back in the mountains, finding hotels, restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, malls, places of interest, everything and anything you can imagine... Thanks to the review of a previous buyer we learned that we could contact Garmin to get the upgraded version of the software, we contacted Garmin and within days we had the newest version of the software. The base is fantastic and it holds your GPS steady on your car's dash under normal circumstances, and by this I mean that you might have to hold it if you make any rough turns. We definitely give this navigational system a 5 star review....
Now we only have one problem. We have two cars and one color screen GPS. I have asked my husband to get me an upgraded version of his Garmin Legend CX (very convenient system to take with you anywhere), but now I want one that talks and has a bigger screen... By the way, Garmin allows you to install the software to two different units, without having to buy an additional licence to be in compliance.
Hope this review will help make your decision.
Great advantage.......2007-01-04
Wonderful mapping capabilities from the software.
The dashboard mount works wonderfully well. We are using it with the weighted mount, no physical attachment to the dashboard.
Nav Kit makes it safe & convenient.......2006-03-27
The Auto Navigation Kit made it easily viewable, included a routable City Select North America map that was upgraded for free by Garmin, and maximized the unit's use as a portable GPS. The weighted portable base keeps the unit on the dash, where you place it. The cable is plenty long enough.
I didn't give it a 5 only because I had hoped the original Vista would not need additional maps, but since it does, the Auto Nav kit completes my needs.
Product Description
The eTrex Vista C is Garmin's exciting, new, pocket-sized handheld that brings color, automatic routing, longer battery life, plus more to Garmin's 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.addition to its distinguishing features - barometric altimeter and electronic compass - outdoor enthusiasts will love the latest improvements made to the eTrex Vista C:
Customer Reviews:
Great handheld GPS unit!.......2006-11-21
I've had this unit for nearly two years now and it has been my tag-along companion everywhere I've been (including outside the country).
The good:
Color graphics.
Easy to use.
Neat barometric pressure readings / altimeter.
Enough memory storage for 1 very large city, or several medium size cities. (I live in Memphis, and I can store much of the surrounding area plus another city or two.)
Small, lightweight, and easy to pocket.
Rugged construction, though I've never been hard on it.
10+ hours of battery life, don't really know how long it will really run since I first used rechargeable NIMH that lasted about 8 hours.
Customer service is excellent, had a small cosmetic defect with my first unit and Garmin readily replaced the unit with out any problems.
Digital compass!
Of course can be used for backtracking (which is like a digital version of the breadcrumb trail).
Trip odometer function for calculating your speed, velocity, heading, ...
City Select maps (extra purchase) even have stores and restaurant phone numbers and addresses, very cool if you want to order pizza or check out a restaurant while in a city. Can also look up things by name or category.
Not perfect:
Need to purchase the maps you want (North America city select at about $100, other maps are available for those who have special interest in hiking or boating too)
Memory only holds a few cities worth of info (good enough for well planned road-trip though), but with memory as cheap as it is, should have been upgradable from the start.
Screen is a little small, but adequate as a driving aid.
Voice prompts would have been nice, but the unit beeps, which is helpful!
Wish it had maps for South-America roads aside from the standard global base map major arteries.
Summary:
Great unit in my opinion.
I would now upgrade to the "eTrex Vista Cx" which has an upgradable memory so you can store more maps at once.
Great unit for those that want something for the outdoor hike, and the car ride there.
Product Description
Includes: eTrex unit, PC/USB interface cable, MapSource Manager CD, lanyard & quick reference guide The eTrex Vista C Handheld GPS is for people who need GPS and waypoint information wherever you go. Many new exciting features make this portable GPS tool more versatile then ever. The 256-color TFT display produces the brightest and most readable display around. The units are completely waterproof and boast a 36-hour battery life, for maximum usage. All this and more -- adding up to a solid way to survive on the road or in the woods. Trip computer has an odometer, stopped time, moving average, total time, max speed and more 10,000 point automatic track log -- retrace your path in any direction, on up to 20 saved track(with 500 points each) The eTrex Vista C elevation computer tells users current elevation and ascend/descend rate Built-in celestial tables give you the best time to fish and hunt, plus times and positions for the sun & moon Compatible with most MapSource products - BlueChart, City Select, U.S. TOPO 24K and more Battery life up to 36 hours Unit Dimensions(WxHxD) - 2.2 x 4.2 x 1.2 Display Size(WxH) - 1.3 x 1.7 NOTE - Use with MetroGuide USA is not recommended
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.
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The unit offers a bright, transflective color TFT display with daylight viewability, automatic route generation, off-route recalculation, turn-by-turn directions with alert tones, and icon-driven menus for finding points of interest (when combined with Garmin's optional MapSource CDs). And you'll get up to 20 hours of use on two AA batteries. The unit offers 24 MB of internal memory, and its mini-USB port lets you download map data rapidly from Garmin's library of MapSource CDs (not included) using your PC.
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.
Customer Reviews:
Awsome.......2007-11-01
This little item is awsome. I take it everywhere. It has been through rain, mud, saltwater, fishblood, sand etc, and it is still as good a new. Make sure you wipe of any of these substances after each use. The screen is a bit small, and dont overload it with maps, because the map feature will become veery slow!
Excellant in many situations.......2006-12-02
I have had this now for almost one year. Has served me well. I use it for road cycling and also when traveling. I especially like having it when arriving by air in a new city. I preload that city's maps and also apply any local waypoints of interest such as bookstores and coffee shops. I am never lost in a new city. Very helpful when finding places to eat in obscure areas on the fly. Would definitely buy again but would probably buy it's upgrade with memory card that is now available.
Lousy tech support.......2006-04-17
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.
Perfection*****.......2006-03-24
I've used a GPS 72, Legend, Vista and now the Vista C. This is by far the best unit I've used. I love the color screen more than I thought I would and the USB cable transfers data very quickly if you want to load maps or a lot of waypoints.
Using E-Trex Vista C on AT Thru-Hike.......2006-03-21
I am currently carrying the Etrex with me on my 2174.6 mile thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. As of today, I have completed 270 miles (taking a day off in Hot Springs, NC).
So far the Etrex Vista C has been very reliable, only losing satellite reception for short periods of time, and usually that is when I am indoors, or in a shelter. However, sometimes it seems to lose satellite reception at times when it appears I have a clear view of the sky.
The battery life has been very good, especially now that i have started using the energizer lithium batteries. I use the Etrex with the compass turned off, and almost never use the backlight, as per Garmin's reccommendations for increasing battery life.
My main use of the gps unit is to create a track of where i have hiked - I am not using it to program my routes or future destinations - only to mark the locations of where i have been. Therefore I cannot comment on downloading maps, creating routes, etc.
Issues I would like to see addressed are greater memory capacities (I have to download my tracklog every 2 weeks), a removable flash memory card in this regard would be excellent. Also, I have to carry the usb cable driver installer with me everywhere in order to download my gps data from the unit - if this were plug-n-play similar to most card readers, that would also help.
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Garmin Carrying Case for eTrex and Summit (010-10314-00)
Garmin 12-Volt Car Power Cable for eTrex, Legend C and Vista C (010-10563-00)
Garmin Bicycle Mount for eTrex and Summit (010-10267-00)
Garmin Vehicle DC Power Adapter for eTrex and Geko (010-10203-00)
Garmin Windshield Mount for eTrex GPS Units (010-10361-00)
TOPO! Alaska National Geographic USGS Topographic Maps
TOPO! California Geographic USGS Topographic Maps
TOPO! New York, New Jersey National Geographic USGS Topographic Maps TOW0020530
TOPO! Utah National Geographic USGS Topographic Maps TOW0020537
TOPO! Washington National Geographic USGS Topographic Maps TOW0020538
