Reviews for Garmin eTrex Vista Portable Navigator2.37" Grayscale LCD - 12 Channels - Warm Start 15 Second - Serial, DC Power Input - MPN: 0100024300 
By member:
araura
- Jan 23, 2005
Garmin eTrex Vista Portable NavigatorStrengths: Light weight, sharp display, memory capacity. Weakness: No bundled softwares or sleeves provided, no driving directions, only comes with a serial port. I bought this device last year but only began to use it last month. This GPS is very good and helped me so much when I drove, expecially when I got lost outside. But there are a few drawbacks that I must say. No bundled map softwares are provided for this device. You can only buy it at high prices (more than $70), that's why I couldn't use it before. I thought it would come with a software and a sleeve but I received nothing excect the device itself, even no batteries provided, which makes this GPS very pricy. The GPS doesn't have a driving direction function, so before you use it, you should generate your driving direction from other sources, that is not that convenient. 100% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
keeslingspam
- Mar 18, 2005
Garmin eTrex Vista Portable NavigatorStrengths: Barograph, compact, easy to use, weatherproof, sleek design, long feature list, great price Weakness: None that are apparent to me This is my first GPS unit. I have already used my eTrex Vista to calibrate my speedometer on my truck and motorcycle. 33% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top 
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Garmin eTrex Vista Portable Navigator
Strengths: Compact size; Functionality (tracklog, compass, altimeter, trip computer, WAAS); Suitability for outdoors
Weakness: Weak reception without direct/clear view of sky; Lack of USB port, only has serial port; Largest memory in etrex line but no memory expansion capability; Expensive map software
I used this on a rim-to-rim hike at the Grand Canyon last fall and I, as well as my group, found it very useful. The trip computer was very handy because my group relied on it to pace our hike. Because we were determined to cover some 24 miles in about 12 hrs coming from an elevation of some 8200 ft down to 2500 ft then up again to around 6800 ft, our leader relied on me to provide regular updates on our elevation and distance covered. The trip odometer kept track of the distance; it also gave the moving time and stopped time, as well as our average and maximum speeds. It was neat to be able to see the map of the track we made and the plot of the elevation changes.
The unit display is highly configurable. For example, on the trip computer, you can choose to show up to 8 specific variables. If you prefer to see your ETA instead of Moving Time, you only need to move the joystick to highlight that field and press to reveal a drop-down menu, from which you can choose among all the variables you can display instead.
One drawback is that the unit has to be pointed skywards to receive satellite signals. Prior to our trip, I tested my Vista hiking in a nearby mountain. Letting it hang from my neck with the lanyard did not work. I had to hold it with my hand and point it upwards. I also lost signal even when the tree coverage was not that thick. After reading one of the etrex reviews, I knew I had to buy a holster for my trip. I clipped the holster onto the shoulder strap of my backpack so that the GPS would be pointed skywards throughout our hike. Even then, I lost signal in some parts of the canyon 2 or 3 times. This did not seem to have much effect on the trip calculations.
I had no battery problems at all even when all functions were on. I used rechargeable batteries and had brought spares because I was worried about power consumption. I was pleasantly surprised that over the 12 hr hike, I didn't lose power. I was constantly watching the battery indicator and there was still juice at the end of the hike.
I also didn't buy the MapSource Topo or Metroguide maps because they are just too expensive, although Target now sells a bonus pack with a suction mount cradle, car power adapter and MapSource Metroguide for around $120. I'm not sure though how useful this is for automotive navigation simply because the screen is too small.
Finally, the unit is very robust. I dropped it a couple of times and it still works!
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