Garmin eTrex Vista Handheld GPS Navigator Review.
30 July 2010 par grayce2526327 |
Garmin eTrex Vista Handheld GPS Navigator
Product: Garmin eTrex Vista Handheld GPS Navigator Review. List Price: $299.99 Amazon Price: $156.51 Add to cart to see low price@ Availability: In Stock Usually ships in 24 Hours Free Shipping Available |
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The eTrex Vista combines a base map of North and South America, with a barometric altimeter and electronic compass. The compass provides bearing information while you’re standing still and the altimeter determines your precise altitude. The Vista is also designed to provide precise GPS positioning using correction data obtained from the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). This product will provide position accuracy to less than three meters when receiving WAAS corrections.The eTrex Vista also boasts an internal memory capacity of 24 megabytes, which allows it to accept downloaded mapping data from Garmin’s MapSource CD-ROMs, including Fishing Hot Spots. A silver case gives this unit a high-tech look. New to the product design, Garmin will include marine aids to navigation in addition to the base map. These navigational aids can be pre-loaded into each unit from the factory.It is compatible with most Garmin MapSource products including BlueChart marine cartography, MetroGuide, and Fishing Hot Spots. Accepts up to 24 megabytes of downloaded map detail.
- Amazon Sales Rank: #16869 in Consumer Electronics
- Size: Vista
- Brand: Garmin
- Model: 010-00243-00
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 1.20″ h x 2.00″ w x 4.40″ l, 1.00 pounds
- Native resolution: 160 x 288
Features
- WAAS-Enabled
- Same Features As Grm0025600 Etrex Legend Plus A Built-In Barometric Altimeter & Electronic Compass
- Compass Provides Bearing Information While User Is Standing Still
- Altimeter Determines Precise Altitude & Provides A Graphic Profile Of User¿S Trip
- Contains 24 Mb Internal Memory For Storing Detailed Map Data
Magellan Meridian vs. Garmin eTrex
I bought the Meridian Platinum and the Garmin Vista to do a technical comparison. They are both great units with similar price and features. I also tested the next level down: Meridian Gold and the Garmin Legend with similar results. Here’s my take:
If small size and high resolution are important to you, buy the Garmin.
If you prefer a larger screen, larger buttons, a floating unit, or something that can be viewed beyond an armslength away, get the Magellan. If you require reading glasses, avoid the Garmin.
Here is a list of specific comments:
- Size: Garmin fits easily in a shirt pocket. Magellan is 114% larger by volume and is better suited for a fanny pack or large coat pocket.
- Weight: Magellan is 51% heavier.
- Display: Magellan display is 66% larger, viewable beyond an arm’s length. Garmin not viewable beyond an arm’s length.
- Pixels: Garmin has over twice as many pixels.
- Resolution: With the smaller display and higher pixel count, the Garmin screen resolution is about four times greater.
- Both are waterproof. Magellan floats…Garmin doesn’t.
- Reception: Magellan had slightly better reception, probably due to larger internal antenna.
- Screen protection: Magellan has a raised frame around display to help prevent scratches, but it also collects lots of dust on the screen as a result.
- Maps/waypoints: Low resolution for the Magellan made small map features difficult to discern. Garmin much easier to read with a large variety of highly detailed map symbols/icons.
- Features: Similar for both, but the Magellan had a few extras I liked: audible alerts for turns, a “windshield” navigation view with waypoints drawn in the “distance”, a “speedometer” view with dial, sun and moon location displayed on the compass dial.
- Buttons/knobs: Garmin’s buttons are all on the sides and are very small. You won’t be able to operate them with gloves. I like the little joystick for the left thumb very much, but folks with clumsy hands will not. Magellan’s buttons are large, easy, and labelled.
- Magnetic compass: Garmin must be held flat for this feature. Magellan’s compass works in any position. (With motion, separate heading indicator works at any orientation on both units.)
- Battery life and accuracy: About the same for both.
- PC cable/DC car adapter: Garmin slides onto the back. Magellan has an awkward screw-in device.
- Mapping Memory: Garmin has 24 MB ready for upload from mapping software (sold separately). Magellan requires additional memory card…
- Owner’s Manual: Garmin provides complete owner’s manual. Magellan only provides a quick-start manual. Complete manual is electronic and divided into two files.
- User interface: I found the Garmin software and menus to be slightly more intuitive.
Result: I wanted a small unit for outdoor activities and occasional automobile travel. I like small, high-precision devices with lots of detail. I kept the Garmin.
I also ordered the car dash mount, DC auto adapter, belt carry case, and MapSource MetroGuide USA CD. I have been very pleased with each of them.
As the eTrex line goes, this is worth the investment
As a business traveler, I’ve been privy to some very cool emerging technologies. One of these gadgets are the GPS devices that are appearing in rental cars. The company from which I rent provides an in-car GPS that has more advanced features than what you’ll find in a handheld, but the maker of the product is Magellen. With this in mind I set out to get a GPS of my own.
I didn’t need fancy talking directions; I was looking to this device for play. I live in the Rockies, and my wife and I like to explore dirt trails on the weekends. A little off-roading can lead to hours of fun, but it can also get you lost in a hurry. As well, I wanted something for Geocaching. (…) This being my first GPS, I wanted to also make sure that the GPS I selected would grow with me.
With the name Magellen in mind, I quickly found an array of devices here on Amazon. The reviews proved mixed, so I headed to another review site for back-up. Reviews there were mixed too, and one individual even suggested the Garmin outright. I talked to a few friends, hit a few sporting goods stores, and in the end, the Garmin eTrex series fit the bill.
The Vista in particular is the top of the eTrex line, and you won’t be disappointed if you’re looking for the same qualities I was. As GPS screens go, it was sizeable and clear. Though built for left-handed individuals (and I’m right-handed), the QuickStick feature provides complete one-hand operation after you get used to it. The Vista also has the most memory of the eTrex line allowing you to hold more detailed maps should you decide to purchase them from Garmin. Don’t get me wrong; the maps that are included are pretty thorough in their own right.
Among the top features that sold me on the Vista over the other eTrex devices, were the altimeter and the compass. The altimeter is nice, especially in the Rockies, but probably not the most useful feature for flatlanders. The compass is gold. If you tell a GPS device where you want to go, it will give you an arrow that points you in the right direction. However, that arrow only works while you are moving. If you want to stand still and either (a) know what direction you are facing or (b) move very slowly to fine tune your hunt, then the compass is a must have feature. I cannot stress this enough - it makes Geocache hunts exceptionally accurate.
And on accuracy, I find that I get a lock of about 20 feet. Depending on the cloud conditions or the foliage, it may vary but I typically max out at around 50 feet. I was sitting in the back of a taxi, headed back to the airport and I was easily able to track the road I was on, the direction, the speed the driver was going, how far we went, and so on - the Vista had no problem keeping up.
Keep in mind that GPS signals do come from the sky, and if clouds or other obstacles block the sky, then the accuracy will weaken. On a rainy day in Oregon, I couldn’t get reception.
As batteries go, I’ve found that the Vista gives me about 12 hours on two AA batteries. This can vary depending on how much I use the more advanced features (WAAS, and the compass). I turn the compass off while I’m tracking a Geocache, and when I get within 100 feet, I turn it back on. Oh, and in terms of Geocaching, Garmin has provided waypoint icons for Geocachers that can be added to your Vista.
If you leave the GPS on during a hike, the TrackBack feature will leave a breadcrumb trail to follow back at just the click of a button. I’ve used this feature several times, and it will guide you back without flaw. For hikers or hunters using the GPS in heavy foliage, it may be a better practice to set occasional waypoints in clearings. This will give you the most accuracy, and save your battery.
In reviewing my initial desires for a GPS, I was looking for assistance in the back woods, Geocaching fun, and room to spare. All the features make outdoors fun more enjoyable - and safe. In terms of Geocaching, the accuracy of this device and the compass (gold) has made getting to the target a snap. And with the extra memory and firmware updates (such as the Geocaching icons), this device will be sure to keep up with me for years to come. I’m eager to see how it holds up this winter in backcountry snowmobile trips.
Compact, Loaded w/Features, Powerful, Easy to Learn & Use!
Before purchasing my eTrex Vista, I had never owned or used a GPS Unit but I had read a considerable number of articles on GPS and before I finally made the decision to buy, I spent several weeks reading whatever I could find with respect to user reviews, editorial reviews and so on! Simply put, the eTrex Vista is a super handheld GPS Unit. It is easy to learn & use and it has the best features of any comparable unit. It’s very small & weighs only 8 or 9 ounces with batteries but don’t let the size fool you, it’s a powerful unit and performs beautifully in open country, desert areas and on the water. It does have it’s problems in heavy cover, as do all other hand held units. In the open country, desert or on water, this little beauty locks on to five or six satellites every time. From what I now know, the only other unit I would recommend is the eTrex Legend and that’s only if you feel you have no need for an electronic compass or an altimeter. Personally, I love having the electronic compass available and I have found that I enjoy using the altimeter as well. You already know all the features this unit has or you would not be trying to make a decision on buying it but I’ll touch on a few of them. The built in 24 mb of memory is great. It’s just enough to download detailed mapping software for one state or for two or three large cities and their metro areas. I find the electronic compass very useful when trying to return to a Waypoint, especially when hiking or wandering around in open country or a desert area. Following a route backwards is no fun and can be boring as well. Note, the electronic compass can be turned off when not in use, to conserve battery life. I rarely have it on, except when returning to or trying to find a Waypoint. “Battery Life” that’s an issue that no one seems to cover honestly but I will! If you turn on the unit at the start of a field trip, hike, whatever and leave it on, which maybe necessary if you start out trying to locate a previously marked Waypoint, etc. and you leave the electronic compass on, as well, you will get a max of between 10 & 12 hours of battery life. That’s a Fact! If anyone tells you different, it’s BS! I now know several others people with Vistas and that fact is consistent with everyone of them. If you turn the compass off until you need it, if you need it at all, on a particular outing, you can extend the battery life to about 14 or 15 hours. If you don’t start out trying to find a Waypoint and you only turn the unit on to mark your starting Waypoint and possibly a few other Waypoints along the way and then turn it on for your return only, you can count on between 15 & 18 hours of battery life. But either way, let’s get real people, batteries are cheap, even quality alkaline batteries. Hell, if you buy them at one of the super stores, you can get them in packs of 24 or even 48 for about .45 cents each. That’s darn cheap and they certainly are not so heavy that you can’t carry a half dozen extras on your person. Two final observations. One, as mentioned, this unit works great in open country and on the water, etc. but it’s not the right choice for use in a vehicle. Certainly it can be used in that capacity but if that’s primarily what you will be using it for, I suggest you look for a unit that is designed for that purpose. Two, I’d be willing to bet that whoever design the Vista is left handed because the so called “Click-Stick” is on the left side of the unit which makes it almost impossible to use one handed, with your right hand. The reason being that the thumb on your right hand covers the screen when using the “Click-Stick” and you must be able to monitor the screen when using the “Click-Stick”. Fortunately for me, I was able to teach myself to use it one handed, with my left hand. It was awkward at first but to my surprise, it didn’t take very long to get comfortable with it. Since most of the population, by far, is right handed, I’d say that Garmin definitely screwed up, placing the “Click-Stick” on the left side of the unit! All in all, I love the eTrex Vista. It’s a little pricey but then again, how much is your safety & peace of mind worth to you? If the “Click-Stick” was on the right side, instead of the left side, I would have give this unit a strong five star rating!!!
