Garmin eTrex Vista CX Color Handheld GPS
List Price: $374.99 Our Price: $251.02 You Save: $123.97 (33.1%) Availability: | Usually ships in 24 hours (as of 9:21 PM CT - detail) |
Bright, full-color TFT display, automatic routing, and long, 20-hour battery lifePowerful navigation chip for supreme accuracyIncludes barometric altimeter and electronic compassMicroSD memory slot; includes 64 MB memory cardPreloaded with an Americas autoroute basemap
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. | 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, 64 MB microSD card, USB interface cable, bike mount clip, MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager CD, lanyard, owner's manual, and quick-start guide
Spotlight Customer Reviews:
Summary:
Great backpacking GPS
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Comment:
I love this GPS. When I bought it new, it did everything I wanted it to. There's no weather information but I figure I am outside I can see what the weather is. The accuracy is typically 5-7ft when in open terrain and anywhere from 6-14ft when in semi-dense trees. I use this GPS for skiing, biking, 4wheeling, and backpacking. Get some rechargable batteries like the energizer 2200mAhr AA, they will last a good 24+ hours with the backlight off and with tracking on. The newer units have some slight improvement but not enought to spend the extra money. I love the expandable memory for additional maps. I really can't say enought great things about this GPS. I wouldn't suggest this as a car use GPS for turn by turn directions as the screen is very small for that use.
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Summary:
Some problems but great support
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Comment:
I own this product but did not purchase it through Amazon. I have been happy with the versatility of the unit, I use it both on and off road. I have had a couple of problems requiring me to send in the unit for repairs. Each time it was just after the 1 year warranty expired. I am very impressed with Garmin Support and how they stand by their products. Even though I've had a few problems, I wouldn't hesitate to buy more Garmin products.
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Summary:
Garmin eTrex Vista CX
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Comment:
This is the 4th Garmin GPS I bought - GPS 2, GPS 5, Nuvi 660 and now the Vista CX. I bought the Vista CX to replace my GPS 5 primarily for mapping my local parks via mountain biking so I could plan trips, track mileages and also to get into geocaching. The first couple of times I used it in an outer pocket of my Camelbak while riding around through the woods in late October - after most of the leaves had fallen from the trees - and it lost coverage several times ending in incomplete track logs. I then tried it clipped outside with similar results. I found it not much better than the GPS 5 for tracking. However, the display and battery life are excellent and the menus are easy to navigate through. I wound up returning the Vista CX for the 60CXs which I absolutely love. The big difference is the SiRF III chipset. I can now pick up 3 or 4 satellites inside my house and have mapped over 130 miles of trails so far. I would definitely recommend the 60CXs over the Vista CX, price notwithstanding.
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Summary:
Great. Love It
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Comment:
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.
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Summary:
fancy piece of junk
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Comment:
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!
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