Just bought a Garmin eTrex Vista CX for £100 in the US (What a bargain!).

Having finally got the euro basemap onto it (;)) and used it this weekend on the Southdowns Way, I am now looking for a case/holster for it.

Reviews of the Garmin case with the clear window are less than complimentary.

Anybody got any other ideas?

And does anybody know if GPS signals will pass through a case or does it have to have the aerial exposed?

Berghaus do a case for GPS. Have a look at their site. My Legend C fits easily into the case so I don't imagine your Vista Cx will be any different.

I am intrigued how you managed to get a euro basemap on cos I understood the basemap was somehow embedded in the electronics?

PM sent...

Ebay is good for cases,i got one for my Etrex about a year ago and the case does not interfere one but..

I double bag my electronics in freezer bags with ziplock openings - put the ziplocks at opposite ends, just in case.

Cost is negligible, ditto weight ...

Have been walking continuously since Jan 22, and no failures yet.

Cheers Judy

I double bag my electronics in freezer bags with ziplock openings - put the ziplocks at opposite ends, just in case.

Cost is negligible, ditto weight ... GPS reception appears to be fine through several layers of plastic - I have checked the quality of fix on my GPS loggers with and without bags and can see no difference.

Have been walking continuously since Jan 22, and no failures yet.

Cheers Judy

I have a small camera case for mine: reasonably waterproof and shockproof, and attaches to a belt if that's where I want it. Try taking the unit into your nearest Jessops/camera shop and see what it fits.

eTrex are IPX7 rated meaning they are water resistant. The 7 signifies temporary immersion and should be able to be immersed in 15cm water for 30 minutes.
I have a Garmin Geko with the same rating and it lives in a stretch holster on top of my ruckasack shoulder strap regardless of the weather. It was rained on most of yesterday in the Cheviots but still recorded the whole trip!
The present generation of eTrex (and Geko) receive best when positioned horizontally (that's why I keep mine where it is); I believe Garmin are about to release a new range of eTrex with the antenna used in the more expensive ranges which are better vertically.

my gps are attached to the shoulder strap with some loops of shock cord. never had a problem. if the gps has a strap, loop this through a mini krab.

I would love to know what the resolution of the Euro basemap is? What sort of data is on there?

roads, railways and towns basically.

The Etrex is already pretty water resistant - but I also have the Berghaus rigid holder but the CX is a little 'snug' and you want to be able to take it out easily.

To be honest I usually either stick it around my neck on a lanyard, (like parky) tie to the shoulder strap of my pack or just put in a pocket on my jacket so I can get to it.

Would not bother with most basemaps - better than nothing - but much better if you upload proper maps / routes / waypoints etc. Garmin Topo GB is ok for the CX.