Walking and Climbing

Had mine for about 8mths, not had any problems with it so far, are you using Topo 2?

 Pete C.

Good grief, no. Stupidly expensive. I don't really need maps on the unit at this stage.

 As I said - problem occurs with or without MicroSD card. 

Cheers,

MartinF 

I bought an eTrex Vista HCx this week and I am also having the same problems as MartinF. The unit has locked up about 6 times in no particular place, time or for any reason I could make out.

I am still waiting for Topo to arrive.

I tried a software update followed by a master reset as they suggested but this has made no difference.

I have phoned Garmin and they have agreed to fix or replace the unit. I just hope I dont have the same problem again as MartinF did as its a great bit of kit apart from this.

Martin Y.

Perhaps you just got a bad one - I have a Vista HCX and several people I know do as well have as well - never locked up on me and not on them to my knowledge.

I see you said you did check the firmware was current - but for everyone else it is good to check periodically that you haev the latest firmware on the unit - there is a 'webupdater' program that you run on your PC that can check and update the unit and they do fix / improve things from time to time.

What batteries were you using in them? Although if the lock ups were random that is less likely to be the problem...?

I have tried the webupdater but there are no updates as of present 2.6 being the latest.

I am using new rechargable NiMH batteries which I have just bought.

I guess I am just unfortunate to have received a dodgy one. I guess you only hear about the ones that people have had problems with not the ones that are ok which must run into thousands I am guessing

What Garmin have recommended to me on this issue is a software update followed by a master reset. This process will fix any known bugs and recalibrate the satellite data. To update the software visit <a href="http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=931" target="_blank">http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=931</a> to download and install the webupdater. Connect your GPS unit to the
computer, run the webupdater and then follow the instructions on screen 
- if it states that you have the latest software then you should still select
the option to reload the current version.
Then to reset the unit, ensure the unit is off then hold PAGE and ENTER
whilst turning the unit on. You should then see a message saying "Do you
really want to erase all user data" to which you need to answer "Yes".
This process will clear your user data so ensure that this is backed up (prior to goign through this whole process).
After you have reset the unit you will then need to leave it in a
stationary position with a clear view of the sky for around 30 minutes
to re-acquire all the satellite information.

Hi chaps...

I have a Garmin GPSmap 60CS that randomly shuts down only after setting the Setup-Heading-North Reference-User-Magnetic Variation set to 3 degrees... 

If set back to Restore Defaults then unit operates
correctly again !

Just received this email from Garmin...

Thank you for contacting Garmin(Europe)Ltd.

Sorry for the delay in responding. I have replicated this bug and
forwarded it to the Software team so it can be fixed in any future
update.

Kind regards
Jamie Wiltshire Garmin (Europe) Ltd

Conclusion firmware bug  

hi - just after a bit of advice.

I am looking at the vista HCX+TOPO map for some walking in the lake district.

I need to be able to define my route on the PC and then load the map and route onto the Vista.  Once on the hill I want to be able to use the turn-by-turn navigation to follow the route in some quite intricate detail.

I know how to navigate with map and compass but needed the vista as an aid for my navigators on the Bob Graham Round.  Navigation needs to be fast and accurate even in clud and fog/mist.  I wanted to garmin to help with that aspect.

do any of you have experience of using the unit and map in this way?

cheers

alan

Hi Alan, and welcome to the forum

alan whelan wrote (see)

Once on the hill I want to be able to use the turn-by-turn navigation to follow the route in some quite intricate detail.

What exactly do you mean by "turn by turn" navigation? If you're looking for something along the lines of an audible notication as with car sat navs, sorry to say you'll be disappointed.

If you just want something to give you reassurance that you're where you think then you really don't need the advanced features of the Vista - or pricetag! Most recent units use an identical internal GPS chipset, so time to fix and accuracy vary very little between the lower and higher end models. What you should check for is that the device uses a SiRF Star III chipset. I have used the Vista in exactly that way, when wanting quick location confirmation in winter, and it does the job......the H in HCX  stands for High Definition and refers to it having the above chipset.

The other downside of the Vista is the Topo maps......they're essentially simple topographical maps, and nowhere near the detail of an OS map. They're also not cheap!

If you want something with a good quality, zoomable, OS map, on-screen that's specifically designed for outdoor use and uses the fastest available chipset then you're looking at either the Garmin Oregon or the SatMap Active 10.

Alternatively you can use a cheaper device that doesn't have on-screen mapping, but shows your route as a series of lines between waypoints.

With any of the above you won't get turn by turn spoken directions, though you can set alarms to warn you if you go more than 3 degrees off course, or within a certain distance of one of your waypoints. 

HTH

Dave

Hi Dave

> What you should check for is that the device uses a SiRF Star III chipset.

I'm not sure if I misunderstood your message, but the Vista HCx uses the MediaTek MT3 chipset, not a SiRF one.

Rgds

Jon