Garmin eTrex Vista

Mark Spriggs
Reviewed: 30 January 2005

WOW !

I'd agree with everything said by previous contributors - this is the dogs suspended bits! My 4 year old daughter has been having great fun using the 'goto' waymarking function for finding our way back to the car after a day out - thats how easy this unit is to use. Love the GPS elevation function too - preeeety accurate most of the time. The basic map with the system is fairly OK, though you need more detailed downloads to really fly. The 'bearing lock' function is fab too - no need for resections anymore...well maybe if your batts fail!!

Taking of batts - Garmin need to work harder, in my view, developing power conserving microchips - really could do with more than the 10hours or so this system manages. £s - got mine for 201 squidonies off the internet - so look around - I've seen retail 250 wackers upward!

Our OS maps with good compass work will, frankly, do the job as good as GPS IMHO, and will be a few grammes lighter. That said I am completely happy with my new GPS - my first ever - and can imagine tons of fun to come...!

Mike Potts
Reviewed: 29 January 2005

EXPENSIVE BUT DOG'S DANGLY'S

Easy navigation, clear display, intuitive menus, excellent little mouse-nubbin thing for navigating, reliable and weatherproof, digital compass, PC interface.

Cost! Aiiee!

Battery consumption.

Hunting/fishing prediction: I mean, 'Uh? Why?'.

When I got one, it only had a serial port interface.

Used it in the Gulf (Spring 02) and it was absolutely indispensable. It never let me down and pulled me out of the poo on a few occasions.

Works well with my laptop and freeware programs like 'EasyGPS'; however, I did have to find a serial-to-USB port converter which was a pain and added extra cost. I think Garmin probably do their own now.

If you don't need all of the bells and whistles, the other eTrex units have similar GPS performance so you can save yourself a bit of money.

Has anyone actually used the 'hunting/fishing predictor'? Was this an added joke feature from the unit designers?

Rich Slaney
Reviewed: 26 January 2004

Fabulous GPS

Design (one handed control).

Ease of use. Graphical interface with symbols and text.

Accuracy is amazing

Clear and Customisable Display.

Build Quality

PC Interface cable included.

Very Reliable. Always get a Satellite lock and has never let me down.

Size.. As small as the average small mobile phone.

Compass which works when static, not just when moving like most models.

Barometer and Barometric Altimeter (if left on it'll map the trends in Altitude of barometric presure. So also great for weather prediction.

Track logging, then Trackback feature to allow you to exactly retrace your steps. Really great in the 'forked track' situation. You can always find your way back.

Number of routes and waypoint you can store.

Screens are clear and easy to read.

The unit if fully waterproof for 30 mins submersion.

Loads of different brackets for car, bike, boat application.

Number of additional features built in for Fishermen / hunters / Glider Pilots / Parachuters.

Maps, 24mg Memory to upload maps from PC software. Additional Sofware for other useful functions.

Units Firmware is upgradeable by downloading latest software (and any additional software features) from Garmins website (free of charge - no maintenance contract).

Garmin products are excellent. It's great how you can keep the unit upto date by downloading free firmware from the Garmin Website.
Once bought, that's all you need. No ongoing fee's for subscriptions and works anywhere on the planet!!

I wish the battery lasted for more than 12 hours.. But that is contin

100% Brilliant. Goes with me everywhere outdoors.

When outdoors I always store waypoints for key locations (I.e Car, Camp, Chairlifts, Boat mooring etc). I can then venture of knowing that I can always get back. Its a great luxury which allows you to explore without the worries.
If you ever get injured in the wilderness and have a phone, you can always give your exact position hence speeding up any resue.

Even great for other uses. For example marking my cars position when it's parked up in a huge car pack when I go on holiday. I can always find my car amongst 10000's of others !

Great logging allows me to ride those magical mountain bike trails I found over and over again without missing a turn and getting lost.