Garmin Etrex Vista Hcx (010-00630-00)

Garmin eTrex Vista HCx (010-00630-00)

• High-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver provides peak performance in any environment
• Lightweight, compact and waterproof
• Features a 1.7-inch X 1.3-inch screen with 256-level color TFT
• Built-in basemap with automatic routing capability
• USB connection for high-speed map downloads

Buy Now : Garmin eTrex Vista HCx (010-00630-00)

Brand : Garmin
Category : Electronics,GPS, Finders & Accessories,Sports & Handheld GPS,Handheld GPS Units
Rating : 4.2
Review Count : 356

Garmin eTrex Vista HCx (010-00630-00)

• After being content with my Garmin Vista, I decided it was time to upgrade to the latest Garmin Vista eTrex HCx. With a new MapSource Topo USA for MAC available, and the ability to transfer National Parks Topo Version 3 from PC to MAC I thought it would be an ideal time to \"upgrade\" to this model. The HCx has a beautiful color screen, is highly sensitive-acquiring satellites and able to navigate much more effectively! Response is quick-virtually instantaneous. Ergonomically the toggles are awkward and its easy to toggle into the wrong place-not a big deal and I image I\'ll get used to it. This being said the documentation that comes with the unit is almost useless, covering just the basics. Forget about how to setup (at least for a MAC). The cd that comes with it is for PC\'s only and there is absolutely no information on what a Mac user needs to do. You think a quick look at the Garmin website would have these answers. Nope! Nada! The website is a joke-as is customer support. I waited 32 minutes to speak to a rep and then was told I would have to be transferred to their Mac Dept. Okay fine. Another 34 minute wait. Thats; okay, I\'m willing to wait-except the tech I finally get is about as helpful as a cord of wood. No help. I ask questions he doesn\'t know the answers and doesn\'t sound like he cares-hardly a Mac enthusiast. In fact I felt like he actually dispised my call. From simple things like where\'s the serial number? (UPDATE: it\'s behind the batteries) to do I need drivers to download to make this work? (UPDATE: No you don\'t. In fact, if you\'re using a Mac, just turn it on and it\'s up and running-no need for \"installation disc\")-if you want to transfer maps to your GPS, you must download the \"MapInstall\" program from Garmin\'s website). This is a beautiful device that does what my old Vista did-except this one, is of course, much faster, and more effective-if I could get some information on it! If Garmin is going to claim they are moving toward Mac compatibility they should give a little more information to Mac user\'s on their website (other than press releases on how they are now Mac friendly) or perhaps a few sentences in the manual explaining exactly what Mac users need to get this thing up-and-running; transferring maps, able to communicate with Mapsource software, etc.. I would like to give the HCx five stars, but because of absolutely no assistance for Mac users on their website or manual-and because of an initial bad customer service experience I give it two stars and sit here with a $270 GPS-$200 worth of new MapSource Maps (another product-another review) and a beautiful little machine that has quicker response and is much more capable than my old Vista-but just as useless on a Mac (REVISED: It works beautifully with my Mac. Perfect!). My enthusiasm dissolved after trying to upload maps or connect to my computer.REVISED 6/30/08: Okay, finally! I got someone at Garmin customer service (very nice in the Mac Dept.) that could explain what-exactly needs to be done to get this puppy up-and-running: I had already downloaded the Garmin MapIntsall software (which you need to open, then select the device-in this case the HCx); there you will find all your maps (in my case the Topo Natl Parks and Topo USA for Mac). With the GPS plugged into USB port you simple select all the maps you want from one set of maps and then go to the other set and select the ones there). Works like a dream! Now if they would just make this clear somewhere (and believe me, it is not CLEAR anywhere). That being said, the experience I had today was much better. While I had to wait another 30 minutes to get customer service (who told me the serial number is located inside the battery case on the back) and then another 5 minutes to get to the Mac specialist-all my questions were answered! Both techs were very nice and helpful! Today\'s experience would be 5 Star Customer service! while I have rated the device 2 stars-I would probably change to 4 stars. Why the missing star? Initial frustration that could have been alleviated if Garmin took the time to stuff some extra instructions in the box specifically for Mac user\'s and made their website a little more friendly-and informative. The 24k NATL PARKS maps are beautiful on the color screens-as are the TOPO USA 2008 for Mac. The toggles are still awkward and unruly-but I\'ll get used to it. So, in a nutshell; You can download multiple maps on to your Garmin Vista Hcx using MapInstall (dowload from their website) to your applications folder. Once downloaded, connect your HCx to USB and select device and have fun selecting your maps. One thing I was not real clear on until today is that \"Bobcat\" is strictly for viewing maps and transferring wayspoints, etc. It has nothing to do with uplading maps to your GPS. Use MapInstall to upload maps to the GPS. Today\'s experience brought my faith back in Garmin customer service and technology. Thanks Garmin, for FINALLY becoming Mac compatible. I\'m going to be a happy camper with this wonderful little GPS!REVISED 7/6/08: Referring to the most recent \"1 Star\" Review; Yes, mine locks-up/freezes, too (nothing to do with Mac) unit freezes on the trail-at least once a day. No response from any buttons-unable to do anything until holding power button for long period-reboot. This is not cool! Will call Garmin Monday and see what\'s up. Not good to hear they have a new chipset out and this may be the old one. After-all, I just purchased this. Will report back on what Garmin says. This sounds like an obvious defect.REVISED 7/9/08: Emailed Garmin Monday-no response yet (3 days later)-so returned to Amazon for exchange. Amazon is great! No problem. Sent out a new one before I could box up the defective one-received replacement today! That\'s customer service! Will let everyone know if the problem persists with replacement unit. Amazon 5 Stars! HCx?..not so sure anymore.REVISED 7/11/08: Garmin emailed me 4 days later and explained that the new chipset is 3.0. My software version is 2.60. Used \"Web-Updater\" on my Mac and said I have the latest software. Everything is working beautifully with replacement Amazon sent me. No freezes or problems of any kind. Final score: Garmin HCx-4 Stars! Amazon-big 5 Stars!SIX-YEAR-UPDATE: JUST CHANGED STAR RATING TO 4 STARS! Okay, its been 6 years and this is still going strong. Good battery-life. The new ones (so far) can\'t surpass light weight and compactness of this one. What you may lose in features (maybe/maybe not) with this one you make up for in simplicity and light-weight. No reason to update yet. Rare for an electronic item-especially in this day and age.
• And the Saga of the HCX ContinuesOne of the control buttons on the refurbished HCx quit working Summer of 2015. So, I contacted Garmin and once again for about $90 sent it in to be refurbished (or exchanged for a refurbished unit, I\'m not sure). This 2nd refurbished unit continues to work well and was last used hiking in Olympic National Park in September.And Still Further Supplemental CommentsI contacted Garmin in the Fall of 2012 and returned the damaged unit. For about $90 they sent me a refurbished HCx. Thought it was a great deal. Still using the refurbished unit as of August, 2013.Further Supplemental CommentsIn June 2012 flipped a canoe with the Garmin unit mounted on the cross-brace. No water damage to the unit. Managed to use the GPS track to return to the lake-site the next morning and jig up a couple of the fishing rods that had gone into the lake. Used the GPS until July 2012 when I inadvertently leaned my elbow (with most of my weight) on the unit in my tent and crushed the LCD screen. It still works, but the display is largely unreadable. Overall this unit worked great and survived a lot of hard use. I hope it\'s replacement is as durable.Supplemental Comments to Original ReviewI\'ve now (Feb 2011) used the HCx for a number of other trips including mountain biking and several backpacking trips. I\'ve loaded and used several maps purchased on Micro SD. All have worked well and with excellent accuracy. I thought the map was \"off\" while hiking in Big Bend National Park, but subsequently learned that the trail had been rerouted a couple of weeks earlier - the GPS map simply had the original trail marked. Couldn\'t fault Garmin for not picking up on such a recent change in the trail. I\'ve had the GPS unit come loose from the Rail Mount Adapter on my mountain bike a couple of times. Vibration from riding seems to cause the attachment screw to come loose from the back of the GPS. I have to remember to carefully tighten the screw (the edge of a nickle seems to be about a perfect fit, but dime or penny works too). The GPS has hit pavement hard a couple of time and other than scuffing the exterior it continues to work fine. It\'s a testament to the product\'s durability that the electronics survived. I ordered a second Rail Mount Adapter so I can leave one on the mountain bike and use the other on canoe trips.================================================================================================= The Vista HCx is the 3rd hand-held GPS unit I\'ve owned. I bought it to replace a Garmin 60CS. I just returned from a 12-day wilderness canoeing trip using the HCx where it performed superbly.- Battery life using Eveready lithium AAs (unit uses 2) was frankly amazing at 35+/- hours (a significant improvement over the 60CS).- Mounted unit in the canoe using separately purchased Garmin Rail Mount Adapter(010-10496-01)which worked magnificently. Rail Mount Adapter attached to aluminum cross-brace of a Souris River Quetico 17 canoe in front of the rear seat and once angle of the Mount was set appropriately made GPS easy to view while paddling. The quick release enabled the GPS unit to be easily installed or removed for portaging the canoe. Quick release (included with the GPS Unit) screws on to the back of the GPS. Easily removed to access battery compartment.- GPS unit was not affected by heavy rain or water from paddle splash, etc.- On lakes, as would be expected, excellent accuracy and rapid satellite lock; but the unit also maintained satellite lock while in my pocket over heavily wooded portages.- Color screen was easy to read - even in bright sunlight (and typically wearing sweat/sunscreen/insect repellant encrusted glasses). While the screen is smaller than the 60CS, it\'s brighter.- Separately purchased a 2gb micro SD card which was easily installed. Detailed map downloaded(relevant sections from Garmin Topo Canada)without a hitch. I understand that with most recent (May 2009) software upgrade the Vista HCx will accept and operate with a 4gb micro SD card.- Controls and various menu options as with the other Garmin GPS units I\'ve owned are somewhat complicated. I\'m still figuring them out (wasn\'t till the end of the trip I figured out how to set the display so that the top of the screen was always \"north\"). The complexity is a slight negative, but for the most part you\'ll figure it out from playing with the menu or read the owners manual in detail to learn what\'s important to how you particularly use the unit.- Buttons were difficult to operate while wearing paddling gloves - not a flaw in the unit\'s design, just a fact.

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