Water - it doesnt float, so be very careful when on a river, lake or ocean. It also does not show tides. So for Marine use get a different GPS. Screen - A bit too small. The size of the unit limits the screen size. But for those of us with normal or better then normal vision, the small screen could be put to better use if the resolution was increased to make the small icons more clear.
Only Garmin Maps can be downloaded to the Etrex. Considering Garmin Mapsource software are among the worst out there except for Magellen Software which is the worst, it limits the enjoyment and usefulness of the GPS.
Due to a lack of international competition on software quality in this areas usually suffers greatly. And no you cannt go to a Japanese site and buy a import. It doesn't exist. The software also is bare minimum when it comes to features. So far the hardware OEMs are doing their best to also sell the software and hence, making the maps proprietory.
I am keeping my eye open for a strictly hardware manufacturer that just makes GPS, so I can use any software I want. Its also good for the market because it brings in competition. Compass - Slow and inaccurate. Bring a magnetic compass on challenging navigations. It will take about four separate files to load the entire USA topo. Alternative, probably a reliable one, use a old USB 1. I fortunately have a 5 year OLD antique laptop I can use. Nothing can be done on the unit or on a public PC.
Personally I like to spend my nights reviewing my tracks and organizing, but cannt be done without your own laptop. For those of us who have discovered and used this port its a GOD bless. So when I am in deep canyons, tree foliage, urban jungle or really bad weather the external antenna receieves where the built in usually fails.
Even on car GPSs I look for a antenna port. No waiting for warmup, no "poor reception" warning, and no 50 feet or worse resolution.
I broke the cable on the external antenna, and I cannt replace it because all I know of it is that it was "made in Taiwan". It was OEM, where the American company is supposed to import it and then stick their company name on it, but mine didn't have a label.
But the unit is usable and the hardware is well made. Its the best unit of its kind out there. For those of us who like to hike, climb or bike. I don't recommend it for Marine use, because it does't float and lacks tides. But can be used on water, lets say for kayaking or canoeing. Just don't drop it. Or have a bouy connected to it. And bring along a tides map. I like to see in the next version a Bluetooth capability. So I can use it with my phone and laptop.
It is a monochrome unit, though it does offer an electronic compass and barometric altimeter. The Vista H can accommodate maps, but is limited to 24MB of on-board memory. Monochrome displays are nowhere near as bright as color units, and can be quite difficult to see in daylight conditions. Instead, I recommend one of the following:. Rich is the owner, editor and chief bottle-washer for GPS Tracklog.
Connect with him on Twitter , Facebook or Google Plus. I think your blanket dismissal of black and white displays is unjustified. I have the Vista H model and have had absolutely no trouble seeing it in all daylight conditions.
Maybe you need to have your eyes checked, or your wrists. The unit is not a gee-whiz, cooks your coffee model, but not everyone needs kitchen help. Try downloading the update and them install it:.
Most Garmin handhelds have a hard reset procedure. Note that all user data and setting are lost during this procedure. Looks like the Vista HCx has the same button layout as my basic Vista.
The reset proceedure for the basic Vista is 4 keys; Page top right , Enter down on joystick , Find bottom left and Poweron bottom right. And yes, all data is lost and settings are returned to default. Mine did the same thing last weekend in the middle of a multicache. I downloaded and installed the software manually.
After the install I checked to see what versions loaded and I still show Software version 2. Try running WebUpdater, again. You should have Firmware version 2. I assume that GPS software version 0.
The link that you used for the manual install does the firmware. I don't know how to manually install the chipset software unless someone from Garmin emails it to you. Maybe someone here who knows how to navigate the Garmin website knows how to retrieve the chipset software, but I've never been able to find it.
However, if it functions correctly, WebUpdater should check for the chipset software after it checks the firmware. Recently I had exactly the same problem with an eTrex HCx unit as well. I tried upgrading the firmware but no luck, that same error message again and again. Did you manage to fix your GPS? If yes then how could you do it? You can post now and register later.
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