Garmin eTrex Vista Review
Packed full of features and fits in your pocket! This being our first GPS, we’ve been in love with this unit since it arrived in the mail from GPS Discount. The prices are always falling over there, you can probably get this one for under $300 or less. If this’ll break your bank, other products from the eTrex line start around $100.
Ed Note: This model has been discontinued.
As for a signal, the Vista is WAAS enabled, basically meaning it can be accurate within 3 meters on a good signal – a great feature for geocaching. We’ve had problems getting signals up in the mountain forests like Big Bear, California, but everywhere else works great. External antennas are not available on this unit.
The Vista features an altimeter, a speedometer (yes, you can see how fast you can run or rollerblade), and a compass. The map screen scrolls along as you move, and you can even watch the states go by from an airplane. You can also set your trip odometer which includes moving time, stopped time, distance traveled and much more! These features alone have kept us entertained for days at a time! However, the less than intuitive buttons will have you spending more time searching for the right one if you don’t use the GPS regularly.
The unit comes standard with 24MB of internal memory and a basemap that covers most major roads throughout the nation. The Garmin Software CDs and the included PC interface cable (sorry, no Macs) allow you to download detailed maps including local roads and topo maps. The MetroGuide will even show you the locations of restaurants, gas stations, and campsites.
This eTrex line has an awesome batch of accessories to help you travel. We’ve got the handlebar mount, the dash mount, and the carrying case. The carrying case works best for Jeepin’ since the dash mount gets a little bouncy on dirt roads. The cigarette lighter adapter is great too for those long trips across the country.
The Vista is a great unit that has given us little problems. In direct California sunlight or when it’s over 100 or so, the screen gets a little hard to read, but cleared up after we touched it lightly against the dash or whatever was nearby. This overall was probably not good for the unit, and we should have had it taken in for repair right away.
Overall this unit sounds like a great deal – but yours may not be dependable. Save your warranty! Despite the popularity of this unit, we find the Garmin V to be much more jeeper-friendly.
Tips & Tricks
When (if) you decide on this product, be sure to read the setup instructions! You will need to enable WASS (it’s off by default, and you may not get those 8-foot accuracies with it off) and calibrate your compass. We also like to turn off ‘road-lock’ because the track jumps around alot.
Problems with the GPS
Mentioned in the review the unit had little problem with the screen getting a few lines in it in very hot weather. Forget the weather, this little problem has turned into "it has lines on it."
Often the unit is very hard to read due to this, and many others have recently complained about the same problem. The GPS unit is only 3 years old.
Here’s the catch: This is a known problem with the eTrex line of receivers. After a year (it’s out of warranty after that!) and they charge $125 to fix it. That’s 1/2 the cost of the unit itself! Find out more or share your story here in the forums.
Update 11/04
Got the unit back after "repair," and very quickly I might add. Turns out, Garmin sent out a brand new one. We also got a "discounted price," so in the end it ended up being worth it I guess, despite the trouble.
