Garmin eTrex Vista Handheld GPS Navigator Review
September 14th, 2009
As the eTrex line goes, this is worth the investment: As a business traveler, I’ve been privy to some very cool emerging technologies. One of these gadgets are the GPS devices that are appearing in rental cars. The company from which I rent provides an in-car GPS that has more advanced features than what you’ll find in a handheld, but the maker of the product is Magellen. With this in mind I set out to get a GPS of my own.
I didn’t need fancy talking directions; I was looking to this device for play. I live in the Rockies, and my wife and I like to explore dirt trails on the weekends. A little off-roading can lead to hours of fun, but it can also get you lost in a hurry. As well, I wanted something for Geocaching. (…) This being my first GPS, I wanted to also make sure that the GPS I selected would grow with me.
With the name Magellen in mind, I quickly found an array of devices here on Amazon. The reviews proved mixed, so I headed to another review site for back-up. Reviews there were mixed too, and one individual even suggested the Garmin outright. I talked to a few friends, hit a few sporting goods stores, and in the end, the Garmin eTrex series fit the bill.
The Vista in particular is the top of the eTrex line, and you won’t be disappointed if you’re looking for the same qualities I was. As GPS screens go, it was sizeable and clear. Though built for left-handed individuals (and I’m right-handed), the QuickStick feature provides complete one-hand operation after you get used to it. The Vista also has the most memory of the eTrex line allowing you to hold more detailed maps should you decide to purchase them from Garmin. Don’t get me wrong; the maps that are included are pretty thorough in their own right.
Among the top features that sold me on the Vista over the other eTrex devices, were the altimeter and the compass. The altimeter is nice, especially in the Rockies, but probably not the most useful feature for flatlanders. The compass is gold. If you tell a GPS device where you want to go, it will give you an arrow that points you in the right direction. However, that arrow only works while you are moving. If you want to stand still and either (a) know what direction you are facing or (b) move very slowly to fine tune your hunt, then the compass is a must have feature. I cannot stress this enough – it makes Geocache hunts exceptionally accurate.
And on accuracy, I find that I get a lock of about 20 feet. Depending on the cloud conditions or the foliage, it may vary but I typically max out at around 50 feet. I was sitting in the back of a taxi, headed back to the airport and I was easily able to track the road I was on, the direction, the speed the driver was going, how far we went, and so on – the Vista had no problem keeping up.
Keep in mind that GPS signals do come from the sky, and if clouds or other obstacles block the sky, then the accuracy will weaken. On a rainy day in Oregon, I couldn’t get reception.
As batteries go, I’ve found that the Vista gives me about 12 hours on two AA batteries. This can vary depending on how much I use the more advanced features (WAAS, and the compass). I turn the compass off while I’m tracking a Geocache, and when I get within 100 feet, I turn it back on. Oh, and in terms of Geocaching, Garmin has provided waypoint icons for Geocachers that can be added to your Vista.
If you leave the GPS on during a hike, the TrackBack feature will leave a breadcrumb trail to follow back at just the click of a button. I’ve used this feature several times, and it will guide you back without flaw. For hikers or hunters using the GPS in heavy foliage, it may be a better practice to set occasional waypoints in clearings. This will give you the most accuracy, and save your battery.
In reviewing my initial desires for a GPS, I was looking for assistance in the back woods, Geocaching fun, and room to spare. All the features make outdoors fun more enjoyable – and safe. In terms of Geocaching, the accuracy of this device and the compass (gold) has made getting to the target a snap. And with the extra memory and firmware updates (such as the Geocaching icons), this device will be sure to keep up with me for years to come. I’m eager to see how it holds up this winter in backcountry snowmobile trips.
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