Garmin eTrex Vista HCx

1430 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
usability (476)
performance (405)
price (174)
maps (121)
size (108)

Negative

General overview
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alaTest has collected and analyzed 1430 reviews of Garmin eTrex Vista HCx. The average rating for this product is 4.1/5, compared to an average rating of 3.9/5 for other GPS for all reviews. People are impressed by the reliability and size. The price and performance also get good feedback, whereas comments are divided on the maps.

usability, performance, price, size, reliability

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other GPS the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 81/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 1430 reviews)

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Showing 1 - 840 of 920 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (509)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Garmin eTrex Vista HCx

alaTest has collected and analyzed 106 user reviews of Garmin eTrex Vista HCx from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 3.9/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other GPS on Amazon.co.uk. Comments about the memory and size are generally positive. The performance and maps are also appreciated, whereas the design and reliability get less positive views.

usability, maps, performance, size, memory

price, reliability, design

80% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Garmin eTrex Vista HCx

alaTest has collected and analyzed 724 user reviews of Garmin eTrex Vista HCx from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other GPS on Amazon.com. Reviews about the screen and size are generally positive. The price and performance also get good opinions, but there are some mixed reviews about the reliability and maps.

usability, performance, price, size, screen

89% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by (electronicsme.com)

Garmin eTrex Vista HCx

Whilst there is a lack of a touch screen and wireless transfer capability, the easy to use design of the unit makes up for these shortfalls. On balance, the eTrex Vista HCx is a solid GPS unit for any adventuring purpose and a contender for your new...

High Sensitivity ReceiverWaterproofAutomatic, turn-by-turn routingGood battery life

Requires purchase of larger MicroSD (64mb in box)

Packed with features for the part-time Geocaching enthusiast or the...

Aug, 2009

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Backpacking Light (backpackinglight.com)

Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS REVIEW

Exceptional GPS receiver performance, Lightest and smallest high sensitivity GPS unit with color mapping and full navigational functions, Excellent features and user interface, especially for serious backcountry navigation, Good battery life, Field...

Citation "Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS REVIEW," by Alan Dixon. BackpackingLight.com (ISSN 1537-0364). http://backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/garmin_etrex_vista_hcx_gps_review.html, 2007-12-12 02:00:00-07.

Dec, 2013

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Expert review by : Rich Owings (gpstracklog.com)

Garmin eTrex Vista HCx review

The Garmin eTrex Vista HCx is the flagship model in Garmin's new eTrex H series line. The successor to the popular Vista Cx, the Vista HCx adds a high-sensitivity MediaTek chipset and has a faster processor as well, which will give you faster map...

Jul, 2007

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

great for motorcycle

If I could buy 4 or 5 of them and mount them all to my bike with different settings, that would be the coolest thing! The last thought is, I really don't need it as road signs will bring you where you want to go, but getting lost on purpose and...

I bought this about 2 years ago. I use it on my motorcycle and it does more than i need. I purposely get lost just to navigate my way out of it with this device. I also used this on a trip down to Florida from NY and it worked flawlessly ; The battery...

Wish the screen was a little bigger for easier readability, wish it was a little faster when scrolling at zoomed out level ; The only con i found was, be careful with the directions it gives you if you plan to find the route using the GPS rather than...

Apr, 2010

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

great unit

disclosure: i didn't buy this from newegg -- i had massive store credit and got it for cheap at an outdoors store note to the wise: do NOT treat it as waterPROOF, which is an entirely different classification than water resistant. it is not...

compact and good-looking ; very accurate ; picks up signals inside of buildings ; initial lock-on quite rapid ; doesn't get easily confused by trees, buildings, etc ; exceptional battery life (car use, low backlight setting) = 20+ hrs with fully...

screen colors are bland and somewhat low-contrast ; no ability to download aerial photos ; joystick only goes in cardinal directions, not ordinal too (i.e. won't go SE or NW, just N, S, E, W) ; joystick navigation (to view a route, for example) is...

Dec, 2009

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Extremely Satisfied.

Generally I put my unit through a more rigorous routine then most of you would put it through hiking/biking, etc. It has excellent reception capabilities and is extremely durable. There were some previous reviews about what type of material the backing...

I dont really have anything negative to say about this unit. I am currently stationed in Northern Iraq, and have been using this GPS unit for about 6 months. I receive reception inside buildings, whether they have a steel or concrete roof. I have never...

None whatsoever

Sep, 2008

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Consumer review (pcnation.com)

ETREX VISTA HCx

Overall a great unit for the price.

The unit works very well, and it is easy to use once you figure all the nuiances. It zooms down to a good level and and is very clear to see. It picks up the satellites rapidly and accurately pinpoints location, heading, and elevation.

The only two things that I find irritating is 1) I am constantly having to calibrate the compass because it will lose direction if you turn too quickly or if it loses the satellite. 2) The basemap is virtually worthless, and you have to purchase maps...

May, 2008

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Consumer review (pcnation.com)

ETREX VISTA HCx

not a bad product all round. Price was good.

great size

horible base map

May, 2008

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Consumer review (pcnation.com)

ETREX VISTA HCx

I am hoping it is accurate on trails as we have the topo maps. It tracks quite a distance from city roads unless you have it zoomed out. The buttons take a strong definite push, I suppose because of the rugged use expected. There is a lot of learning...

Nice size for carrying. Seems very durable. Screen is readable in sunlight.

We have the Topo Map and not the city map installed so that might be why it is does not track well on roads.

May, 2008

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Consumer review (pcnation.com)