Garmin cTrex Vista Cx

[edgear]

I'm planning on heading up to the REI in Phoenix to pick up a GPS this Saturday (5/8).




I like the idea that it has an expandible memory slot (micro SD). So essentially, I should never run out of room to store maps or waypoints. I'll definitely use it for hiking/backpacking, and I'll also pick up the car mount so I can use it while driving/exploring the backcountry.


I called the store, and they're open at 9AM for some sort of anniversary sale. So if any of you guys in the Phoenix area are going to be around, it would be cool to meet up. I'll probably grab an In & Out burger for lunch before I head back to Tucson.

http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=12634+N+Paradise+Village+Pkwy,+Phoenix,+AZ+85032

:wavey:

(note: the title should read "eTrex", but I can't seem to change it)

 

[flyingwil]

I'm planning on heading up to the REI in Phoenix to pick up a GPS this Saturday (5/8).




I like the idea that it has an expandible memory slot (micro SD). So essentially, I should never run out of room to store maps or waypoints. I'll definitely use it for hiking/backpacking, and I'll also pick up the car mount so I can use it while driving/exploring the backcountry.


I called the store, and they're open at 9AM for some sort of anniversary sale. So if any of you guys in the Phoenix area are going to be around, it would be cool to meet up. I'll probably grab an In & Out burger for lunch before I head back to Tucson.

http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=12634+N+Paradise+Village+Pkwy,+Phoenix,+AZ+85032

:wavey:

(note: the title should read "eTrex", but I can't seem to change it)

Why not go to the store in Tempe? Much closer...

 

[edgear]

originally posted by flyingwil
Why not go to the store in Tempe? Much closer...

I've been to the Tempe store a few times. I heard that the PV store is much bigger, so I thought I'd check it out. I'm sure it won't be as impressive as the Seattle or Denver stores, but I just love spending time checking out all of the gear in REI. I mainly shop REI online. But I have an item to return & a giftcard to use, so I'm making the drive.

I've never owned a GPS unit before, so I'll probably be reading through many of these threads for links to good resources.

 

[HenryJ]

I found this site helpful when researching my GPS receiver purchase - http://gpsinformation.net/

 

[edgear]

I found this site helpful when researching my GPS receiver purchase - http://gpsinformation.net/

Thank you for the link! It will give me some good reading before Saturday. As long as I can figure out how to use the GPS unit to help me get back to Tucson, I'll be happy

:jump:

But in all seriousness, that website looks like it has a lot of good information.

 

[seth_js]

Thank you for the link! It will give me some good reading before Saturday. As long as I can figure out how to use the GPS unit to help me get back to Tucson, I'll be happy

:jump:

But in all seriousness, that website looks like it has a lot of good information.

So did you end up getting the Vista Cx? Are you happy with it so far? Any complaints?

I bought one a couple weeks ago, but have been out of town and haven't really had any time to play with it. I just bought Garmin's Topo software yesterday, can't wait for it to get here.

 

[edgear]

So did you end up getting the Vista Cx? Are you happy with it so far? Any complaints?

Funny you should ask. I actually ended up getting three. Yes, 3 (but not all at the same time). The first one malfunctioned after about two weeks. It would only operate on batteries, and would freeze up whenever external power was plugged in (making it impossible to transfer data via the USB cable). The second one worked fine for about a week until it completely died and would not power up with batteries or external power. The third one lasted about three weeks until it did the same thing. Everyone I talked to had never heard of such problems with that unit. Perhaps it was just the luck of the draw for me. I pretty much babied those GPS's. Only highway driving and light hiking. Never dropped. Never got wet. I even put screen protectors on them (like the kind used for PDA's) to prevent scratches!

I ended up going with just a simpler version -- the Legend C. This was two days ago. I haven't unboxed it yet. I'm kinda scared. Thankfully, there was absolutely no hassle to return & exchange those items at REI. The only hassle was having to drive up to Phoenix

I guess that's what I get for putting a "toy" on the wedding registry!!
:sombrero: