Lodogg2221

So with all the complaints about Magellans service, I thought Id get a Garmin, got the Vista HCx... Anyway, Ive been trying to contact their customer service through email for the last 4 days. I keep getting an error message, as in the site is overloaded, or when I begin to type my message, I get booted off, and get the busy server message, or "Unable to process your request at this time". I figured Id ask about the slow speed tracking errors and when the fix would be available if at all...but thats pretty hard to do if you cant get far enough to ask. Id rather email as opposed to call, just for the sake of having it in writing so to speak... Anyone else tried lately to access thru thier email link?

You guys and your 60CSx's are starting to make me wish Id have gotten that instead of the Vista HCx I ordered...I guess I could always exchange it. Seems everyone is getting those! I was going to, and thinkn now I should have, since Garmin has yet to fix the slow speed problem on the HCx...oh, well, I guess I can see if I like it or not.

There is also a rumor floating about some new units shipping with a v 2.4 in the firmware...not sure if thats the correct one for the number, but currently there is 2.5/2.3, and what I mean is somewhere I read of units with 2.5/2.4....dont know for sure, but mine (Vista HCx) is on its way, and supposed to be the newest released, so when it shows up, Ill check. Seems to me Garmin should be getting this taken care of since they are for hiking, etc...not much good if you have to be at a good trot to get it to work.

I'm the original poster of the thread. The capability of the 60 to attach an outside antenna is something that brings me back to the 60 from the Venture. But the better cost of the Vista sways me that way too. I could see using this in my car too and the capability of an outside antenna up through the moonroof appeals to me. I wonder how the Vista would function inside my car?? There aren't many places near me that I know of that have much of a selection of GPS that I could go actually handle one so I'm pretty much relying on mail order. I thought of that too, but then realized Id mostly be using it on my motorcycle, and then only for map purposes, not really nav unless Im stopped. Car Id have someone else to use the Vista, so it should be ok... besides, that external antenna is just one more expense. And I figured if I didnt jump in soon, I may not ever make up my mind.

See, this is partially the reason I didnt want to order the Vista HCx, but since I just did, hopefully Garmin will be on top of it... Maybe Ill get lucky and get one of the more accurate ones some here seem to have...

I cant speak for the original thread opener, but I just ordered a Vista HCx...$226 with shipping...Ill spend the saved money on the Topo map, and eventually the streets maps...

Whats wrong with the 1500?

Thanks, thats kind of what I was looking for. It seems hard to find anyone who was looking at the same two I was, or at least that spoke up about it, and why they chose... I am leaning seriously toward the HCx, since I can get maps too for the cost of the 60... I guess no matter what I get, or how long I wait, in a few months something is going to come out that will make me wish I waited! THanks again...

So barring the text entry which doesnt matter much to me, which one is the better of the two? The 60CSx or the Vista HCx? I know there is a difference in price, but its only about $60. If they were the same price which would you guys get? Would it matter what direction they were mounted, like on a bike? Seems the 60 has better low speed, though I see someone advertising the latest release of the HCx, that supposedly fixes all the bugs...but since Ive not read of it here, Im sceptical.

Dezember 2007 What about the solution of the odometer bug? I really like the Vista HCx, but the low speed thing keeps me from buying one...I wish they would get it figured out, or at least say they cant if thats the case. I was looking at the 60CSx also, but need to decide soon, since the $50 rebate is over on 12/31... Maybe I should shoot them an email saying that, and asking what they recommend for an accurate low speed GPS...

On the differences, (now Im just a noob here, but I read this somewhere) the Vista HCx has MediaTek's MTK chipset, while the 60 CSx has the SiRFstar III chipset, right? So there is more to it, at least a bit... I seem to recall reading someones review saying that the Vist has a tough time tracking below 2.0mph, while the 60 will do .5mph.... Anyone know for sure on those? I mean I know that the Vista part is correct, read a bunch of stuff on here about that and the odometer issue... Otherwise, I have no use with either, so maybe none of this info counts....

As you already now, they're a bit more pricey, averaging $345. For that amout you may want to take a look at the Quest I which comes preloaded with maps. This one for $229. almost looks too good to be true. I think Garmin is phasing them out. Looks ok, but can I use that for hiking and geocaching? Looks like its much more auto oriented...

Thanks! I am leaning toward the Vista HCx becuse of price, and service, and because if I really like this geocaching stuff and want to upgrade to a newer GPS, like the Colorado I saw being released this Spring, I wont feel like I spent too much to do that in a year or so! I just hate to buy anything just to find if I had waited a month or so I could have gotten something much better for a bit more money... I just wish I could see one in action, so I could see how big things on the display are...maybe next weekend Ill go down to Indianapolis and check them out at Gander Mountain or Dicks or some such place.

I need a handheld GPS, and have been searching this forum for some time...which has also given me some time to formulate questions. I just saw the $300 GPS thread, and am following that with some interest. I have zero experience using handheld GPS. Heres what I want to do with it: Car/Motorcycle Nav...not nesecarily autorouting, but that would be nice. More getting un-lost after I get lost. Hiking and biking, I do a lot of biking, and some hiking, though with a GPS I may do more. Geocaching, not really done it before, but sounds like fun, and Im sure Ill like it since I like outdoor activities. Im sure Ill find other uses for it after I get it...I seem to with everything I buy... I have $300 to spend (same as the other guy). But if I HAVE to I can buy maps on top of that later...I am more interested in getting the best GPS for the money. Models Ive looked at, well a lot really, these are some Ive narrowed it down to: (We have no good stores around that actually stock most of these, so all would most likely be mail order), I did get a chance to look at them in person though (except the Triton) and prefer the larger size of the 60. Garmin Vista HCx - I like the features, but I have big hands, and it seems kind of small to me Also seems to be in the $225-$250ish range...$227 at wally world. Concerned about the slow speed problems, as I dont like to run to have it register movement... Garmin 60 CSx - I like the larger (marginally) display, since it would be easier (marginally) to read on my motorcycle, and the button layout (I have no use to compare it to, but it LOOKS good) More money, I found it refurb for $299. Also, its less than that with the $50 rebate on it new, but its over 12/31 so I need to order it soon if I go that route. Reviews say it registers slow speeds with no trouble, may be worth the extra money to me just for that. I believe someone called it the current Cadillac of handheld GPS recievers. Magellan 500LE - I can get a pretty good deal (maybe not?) $150 at wally world. And despite the bad customer service, they seem to be pretty good. Cant find much else bad, but I dont like AAA batteries, AAs are fine (Just a preference thing). Dont like the small buttons. Magellan Triton 500 - Previews seem pretty good, but again, there have been issues, and no one has actually reviewed it yet that I saw, or compared it to anything else. I do like Magellans 3-axis compass though...does that matter if you are moving? Also, not sure about maps, cost and such I mean. Who is the best in that regard? I really dont care much about the Nat Geo Topo maps...the others look good enough for me. I would appreciate any pros and cons of the units I mentioned. Also, any comparitive info would be nice, like if you have two listed and prefer one, why do you? Any not mentioned would be appreciated, with reasons for selection. One last thing, thanks for any and all responses!