Jump to content

moonpup

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    454

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by moonpup

    FS: Garmin etrex Vista HCX

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted · Edited by moonpup

    I've had a Vista HCX literally sitting in the box in my closet collecting dust for the last 4 years. It's like new condition and has had a invisi-shield on it since day one. I put batteries in it and it powered up just fine and quickly acquired the satellites. I'll send pics to interested parties upon request. Price is $115 shipped, and you can contact me here, or at moonpup@hotmail.com

     

    Oh, this also has a 2GB memory card installed with topo maps for the northeast. This is a fantastic find and buy, don't miss out!

     

    Thanks

    Geomate.jr Owners Report

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Thanks for the answer Warren and while I have your ear, I have another question. I maintain a geocache that is listed on the geocaching.com website but it does not show up on the geomatejr when I look for it. It's listed as a traditional geocache but it's a micro-cache container. Are micros not listed in the geomatejr? If so, a lot of people are going to miss out on a really cool cache location.

     

    Thanks!

    Geomate.jr Owners Report

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    After reading all of the positive feedback on this device, I just had to go out and buy one. I mean, for $69.95 how can you go wrong? After picking it up yesterday, I tried it out on a nearby cache and it worked flawlessly as I found it with no problem.

     

    It's a great simple device, designed to do what it was specifically made for and does it well. I look forward to the update kit and playing with this device some more. I think when they make some software changes and add features and fix things, this device is going to be a real winner. In fact, the guy at REI told me they have been selling a ton of these and are constantly re-ordering them.

    Selling on a gps

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    I thought when you purchase the software such as Topo 2008 you can unlock the software to what ever unit you want to use with it. But once it is unlocked to that unit that is the only unit you can use it with. So someone could purchase you vista as you got it from the factory and buy what ever software they want to use with it from Garmin.

     

    This past year I sold my 60CSx and the associated City Navigator DVD to someone, and I all did was email Garmin support the information and told them I sold the gps and DVD to this person and they just transferred it all to his Garmin account. No fuss, no muss... all I had to do was provide the persons name and address, the serial of the GPS etc.

     

    After the transfer happened, the 60CSx and dvd no longer showed up on my Garmin account. Just call or email them, they will do it.

    Can someone find me?

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    I second SPOT. No exams, no licenses, no coverage issues and no HAM stigma. SPOT will work world wide, it’s easy and it’s cheap.

     

     

    http://www.findmespot.com/Home.aspx

     

    I'm not knocking SPOT as it looks pretty slick. The problem with it is that you have no live communication using voice. All you can do is press the button and hope someone responds. At least with a radio, you can speak with someone directly and advise them of the situation and what they can expect when they arrive. That way they can come properly prepared. I'm not saying ham radio is 100% effective but used in combination with other tools like SPOT it can be extremely beneficial.

     

    Also, what's the deal with the ham stigma?? Do you have a problem with ham radio operators?

    Can someone find me?

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    As another option, ham radio may be very useful if you are already licensed or feel like studying to take the test. Most times, when there is no cell phone coverage a nice little 5 watt HT with the frequencies programmed into the radio for repeaters in the area will get you help if you need to put out a distress call.

     

    It's a rare occasion when one can't key up a repeater for help. Due to the fact that you are high up in the mountains should give you a nice line of sight to some remote repeater. Granted there may not be any repeaters in the area you are hiking... but if there are, ham radio is a tried and true life saver :(

    GPSMAP 60CSx vs Legend HCx

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted · Edited by moonpup

    Here's my take on this from another thread I commented on...

     

    Here's my story regarding these units. When I first started out geocaching, I used the original blue etrex legend and over time upgrading through the newer etrex units until I finally settled on the 60CSx. Once I had the 60CSx I used it extensively and liked it a lot. Most recently I sold it (huge mistake) for the new Colorado 400t and hated the 400t so much due it's bugs I returned it, but that's another thread ;)

     

    Anyway, after returning the Colorado (i'm sure over time it will be refined, but i'm impatient) I needed to settle on another gps. My first thought was picking up another 60CSx, but although it's an excellent unit I found the ergonomics lacking for me. I hated how high the antenna stuck up and I really grew to dislike the buttons on the bottom and found them spongy. Then I thought, I really had liked the form factor of the etrex units so I bought a VistaHCx.

     

    What I really like about the VistaHCx is it's compactness (i hike alot), the super long battery life, bright display and button layout. I think the ergonomics for me are perfect, i'm also a fan of the click stick. Don't let anyone fool you about the antenna on these units. They are exceptional and I found it to be better than the 60CSx. My accuracy always tends to be +/- 12 ft on average. Although the compass in these units needs constant calibration I like it and find it beneficial. The altimeter is neat, but take it with a grain of salt.

     

    Anyway, personal preference is the key here. What some people like others will hate. Try them out and see what works for you. From a technical and performance standpoint you will not go wrong with either a LegendHCx ot VistaHCx.

    Newbie looking for handheld unit

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    The Geko is a neat little gps, but with the new high sensitivity receivers out you may want to look at the newer Garmin etrex H series units. They have nice bright color displays, long battery life and lock onto and hold signals much better than the older Geko.

     

    If you like the Geko, you may like the Legend HCx as it has expandable memory for maps (you need to buy them and the micro sd card) but worth it in the long run as you will not grow out of the unit anytime soon. Go to Garmin's website and check out the etrex H series line, good luck!

    My GPSr Sojourn Continued

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Here's my story regarding these units. When I first started out geocaching, I used the original blue etrex legend and over time upgrading through the newer etrex units until I finally settled on the 60CSx. Once I had the 60CSx I used it extensively and liked it a lot. Most recently I sold it (huge mistake) for the new Colorado 400t and hated the 400t so much due it's bugs I returned it, but that's another thread :laughing:

     

    Anyway, after returning the Colorado (i'm sure over time it will be refined, but i'm impatient) I needed to settle on another gps. My first thought was picking up another 60CSx, but although it's an excellent unit I found the ergonomics lacking for me. I hated how high the antenna stuck up and I really grew to dislike the buttons on the bottom and found them spongy. Then I thought, I really had liked the form factor of the etrex units so I bought a VistaHCx.

     

    What I really like about the VistaHCx is it's compactness (i hike alot), the super long battery life, bright display and button layout. I think the ergonomics for me are perfect, i'm also a fan of the click stick. Don't let anyone fool you about the antenna on these units. They are exceptional and I found it to be better than the 60CSx. My accuracy always tends to be +/- 12 ft on average. Although the compass in these units needs constant calibration I like it and find it beneficial. The altimeter is neat, but take it with a grain of salt.

     

    Anyway, personal preference is the key here. What some people like others will hate. Try them out and see what works for you. From a technical and performance standpoint you will not go wrong with either a LegendHCx ot VistaHCx.

    Vista HCx and tide tables

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Interesting that it's working correctly for both of you. I'm confident in my original statement that the old date continues to stick even after a power cycle. Maybe when I get home tonight I will do a reset and see what happens and if that doesn't work, I'll try a reinstall of the maps... Other than that the unit is great and has no issues :unsure:

    Vista HCx and tide tables

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted · Edited by moonpup

    As a follow up, I'm curious as to how you loaded the tide tables. I believe mine came from when I loaded the Topo 2008 maps. Did you happen to specifically download and install the tide tables from the Garmin website. I wonder if they are implemented differently depending on where they got loaded from.

     

    And yes, I'm on 2.60/2.60

    Vista HCx and tide tables

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Hi all,

     

    I was playing with the tide prediction on my new Vista HCx and noticed that when I bring up the tide screen it defaults to the date of the last time I checked tides for a particular area. For example if I checked the tide schedule back on Feb 17, 2008 and today I open up that screen it defaults to the February date instead of todays date. I don't remember my 60CSx doing that, I am pretty sure it always defaulted to the current date and time. Can anyone confirm this behavior?

×
×
  • Create New...