chad76

Good luck if you have this problem. Garmin support are as useless as t!ts on a bull. They have a standard scripted response.....Try a system reboot. We had already done that!! Here is a support call we put in for one of the 2 units we ordered that experienced this problem: ;***** Subject: Unit freezes and locks up operation Message Body: The Etrex Vista HCX unit will intermittently lock up or freeze the gps from all operation if you just simply scroll around the map page or navigate using the map page. Only holding the power button will reset this lockup state. It can be reproduced in around 5mins of using the GPS which is EXTREMELY ANNOYING!! and it regularly occurs. I have even had the unit lockup scrolling through the menus!! I have searched gps forums to see if anyone else has this problem and it seems to be a common issue with the Etrex Vista HCX units. Many other users have this same issue. I have tried erasing all user data to no help. I have updated the same newest firmware v2.6 to no help. I have even taken the micro sd card out and left the unit on and it still locked up by itself on the satellite page. I am so frustrated about this as it renders the gps a door stop or a paper weight. My friend has the exact same unit with the same setup but has not had this issue at all. Please help. ;***** Response from gramin: Thank you for contacting Garmin International. I am sorry for the trouble you have had with your unit. I would recommend trying a reset before returning the unit to the dealer. You can reset your unit by holding down the Quit+Find key while you power the unit on. This will clear the unit of all user data. If this does not work I would recommend returning the unit to the dealer for an exchange. With Best Regards, Product Support Specialist Outdoor/Fitness Team Garmin International 913-397-8200 800-800-1020 913-397-8282 (fax) www.garmin.com

I work for a software company and I think the best approach to have this resolved is for everyone to bombard the company with these issues. If people are ringing in everyday it should be raised as a "showstopper". The more people reporting this each day the quicker this issue should be resolved in a firmware update. I sent my Etrex back. It was freezing all the time resulting in a total lock up. The unit was useless to me and there is no fix for this problem.. I am now waiting for another unit, but now since reading this thread I do not have high hopes for this unit at all.

I have just recently purchased the Etrex Vista Hcx and are also experiencing the same problem. Very dissapointed!! I am really happy with the layout and functionality of this model but this freezing has rendered it useless. I am running version 2.60 firmware which is the latest, tried the system reboot etc and still experience the same problem. Have tested with and without SD memory card and still duplicate the problem. Have conducted testing with the GPS receiver OFF and just tried scrolling around the maps which would normally lock up after a while when GPS receiver is ON. However it appears that it only locks up when GPS receiver is turned ON. It will typically lock up when navigating or simply scrolling around with the pointer looking at the tracks. At a loss what to do. I am surprised Garmin have not released a fix for this for it appears there are many people in the same situation. My friend has the same GPS with the exact same setup and firmware and his is working fine. We are at a loss. It appears Garmin had a bad batch on these Etrex Vista Hcx. Anyone worked out how to fix this issue?