Very interesting thread...
I had a Vista just over a year before it died. I did like the features it offered. My biggest problem was reception in light cover. I constently lost my signal.
About a month ago, I picked up a SportTrack Pro, and the reception is great. I miss some of the bells and whistles the Vista offers, but in the end, I can live with out them.
It sounds like the service from Garmin is pretty good. I guess I need to send in my Vista and see if they can fix it at a resonable price. If so, I can give it to my son.