Vista HCX owners ? for you

[khh338]

I keep hearing about the problem with it not registering the right distance of travel unless you travel over 2.2 MPH . If I was to walk 1 mph would it tell me that accurately? I know the 76 csx will. It doesn't matter if the distance traveled is off . I want to use it for trolling and need to be going 1.1 mph . I ordered one from REI yesterday but if it won't register real low speed I need to cancel that order . Thanks KH

[gawettla]

I keep hearing about the problem with it not registering the right distance of travel unless you travel over 2.2 MPH . If I was to walk 1 mph would it tell me that accurately? I know the 76 csx will. It doesn't matter if the distance traveled is off . I want to use it for trolling and need to be going 1.1 mph . I ordered one from REI yesterday but if it won't register real low speed I need to cancel that order . Thanks KH

 

Mine does not register speeds unless I am going about 2 mph. So unless Garmin has fixed the problem, it will not register speeds of 1 mph

[gratefulHIKE]

if you are going a steady speed, im sure it would measure .1mph.........its not going to just forget your moving because you are going to slow........now what I think the setting is, the odometer wont calculate distance when you are traveling less than 2mph

 

its a very good quality gps for the money, stick with it!!@

[khh338]

For what its worth I just got the vista hcx updated to firmware 2.4 and it will not register a speed unless you are going over 2 mph. Very hard to believe. I called Garmin to see if there working on it and the guy said he wasn't even aware it wouldn't do that. I'm going to keep it I'm hope a future firmware will address it. Not holding my breath though. KH

[mass-trax]

For what its worth I just got the vista hcx updated to firmware 2.4 and it will not register a speed unless you are going over 2 mph. Very hard to believe. I called Garmin to see if there working on it and the guy said he wasn't even aware it wouldn't do that. I'm going to keep it I'm hope a future firmware will address it. Not holding my breath though. KH

 

I emailed Garmin about the issue. Here is their response:

 

Thank you for contacting Garmin International,

 

I understand the concern. The software engineers are still working to

release a update to address this issue.

 

I do not have any exact date to announce at this time. I am sorry.

 

Please know they are working on it currently and it has not been

ignored.

 

With Best Regards,

 

Kim J

Product Support Specialist

Outdoor/Fitness Team

Garmin International

913-397-8200

800-800-1020

913-397-8282 (fax) Att: Kim J

www.garmin.com

 

I've owned a Vista and Vista C in the past and was excited about the new features of the HCx (mainly the expandability and the high sensitivity receiver). Needless to say, it was surprising to find the problem with the trip odometer accuracy. Hopefully Garmin sticks to their word and releases a fix for it.

[khh338]

I talked to Garmin today too, the guy I talked to assured me they are aware of the problem and are working on it and at some point it will be fixed. I seen in another post the new Vistas HCX's are gps version 2.4 and software version 2.4 . I ask the guy at Garmin about that but he didn't have any info on what the difference is. Mine is gps version 2.3 , software version 2.4. I'm interested to see if the gps 2.4 version has addressed this issue at all.

[+Miragee]

I took a hike today and the Trip Computer said I went 6.81 miles. The Tracks for the hike said I traveled 7 miles. That's better than it was before I updated the firmware, so they've made some progress.

[+sbell111]

I wonder if it's possible for it to consistently calculate mph when you are going so slowly. I'm no scientist, but it seems that the slower you go the more that positioning error is going to affect calculation of your speed. Someone smarter than me could likely calculate what this lower-boundary speed is. It could certainly be 2mph, I suppose.

[khh338]

I wonder if it's possible for it to consistently calculate mph when you are going so slowly. I'm no scientist, but it seems that the slower you go the more that positioning error is going to affect calculation of your speed. Someone smarter than me could likely calculate what this lower-boundary speed is. It could certainly be 2mph, I suppose.

 

I sat in a boat in Canada and drifted all the way across a lake with a 76 CSX and it was registering .4 to .6 mph all the way. My friend uses a garmin 12 we troll for hours keeping our speed at 1.4 mph. I used a Magellen explorist 600 and was able to register .4 to .6 mph over distance . I'm not sure about error at low speed but any gps should be capable of this. To be honest about it I'm dumbfounded anyone would release a gps that wasn't capable of it. I'm not a geocacher so I can't speak of that, but as an hunter/fisherman it's a HUGE inconvenience as at times the difference in success trolling is .5 or less of a mph in speed. The only reason I haven't sent it back is Garmin has assured me they are aware and working on it. It's small size, light weight and one handed operation make it ideal for me. I'm still weighing the idea of sending it back for a 60CSX.

[+travis71]

When did you last update Miragee?

[+Miragee]

About three weeks ago. I haven't checked to see if there has been a more recent update since then.

[+TrailGators]

I took a hike today and the Trip Computer said I went 6.81 miles. The Tracks for the hike said I traveled 7 miles. That's better than it was before I updated the firmware, so they've made some progress.

Try doing your next hike keeping your peak speed no greater than 1.5 mph and then see what happens. I am curious...

[+briansnat]

For what its worth I just got the vista hcx updated to firmware 2.4 and it will not register a speed unless you are going over 2 mph. Very hard to believe. I called Garmin to see if there working on it and the guy said he wasn't even aware it wouldn't do that. I'm going to keep it I'm hope a future firmware will address it. Not holding my breath though. KH

 

Garmin tends to be pretty good with updating the firmware. I'd be surprised if it isn't fixed in the next release.

[DonpK]

I can confirm what others have said about the Vista Hcx. Because of its errors, the Trip Computer is not really usable One problem appears to be the fact the indicated speed drops to zero even when you're still moving, so the calculations based on this are widely inaccurate.

 

I also spoke with Garmin and they were aware of the problem and said their engineers are working on it. I have V.2.40 and the problem is still there. Who knows, if the problem is hardware related, it may not be fixable through software. I does seem surprising that a product with this type of serious problem could even make it out of the factory.

 

Don

[SiliconFiend]

I can confirm what others have said about the Vista Hcx. Because of its errors, the Trip Computer is not really usable One problem appears to be the fact the indicated speed drops to zero even when you're still moving, so the calculations based on this are widely inaccurate.

 

I also spoke with Garmin and they were aware of the problem and said their engineers are working on it. I have V.2.40 and the problem is still there. Who knows, if the problem is hardware related, it may not be fixable through software. I does seem surprising that a product with this type of serious problem could even make it out of the factory.

 

Don

Well, calling it a "serious" problem is obviously a matter of your individual needs. I would guess that most people won't even notice it. If you happen to rely on the odometer when you're walking slowly, or need to know your trolling speed, then it's the "worst problem in the world!!!".

 

Garmin have shown themselves to be willing to fix problems in firmware, even on units that are "old" (and the Vista HCx is one of their newest). So if it can be fixed, it will be.

[DonpK]

I did think about the choice of the word "serious". Perhaps it's too strong, but the Vista Hcx is not designed for use in the automobile, but rather, in Garmin's words "on the trail." Do we know that the inaccuracy in the Trip Computer doesn't affect other functions, such as tracklogs?

 

When Garmin fixes the Trip Computer problem I'd like to see them enhance it a bit by allowing Trip Computer data pages to be saved. This way various segments of a hike could be later compared. I'd also like to see a Start/Stop function. At the moment, as far as I know, the Trip Computer can only be started by going down two menu levels to the reset page which immediately restarts the Computer timers. This might not be the exact time you actually start you trip. I'm not sure how it can be stopped.

 

Don

[SiliconFiend]

I did think about the choice of the word "serious". Perhaps it's too strong, but the Vista Hcx is not designed for use in the automobile, but rather, in Garmin's words "on the trail." Do we know that the inaccuracy in the Trip Computer doesn't affect other functions, such as tracklogs?

 

When Garmin fixes the Trip Computer problem I'd like to see them enhance it a bit by allowing Trip Computer data pages to be saved. This way various segments of a hike could be later compared. I'd also like to see a Start/Stop function. At the moment, as far as I know, the Trip Computer can only be started by going down two menu levels to the reset page which immediately restarts the Computer timers. This might not be the exact time you actually start you trip. I'm not sure how it can be stopped.

 

Don

It has been verified that it does not affect the tracklog--it's a separate function. The velocity function uses the doppler shift of the GPS signals to determine when you're moving. The threshold for that velocity is too high currently (I believe 2 km/h), which causes it to not add distance moved to the odometer. It has to have a threshold, otherwise due to the vagaries of the signal it would continually add distance to the odometer while you're standing still.

 

Garmin is aware of the problem and has improved it somewhat with the previous firmware release, but has not fixed it completely. I'm guessing it's related to the new high-sensitivity chipset (yes, I know it doesn't seem to happen with the Sirf) and it's a signal processing issue that is difficult to solve.

 

I use mine on the trail and while the odometer is "nice to have", I don't really look at it and certainly don't rely on it (not that I could if I wanted to anyway...). Using it for a trolling speedometer would fall under a "special case" in my book--if it works for you, great; if not, it wasn't designed for that anyway (hint: it doesn't float).

[+JohnTee]

About three weeks ago. I haven't checked to see if there has been a more recent update since then.

 

Just ran Garmin Updater a couple of days ago. OS version 2.40; GPS Software version 2.30.

 

JohnTee

[fujitsu]

Hi,

 

I also asked Garmin about the "new" firmware version and the answer is this: New chipset??

 

Dear Antonio Jorge de Oliveira Aleixo,

 

Thank you for contacting Garmin International.

 

Some of the newer models do have a different chipset however there is no option to upgrade to this chipset version on the older units.

 

If you should have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.

 

With Best Regards,

 

Shawn V

Product Support Specialist

2nd Shift Outdoor/Fitness Team

Garmin International

913-397-8200

800-800-1020

913-397-8282 (fax) Att: Shawn V

www.garmin.com

 

Original Message Follows:

------------------------

Hi there!

 

It seems that there is some Vista HCx that has a new GPS Chipset version. Could you confirm that, please? Could we update it? I send a picture of that.

 

Best regards

António Aleixo

[fujitsu]

Hi,

 

please Myrage could you tell us what are your versions (SW and Chipset version? Thank you.

 

I have SW - 2.40; Chipset - 2.30. When I try to update it with webupdater it tells me that I already have the new ones.

 

So, I don't now how 2.40 chipset version appears. Unless they use another chipset

 

AA

[mass-trax]

Don

Well, calling it a "serious" problem is obviously a matter of your individual needs. I would guess that most people won't even notice it. If you happen to rely on the odometer when you're walking slowly, or need to know your trolling speed, then it's the "worst problem in the world!!!".

 

Garmin have shown themselves to be willing to fix problems in firmware, even on units that are "old" (and the Vista HCx is one of their newest). So if it can be fixed, it will be.

 

You're probably right, most people won't notice at all. But, for those that do, it's a big problem for them and an even bigger problem for the integrity of the product line. I've owned 2 out of the 3 prior eTrex Vista models and neither of them exhibited this problem. I was utterly disappointed to discover the flaw in the HCx's trip computer (especially since I had just sold my Vista C that worked fine).

 

To release a supposedly "new & improved" model with enhanced features only to find out that it's seriously flawed is a HUGE blunder on Garmin's part. I just hope they can release a fix soon before more people spring for the HCx and find out that it's virtually useless for certain activities.

 

For what it's worth, I think Garmin has expanded too quickly in recent years. They've always carried a diverse product line, but it seems as though they are adding new models at an alarming rate. Factor in all the testing/quality control that must be done over such an array of products, it comes as no surprise that some reach the market with "issues". Hindsight is 20/20 though....

[+travis71]

How can you tell what version of firmware your GPS has?

[mass-trax]

How can you tell what version of firmware your GPS has?

 

Try this:

http://www8.garmin.com/products/webupdater/howtoinstall.jsp