Garmin Summit and Vista-Amazon says they're discontinued-why?

[+muncle56]

I'm ready to purchase my first GPS, mainly for geocaching and hiking. I think I've narrowed it down to Garmin's eTrex series: the Summit HC or the Vista HCx.

 

However when I go to Amazon for prices and info I see under product details: "Product Discontinued by Manufacturer": YES.

 

What does this mean? Have they stopped making it? Will they soon? Am I buying something already (or soon to be) obsolete?

 

I know their Oregon, Colorado, and Dakota series are more advanced but they're not in my budget ($200+/-) yet.

 

Please advise.

[+BlueDeuce]

I think you might be searching on just Vista - no ending HCx.

 

The Vista has been discontinued but I see the Vista HCx for sale.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-eTrex-Vista-H...2421&sr=8-1

 

A little advice about buying a gps, always buy the best model you can afford. Go with the Vista HCx it's a great unit and definitely better than the Summit.

 

Here's a site that compares them (Ignore the Prices)

 

http://www.gpsnow.com/gmetrexcomp.htm

Edited March 28, 2010 by BlueDeuce

[+BlueDeuce]

Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

 

Oh I see what you are referring to. That is interesting I'll have to check into it.

 

Edit: It doesn't show up on the discontinued list on the Garmin website.

Edited March 28, 2010 by BlueDeuce

[+ecanderson]

A little advice about buying a gps, always buy the best model you can afford. Go with the Vista HCx it's a great unit and definitely better than the Summit.

Depends upon the use model and whether the $70 difference in MSRP to get the Vista makes sense on that basis.

 

For those features that the Summit HC and Vista HCx have in common, both work equally well - it's the same base hardware. If you already have a superior routing unit before purchasing a handheld, and if you don't need any better mapping than the basemap offers, the SD expansion won't be of concern, and the added cost for the Vista can't be justified easily.

 

I do think that the Summit HC carries a bit too high a price tag vs. features, however. It's cheaper than the Vista HCx, but should be cheaper yet, in my opinion.

 

A lot of the cost difference between the [summit HC and Venture HC] vs. the [Legend HCx and Vista HCx] is due to the mapping and ability to road route with those maps. If the user's preference is for a separate nav unit for the automotive navigation side (and many find the larger screen of such units a "must"), the value vs cost of the more expensive "non-paperless" Garmin handhelds comes into question.

[jmundinger]

Here are a couple of options with prices that probably are competitive with Amazon:

 

http://www.offroute.com/product/view_produ...amp;CatID=14347

 

http://www.offroute.com/product/view_produ...amp;CatID=14347

[+BlueDeuce]

A little advice about buying a gps, always buy the best model you can afford. Go with the Vista HCx it's a great unit and definitely better than the Summit.

Depends upon the use model and whether the $70 difference in MSRP to get the Vista makes sense on that basis.

 

Nope, always do it. Even if it doesn't make sense or if you have no use for the extra features. I know exactly how to spend other people's money.