Need help with Garmin eTrex Vista HCX

[+geocachingcop]

My eTrex Vista HCX recently bugged out. When ever I connect the usb cord to the unit, it shuts off. Searching the internet, it appears as if it is a problem with the connectors in the unit's usb port. Am I able to put waypoints onto my SD card via Basecamp and view these in the unit? From reading some other posts here, I am getting the impression that I can't. Is there another way to get the waypoints onto the unit? Any other way to transfer them from the card to the units internal memory? If not, can I possibly fix it myself by purchasing a new usb port and taking the unit apart and putting the new one in? If that is not possible, is the 90 bucks to fix the unit worth it or is there a newer, better model for not much more than the 90 bucks that I should invest in? Thanks in advance for any help and happy caching.

[+ngrrfan]

{snip} is the 90 bucks to fix the unit worth it or is there a newer, better model for not much more than the 90 bucks that I should invest in?

IMHO... take the $90 and add another 90 to it and buy an Etrex 20. You'll get a new gps with no problems and paperless capability.

[+Red90]

There is no way to get waypoints from the card into the unit.

[+Mineral2]

Take the $90, add another $90, and get a GPSmap 62s instead. There's nothing wrong with the eTrex 20, but if you can get a more advanced (non-eTrex) GPS at the same price, then do it. If you'd prefer a touch screen over multiple buttons, you can probably find an Oregon 450 at the same price as well. Both are better than the single joystick of the eTrex.

 

To answer your other questions, Yes, you should be able to put waypoints on an SD card and read them in your GPS. There's no need to move them to the internal memory. You may not be able to transfer them directly via basecamp, but you can use basecamp to export your waypoints to a gpx file and then load the gpx file onto the SD card directly. Make sure the files get put into the /Garmin/GPX folder on the SD card.

 

Edit: Sorry, I wrongly assumed that the older units that accepted an SD card worked the way newer and current units did. For this reason, I'd highly recommend just upgrading your GPS. Even the new eTrex line feels more like a tool whereas the old eTrex feels more like a toy.

 

If you do get a new GPS, it might still be fun to try and repair this one yourself as a side project and learning experience.

Edited March 26, 2014 by mineral2

[+andyakashrek]

You can certainly add waypoints manually to the unit. Simply mark a waypoint and then edit the co ords, rename it to the cache name and alter the icon if you wish. You can do all this at home in the comfort of your armchair. Quite time consuming if doing more than say ten at once. Hcx are good units may be worth see if a phone repair shop can do a fix.

These units only use the sd card for storing maps.

I have one as a backup

[+Red90]

To answer your other questions, Yes, you should be able to put waypoints on an SD card and read them in your GPS. There's no need to move them to the internal memory. You may not be able to transfer them directly via basecamp, but you can use basecamp to export your waypoints to a gpx file and then load the gpx file onto the SD card directly. Make sure the files get put into the /Garmin/GPX folder on the SD card.

 

That is completely false. On a Vista HCX, GPX files can't be read and waypoints can't be read from the external memory.

 

The only things that can be read from the card are maps and custom POIs.

[+andyakashrek]

And saved tracks

[+BAMBOOZLE]

Take the $90, add another $90, and get a GPSmap 62s instead. There's nothing wrong with the eTrex 20, but if you can get a more advanced (non-eTrex) GPS at the same price, then do it. If you'd prefer a touch screen over multiple buttons, you can probably find an Oregon 450 at the same price as well. Both are better than the single joystick of the eTrex.

 

 

Good advice. The Etrex 20 was a less expensive lower tiered model that was never meant to compete with the 62 or 450.

[+geocachingcop]

I was looking at getting the 20 and using it as my main gps and then using my vista for the electronic compass and sight 'n go feature (which comes in very handy for big game hunting). But I was able to find an Oregon 450 for same price as others, so maybe I will go that route instead? Will also look into the 62. Thanks for the advice everyone...

[+Red90]

And saved tracks

 

No. Saved tracks can't be read from the card to the GPS.

[+geocachingcop]

What about the Gpsmap 60csx...seems to be highly rated but alot of people complain about the compass re-calibration...

[+Red90]

They have not made those for many years.....

[+geocachingcop]

Oh...ok, good to know....So, it looks like I've narrowed it down to four choices. I will primarily be using the GPS for geocaching and then for backcountry big game hunting once or twice a year. Hunting is why the Sight 'n Go is important to me. I can mark location of downed animal and then get to it if I am unable to follow a straight line. Im guessing that it is gonna come down to a personal preference for the last three. All seem to function the same with biggest difference being screen size and fact that eTrex uses GLONASS. Thanks again for all the advice.

 

1) eTrex 20: Use as primary gps and use my semi-broke Vista for electronic compass and sight 'n go; Cheapest Option

2) eTrex 30: Probably most expensive option. Maybe too much for my needs listed above?

3) Oregon 450: Refurbished units can possibly be found for much less than the 30

4) GPSMap 62s: Older unit. About same price as eTrex 30. Maybe too much for my needs?

 

 

 

 

There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.

 

Ernest Hemingway

Edited March 26, 2014 by geocachingcop

[+andyakashrek]

And saved tracks

 

No. Saved tracks can't be read from the card to the GPS.

 

Yep, my bad. The unit saves to the card but it cannot display them, they have to be viewed on a pc.

[+Mineral2]

Oh...ok, good to know....So, it looks like I've narrowed it down to four choices. I will primarily be using the GPS for geocaching and then for backcountry big game hunting once or twice a year. Hunting is why the Sight 'n Go is important to me. I can mark location of downed animal and then get to it if I am unable to follow a straight line. Im guessing that it is gonna come down to a personal preference for the last three. All seem to function the same with biggest difference being screen size and fact that eTrex uses GLONASS. Thanks again for all the advice.

 

1) eTrex 20: Use as primary gps and use my semi-broke Vista for electronic compass and sight 'n go; Cheapest Option

2) eTrex 30: Probably most expensive option. Maybe too much for my needs listed above?

3) Oregon 450: Refurbished units can possibly be found for much less than the 30

4) GPSMap 62s: Older unit. About same price as eTrex 30. Maybe too much for my needs?

 

 

 

 

There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.

 

Ernest Hemingway

 

The Oregon 450 and GPSMap 62s are functionally identical in features and, nowadays, price. The difference is button vs. touch screen interface. Both have the electronic compass and barometric altimeter, same as the eTrex 30. If you use those features a lot, then go with one of those three units. It's quite a hassle to carry two GPS's with you when one has the compass feature you want, but the other can transfer data.

 

By the way, the Oregon, 62s, and the eTrex 30 can all read data from the SD card, which means you can store all of your waypoints, tracks, routes, and maps off of the device. This is handy for a number of scenarios. Additionally, all three of those units can wirelessly transmit data to another GPS unit, so if you find yourself in a similar situation years down the road, you can at least 1. transfer the SD card from one GPS to another, or stick it directly into your computer; 2. transfer data to/from another person's GPS in the field as long as the other GPS also supports wireless transfer.

 

I think you're right to upgrade. The eTrex Vista line was ok when it first came out long ago, but they always felt like toys compared to the GPSMap 60/62 line. The new eTrex seem a little better.

[+Red90]

Get a refurbished 450. http://www.gpscity.com/garmin-oregon-450-newly-overhauled.html It will do everything you need. They are just as good as new.

[+geocachingcop]

Thanks for all the help everyone. Decided to go with Oregon 450. Will be selling my Vista HCX and a GPSMAP 76 that I have to help pay for it.