The only time the eTrex 10 is truly slow is when entering waypoint information on its T9-style keyboard — unless, of course, you are a non-smartphone user with enlightened T9 skills.
The eTrex 10 is the definition of a handheld GPS unit. Its size and shape perfectly fit in your palm, which makes it incredibly easy to operate with one hand. For the sake of a readable screen and similarly sized battery storage compartments, almost every GPS in our review has nearly the same dimensions when considering width and thickness.
The eTrex series — including the 10 — show off their miniature size when it comes to length: these units measure nearly two inches shorter than most others.
This comparatively tiny unit is as easily tossed into a pocket for a day-hike as it is stashed into the top of your trekking pack. We found it was even ergonomic and lightweight enough to simply hold in our hands while out on adventurous trail runs. This is where this GPS unit really loses points. Garmin states that the eTrex 10 is pre-loaded with a worldwide basemap — similar to their other basic models.
But on the screen of the unit, that map is completely blank, with the exception of major cities and borders. You have the ability to pre-plan routes, set waypoints, and review tracks post-trip on a computer through their proprietary GIS software, Garmin BaseCamp.
But out in the field, plan to navigate somewhat "blindly" by following a track to each waypoint, or via the differential compass. We're sure that this next statement will come across with supreme irony: it may help to supplement this GPS unit with a topographic map.
This eTrex 10 might work well for the geocache crowd, but we wouldn't want to take it along on an expedition. This unit is by far the least expensive in our review, but that comes with some pretty major sacrifices. For its simplicity, speed, and size, the eTrex 10 is hard to beat.
But one must consider that the lack of mapping, in many cases, severely limits its capability as a GPS. With the ability to save and track waypoints — such as where you parked your car — we like to think of the eTrex 10 as more of a safeguard from getting lost, rather than a stand-alone navigation unit. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products.
And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. Garmin eTrex 10 Review Perfect for geocaching or tracking your next adventure, but not designed with mapping in mind.
Photo: Garmin. Share this article:. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. That's a lock As for performance, we were fairly impressed. The channel receiver did a great job of locking and holding onto satellite signals, especially in the city, unlike Magellan's Map , which lost signals from time to time. The only thing we found lacking was the Vista's inability to view driving directions. The eTrex Vista runs on two AA batteries not included and gave us a little more than eight hours of continuous use before we changed batteries, which is about standard.
The unit will accept rechargeable batteries, but don't expect them to last as long as alkaline cells. You can use the memory to store local street-level maps, points of interest, and up to waypoints in addition to the preloaded base maps of North and South America.
We tested the software and were able to search for points of interest by name or proximity to our location, including hotels, restaurants, landmarks, and other attractions, as well as locate intersections and street addresses.
The Vista also accepts data from other Garmin programs, including U. Waterways, Fishing Hot Spots, and U. Additional tracking can be done without a map, using tracking and setting up of waypoints. Overall the detail of the standard map is somewhat disappointing. By using the "Fishing Hot Spots" add on disk sold separately, or they come with Garmin Fish Finders you can access detailed lake information for hundreds of the most popular lakes in the US and Canada.
The information is transferred into the Vista with the included PC interface cable. These detailed maps contain information on the shoreline, depth contours, and even lake structure. But even without this mapping software you can always mark your favorite fishing spots on the GPS and return to the exact same location. This is particularly useful in large bodies of water like the Great lakes or Oceans.
The Vista is an excellent backpacker's GPS thanks to it's lightweight and durable construction Upper left: the optional GPS protective sleeve has a handy belt clip. Capabilities: There is a abundance of information available to you via the Vista's multiple menus and screens.
In addition to accurate mapping the Vista provides anglers with a customizable trip computer which can track speed, avg speed, odometer, moving time, stopped time, and much more.
I found the barometric altimeter extremely useful when backpacking in the Yosemite High Country, and I was able to track the daily elevation losses and gains. The Vista was able to calculate the Max elevation that I reached, as well as generate the total ascent during the backpacking trip. The Vista's handy digital compass also helps when you combine the information of the GPS with field maps. The feature package that the Vista supports right out of the box is particularly impressive. The customizable trip computer uses various windows to convey your information in real time.
Bonus Features: As if the basic features of the Vista weren't enough the GPS also features 4 "accessory" features to help sweeten the pie. These include:. This information is very accurate and benefits anglers as they plan their days in the field.
Anglers could possibly use this as a fishing log. Based on your location and date the GPS will make 2 best time, and 2 good time predictions for when hunting and fishing will be at it's peak. The digital compass is very accurate, and good when on large bodies of water or in the wilderness.
Limitations: While there are not too many, the Vista is not without flaws. While the unit is feature packed the price that you pay is a drastically reduced battery life in comparison to the lower eTrex units. The entry level eTrex units achieve hours battery life while the Vista runs out of juice every 12 hours. To fully take advantage of the Vista's capabilities we highly recommend using additional MapSource maps from Garmin, but these additional discs are expensive.
The next problem is that 24MB, while the largest in the eTrex class, is still not enough to handle a generous region of maps.
I was only able to install the maps for Northern California before I ran out of space. Unfortunately the Vista does not make use of any additional storage, as a small SD or compact flash would make the map storage basically unlimited.
Finally, once high quality maps are installed you will have access to everything from fishing marinas to McDonalds, but the Vista is not capable of giving any step by step driving directions via mapping or text to your destination. You will have to navigate the map yourself, and follow the compass to your selected target. The California Delta consists of hundreds of waterways and the Vista serves as an excellent backup solution to help navigate and mark fishing hotspots.
We wish that for this price the unit would come with the additional mapping software, or at least a certificate for one region. While the package is excellent, the price is still somewhat expensive. The Vista represents the best that there is right now for an ultra portable GPS, but newer units that feature color screens, improved internal memory, and expandable memory systems will soon be arriving.
For the time being the Vista is reasonably priced, but before throwing down the to buy this unit, and an additional for maps, you should ask yourself what are the actual features that you really need from a GPS. If basic mapping or coordinates is all you need an entry level eTrex will fit the bill nicely, while costing dollars less. Garmin eTrex Vista Ratings? Whether it was backpacking, cruising in the car, or speeding along in the boat the Vista delivered quality mapping while tracking, and marking key waypoints.
The wealth of information available to anglers is impressive, but the basic basemap lacks the details most anglers are looking for. Buy the additional maps and all that changes.
0コメント