Garmin Vista Cx Review

UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For more current recommendations, please refer to our handheld GPS buyers guide or our Garmin handheld GPS comparison chart.

The Garmin eTrex Vista Cx updates the very popular eTrex Vista C, adding expandable memory via a micro-SD card, which will provide plenty of room for optional highway and/or topo maps. This is a nice compact unit, ideal for use in the great outdoors and for navigating city streets.

This receiver is identical to the Legend Cx, except that the Vista Cx adds an electronic compass and barometric altimeter.

Compare prices on the Garmin eTrex Vista Cx

The only caution I want to provide is that, like all members of the eTrex x-series, the Vista Cx does not include the hot new SiRFstar III chipset. For that (in a unit with comparable features) you’ll have to step up to the GPSMAP 60CSx. Of course, you’ll pay a price for that in several ways — a less compact unit, shorter battery life and a $160 difference in the suggested retail price.

More Garmin eTrex Vista Cx reviews

• Garmin Vista Cx reviews are starting to show up at Amazon.
• Trailspace.com reviews the Vista Cx.

I’ll be posting more hands on reviews as they appear, but in the meantime, here are some other helpful resources:

• A PDF version of the eTrex Vista Cx owners manual.
• Want to see how the Vista Cx stacks up against other units? Try this Garmin handheld GPS comparison tool.
• There is an active eTrex Legend / Vista message forum at Yahoo.
• Here is a Garmin eTrex Vista Cx FAQ page.
• The official Garmin eTrex Vista Cx web page.

Compare prices on the Garmin eTrex Vista Cx at these merchants:

• Find the low price for a Vista Cx at GPS Now.com, where shipping is free on orders over $99 (and the upgrade to overnight
  shipping is dirt cheap!). Order by 5 p.m. Central Time for same day
  shipment.
• Check the current eTrex Vista Cx price at Amazon.com.
• Find the Garmin eTrex Vista Cx for an amazing price at eBay.
• Check the deals on Garmin GPS receivers at REI.com.