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 H
Not recommended
I’ll cut right to the chase here. I can’t recommend this unit. Monochrome displays are nowhere near as bright as color units, and can be quite difficult to see in daylight conditions. Instead, I recommend one of the following:
- Garmin eTrex Venture HC – This unit adds a color screen, but drops the electronic compass and barometric altimeter
- Garmin eTrex Legend HCx – This model adds to the Venture HC’s feature set with a micro-SD slot for additional map storage and provides the ability to do turn-by-turn highway routing (when you add City Navigator maps)
Compare prices on the Garmin eTrex Vista H
To see how the Vista H stacks up against other units, check out my Garmin handheld GPS comparisonchart.
More Garmin eTrex Vista H reviews
- Consumer-authored Garmin eTrex Vista H reviews
have been posted at Amazon
- I’ll be posting more hands on GPS reviews as they appear, but in the meantime, here are some…
Other Garmin eTrex Vista H resources
- A PDF version of the Garmin eTrex Vista H owners manual
- See how the Vista H stands up to other units with this Garmin comparison tool or use my own Garmin handheld GPS comparison chart
- I haven’t found any message forums dedicated solely to the eTrex H series, but there is a UseNet Garmin discussion board and a good Garmin forum at GPSInformation.net.
- The official Garmin eTrex Vista H web page
Compare prices on the Garmin eTrex Vista H at these merchants:
- Find the low price on a Garmin eTrex Vista H at GPS Now, 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 Garmin eTrex Vista H
- Get the eTrex Vista H
at Boaters World
About Rich Owings
I think your blanket dismissal of black and white displays is unjustified. I have the Vista H model and have had absolutely no trouble seeing it in all daylight conditions. Maybe you need to have your eyes checked, or your wrists.
The unit is not a gee-whiz, cooks your coffee model, but not everyone needs kitchen help. It does what Garmin claims it does, it doesn’t have bs I don’t need, and I’m quite happy with it.
Fair enough. My eyes are definitely over 40 years old. Not saying how much over 40! I think my wrists are fine though. 🙂
I agree with Grumpy, and I’ll go one step more, if the new units have games they should be place in the trash. When hiking you take a map with you and use the gps to get you location on the map. I also use it to mart my trail head and truck location. This is a great unit and I have recorded over 12,000 miles on it…..