Garmin eTrex Vista/Legend Handheld GPS

[Tam_Hazan]

I plan on installing a small GPS in the cockpit, as a backup to the existing chartplotter that is over the nav station below. I like the idea that the two systems will be 'independent' [power/aerial] of each other, and I only require a simple display for the helm position.

Previous posts have sung the praises of the Garmin 76 model, but it is quite a bit more expensive than the eTrex Vista and eTrex Legend models..

Does anyone have experience of these small units - obviously experience in the marine environment! - that could help as a comparision [good/bad/indifferent]?

Furthermore, has anyone successfully added cheap marine mapping software to the base map on eTrex?

 

[agurney]

I plan on installing a small GPS in the cockpit, as a backup to the existing chartplotter that is over the nav station below. I like the idea that the two systems will be 'independent' [power/aerial] of each other, and I only require a simple display for the helm position.

Previous posts have sung the praises of the Garmin 76 model, but it is quite a bit more expensive than the eTrex Vista and eTrex Legend models..

Does anyone have experience of these small units - obviously experience in the marine environment! - that could help as a comparision [good/bad/indifferent]?

Furthermore, has anyone successfully added cheap marine mapping software to the base map on eTrex?

You can download Garmin bluecharts onto the eTrex using Mapsource. It's a small screen but useful for a quick check. I've only used the Vista with the monochrome screen, the colour version may be better.

I've noticed that my old Garmin 45 gets a satellite fix far more quickly than eTrex Vista. I've used the eTrex in various cities around the world loaded with streetmaps with very limited success .. it doesn't like tall buildings and needs an open space and patience to get a fix.

Alisdair

 

[oGaryo]

Hi, I have the colour screen Etrex Vista with bluechart installed and it's perfect as a backup to the Garmin 498C that I have installed as my main unit. It's installed on a swivel base at the helm but do take it with me when in the Dingy or on the pushbike.

 

[pagoda]

Hi, I have the colour screen Etrex Vista with bluechart installed and it's perfect as a backup to the Garmin 498C that I have installed as my main unit. It's installed on a swivel base at the helm but do take it with me when in the Dingy or on the pushbike.

I have a Vista C- which works pretty well with BlueChart maps (24MB of internal Memory).
There is also a built in barometer which is quite useful for trends. That can also be used for tracking vertical distance is you hillwalk or ski. Splash proof so OK in the cockpit- I occasionally just put the lanyard round my neck with the GPS tucked into an external pocket. Waypoint handling on the PC with Mapsource is fairly easy.

Graeme