Hi Jim! > I am looking into purchasing a Garmin "eTrex Vista HCx" GPS to use for > dxexpeditioning in working different grids. > > Has anyone got any reviews on this gps? > > Does anyone suggest a better one to use for dx-expeditioning?
This looks like a viable GPS for grid expeditions. It has a screen with both the latitude/longitude and the accuracy figures, so it could be used to satisfy VUCC documentation requirements. Maybe a little on the expensive side, but it would work. I use a Garmin GPSMAP 76S to find the grid boundaries. I can quickly go between latitude/longitude and Maidenhead locator, and can show that accuracy figure on the same screen as the latitude/longitude or Maidenhead grid. It is capable of having updated maps loaded on it, to augment the base map it comes with - something I have not done with mine. On the QSL cards you've received from me, you see photos of the latitude/longitude display of this GPS. It has been discontinued, but the GPS 72H is a successor to my unit. The GPS 72H doesn't have all the bells and whistles that my unit has, but the price is not as steep as the unit you are looking at. It does have the same sort of display as my unit has, with the latitude/longitude and accuracy figure on one screen. If I needed to replace my current GPS for my grid expeditions, I would probably go with this unit to avoid separating myself from more of my money to get another GPS. With the mapping capabilities in GPS- equipped smartphones, I do not see a huge need to have a GPS with detailed mapping. There is some advantage in making use of smartphone-based GPS applications for reasons like those Drew mentioned, but I still like having the GPS that will meet all requirements for VUCC documentation. None of the GPS-related apps on my two phones (Nokia N900, iPhone 4) nor my VX-8GR show that accuracy figure. The VX-8GR will show a count of the number of GPS satellites it is using to determine my location, but I have not seen any documentation that could translate the satellite count to an accuracy figure in feet or meters. I've never been asked by ARRL to provide documentation for my grid-boundary activities, but I want to be able to meet those requirements if I am ever asked to provide the photos and other proof I have. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ _______________________________________________ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
