GPS

Based on the mix reviews I read on Amazon, I decided to purchase a Vista with the intention to return it if it doesn't live up to my expectation.

This is thoughts after a 3 days backpacking trip:

We visited Little Lakes Valley near Mammoth Lakes in central California. I uploaded trial topo map from Garmin's MapSource to the GPS unit which was really easy to do.

The first day there was completely overcast but the GPS worked fine. It was a bit slow tracking the satellites (maybe 1-2 minutes) and I would say the accuracy is within feets. For instance, when I approach a fork in the trail, the pointer indicated where I was on the fork just as I arrived at the spot. The 2nd and 3rd day were clear and this GPS was ready to navigate within 30 seconds! Mapsource is very accurate ( as far as this particular trail is concerned). What a great way to backpack. I had the comfort of knowing exactly where I am. I simply love this product. Well designed. Easy to learn UI. I spent less than 1 hour going over the literature and was very comfortable navigating around the different menues. The irony is: I am returning this GPS afteral. The reason: I am picking up the Rino 120 by Garmin. At least Vista gave me the confidence that Garmin makes quality product.

The basic road map preloaded in the GPS is adequate. It displays most of the main roads and freeway exits in Los Angeles area. I did experienced some problem while strolling in areas with dense tree. But this GPS is for outdoor use so this doesn't concerne me a whole lot.

Pros
A very simple prouduct to use and understand. Most new GPS users that I show it too pick it up right away. The base map is excellent! I find that with these "Personal Use" GPS units if you mark a spot or waypoint it will never be completely accurate when you come back to it, however I notice that if I walk off a predetermined unit of length, like a football field
it is dead accurate.

Con
I have used the Garmin Topo maps and upload the various local topos to my unit, but come on, compared with a standard USGS topographical map or the TOPO software it just doesn't compare. So in a perfect world (in which you had lots of money) you could buy both the Garmin TOPO map and the National Geographic Topo Map.

I hate to admit but I know use it as the worlds most expensive bike computer. I use it on both my road bike and mountain bike and it certainly is rugged. You just cannot go wrong with this product.

I own 3 GPS receivers and I will say Garmin did an excellent job. The receiver is much more sensitive to satellite signals than my other GPSs. Just don't expect too much from this small unit with tiny screen and very slow CPU for screen refresh. It will drive you nuts to use it for street navigation. It is suitable for back trailing in the mountains. For street navigate, I strongly suggest that you hook this unit up with a laptop but make sure that GPS is set to NMEA and the software GPS setting is also correct. Conclusion, don't street navigate with this unit alone and don't buy a no brand GPS under $90 because you will not be happy with the reception.

Eddy