Product Details

• Directors: James Marsh
• Format: NTSC
• Region: All Regions
• Studio: Bennett Marine
• DVD Release Date: March 8, 2010
• Run Time: 40 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B003BEE7OW
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,604 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Can be Helpful to the Beginner, May 30, 2010

By 

William R. Drake (Nevada City, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Garmin Getting the Most From Your GPS: Etrex Vista C, Cx, H, HCx (DVD)

Getting the most from your GPS: Garmin eTrex Vista C, Cx, H, HCx

5/30/10

OVERVIEW of this review: If you already know the basics of using a GPS and don't have a problem learning from the unit's manual, you probably don't need this DVD. If you are not confident about using your GPS and/or don't do well with manuals, the DVD might be worth purchasing.

The 40 minute DVD covers about 17 subjects, with each one having a title on the DVD title page/menu, so you can easily select any subject you want to view. The subjects are listed under three sections: Basic, Intermediate and Advanced. Basic includes a discussion of the GPS unit's buttons, turning the unit on and finding satellites, how to adjust the background lighting, positions and datums, using a computer, etc. Intermediate includes waypoints, navigation, highway pages, the map page, and finding locations. The Advanced section includes a discussion of the altimeter page, routes, tracks, editing, customizing the unit, and using micro SD cards. This arrangement makes the program very user-friendly.

As I have indicated, I think the DVD would be especially useful to a beginner. The DVD does give a brief but reasonable visual overview of the basic functions of these GPSs and how to perform them. Actually seeing the steps performed can supplement the GPS's instruction manual to facilitate learning. For the newcomer, the DVD briefly explains how the GPS satellite system works as well as the basics of map navigation. These areas are not discussed in the GPS manuals (at least not in mine). The DVD also gives some basic information about using the GPS with the computer and with Garmin's MapSource map program on the computer - areas that are also not covered in the GPS manuals (mine, anyway).

I have a Garmin eTrex Vista HCx unit. Throughout almost the entire DVD the unit used for the demonstrations is an eTrex Vista C. While most of the demonstrations are probably relevant to the eTrex Vista Cx, H and HCx, there are some ways these units differ from the Vista C that is used for the film, at least in the case of my HCx. For example, when background lighting is discussed, it is in the context of using the Power key, which probably works with all of these units. With the HCx, however, you can also use the Enter/Rocker key if you want to fine tune the amount of lighting. This is not mentioned in the DVD. In addition, while the DVD discusses the basics of creating tracks, it does not demonstrate or discuss the procedure for setting up and saving a track log, information that is in my unit's manual.

Among the many areas covered, the DVD shows how to enter a location into the GPS by putting in the longitude/latitude or UTM coordinates which, for some reason, is not described in my GPS manual. For the most part, however, most of the information on the DVD is pretty well explained in the unit's manual.

It would be nice to have a little more information about using MapSource, although an instruction manual is available with MapSource and/or can be obtained from the Garmin website. There is no mention of Garmin's new Base Camp map program, which supersedes MapSource (and which, unlike MapSource, comes with NO instructions - at least as of a few weeks ago - a bad move on Garmin's part).

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Complex device but No Manual, December 28, 2010

By 

stepstar - See all my reviews

This review is from: Garmin Getting the Most From Your GPS: Etrex Vista C, Cx, H, HCx (Amazon Instant Video)

It simply amazes me that Garmin has the audacity to issue a device like the eTrex Vista HCx without documentation or proper manual. The device is complex and apparently can do many things (some unnecessary for any experienced hiker, btw) but there is no way to understand and operate this model. The etrex operating system is different than other Garmins I've owned and there is absolutely minimal documentation and Garmin technical support is unfortunately particularly unhelpful. The 3rd party training video is helpful but cannot compensate for lack of a decent manual.

So... you get to spend $299 retail for something that might be better used as a fishing line weight - OR - you're going to spend an awful lot of time in frustrating trial and error operations attempts. Use another product, do not purchase this waste of valuable hiking time.

Garmin eTrex Vista HCx Waterproof Hiking GPSGarmin eTrex Vista HCx Color High-Sensitivity Mapping Handheld GPS

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Garmin Should Include this in every GPS, February 27, 2011

By 

Jack - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Garmin Getting the Most From Your GPS: Etrex Vista C, Cx, H, HCx (DVD)

Bought my first Garmin GPS for hiking. The manual is WORTHLESS!!! This is on great DVD for anyone like me who buys their first off road GPS. It explains in detail all the different terms and how to use this GPS. The Garmin manual assume you already have a PHD in hiking GPS.