Very easy to learn, lots of features

12/22/2006: I'm someone who "tries first, reads user manual second." With my new Garmin eTrex Vista Cx, I have yet to spend any serious time with the owner's manual, yet I have learned how to use many of its features, just by using it. Between uses, I skim through the manual and find a few more features to try.

What do I use my Garmin for? Hiking, several times each week, in preparation for a long-distance hike in 2008. Gradients (altitude gain), distance, and speed are all important factors in my training regimen, and I have quickly picked up how to record and download data from my hikes to my PC (using the included MapSource software and USB cable), as well as instantly read them on the trail during my hikes.

Purchased from REI for $349.95, with a $50 mail-in rebate. I've also purchased the car adapter (which bypasses the batteries for power), the neoprene case (for $19), and a Kingston 1 GB microSD (on sale at newegg.com for $27 with a $10 rebate). The unit (in Garmin's "hiking companion" package), came with a 64 MB microSD card, the USB cable to connect it to your PC, a lanyard, the basic MapSource software, and North America Recreational basemap (pre-loaded on the unit). Installing the software was easy, and going online to update it (and the hand unit) were also easy and uneventful.

After researching the possible map sets I could add, I also decided to purchase the Garmin MapSource U.S. Topo, mainly because its vector maps can be downloaded onto the Garmin. As my big hike approaches, I will likely add one or more of the Garmin National Parks CDs, as well.

I still have the first set of alkaline batteries in the unit, and the indicator still shows "full", even after 6 hikes or about 15 hours of use. The advertised life is 32 hours for alkaline, so we'll see.

Typically on my hikes (over trails that aren't well mapped otherwise), I turn on the "tracks" feature, put the GPS in its case on my shoulder strap, and capture the hike automatically. So I'm not using the backlight display more than a few minutes each time, which may account for the battery performance. After this set wears out, I'll switch to NiMH rechargeables (which I also use in my Canon digital camera), but I like the ability to use longer-lasting alkalines (which I will carry a supply of on my big hike).

So, up til now, count me a very happy hiker, indeed. Updates to follow.