I've owned this and the previous CX. The HCX locks on to satellites very quickly and hold the signal indoors or in built up areas. Very good for hiking and the like. Trouble is that I mainly use the trip computer functions and the display is too volatile jumping around between speeds. Not good as a triip computer, buy the less sensitive CX for canoeing, biking etc.

I use my Garmin eTrex Legend HCx almost on a daily basis. It's true what people say about the base maps; they're not really good for getting around. With that said, this thing comes alive when you install the City Navigator Maps. Turn by Turn directions (not spoken), Points of Interest Locator, find and route to an address, locate a restaurant and more.

Great example of use: I was not in my town and needed to find a Bank of America ATM so I wouldn't have to pay ATM fees at both banks. I whipped out my eTrex, clicked Find then ATM and it showed me all banks with the closest first. Scrolled down to the first BOA and clicked Navigate and the Turn by Turn directions popped up. Awesome.

I also began Geocaching with my kids. We love it. Nothing better to a kid then finding hidden treasure.

I am an avid mountain and dirt bike rider so I also own the handlebar mount on both bikes. Flying down hill and blasting across rocks, mud, and water this thing stays with me. I take the recorded Track and upload it to my favorite trail riding websites using the GPX format.

There is plenty of onboard memory to save your "Tracks" and I never filled it with any ride I did. But I bought a 2G micro SD just in case. (I believe you'll need the SD card if you install any maps.)

I am knocking off 1 star because my eTrex shuts down while dirt bike riding (not mountain biking). I am pretty extreme and do intense climbs over rocks which are jarring. Jumping down cliffs with harsh landings must be shaking the batteries loose and causing the unit to shut down. I've googled this problem and other people have experienced this too. There are workarounds with which people have had success. Like I said, on the mountain bike, it works great.

Overall though, if you're in the woods a lot but still want to get somewhere using your car, the eTrex Legend HCx is a great unit. I am very happy with my purchase.

It is a great GPS, but the software maps are HORRIBLE and extremedly EXPENSIVE.

I got this GPS to be able to go hiking. I have a wife and a 14 months child. We go to the ocassional weekend hike and I don't want to get lost.

I also have a Garmin Quest, and I thought I could take advantage of the same manufacturer.

what a waste.

It is an expensive piece of technology and still you are going to need to buy paper maps and carry them with you. Garmin's TOPO maps don't even show the paths in the national parks!!!!

Creating routes is a pain, as it is with all garmin products. Saving routes from tracks, which should be a one click deal is also just impossible (when are these guys going to start listening to the users?).

My car maps from Garmin (for the Quest navigator) just don't work and they never will, so I still need to take my other unit with me to get to the parking lot. That or buy an extra set of maps for garmin for even more $$$$$$. But they are a rip off. They are inacuarete, they tell you to drive trhoug private propierty, they insist that you go trhoug areas that have been closed due to construction and it is really difficult to convince tha GPS that it needs to recalculate the route avoiding that particular spot.

I have to admit tha the GPS reception is great, but for wat? Most my hikes are in state or national parks following quite well marked trails, and my other GPS unit also gets good reception even under some folliage. This extra unit is a luxury and Garmin doesn't make it worthi trying to force me to pay hundred of extra dollards in maps. How much is going to cost me each excursion? I am going to send this one back until this guys come down with the price of their Software.

I bought this unit to replace an older eTrex Legend model that I mount on my bicycle handle bar. As noted by other reviewers the HCx unit has enhanced sensitivity and very long battery life. My rechargeable AA's last at least 5 times longer than in the old unit. Also it never loses track when outside, and it will find lock in the house, something the old unit never did.

As also noted by others, the built in base map does not provide much data. It's the same map that was in the old unit. I purchased separately the pre-programed street maps on micro SD card which provides full street and point-of-interest data for the entire country. (Google search "010-10679-50" for the best deal on this essential accessory.) I didn't by Garmin software maps because I use a Macintosh and Garmin has never supported the Mac. (They now have something they call "Bobcat" which is supposedly a Mac program to allow map manipulation and transfer. I haven't tried it.)

Anyway I use National Geographic TOPO! maps on my Mac and can download (eTrex to Mac) track data and plot maps of my outings and obtain elevation profiles and ride distances. It's also possible to transfer waypoints and routes both ways with TOPO!.

Another note regarding cycling; in the old unit I had to purchase a special back plate to allow it to clip to the handlebar mount. The new HCx comes with a clip that attaches to the back and allows it to slide into my old mount. (If you don't already have a bike mount kit, you'll need that accessory as well.)

Another problem with the old model that's fixed in this new unit is that the batteries are securely clipped in with damping material attached to the clips. My old unit would shut down when I hit even mild bumps until I damped the battery clips with small bits of handlebar tape.

Bottom line is that I'm very pleased with this device, but note that it is not complete without detailed maps. The street maps work for me; you may want other maps for other types of use.

I needed a GPS for hiking, and this unit has work out well. It also is excellent as a GPS for auto traveling. Price was right. Fast shipping.

This is my 2nd Garmin. First was the Garmin eTrex Legend which I bought 4 years ago, and is still working! However, the newer chip used in the latest purchase boots up faster, picks up signals faster, and is much more sensitive. Tree foilage has not affected signal receival unlike the older model. It also helps with a higher memory capacity for bigger maps and the color screen is really an upgrade.

I was very pleased with the Garmin Legend HCx. I am the owner of a Legend Cx (previous model) and bought this as a gift, and the "H" (for High Sensitivity) is a real improvement.

I have found using the Cx model that often when driving, if the unit is near the center of the car and away from dashboard / windows, it will lose satellite reception, even while driving in wide open areas (experienced this in two different car models). THIS IS NOT THE CASE WITH THE HCx.

If you are looking for a GPS receiver for hiking, rowing and general navigation while traveling, like I was, I recommend this model.

Good product so far. Basic mapping is very basic for road map/directions and the upgrade is expensive ($130) for a $200 product. Garmin instructions included in original purchase box are very basic. I would have liked more detailed directions to use this GPS. Otherwise, the product is durable, great screen color, long AA battery life. Easy to use buttons and scrolling once you get a grasp on the menu's.

Let me start off by thanking Garmin for making such wonderful products and Amazon for guiding me too them. Now, on with the review. Ok after looking at various reviews for many a different kinds of gps i had narrowed it down to 2, this of the Vista HCx. Now folks lets me lay it out for you. Unless you really need the altimeter, there isn't any point of getting the Vista for the $50+ that it is. Or unless you really like unity in your products, ex. all-in-1 design. The Vista comes with a electronic compass too but lets be realistic here folks who goes out and about without a REAL metal compass. what happens if the GPS dies on you? (although that be hard with 25+ hours of battery life, hehe) anyways unless you are committed to the all in oneness or have to have the other features then this is one awesome gps, it has everything you could ever need. You will need to buy maps separate but you can find them on amazon for cheap so its all good. Either way buy this gps, don't settle for less.

The Legend HCx connected to the satellites from inside the house, car and the metal shed as advertised. Accuracy excellent. Definite improvement to the Legend. You will need to buy a micro flash card. The price was enhanced by $30 off when approved for Amazon credit card. Two thumbs up all round.