GPSmap76CSx vs. eTrex Vista HCx

Are there specific reasons to buy the more expensive GPSmap76CSx in
stead of the cheaper eTrex Vista HCx?
The only difference I can find is the serial port for exchange in NMEA
format.
Thibaud

the buttons are on the front side
it floats on water
it has AFAIK a marine database for tides

hth
Anton

Yes, the 76CSx has the marine database, but that is able to be gotten for
the Vista HCx. The entire eTrex line still suffers from the "rubber band"
around the perimeter of the unit coming unglued after time or exposure to
high temperatures. Garmin is very good about repairing them or sending a
repair kit, but it will eventually recur. Also there has been some problems
with the Mediatek chip in the Vista having some problems with accurate data
recording at low speeds. (similar problems in the Colorado with the same
chip set). For many threads on the subject, see the Groundspeak GPS and
Software forum:
http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?s=776854f8978efb2018593031a24ba688&showforum=11

For full disclosure I should say I recently upgraded from my four year old
76CS to a 76CSx and I am very happy with the SiRFstarIII chip performance.
I also own an eTrex Legend which has gone through the loose rubber band
repair several times.
As of this morning the 76CSx was only about $20 more than the Vista HCx at
Amazon.com. It really comes down to the form factor - which do you prefer?

Thibaud Taudin Chabot wrote:

The MediaTek chipset in the Vista HCx currently under counts the
moving time, which also means the average moving speed is high.
The distance used to be under counted but is better now. This
primarily applies to low speeds (i.e. walking). Driving and
biking would be much better.

The GPSmap 76C[S]x with the SiRF III chipset is relatively
more accurate but the difference won't be important to
most users. See:

http://www.gpsmap.net/CompareHikesHCx76C76S.html

I've driven up and down a road in a canyon. When the
satellite constellation wasn't so good, the SiRF III
did a much better job of tracing the road than the
MediaTek chipset did.

If you aren't really particular about accuracy, the lack
of a serial port, and the button type/layout, the size of
the receiver and screen, the Vista HCx will be fine.

--
Dan

Personal: www.gpsmap.net
Business:
Western Maps LLC
www.westernmaps.us

Thibaud Taudin Chabot wrote:

I like the 60/76 Cx/CSx better because of their having the SiRF III chip
set and I also think they have antennas that are a little better (more
sensitive) in their larger cases.

They out perform the more generic "high performance" chip set in the
Vista "H" models by a small but comfortable margin and also seem to be
able to receive signals under heavy cover or tasking conditions (inner
city canyons, etc.) than the Vista series.

Dan or some of the others that have both models can give you more
specifics and data on comparing the two.

Jack