Garmin eTrex Vista HCx issues with version 3.0 firmware upgrade

I'm new to GPSing. Just bought a new eTrex Vista HCx and immediately
upgraded to 3.0 firmware. It had TWO bits of strange behaviour. I
had several maps on a 4.0 Gb SD card... the generated gmapsupp.img and
then others with other names that I would just rename as I needed
them. (City Navigator, Canada Topo, and BlueChart NA
1. When I turned off the GPS unit a continuous tone was emitted and
the unit would freeze until I took the batteries out. Without the
data card... no problem... but then what good is the GPS without the
data card!!!! Garmin support said to ONLY have the one file on the
card gmapsupp.img and even to erase "hidden" files and directories
from the card. This worked... but I was upset that I couldn't have
my other maps handy on the card.
2. On the Altimeter page, none of the data fields like "Ascent min/
max/aver" or "Descent min/max/aver" or "Max. Elevation", "Min
Elevation" and "Glide ratios". I thought it was just my
inexperience... the dealer tried as well. Garmin asked a few
questions, then said it must be a hardware issue and told me to mail
it in for repair.

That would be a pain... so I decided to try a few more things. I
REINSTALLED version 3.0 of the firmware.... no go. Then I decided
to try to downgrade the firmware back to version 2.8. Had a REALLY
HARD TIME finding an old copy, but finally guessed it would be the
same URL as the 3.0 download... except I just substituted the 3.0 with
2.8. IT WORKED! I got the old firmware... installed it and
everything is a go! Caution... it did wipe out my routes, tracks and
waypoints... but I had them in MapSource anyway and just redownloaded
them.

Just sent off a message to Garmin to fix the two issues...

I'm a newbie and don't know of "the good" forums or blogs. If any
of you see others with the issue, can you please pass on my
suggestion... to downgrade back to version 2.8 firmware. Here is
the URL

http://www8.garmin.com/software/eTrexVistaHCx_280.exe

I hope this helps others.... The GreyOne

GreyOne,

I've heard of this problem several days ago -- it's a known issue. I heard
that Garmin "may" be working on a fix for version 3 to correct the fault. I
also heard that this problem occurs only on micro cards whose memory is
higher than 2 GB. Seems like the Garmin site would have prominently posted
this issue.

I likewise have a eTrex Vista HCx and love it! I've got City Navigation
North America 2010 loaded on it and it's incredible for such a small unit.
I've got tons of questions and need lots of time to figure it all out! One
thing for sure: it works perfectly and I don't think I'll EVER do a firmware
upgrade on it. No need! My version 2.8 is all I/we need.

EW

=A0I

Are you using a Mac?