I've searched and read a ton of stuff in the forums about GPS devices, but thought I'd ask the locals. I got a GPS for my birthday but I can exchange it if there is another one I'd rather have.

The one I'm thinking of trading up to is the Garmin eTrex Vista C. Anyone have experience with this unit?

Couple questions...
1. What GPS are you using?
2. Does it work in a Camelbak?

1. Vista.
2. Yes.

1. GPSMap60
2. Yes

Ditto to jmarsz....bigger issue is tree coverage, e.g the forested higher up rides. The etrax has the old style antenna while the GPSMap60 and it's higher end sister models have the quad helix...part marketing and from I hear part real life reality better reception in forested regions etc...I'm happy so far with mine.

1 - Garmin Legend
2 - works in a backpack but I always have it on top in an outer pocket. It doesn't pick up too well when it's deep down in. When I keep it in the top outside pocket of my pack, tree coverage has not been an issue.

When I keep it in the top outside pocket of my pack, tree coverage has not been an issue.

Really? Dave, if you get a chance, check for me to see if you lose at least a few satellitites (and accuracy) in heavily forested regions. Mine definetely lost a few of 'em and the accuracy dropped off a touch when I did a snowshoweing hike up around Ned in some dense trees.

Really? Dave, if you get a chance, check for me to see if you lose at least a few satellitites (and accuracy) in heavily forested regions. Mine definetely lost a few of 'em and the accuracy dropped off a touch when I did a snowshoweing hike up around Ned in some dense trees.

I'd bet that I've lost accuracy, but I've not yet lost signal enough for it to miss tracking me once I've downloaded trip info to my computer.

Really? Dave, if you get a chance, check for me to see if you lose at least a few satellitites (and accuracy) in heavily forested regions. Mine definetely lost a few of 'em and the accuracy dropped off a touch when I did a snowshoweing hike up around Ned in some dense trees.
Accuracy seems to drop down to the 40 ft range or so in dense trees. Still seems pretty good when matched up to published maps. Wonder if it's regional as to what satellites it picks up? Outside of the desert, I haven't had this GPS outside of my immediate area much.

While I was hiking on the Royal Arch Trail (Boulderites and some Denverites should know what trail I'm talking about. It's in the Flatirons), I lost satellite signal completely, and it was clipped to my belt. It matters on how much clearance you have with everything.

Garmin Etrex Vista (NOT the "c" model). Iv'e been very happy with mine...getting great run-times using 2500Mah Nimh batteries.

Buy a smallish cell phone pouch to mount it on your hydro pack strap, right over the collar bone gives the best overall reception and is a very well protected spot. I've got one pouch on either strap, one for the GPS and one for the digi cam.

Puts them both in a well protected and handy "quick draw" location.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=15249
http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/150/20_1262.jpg

While I was hiking on the Royal Arch Trail (Boulderites and some Denverites should know what trail I'm talking about. It's in the Flatirons), I lost satellite signal completely, and it was clipped to my belt. It matters on how much clearance you have with everything.

I don't get a signal when I leave mine in a pocket. I had taken it running one night, and got nothing for 45 minutes. It's worked flawlessly in my pack tho.