I love the Vista Hcx. It has bailed my tokus out of many a misguided meandering, as well as led me to water in times of need. As a cycling computer, the trip computer in the Hcx is lacking some cycling-specific features, but it is more than plenty for me. It is especially well-suited to randonneuring. I particularly like the configurable screens. For example, on the trip computer page (and you can choose which pages get displayed, too), I have total distance, trip distance, overall average speed, moving average speed, moving time, overall time, speed, and elevation. There are more available data fields than I can even imagine ever wanting.
I do mount mine to the handlebars, although on my touring bike, I used to mount it to the stem using a Minoura Besso. The size is fine, as is the visibility. I mount my lights on my fork, so the GPS is the only thing on the bars. The width of the unit is only slightly larger than full-featured cyclometer. The transflective screen is great in sunlight and I can run the backlight all night long. With Ni-MH batteries, I am getting about 12 to 20 hours total runtime, including using the backlight through the night. When I am only using the unit during the day, total run time gets well over 20 hours. If size is a concern, there is the possibility of putting it in your handlebar bag or top pouch of a pannier. Then it's out of your way until you need it.
If you just wanted tracking, there are tiny GPS tracking units that will download your track data to a computer.
Sorry about the link. Javascript always bites me in butt; I really hate the language. "Works on my computer!" In my quest to smackdown this issue, would you be so kind as to tell me which versions of FF and IE are you using? Thanks.
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