Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator by Garmin
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Digital camera reviews of Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator
Digital camera Review: A Useful and Worthy Update to the 60CS
Summary: 5 Stars
I replaced my GPS 60CS with this unit. I reviewed the 60CS on this site some time ago, and many of the same comments still apply, with some significant improvements and a couple of minor drawbacks. I had the opportunity to do some lengthy testing both on the road and in the field recently, having driven to South Dakota from Michigan for a fall pheasant hunt. I'll share with you some of my observations and how the CSx compares to the older CS.
The new receiver in the CSx is a major improvement over the CS. It's far more sensitive and locks on much more quickly, particularly from a "warm" boot in the same locale. A warm start lock is virtually instantaneous--it'll be ready to go before the welcome screen clears! Even a cold start only takes a minute or two. I really noticed the improvement in sensitivity indoors; I could easily get a lock from anywhere inside my house, a feat that was impossible with the 60CS. Accuracy with the new unit seems about the same as the old one. I've heard and read some complaints about this, as some folks say that it's not quite as accurate, but if so, it's only a couple of feet. Maybe geocachers are more concerned with this than I am. For general hiking, hunting, and traveling, it's not an issue. It's very accurate when in a vehicle, in my experience.
One thing I DID notice, however, is that when stationary the unit has a tendency to "wander." Even when I wasn't moving, the unit showed me moving around my general position to the point that the track looked like scribbling on the screen. I doesn't always happen, and it's more noticeable indoors (where I'm not going to get lost, hopefully, but the satellite lock is weaker), but it does happen. This does not occur at all when moving. I never noticed this with the old unit, either. Weird.
What I love most about the improved receiver is that I can put it inside my pack or inside a coat pocket and still get good reception. The 60CS would sometimes lose reception even hanging off the outside of my pack if something got in the way (my body, a piece of clothing, what-have-you). I had to make sure it was mounted somewhere high and with an unobstructed view of the sky to keep it from losing a lock. This is simply not an issue with the 60CSx.
Next, the memory expansion. This was my tops on my wish list with the 60CS. The onboard memory on that unit was sufficient to load most of a state's info (Topo and City Select), but doing any traveling required frequent updates using the MapSource software. Not a big deal, but somewhat inconvenient. The MicroSD capability in the CSx is just wonderful. You can find 1GB cards really cheap these days, and you can load seemingly half the U.S. on one card (actually, you're limited to 2025 map sets, which is a tremendous amount of detail). You could buy perhaps half a dozen 1GB MicroSD cards and literally have the entire country in your pocket. Also, you can tell the unit to dump track information to the card, which dramatically increases one's ability to store track data.
Battery life using NiMH batteries is excellent, and in fact there is a menu setting specifically for NiMH batteries. I use low-discharge type 2100 mAh batteries (like the Sanyo "Eneloop," for example) and they just last and last. I hunted for five days in South Dakota and had the unit on for about 4-6 hours per day. I had to change batteries once during that time. Using this kind of battery, I'd say conservatively that I got 20-22 hours out of one set. It seems to last longer than the old unit, though I have no direct comparison, so don't necessarily take that to the bank. (Another nice, albeit minor, improvement is that the unit can be powered via USB when hooked to a computer. Not a big deal, though nice since the batteries don't drain while loading maps, which can take quite a while on a 1GB card.)
The processor in the 60CSx must be improved as well. I noticed that it draws maps much more quickly and doesn't seem to "bog down" when faced with lots of contour or street data. Not a night and day difference, but nice nonetheless.
Nitpicks:
The buttons seem more plasticky than the old unit, which had a nice rubbery feel to them. It doesn't affect performance, really--it just feels cheaper. Some people don't like the new "cartoony" icons on the menus, but I couldn't care less about that, and in some ways they're easier to see at a glance, at least to me.
You still can't view more than one map type (i.e., Topo and City Select) at a time. It would be nice if somehow they could be merged to take the best detail from both. Not a huge deal.
Evidently the new unit no longer has the ability to track pressure changes while the unit is powered off. I didn't realize the 60CS could do that, so I guess I don't miss it. There might be instances where this is important to some folks who are really tracking the barometer closely, but I suspect they're already going to have some sort of weather station device anyway.
So, the question for many will be this: Is the 60CSx worth upgrading over the CS? Should I be putting my old unit up on eBay so I can get the latest and greatest?
If you don't already own a 60CS or something similar, I'd say so, particularly if you're going to be navigating in places that will challenge the unit's ability to get a satellite lock--under heavy tree cover, in deep canyons, etc. You will DEFINITELY notice the difference in reception.
If you travel extensively and want lots of map detail, and don't want the hassle of sitting down at your computer every time you go somewhere, then get the CSx. However, if you already own a 60C or CS, don't travel much out of your home state, primarily use it in your car, or navigate on open ground or on the water, I wouldn't be so quick to get rid of that 60CS. It's still a great unit.
What sold the unit for me was the simple fact that I can throw it in my pocket and not have to worry about losing a signal. No more fussing with finding the perfect perch on my backpack. The convenience factor, of course, is another biggie since I routinely travel all over North America. All I have to do is carry a couple of tiny little memory cards to have just about any map I'd ever conceive of needing. My biggest concern is losing the darn things since they're so teensy.
Digital camera Review: A classic!
Summary: 5 Stars
An old favorite of the GPS geek crowd. Lots of tools/maps/updates available (from the likes of [....]etc.). Not the latest & greatest (compared to touchscreen Oregons), but reliable and good for hacking and geeking out.
The addition of the MicroSD chip (now on all 'x' versions) makes it very versatile.
5 star tool.
Digital camera Review: A fun and useful piece of equipment
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great GPS. However, it is virtually useless without extra maps which cost more $$$. The basemap stinks and only has major roads(when I say major, I mean major). Imagine buying a car and then having to buy a steering wheel separately so you can actually drive it. That's exactly what Garmin did with this unit(and many others). For off road use, I bought U.S. Topo and I use it to pinpoint my position on rivers when I'm kayaking. It is WONDERFUL to be able to tell how much longer I'll be on the river and well as pinpoint my location on the river. For driving, City Navigator 8 isn't perfect, but it is feature packed and can get you quite close to just about anywhere you want to go.
As far as the unit goes, the reception is great. I can actually get a signal inside my house. It has no problem on the console in my car and outside I've only lost signal when I entered a parking garage. The menus are a little confusing at first, but once you play with it a while you'll have no problems. The unit feels rugged and is even splash proof. Battery life is great as well.
Overall, this thing is a fun toy and is invaluable if you're a hiker or boater(and have the Topo maps). Expect to pay 100-200 dollars more if you want to actually have any real use out of this product.
Digital camera Review: A good GPS if you know how to get the software
Summary: 4 Stars
This is excellent hardware, the only problem is that Garmin wants you to pay for each software that unlocks the capability of this machine. the base map sucks, for road driving, has a few major roads and basic guidance. if your using it for hiking and going in a straight line W/o needing to use the road its good. If you can find updated maps online get those and unlock them, then the system really shines.Digital camera Review: A gps upgrade
Summary: 4 Stars
I use a gps primarly for geocaching, great lakes sailing, returning to fishing spots and distance bicycling. The 60csx is an upgrade from my garmin etrex legend, which i also like and am keeping for a back up.
The 60csx is a little larger and easier for my 60yrold eyes to see. It will pick up satellites while in a single floor house - i have never lost a signal in the woods. I like the "geocache mode" and find the button locations easier to use than the legend. Garmin has been helpful to ans. most questions regarding operational questions. My only caution would be not to count on using MapSource City Select V6 - it doesn't want to load.