Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator
by Garmin
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: GarminBrand: Garmin
Edition: Electronics
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: CD
Model: 010-00422-00
Publisher: Garmin
Studio: Garmin
Music Label: Garmin
Product features:
- High-sensitivity GPS receiver
- Bright, sunlight-readable color TFT display
- Color-handheld mapping ideal for both marine and outdoor use
- 64 MB microSD card for storage of optional map detail; NOTE: microSD card is located in the device, not as a separate, additional item
- Fast USB connectivity makes loading charts and maps quick and easy
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator
Customer 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.
Description of Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator
Garmin GPS MAP 60 CSx. The GPS MAP 60 CSx is one of the most popular GPS models for outdoor and marine use. It incorporates a barometric altimeter for extremely accurate elevation data and an electronic compass that displays an accurate heading while standing still. The 60CSx also features a removable microSD card for detailed mapping memory and a waterproof, rugged housing. The microSD card slot is located inside the waterproof battery compartment. You can load map data and transfer routes and waypoints through the fast USB connection. In addition, the GPS MAP 60C Sx has a new, highly sensitive GPS receiver that acquires satellites faster and lets you track your location in challenging conditions, such as heavy foliage or deep canyons. Electronic compass displays accurate heading while standing still; Barometric altimeter with automatic pressure trend recording; New high-sensitivity WAAS-capable GPS receiver by SiRF; Built-in quad-helix receiving antenna with remote antenna capability; Supports English, Spanish, Portuguese and French languages; MicroSD card slot allows for storage of optional Map Source detail (64 MB microSD included); LED backlit display and keyboard; Up to 18 hours of battery life from 2 AA alkaline batteries; Includes a built-in Americas autoroute basemap with automatic routing capabilities, including highways, exits and tide data (U.S. only); Internal memory is preloaded with a marine point database Enough memory for 1,000 user waypoints with nThe venerable Garmin 60CS just got a whole lot better. The 7.5-ounce GPSMap 60CSx now features an insanely accurate, high-sensitivity GPS receiver by SiRF that tracks your position even in tree cover and canyons. Plus, you get a bright, sunlight-readable color TFT display and an included a 64 MB microSD card for storage of optional map detail. Add all that to the 60CSx's integrated barometric altimeter and electronic compass, and you've got a unit that is ready to take you anywhere on land or sea.
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The device features the powerful SiRF GPS navigation chip for supreme accuracy in all conditions. You also get an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter. |
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You also get a large color TFT display and turn-by-turn routing capability. |
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The 60CSx is a refreshing upgrade of the 60CS, and features a removable microSD card for detailed mapping memory. View larger. |
The 60CSx's 2.6-inch, 256-color TFT color display is designed to present mapping and trip information clearly and accurately in any lighting conditions. Plus, the case is lightweight, rugged, and water resistant to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards (can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes). When using two AA alkaline batteries, you'll get up to 20 hours of battery life from the unit. The unit's barometric altimeter system features automatic pressure trend recording while providing current elevation, ascent/descent rate, minimum/maximum elevation, total ascent and descent, and average and maximum ascent and descent rate. Meanwhile, the electronic compass allows you to get accurate headings while standing still.
Another key feature of the 60CSx is the 10,000 point automatic track log; 20 saved tracks (500 points each) let you retrace your path in both directions. There's also a large-numbers option for easy viewing, as well as a dual-position display mode.
The 60CSx's trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more. Meanwhile, a fast processor allows the 60CSx to provide quick auto-routing, turn-by-turn directions, and audio alerts when you use the optional MapSource software, which can be stored on the unit's included 64 MB microSD card. Downloading information is quick with the USB or serial port interfaces. Using the dedicated serial port, the 60Cx can share navigation instructions with repeaters, plotters, and autopilots. The four-position rocker pad and dedicated high-use buttons make navigating through the unit's features easy, even when your fingers are cold or wet.
Finally, the GPSMap 60CSx is packed with some extra fun features. An integrated outdoor calendar provides ideal hunting and fishing times, plus moon rise/set/location information. There is a dedicated geocaching mode for those of you into the hot GPS community treasure hunt game. Finally, there are indoor/outdoor GPS games to help you and your friends enjoy the outdoors.
If you like the features of the 60CSx, but don't need an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter, check out the Garmin 60Cx.
What's in the Box
60CSx unit, 64 MB microSD card, belt clip, USB interface cable, MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager CD, lanyard, owners manual, and quick-start guide.
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