DougPaul said:Another item that is frequently over overlooked is the eTrex C series does not have an RS232 interface--absolutely vital in some applications. (Both have a USB interface.)
DougPaul said:An item not covered in these comparisons is external antenna capability--the 60Cx have a jack for an external antenna, I'm not sure about the eTrex C series.
You just do not need it for outdoor use with the 60CSx. The only time I have used my external antenna for my 60CSx is down in the basement of my house. Now that I have pretty much nailed down the location of my basement, I do not need to use it there either.Motabobo said:Who needs external antenna with the "new" x chipset ?
I understand that the 60CSx floats with lithium batts* or with a neopreme case. The 60Cdarren said:OK for like a decade now I have been saying that I was going to get a GPS receiver and I have just never gotten around to it. I actually spent some time the other day looking at GPS units. I want to be able to use it for kayaking as well as hiking so water proofing is a requirement and the ability to float would be a big plus. I was actually looking at the 76CSx over the 60 CSx mainly because the 76 floats. I guess I could use the biner hole on the 60 and just lash it to the boat though. They are the same price and the functionality seems to be the same.
These maps are not locked and can be used on any Garmin mapping GPS, so they should go on an upgrade GPS. BTW, those look like list prices. They are generally available at better prices: eg tvnav.com sells bluechart americas for $110 and topo us 2008 for $85. (standard caveat: no connection with this company.)I was ready to make the plunge, but then I checked out the maps and now it looks like I wont be. I need the blue water maps for kayaking and the topo maps for hiking. The bluewater america map is $150 and the America topo map is $117. So $350 for the gps unit and then another $270 for maps. Nuts. Looks like I will stick to map and compass.
Magnetic compass on the GPS is a matter of taste. Some draw extra current from the batts and accuracy isn't all that great: typ ~5deg. You have to hold the GPS level and sighting also isn't that good either. The eTrex Vista HCx does have a compass and barometric sensor. (Some don't like the fact that you cannot choose between the barometric altitude and the GPS altitude on most displays. Annoying in a pressurized aircraft...)pps: for Dave's original question, in my limited GPS experience I would not buy a unit that does not have an electronic compass. It is nice to know what direction you are facing without having to move. The eTrex Legend HCx does not have an electronic compass and the 60 CSx does.
Anything that uses NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) format data. NMEA is a text format which is only supported on RS232.darren said:Doug - what are the applications that can not use USB?
Anyone who wants performance in the worst conditions or the highest possible accuracies. For instance, I have used an external when intentionally mapping a route with my 60CSx. The bakeoff tests suggested higher accuracy with the external antenna than without (with the GPS mounted on a pack strap). On the other hand, if you carry your GPS mounted on top of your head or on top of a pole, it wouldn't make any difference.Motabobo said:Who needs external antenna with the "new" x chipset ?
Looks to me like Garmin is changing their entire line over to the new "high sensitivity" GPS chipsets.Damn, I new they would extend it to their Rino line.
You can certainly look at the units at a number of retail stores. Not the same as using one however...DaveSunRa said:Thanks for all the informative thoughts. Wish there was a retail outlet that would rent units to checkout. Kind of like buying boots: alway smart to feel the fit before buying.
This brings up a difference between the eTrex C line and the 60/76 line. The best orientation for the eTrex C line (internal patch antenna) is flat, as on a deck, and the best orientation for the 60/76 line (internal quad helix antenna) is vertical. The high sensitivity GPS chipset units should be ok in either orientation with a good skyview (eg at sea), but it could make a difference with a poor skyview (eg under heavy trees and/or in a narrow valley).Peakbagr said:He got the 76 instead of the 60 as he they own 6 canoes and 4 kayaks, and for him, the floating capacity was more important than the size.
A possible confusion here: Only Garmin (Mapsource) software can load maps into a Garmin GPS. Both Garmin and 3rd-party (eg NG TOPO!) can exchange waypoints, routes, and tracks.By the way, the Garmin software is necessary to have in the unit, but NG TOPO and its small upgrade package is a necessity to have on the computer IMHO.
That's interesting, you know where I carry mine year round ? In my pocket Never lost signal (not even once) and I compared my tracklogs with my friend who does own the exact same model than me (he carries it on his chest with the provided clip though). The difference is "not much" really...around 5 feet. Is it that much ?DougPaul said:Anyone who wants performance in the worst conditions or the highest possible accuracies. For instance, I have used an external when intentionally mapping a route with my 60CSx. The bakeoff tests suggested higher accuracy with the external antenna than without (with the GPS mounted on a pack strap). On the other hand, if you carry your GPS mounted on top of your head or on top of a pole, it wouldn't make any difference.
Basic use isn't hard and is pretty similar on all GPSes. It gets a bit more complicated if you want to use more of the features. If you are good with technical widgits, you'll be fine. If not, you can learn a habitable subset.DaveSunRa said:Doug, I've been warned of the learning curve needed. One attribute on the comparison chart I've noticed was battery life. The vistas appear to last longer.
In the bakeoff comparisons, we carried simultaneous multiple GPSes in different configurations to make fairly rigorous comparisons.Motabobo said:That's interesting, you know where I carry mine year round ? In my pocket Never lost signal (not even once) and I compared my tracklogs with my friend who does own the exact same model than me (he carries it on his chest with the provided clip though). The difference is "not much" really...around 5 feet. Is it that much ?
I was in the same situation until we did the bakeoff comparisons. The bakeoff comparisons along with the ability to use a 2 GB map memory chip sealed the deal for me. And now that I have had them both for a while, I still feel that it was a worthwhile upgrade.Papa Bear said:I have a Garmin 60CS and I'm reasonable happy with it. But I'm also jealous of the 60CSX with it's greater sensitivity.
But before I shell out another $200 - $300 I would ask - why not wait for the next generation:
5-10 years. Upgraded satellites will transmit at higher power levels and there is a second civilian frequency in the works. Dual frequency receivers will allow direct measurment of the ionospheric delays (currently the biggest source of error).Question: When will the next generation be here? I want high sensitivity (like maybe twice the 60CSX) and greater accuracy (like 1 - 2 meters)?
Probably not. IMO, 60/76CWill I get that in the next few years in a consumer grade unit?
No, but:It doesn't hurt to ask.
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