Garmin GPSMAP 60 CSx GPS receiver

[DEADorALIVE]

Well...I've picked up another gps rcvr, and I guess it's time to write another rating evaluation!  I'll start by saying this...I LOVE Garmin's products!  The 60 CSx is an upscale model from the Etrex Legend, and it's for someone who plans on using gps extensively and/or for more than just navigating the woods around the hunting club now and then.  MSRP on this unit ranges between $450 and $500, though better prices can be found without too much difficulty.  Mine is a factory refurbished unit purchased on Ebay for $293.

The 60 CSx comes preprogrammed with a base map, and has an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter built into it, like its predecessor, the 60 CS.  The enhancement of the CSx, however, is the addtion of removeable memory, via a micro SD card.  The unit comes with a 64 MB card (the CS had a fixed internal memory of 54 MB, not upgradeable) and cards are available up to 1 GB, for storing enhanced mapping data, points of interest, routes, tracks, etc...

With enhanced mapping data downloaded to the card, the CSx can auto-route you to your destination using user-programmable preferences...shortest distance, shortest time, on or off road, and type/size of road determined by vehicle type.  Turn by turn instructions and prompts, user-programmable color and sound schemes, bird's eye or road level views all let you reach your destination with confidence.

As with the other Garmin models I've had experience with, the 60 CSx features a trip computer with user-programmable data fields, track-back to enable to retrace your steps, other useful things like the calculator, area calculator, solunar tables, sunrise/sunset times, and a stopwatch.  In addition, the color screen, the altimeter and compass, the expandable/removeable memory, and the speed with with the antenna locates and locks the satellites make the 60 CSx a great unit for use both in the field and in the vehicle, whether you're hunting, fishing, or geocaching. 

[DEADorALIVE]

Update:  I love this unit more every time I power it up!  The enhanced mapping detail I downloaded into it shows back roads even the wildlife has forgotten about!!!  My map cd is Garmin's MapSource Roads and Recreation...very selectable maps, user friendly, and highly detailed.  Unfortunately, R & R was discontinued in 2004, and now only used cd's are available...but they're inexpensive, especially compared to other MapSource products, the all but the newest roads or changes to roads are depicted.  The only drawback to the R & R is that as an older product, it's not fully compatible with the routing feature in Garmin's high end GPSr's.  This was explained to me in detail in a phone call to Garmin last week...you need CityNavigator or one of the Metro series discs to be able to fully exploit the routing feature, but the R & R is working great for my needs and the whole setup so far has exceeded all my expectations.

Oh, and with regards to the phone call to Garmin's tech support...Larry was very friendly, super helpful, and knowledgable about Garmin's products.  The wait to get him on the line was only about 10 minutes, and he was able to answer technical and practical use questions about the R & R cd and two different Garmin units accurately and without hesitation, so I'll have to give their customer service and support 2 big thumbs up, also!
  

[MagicOPromotion]

Great write up.  Im a GPS geek myself and Ive been happy with my little 76CSX on the bike, but I geocache as well and I prefer a handheld unit.  I love the idea of weather radar view though, thats fantastic
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[DEADorALIVE]

My Dad has a 76 CS...great unit!  The only thing I'd have done differently in its' design would be to put the screen over the controls, rather than the other way around.  When I've used it for geocaching, my hands impede clear view of the screen...on a bike, though, I bet it IS a good, solid unit!