gallet

I'd replace the 76CSx with a Vista HCx, However if you are deciding between the 60CSx and the 76CSx then I'd go with the 76CSx even though I haven't tried it because the buttons and the button layout on the 60CSx is rubbish.

Can't speak for the Colorado, have you used a 60CSx? You'll need to to see if you like the buttons because while it looks better to use it isn't really. I used to have a Vista and the Vista HCx has improved buttons. more info here... http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=180349

@'Lodogg2221 So barring the text entry which doesnt matter much to me, which one is the better of the two, The 60CSx or the Vista HCx? "better" at what? Signal reception under difficult circumstances: Equal (although the HCx might have the edge but if it does it's negligible. Price: HCx is better. If they were the same price which would you guys get? I'd get the HCx. Would it matter what direction they were mounted, like on a bike? Not really, the quad helix 60CSx supposedly works better vertical and the HCx patch, horizontal. But in the real world it doesn't matter. The HCx works just as well upright and upside down as it does horizontal. Seems the 60 has better low speed, though I see someone advertising the latest release of the HCx, that supposedly fixes all the bugs...but since Ive not read of it here, Im sceptical. Remember that even though there is supposed to be some inaccuracy with the distance shown on the odometer, the downloaded track has the correct distance settings. To most people it is not an issue at all that the HCx cannot register a speed under 1 mph. This has not been fixed in the latest firmware 2.50 I agonised for months over whether to get an HCx or a 60CSx and while I thought the buttons on the 60CSx would be better and more comfortable I still figured that the HCx was better because it is so much more compact without losing anything for it. Do not underestimate how dull the 60CSx screen is. I was using one inside the house recently with the backlight on full an my hand was still casting a shadow on the backlit screen! After I got my HCx I still used to wonder how much better the buttons would be on the 60CSx and if I made the right decision. I only had a small doubt but a doubt nevertheless. A couple of months later I had the opportunity to use a 60CSx and I almost laughed out loud when I realised that the buttons were not better and easier to use, in fact they were worse. Which removed any doubt. I keep picking up the 60CSx and try to use it but the more I use it the worse it seems. I have no doubt that the next generation 60CSx (whatever it will be called) will have improved buttons and a better screen.

So what is meant by a transparent map?

I pointed out recently in a different thread how badly designed the buttons were on the 60CSx I mentioned that even though it has dedicated buttons it's in fact more work because when typing an address in one needs to scroll around the keyboard and press 'enter' at every letter. On the HCx this is a one thumb one hand operation however with the 60CSx the thumb needs to come off the rocker and on to the enter button and back to the rocker after every letter entry. A much more laborious process. However I was told that these units are used with one thumb on the rocker and one on the 'enter' button, but when I tried that I realised it doesn't really work because the buttons are too close. The worst thing about the rocker is that there is no tactile 'click' feedback like a normal micro switch. Because of this you need to press down on the rocker with more pressure to be sure you are pressing enough. The eTrex rocker has been subtly evolving over the years and it appears to be pretty reliable although it does *seem* flimsy but in reality it isn't.

Definitely send it back and wait. It's obvious that there will be a replacement for the 60 series because after the eTrex line introduced the Media Tek chipset which completely nullified the (formerly) superior SiRFSTAR III, one needed to take other factors into consideration. For example if you aren't getting any better reception why would you want such a bulky unit. If the screen resolution and brightness of the 60CSx is poor compared to the etrex, what's the point of a slightly bigger screen. Maybe you should pop into a store and play around with a Vista HCx, you might be surprised.

If wasn't until after I got my first gps that I realised one of the most frustrating conundrums regarding motorbiking was solved. Now when we ride to a bushwalking spot we can put our helmets and jackets inside a big black garbage bag and hide it somewhere nearby, yet difficult to stumble upon.

I understand that for more than one Garmin Map to be visible they need to be loaded to the card together. But I was wondering if an SD card is already loaded with a non garmin transparent topo map like the OZtopo Tracks4Australia maps, and then the garmin folder with the .img map file is copied to the sd card, will both be visible on the unit at the same time?

Then for you the constant would be daily. I believe you missed the point, if your batteries die in your GPSr, you have no compass. A magnetic stand alone compass does not require a battery. Proper user calibration of the GPSMAP60CSX will only get you: The point you would want to throw away a compass. First thing to say is that if cost is a concern, why do not you consider purchasing a Vista HCx (or Legend if you don't want a compass). Is there any reason why you prefer the 60CSx? Will you be using a serial port or external antenna? Probably not. Have you tried using the rocker and buttons on the 60CSx to see how badly designed they are? Do you realise how dull the screen is on the 60? it's as bright at 100% as the HCx is on 20%. If you are concerned about batteries the HCx goes for at least 60% longer. Also note that the HCx in fact uses no extra battery power anyway. Check this out. Notice that it is in fact the backlight that causes massive drain on the batteries and the 60CSx needs it's backlight on 100% whereas the Vista HCx is much brighter than that on 30% so you can see there are hidden variables that impact battery life you should be thinking about rather than the non existent battery drain. If you really MUST have 1% accuracy or you will get into serious trouble in the bush then you should be carrying a backup compass anyway. But for the way most users use the compass, (which is to get a reasonable idea what direction the cache is when they are not moving), the fluxgate compass is more than adequate because they are not trying to walk miles along a compass line, usually you are using the compass fairly close and if you are walking at an angle to the cache it will eventually automatically correct itself.

I will be doing a comparison test within a week between the Invisible Sheild and the Boxwave shield. Stay tuned.

@'fratermus I'm really curious how the 'rocker' and 'enter' buttons are used in the real world. For example when entering addresses, do you use a digit of one hand to operate the 'rocker' and a digit on the other hand to operate the 'enter' button, or do you support the unit more firmly in your left hand and use a single digit on the other hand to operate both the 'rocker' and the 'enter' button?

@TechnoRanger9000, Why do you want the 60CSx instead of say the Vista HCx, what is your reasoning?

This is true, in fact I bought one for $280 recently, however you can get an eTrex Vista HCx for $210 which leaves plenty of change for some decent mapping. And the Vista is a better unit than the 60CSx which is unnecessarily bulky with badly designed buttons and a very dull screen.

I buy lots of gps from ebay and have been very happy with the service. I've used these people http://stores.ebay.com/AFRIEL-LLC for all my purchases and they have been efficient and easy to deal with.

There's been a few threads pointing out the new SW 2.40 firmware for the chipset. What we know so far... •Earlier units that had the SW 2.30 firmware will not update to 2.40 (note this is the SW firmware NOT the 'Software Version') •It is not a solution to the already documented problems with regard to the track log and low speed logging. I've done a small informal test between a 2.30 HCx and the new 2.40 HCx chipset firmware. Not an exhaustive scientific test but I'll publish what I've found anyway and if anyone else manages to do more extensive testing perhaps they could publish it here. Both units were left out for a while to make sure they were tracking the same satellites, they were both getting good reception and accuracy of 3 metres. Holding them both and walking slowly, the SW 2.40 version would record speeds as low as 1.6kph whereas the SW 2.30 version as we all know started recording only when the speed was over 3kph. Nevertheless when walking faster, about 4 kph, the SW 2.30 version would record that I had stopped moving before the 2.40 version would that is, it appeared to be a bit snappier. Also after walking about 50 metres down the road from a marked waypoint, both units showed that I was 50 metres away but when I started walking towards the waypoint at a few kph, the new SW 2.40 started counting down the distance immediately but the older SW 2.30 stayed at 50 metres for quite a while before it eventually corrected itself. So far my impressions are that there has been some tweaking but I can't tell yet if it is better or worse, it's definitely different.

I've been meaning to ask about this for a while. What buttons do you need to operate while driving?

The Summit HC has extremely poor battery life of 14hours. If I were you I'd try and afford an extra $50 and get the Vista HCx.

You ask why it's so hard to make a compass that works then you ask for instructions on how to use it! I have checked out the electronic compass on about half a dozen HCx's and 60CSx's and they all have worked just as they are supposed to. Generally when checked against a Silva compass I've found the fluxgate compasses to be within a few degrees of the Silva. Perfectly adequate for the job it is meant to do.

Why don't you test it yourself to see how accurate it is? Use www.maps.google to find a road interdection near you, click the intersection to centre it and big it up, grab the coordinates then check it with your gps.

I haven't done any extensive testing but the new one still does not register slow speeds. http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=179457

The obvious comment is 'have you considered the Vista HCx' far less useless bulk and a superior screen.

Sadley i can confirm that it is still unable to register slow speeds.

Makes no difference to battery life on the HCx. Tip: Download the 60CSx users manual for more detailed explanations of functions. Although button layout is different, the functions are the same.

Go to the Main Menu > Setup, select 'System' then press the submenu button (left side) and select 'Software Version'