gratefulHIKE

I have had the 60 since it came out and it was a great purchase, nicely done the only maps I would recommend you getting if this is mostly a geocaching device would be topo 2008.....they have all the streets, Points of Interest and topographically lines all in one package........the mapset just doesnt do autorouting which I dont think is a huuuge deal you would also need to buy a microSD card to install the maps on here are two links to products you would need: http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-MapSource-Top...8/dp/B000RAASFK http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Secure-Digit...8737082-8370536 PS. dont buy the mapsets that do not include the cd because they are preinstalled on the memory cards

and people were saying that about the 60 a year after that came out as well..........anyway the 300 series is the lower end models IMO, the 400 series is equivelant to the higher end 60 series, but the 300 series is still definitely nice and wiill get a bit better with future firmware updates to fix issues Most companies do the same exact thing for instance if you know something about nvidia they do the something similar, they recently released the 9600 series but about two years ago they released 8800 series which outperforms the 9600 series simply due to the model number and hardware they introduced due to the model number.......the series is mainstream and just meant to sell well Im horrible at explaining things but you should be able to decipher that in a few days

the H in Hcx stands for the newer set of antennae's garmin used, which they classify as high sensitivity

the new handheld (colorado) series from garmin are nice, but quite bulky IMO for cycling especially mountain biking. I would recommend if it fits your budget that you go with the newer 305 series, the 705. I just bought one and I use it for everything, including hiking I made a mount for my backpack strap and I barely even notice its there except when I need the data. Very nice unit, I had the 305 as well and it is soooooo much better than it, nice unit because of the heart rate monitor which I love to use when looking at the data afterward just to compare each run where I can improve

how do you know the companies dont throw kickbacks already...........and besides if it makes a product better ill gladly throw any input/output I have for free if in the end it benefits my recreational use of the products, im no militant beta tester

yea, its amazing how far they have come in terms of software and layout......I started out with a meridian platinum, then a 60csx then a vista hcx......now im just waiting for the 400t to drop in price a bit or wait and see if any other nice handhelds are released

yeappp

that is pretty strange, is the gps mounted in a single spot? or do you just place it on the seat/dash?

the difference is durability and conformity to your hand in a "handheld" unit, although most nuvi's are ipx7 just like handhelds they are strictly touch screen really the most bang for your buck without the software is the vista HCX and if you want the software with turn by turn then you have to go with "city navigator" if you just want all the streets and Points of Interest, and find your own way then go with topo 2008 I have the vista hcx and my 60csx loaded with the same topo 2008 cd, once you purchase city navigator it can only be loaded onto one unit....and that's it the screen is fine in most conditions, if there is an issue its not hard to move the unit....but I have not come across many conditions that manipulated the screen that badly garmin vs magellan is mostly a debate about drivers and software, just like nvidia vs ati..........most have equal hardware but i believe garmin offers more when all things are considered

if money is no object then get the 400t........they might have bugs but im guessing by august some of the majors will be worked out that is the unit I would buy if I had the money.......also I own the 60csx and vista hcx which are nice units, if you were looking at one of those I would choose the vista hcx because of the battery usage and size

the vista will do the job without a doubt, I own a 60csx and a vista hcx, use both frequenty and they are definitely equals imo.....the colorado series is nice but unproven so far with its bugs, but they will be awsem once the price drops and they get good firmware released as for the pre loaded microsd vs the dvd.....its better to buy the DVD, most choose that path because you can reinstall whenever you want just go grab a 2gb microsd card from somewhere and your good to go once you install the software its pretty simple

I dont know much about the nuvi, but its interesting for a car unit....It would seem that most people enjoy using the topo maps with it for some reason other than the fact that the maps are not capable of autorouting, which I would think is the sole reason for having a nuvi in the first place (simply routing a car around).....if you havent read much elsewhere go here for more info http://www.poi-factory.com/node/6867

I think that is quite interesting, im really not sure what the applications are though. Are you talking strictly places to pull up with a telescope? Things visible with the naked eye? Or both intersting idea though

its not a bad deal.........especially if this is your first handheld you are trying to buy

if you are talking pirated software, we dont support it I think the best software out there though is topo 2008 for the money, it has plenty of street names and what not

in all honesty I think the lithium cell is a much better option, I mean seriously how long are your bike rides?!? more than 12 hours? you cant beat being able to recharge through usb, a standard wall outlet or your car no longer needing to swap out batteries I have the edge 305 as well as a 60csx and a vista hcx, I prefer a standard small and sleek for my bike due to vibration and everything else thrown at it...........not like the screen is that hard to read Ive tested the 705 and I like the resolution and the colors as well as the easy push buttons on the front as opposed to the dial while riding I use my 305 mostly for interpreting data anyway for measuring where I slowed down so I can note that for next time

the csx is a good bargain, just get it.......they have identical 256bit tft color displays

I use to think there was none, but now its obvious how useful autorouting is with CN metroguide is old anyway, I would get the newest topo maps that have the same amount of road information

everyone uses different gps's to hide the caches........each gps is unique even those from the same company, the accuracies are relatively close but they do vary and the fixed altimeter is a onetime reading for most, I think if there isnt a storm brewing and if you set the altitude and the pressure reads correctly there is no problem using it, I favor the barometric readings actually they are quite useful

its a pain in the arse........just get two microsd cards

might not be a bad option to add though......it would be useful to have steepness layouts before you are going to take the trail plus people are still talking about it on here.....and I didnt mean anything bad about my 3rd grade math comment sorry that it looked to be in a condescending manor

if you are planning a route for you and others just use the scaled topo maps to estimate the angles and hike through when you are done to make sure (Hiking isnt that bad ;p) it goes up x amount of feet over x amount of distance....its 3rd grade math and you can print the maps out for others to use at the site with big ole circles or X's on those hills

I would always think that is how they release newer electronics......is by making the hardware itself function well together, then periodically releasing firmware to make the hardware itself function more efficiently isnt that how it is always done? or why else would firmware even be around?????!???!?

just be patient....jebus, they know the issues and the order to address them, they aren't an incompetent company...its rough buying a piece of goods that just came out sometimes you just have to ride the tide until it comes back to shore they can only write and test firmware so quickly.....but atleast the units are released and in your hands

if I had the cash right now I would grab the 400t as well............might as well become familiar with the unit while firmware updates are being released