lucia152

I would love to hear feedback on how it goes with your 66 after using it for a bit, especially since you have the 60CSX and 62S to compare it to. I'm ready to give the 66 another try in the spring for next year's caching season if I continue to hear good things and Garmin continues with the updates.

Your first two sentences is the deal breaker for me. I had mine crash at least twice while I was searching the map for caches while a passenger in the car. I use it A LOT in that type of situation (my muggle husband drives and I look ahead to our next combo rest stop/caching opportunity), so I need it to function properly. I was really hoping that the updates solved the majority of the problems, but if it still crashes/freezes when traveling in a car, it's a no go for me.

What bugs are you noticing now that you have upgraded to 3.10? I was so disgusted with the original release I returned it, but am hoping that with time and updates it will be worth giving it another go. Are the elevation readings still way off?

I've been less than impressed with the feedback I have received from Garmin. When I first ran into problems, the Garmin rep I had an on line chat with said that he would keep me posted on any other reports similar to mine and any updated info, etc. Needless to say, never heard another word from him. On January 14 I sent Garmin Support the following email: "I purchased this unit when it was first released. I returned it because of MAJOR issues with it, including screen freeze requiring removal of batteries and the unit shutting off on it's own. I am hoping to repurchase when and if the bugs I experienced have been identified and resolved. Have there been any SIGNIFICANT updates since it's release?" This was the LAME response I got in reply: "Hello Lucia. Thank you for contacting Garmin Outdoor Division. I am sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience with your GPSMAP 66st. In looking over your account, the issues you experienced are not the norm and extremely rare. While Garmin cannot guarantee every device will be problem free, please know that all Garmin products have a 1 year warranty from the date of purchase as well as a 30 day money back. Thank you for choosing Garmin."

This part of _Art_'s post had me thinking. When I experienced the screen freezing (at least twice), it was while I was a passenger in a moving car. While I don't normally use my handheld for highway navigating, I do zoom in and out of the map, back and forth between different screens (cache descriptions, POIs), planning stops for further down the road. I'm now wondering if the GPSMap 66 is somehow struggling when under more rapid fire conditions than when on foot. Opinions?

My biggest concern with rechargeables is using them and carrying them around in cold temperatures. I am in northern Minnesota and it can get pretty cold (sub zeros at a constant). I like lithiums because they handle the colder temperatures better than alkalines and the rechargeables that I am most familiar with. I am not that familiar with the latest and greatest rechargeables out there, thus the reason I have always been so reluctant to go that route without lithium backups. How has everyone else fared with temps and rechargeables? Sorry to stray off course of the original topic.

I have always used lithiums in my Oregon 450 and that was the plan for the GPSMap 66. Sam's Club has great sales on the 18 packs, so I pick up a package whenever they are on sale. I carry a little battery holder with extras in my pack in case they are needed. Not sure how fast the 66 will go through lithiums compared to my Oregon 450. For me personally, even if I had the rechargeable pack, I would still carry the case of lithiums to have all my bases covered. There was one thing I did prefer about the 66 over my Oregon - removing the back cover was a heck of a lot less cumbersome. With my Oregon, the carabiner clip had to be removed to access the battery cover, not so with the GPSMap 66.

Finally! Someone else who has reported that the screen freezes!! I was beginning to think that I happened across the lemon of all lemons. The first time it happened, I was unnerved (and glad I wasn't navigating out of the woods), but figured I would give it a hard reset and another chance. When it happened again, I didn't need to see any more. I am still bitterly disappointed. Thank goodness Geoaching.com took it back, no questions asked; one heck of an expensive paperweight. As for the size - I am petite, but found it to be a nice fit in my hand. I have been using an Oregon 450 forever and while it was a different fit, it was still a nice, comfortable fit. I never got to test it over the course of a few hours of use, but think that it wouldn't be an issue. It has the same carabiner clip as my Oregon, so that made the feel even that much more familiar.

I have been trying to find posts in other forums, posted reviews, etc., to see what others are saying. I came across this video that focuses on issues when connecting your phone (via bluetooth) and app with the GPSMap66: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RA27cc_EEU

I considered replacing my aging Oregon 450 with the 64 due in large part to it's outstanding reputation, as well as pricing. I could never pull the trigger because of the small screen size and the step down in resolution. The 66 screen is gorgeous in comparison - the increased screen size and pixels made me decide that this was the unit for me. There are many reasons for the difference in price between the two units - you just need to decide if the added bells and whistles and screen size/resolution is worth the extra $$.

I am hoping to continue to hear positive reviews so that come spring I may take another leap of faith and give the unit another try. I wrote down the serial number of the one I returned in case I just happened to get a lemon; don't want to go down the same road twice. Keep the feedback coming - I'm listening!

Yup, went through Garmin Express and should be up to date, unless there has been a VERY recent update. At this point, I wouldn't feel comfortable being deep in the woods, relying on this unit, knowing that I am the bug discoverer. I would prefer to wait until spring or later and get something that has been out in the field a while. Garmin was really good at trying to work with me and have offered to keep me notified as the unit becomes more widely released and reviewed. Thanks for the update mention - much appreciated.

I have my newly purchased 66st boxed up and ready to return. Too many problems for something I rely on to navigate. I am so disappointed. I have been looking for so long for a replacement for my Oregon 450 and thought this was it. If they get the bugs worked out, I will definitely purchase it again. Great handheld but too many recurring problems. I had the screen freeze on three separate occasions. I was unable to turn off the unit; needed to remove the batteries and wait for the screen to fade; then replace the batteries and power it back on. I also had it turn off on it's own while in use. I finally did a hard reset, and while setting it up for the second time, it powered off on it's own. That was all I needed to see and made the decision enough was enough. Back it goes. I'm interested to hear if anyone else has similar experiences. I did contact Garmin, but I wasn't interested in an exchange; not until I feel confident that this unit will be reliable.