I just got my 60csx, and am loving it.
1. I'm still on my first set of batteries, but I did a 9 hour session last weekend, and only dropped 1 bar, and this is after playing with it for a couple of weeks. I'm using standard Duracell batteries.
2. I haven't found much that I don't like. I with the SD card slot was in a different location.
As far as the maps go. I got the Garmin Topo maps, and returned them. I realize that they are 1:100000 scale maps, but in my area, this doesn't give enough detail. I just print a topo map from either Delorme Topo USA, or One downloaded from the Internet. I load the Metroguide on the GPS. This gives me enough detail to be able to follow my progress with the printed topo map.