longs91peak

I'm currently debating between the 60CSx and an Oregon 450. My debate is about the relative performance of the 2 in canyons and steep drainages since I live in Colorado. Where can a 60CSx can be had for $200? Thanks

Where you live, it's not so much an issue. Here in Colorado in the winter, I've moved on from my trusty NiMH cells to some new (actually very old, but works now) battery chemistry called Nickel Zinc. The problem I run into here is temperature. Since NiMH cells start at a low voltage and just go lower from there, and all cells have issues with power and voltage when cold, we never get the full available power from NiMH cells here when they start to get really cold. The energy is still in there, you just can't "get it out" because the voltage drops to the point where the GPS decides it's just too low to use. The NiZn cells start at the kind of voltage you see in one-time lithium cells like the Energizer lithiums, but are rechargable. Contrary to the manufacturer's claims, they don't have any more "power" than a NiMH -- in fact, it's a bit less, but the voltage holds up really well until they finally just go over the cliff when they're discharged. Works great as a winter solution. Not all that much better than NiMH in warm climates like yours, though. One extra advantage -- since their discharge voltage profile is really flat, I don't find myself having to recalibrate my compass as I use them through the course of a day. That's an extra bennie for those with a mag compass feature like I've got, and like your 450 has. Thanks for your thoughts on batteries for cold weather use-I also live in Colorado. Can you share what brand NiZn batteries you use and your source. Does the Lacrosse charger also work for NiZn? Thanks