albertkircher

Now got the Garmin 60CSx Previously I used the Magellan 320

Hi, I'm gonna get a 1 Gb microSD (=Transflash) card for my Garmin 60csx this week, it was around 65$. Bought it from a Webshop in Sweden, but there are many shops offering it. AK

Route point names on map screen (60CSX) Maybe someone out there can help me: When I activate a route on the 60CSx and show it on the map page, there are all the names of the route points displayed. This clutters the view of the map, as the names may be long, and thus they hide map details. Is there any way to hide the route point names in the map screen? I think I tried all the options in the map setup, but they are still there. The route was created with MapSource. Thanks! Albert

Route point names on map screen (60CSX) Maybe someone out there can help me: When I activate a route on the 60CSx and show it on the map page, there are all the names of the route points displayed. This clutters the view of the map, as the names may be long, and thus they hide map details. Is there any way to hide the route point names in the map screen? I think I tried all the options in the map setup, but they are still there. The route was created with MapSource. Thanks! Albert

Hi, I have the CSX, and the electronic compass is of good use only if you are standing still. If you move, the "other" compass will work better, since it is not sensitive to horizontality of the gps unit (the electronic compass is quite sensitive, hold the gps unit somehow not flat, and the electronic compass is not accurate anymore). Furthermore, as another user wrote, the electronic compass needs a lot of battery. I would urge all gps users to always have a normal small magnetic compass with them anyway, just in case the gps will not work. As for the altimeter (barometer): The altimeter use of the barometric sensor is not really a great advantage, the gps altimeter is more than enough. Additionally, the barometric sensor is almost useless for weather observations, as it only records pressure when the gps is on. To make weather observations a longer recording time is needed. Ok, if you have had the gps on for several hours, you can estimate the weather by checking the pressure trend in the last 4-6 hours, but a longer time frame would be better. Theoretically plotting altitude profiles is possible as well with the normal gps altimeter (not the barometric), but garmin decided not to put this feature in the csx, well maybe a firmware update would help..

What about this alarm clock??? I mean, when I am out there somewhere, I always have a mobile phone and a watch with me, and both have alarm clock. Do I need a 3rd alarm clock? By the way, the beeper of the 60CSX has far too low volume to wake up anyone. Anyway, the 60CSX is great!

Seems there are a lot of advanced 60CSX users out there! Here my questions around the 60CSX: 1) What is exactly the difference between battery saver mode and normal mode? 2) In my gps the option "Sight 'n go" in the compass page is never highlighted (I cannot select it) - why?? Thankx if someone can help me!

Magellan 315 Hi, I have used the magellan 320 (which is the same as the 315, but with marine database) for 4 years. The unit is fine, pretty rugged. The problems I had: it needs a lot of batteries (8 hours if you are lucky) with NiMH. Be careful with the firmware update, I had 3.14, tried to install 3.15, and it killed my GPS!! At Magellan support they say it's better to get a new unit, would be more expensive to repair it... Summary: 315-320 are nice units, and you can get them used (eBay or such) for less than 40 $. Greetings, AK

Hi, If you are out in the woods, rainy day, harsh environment, etc.. you will not want to have a PDA with you, it is just not made for harsh environments. Dedicated GPS units (be it Garmins 60, Magellans exporists, even Silvas or whatever you want) are much better in these situations since they are sealed and offer a certain degree of protection against water. If you use the units in you car, in cities, travelling, etc (thus in clean and safe environments) a PDA is a good choice. Summary: Harsh environment: dedicated GPS Normal environment: dedicated GPS or PDA Bye, AK

Hi, It is very important when you calibrate an electronic compass that you are in an area without (electro)magnetic sources. Being inside your house may disturb the calibration process, as there are electromagnetic sources everywhere. Try to calibrate being outside, but not close the power lines, cars, big metallic structures, etc. Second thing to observe: the orientation of the device, in your case horizontally. If you don't observe this it won't calibrate. Try to ask a buddy who has as well a unit with electronic compass to do the calibration with you (both units together), if it works for one unit and not for the second then it's a setting problem or you really have to get it repaired. Greetings, AK

AA NiMH vs. alkaline vs. Lithium Having used different electronic gear for some years now, I reccomend the following: 1) NiMH rechargeable batteries as standard, in the long run the chapest solution. The charger should not charge too fast, since the batteries will get hot and the lifetime will be reduced. Get yourself 2 sets of NiMH and a good overnight charger, then you will be able to use the batteries even for some years. 15 minute chargers tend to reduce the lifetime of the NiMH batteries. 2) Simple (cheap) alkaline batteries if you are out somewhere without possibility to recharge the NiMH batteries. 3) Lithium batteries only if you are out on a trip in very cold conditions. For example a dogsledge tour in northern Sweden, or winter camping in cold Canada. In my opinion this is the only area where Lithium cells are appropriate. Greetings, AK