+TioTony Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 I currently have a very old Garmin. It just says GPS 12 on it. I had the manual but can't locate it currently. I have been using it for at least 8 years and it has always served me well. I recently started geocaching with my daughters and my current GPS works fine except I have to manually input the cache locations. I would like to find a unit that has the following features as I also do a lot of hiking: Altimeter Compass USB connection 20 MB+ of memory After reading a lot of the recent postings it looks like many of the current Garmin GPSr models are not as accurate as the older models but the Magellan models are dead on. Garmin has the features I like but I cannot find a Magellan unit with a good altimeter and compass. Here are the units I have narrowed my search to. ANy advice you can give me to make my decision would be helpful: Magellan eXplorist XL Magellan eXplorist 210 Garmin eTrex Vista Cx Garmin GPSMAP 60csx I don't mind spending a little more if the unit can do everything I want. Any other suggestions are welcome as well. Thanks for your help, Tony Quote Link to comment
+embra Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 Did you consider the Explorist 600? I temper my Magellan recommendations these days with the caveat that customer/tech support has gone downhill over the past few years, with firmware upgrades being infrequent. I still think the hardware is of the good bang for buck. I'd be inclined to go with the 60csx over the 600. However, the 600 does have a 3-axis compass, while the 60csx is only 2-axis. Quote Link to comment
+TioTony Posted September 11, 2006 Author Share Posted September 11, 2006 Did you consider the Explorist 600? I temper my Magellan recommendations these days with the caveat that customer/tech support has gone downhill over the past few years, with firmware upgrades being infrequent. I still think the hardware is of the good bang for buck. I'd be inclined to go with the 60csx over the 600. However, the 600 does have a 3-axis compass, while the 60csx is only 2-axis. Thanks for the info. I took a look at the Explorist 600. I also spent some time this afternoon reading the manuals of several models. It looks like the 60csx has both the barometric altimeter and the GPS elevation. I'm leaning towards this model after the additional reading. I do see a lot of people complaining about the re-calibration but after reading the manual it doesn't look like it's a terrible task to repeat. The 600 also looks very nice. Based on my past experience with Garmin and your comments about Magellan I have really been pushed to the 60csx. They are also reasonably priced at several places online plus you get the $50 rebate. It seems like a clear choice to me now. Anyone have any comments about the 60CSx to change my mind? Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 The 60CSX is hard to beat. I know quite a few geocachers who have one and every one is thrilled with it. Its on the top of my to buy list. Quote Link to comment
+bengtb Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 The eXplorist 210 is an excellent device, especially considering price/performance. Though this device has only the GPS-based altimeter and compass. The compass only works when moving and the altimeter is very inexact. If these things bother you, get another device. Quote Link to comment
+TioTony Posted September 12, 2006 Author Share Posted September 12, 2006 Thanks to those of you that replied. The 60CSx is on it's way to my place. I think I'm going to be happy with it. Quote Link to comment
adampierson Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 Good choice... I've heard good reviews of that unit. I personally perfer Magellen.. but for anyone who stumbles on this thread looking for advice, I'd just like to add... All GPSes have a compass capabilities, however for most of them you need to be moving for them to work. If you don't mind buying a decent compass you'll probably save yourself some money rather than paying for one an electronic version that works while you standing still (2/3 Axis). USB Connection? Most new units will have them, this is the future, RS-232 are dying out. Memory... this is a tricky one... because this is for maps and many factors come into play with this because some cities/areas have more info than others. If you live in a place like California, 22MB will quickly be gobbled up if you try loading the entire Los Angeles/Orange County/Ventura Area. For this, you should talk to someone who lives in your area that has the unit you are interested in. See how much they can load and what you realistically use. Quote Link to comment
+team5150 Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 I will cast my vote for the 60CSx. I have had mine for a while, having upgraded from a Legend to a Vista Cx to the 60 CSx, and I love it!! The satellite reception is fantastic, I can cold start it and get 7-10 sats in less than a minute in my downstairs concrete garage, under the house, inside my Durango. The older ones semed like they could barely keep a lock while traveling down the highway. I find have found it very easy to use right from the start. I like the placement of the buttons on the front, rather than on the side of the case. I like the expandabilty of the unit with the micro sd card. Long story short (ok semi short ) I like the 60 CSx! Quote Link to comment
beautyisgod Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 Thanks to those of you that replied. The 60CSx is on it's way to my place. I think I'm going to be happy with it. I think you make a good decision. I have that one as well...the thing that is going to make you cry is to pay up lots of $$$ for the softwares!!!! Quote Link to comment
bueller44 Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 Thanks to those of you that replied. The 60CSx is on it's way to my place. I think I'm going to be happy with it. Ok, so where did you purchase it from and what did you end up paying? I am also shopping and find the prices vary so much from place to place. Thanks Quote Link to comment
moonpup Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 (edited) I buy all my units from gpsnow.com and have never had any problems and always great service. Amazon is a good deal as well when they offer the $30 off with a new credit card deal, but I hate plastic LOL update- i just noticed that gpsonsale.com has it for $369 Edited September 14, 2006 by moonpup Quote Link to comment
+egami Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 (edited) If you don't go through Amazon.com or Buy.com beware of shipping costs. gpsonsale.com and other similar sites tend to ding you for shipping significantly. This thread has related info. for Buy.com was the best price I found: http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php...=141928&hl= Basically, you could get $50 off through Garmin, $30 off signing up for their credit card (simply purchase, pay it off and cancel it and $15 off for first time customer at Buy.com. Not a bad way to save $95. A little work, but it gets you a 60CSx under $300. Edited September 14, 2006 by egami Quote Link to comment
+TioTony Posted September 25, 2006 Author Share Posted September 25, 2006 I ordered it from Amazon for $399 and mailed in the $50 from Garmin. I got free shipping so it will be $349 which I felt was more than far. I've taken it out a few times now, loaded it up with hundreds of caches using EasyGPS, and overall I love it. It works great! I don't plan to buy much additional software so I'm not worried about those costs, it does what I want. I may buy some topos at some point for specific areas but it is likely I won't spend much. Here are some pics of the old one and the new one: Quote Link to comment
carpetking Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 We have an explorist 210 and love the unit. It does everything we need. It gives us the ability to find every Cache we need. It even downloads a region about 150 miles by 150 miles. So, we are very happy with it! Quote Link to comment
beautyisgod Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 Thanks to those of you that replied. The 60CSx is on it's way to my place. I think I'm going to be happy with it. hey with your gps pictures and the coordinates...I have determined that your location is at Anaheim, California and your address is perhaps 20440 Elm Hill Lane!!! lol is this amazing or what? hahaa Quote Link to comment
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