MarilynB Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 Hello, my first post and my first question... I have been scouring this site and am still confused on which hand held to get, I am torn between a Explorist 500 and a Garmin 60csx Now I know there is a big difference between the two in price especially after I get all the options for each. Here are my uses, hiking/backpacking, bike riding and general exploring. I also would like something to place in the car when I go on longer trips occasionally. It seems the 500 is a good compromise on price and features, the 60csx I can afford but I wonder if it is to much for my first hand held??? I liked the explorist 300 but I want something that I can also hook up to my computer and have updates done 300 is not capable of this nor does it have and external memory (SD). So I know this may have been covered before so forgive me for the redundancy but just looking for something for basic hiking and navigation and also a decent (not perfect) auto GPS but with the ability to put in updates through external memory or USB and can use a cigarette adapter. Peace Quote Link to comment
+CheshireFrog Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 I have been scouring this site and am still confused on which hand held to get, I am torn between a Explorist 500 and a Garmin 60csx Flip a coin, they're both great units. I do have an observation, though: If you thing the Explorist 500 is a good choice for you, then look at the Garmin 60Cx instead of the 60CSx. The 60 Cx is a closer match to the features of the Explorist 500. Quote Link to comment
MarilynB Posted January 28, 2007 Author Share Posted January 28, 2007 Thanks, the only thing that is holding me back on the Garmin side is that they seem to nickel and dime you on options... Is this a bad observation on my part? Quote Link to comment
Team Sidewinder Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 Learn from my mistakes little grasshopper. Buy the most gpsr you can afford. That way when you have been using your gpsr for awhile you won't feel the need to upgrade to one with more features because you will already have them. IMHO Quote Link to comment
MarilynB Posted January 28, 2007 Author Share Posted January 28, 2007 ok, thanks that is a good point...then I am back to my origianl question the 60cx or the Explorist 500 ??? This is so confusing Quote Link to comment
+DIVERED Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 WELL I USED BOTH AND I THINK THAT THE MAPSEND SOFTWARE ON THE 500 IS WAY BETTER THAT THE GARMIN BUT THAT IS MY FEELING ABOUT IT HOPE THIS HELPS Quote Link to comment
MarilynB Posted January 28, 2007 Author Share Posted January 28, 2007 can you get a rechargeable battery pack for the 60csx?? I don;t think so but want to be sure. It would be nice to be able to just plug the unit into the wall and charge it. Quote Link to comment
Team Sidewinder Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 I can only add that the great Garmin customer support has been a big part of my decision to buy Garmin products. You may never need it and THEN maybe you will. Quote Link to comment
MarilynB Posted January 28, 2007 Author Share Posted January 28, 2007 (edited) I can only add that the great Garmin customer support has been a big part of my decision to buy Garmin products. You may never need it and THEN maybe you will. yes I have seen comments as your on this site a lot! Edited January 28, 2007 by MarilynB Quote Link to comment
+Cardinal Red Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 can you get a rechargeable battery pack for the 60csx?? I don;t think so but want to be sure. It would be nice to be able to just plug the unit into the wall and charge it. The entire 60 family of Garmin GPS receivers uses "AA" size batteries. That seems to be the standard across the entire Garmin handheld line (I personally have only owned 60's, 76's and a Legend. All "AA"). Of course there are standard dry cell and rechargeable "AA" batteries. All will work (although one special high energy type you might have to take the peak charge off with a flashlight first). But there is no provision to recharge in the unit. I usually just removed them and replace with fresh batteries (and recharge later in bulk for my next outing). Quote Link to comment
MtnHermit Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 I have been scouring this site and am still confused on which hand held to get, I am torn between a Explorist 500 and a Garmin 60csx Get Two!!! Any of the handheld units are a poor choice for car use, no voice and have to add maps at extra cost. Consider a small handheld with excellent battery life for your hiking needs. For the car, get one with built in maps, voice, plugs in/no batteries, big screen. At todays prices, you can get excellent units for $200 each. Hermit Quote Link to comment
+Crpnter1 Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 I started out with the EX 300 and upgraded to the 600 for the connectivity. My personal choice would be the 500 except that I love the electronic compass that the 600 has, which means that the needle will point you in the right direction even if you're standing still. I've seen the 600 online for as "little" as $299.00 on a few sites. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment
raybonz Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 ok, thanks that is a good point...then I am back to my origianl question the 60cx or the Explorist 500 ??? This is so confusing Hi Marilyn, I own both brands and I have to say I am a Garmin fan. The one big advantage that Garmin has is their superior tech support. Try giving them both a toll free call and ask questions about what you need and you'll see what I'm talking about. As far as I'm concerned tech support from the Phillipines or India stinks! At Garmin you get an american and lemme tell you it is MUCH better! My car gps is Garmin and it works well plus Garmin allows you to install that mapping software on one more compatible garmin gps. Try that with Magellan! Mapping software is expensive too plus Navteq is the best in usa. Good Luck, Ray Quote Link to comment
raybonz Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 can you get a rechargeable battery pack for the 60csx?? I don;t think so but want to be sure. It would be nice to be able to just plug the unit into the wall and charge it. My advice here is to buy inexpensive Nimh batteries with a charger and get 2 sets so you have a spare set. I do this with my digital camera. A cigarette lighter adapter is a good idea for your car so you need no batteries for driving. Ray Quote Link to comment
MarilynB Posted January 28, 2007 Author Share Posted January 28, 2007 Yes customer support with a language you can understand is a good point...I do hope that I don't have to call customer support very often The Nimh is a good idea I have to do that with a voice recorder I use I was just hoping that Garmin had the option to just plug in the unit and charge. I do think the answer to get 2 units is correct, one for the car and one for personal use..... Can someone answer this question... I read many comments about being able to read the compass even when standing still... Yes please laugh at my ignorance...but I would think I would be standing still when checking the compass always...unless driving.... Quote Link to comment
MtnHermit Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 I read many comments about being able to read the compass even when standing still... Yes please laugh at my ignorance...but I would think I would be standing still when checking the compass always...unless driving.... In units w/o a compass chip, the GPSr needs two recent satellite fixes to figure out direction, from that it can determine North. On the other hand, the compass chip senses earth's weak magnetic field to determine north, just like a classic floating needle compass. It can be affected by metal/magnetic objects, the satellite type cannot but have other gotchas. Pick your poison. Hermit Quote Link to comment
+Rockin Roddy Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 (edited) I have the 500LE it's great!! Now, I haven't had the Garmin 60cx, so I can't compare as to which is better, so I am biased!! I did own the etrex, it was OK, but lost signal if the wind blew. The 500 can be plugged into my car, it will do turn by turn (with the software purchased separately) directions in the car. I have both the rechargeable battery and the battery tray, so I can use the AAAs if I need to, I have yet to use the battery past half way though, and we did a full day of caching and mapping to and from destination!! Plugging the unit into the car adapter recharges it while powering the unit!! I have yet to lose signal while caching even in the roughest of areas! We even took it into the local Lowe's store...never lost signal at all! Mine seems very reliable, someone was complaining in another thread that their unit seemed off because they were always something like 40'+ away from the cache...I find that I'm usually about 10'-15' from the container...not always, sometimes the Garmin etrex is closer, but I chalk that up to the cache being hidden using a Garmin!?! PRICES OF MAPS ETC..... Mapping software is not cheap!!! The Mapsend Topo 3D USA is regularly $150, I bought the unit with a coupon for that map software...$10!! Very good detail on the maps, very easy to download regions onto the unit or SD card...it even adds the phone numbers to all the businesses or POIs on the maps!! Car adapter............................$20 Battery and home charger.......$20 (if I remember correctly) I have yet to have a problem with the unit and hope to never have, this unit has been very reliable so far, and very accurate!! edit to add: you must use the computer cord to hook up to the car or wall adapters. It seems like it cold be a pain, but it isn't too bad so far. Buy a second computer cord and keep one in the car would work, I take mine back and forth! Edited January 28, 2007 by Rockin Roddy Quote Link to comment
MarilynB Posted January 28, 2007 Author Share Posted January 28, 2007 Ok, so I decided to go with the Explorist 500 (not LE) since it was a good compromise on price and features. It came with Mapsend Direct DVD and I plan to buy the topo map software.....soooo How much memory (SD card) should I get to store both on the unit, I travel with work quite a bit and want to have everything already on the unit? Thanks much Quote Link to comment
MtnHermit Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 How much memory (SD card) should I get to store both on the unit, I travel with work quite a bit and want to have everything already on the unit? By all means get a 2GB card, very cheap, ~$20. If the 500 allows bigger, I doubt it, go for 4GB, also cheap. Here's a link for price shopping. Hermit Quote Link to comment
MarilynB Posted January 29, 2007 Author Share Posted January 29, 2007 Thanks, does anyone know what the max memory limit (SD Card) is allowed for the 500?? I can;t seem to find that listed anywhere?? Quote Link to comment
MarilynB Posted January 29, 2007 Author Share Posted January 29, 2007 Actually found my answer here http://www.magellangps.com/support/faqdeta...amp;prodid=1072 So 2 gig "should work" LOL Quote Link to comment
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