+ATXLawman Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 I am relatively new to the geocaching thing, but the time I have spent doing it in the last year or so, I've found to be incredibly enjoyable and addictive. I started out with an old GPSIII+ a friend gave me for free. It served it's purpose of getting me hopelessly hooked on GPSr usage, but I wanted more. Yesterday, I ordered my new 60CSx from PCNation (no tax, free shipping, out the door for $328). I am wondering now, however, if I have made a mistake and spent more than I had to when I could have most likely gotten the Vista HCx for cheaper. Have I made the right choice? Would it have been wiser to have shopped around for a deal on a Vista HCx? Are there any real differences between the two besides screen size and battery life? Those were the only 2 differences I saw from looking on Garmin's site...... Any opinions appreciated. Quote
+Sputnik 57 Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 (edited) There are some other differences that relate mostly to form. For example. button placement on the face of the 60CSx makes it easier to use when it is held in a dash mount. The 60CSx is a little larger and some would argue more rugged. The 60SCx has an external antenna jack (in case you want to pick up a Gillson external antenna). Judging by posts in the forum, no one who has the 60SCx is sorry they got it. Edit: btw, I am also a TxLawMan! Edited July 20, 2007 by Sputnik 57 Quote
+Miragee Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 There is also the "cool" factor. Around here, all the cool people have the 60CSx. When I show up with my Vista C, people say, "Gee, what a small GPSr." Quote
+fratermus Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 It will always be possible to have found a particular GPSr for less, or a different GPSs for less. I think the 60c{s}x is an exceptional device and purchasing it would not be a mistake. fm, not a tx lawman, but CHL so at least I've got a clean record. :-) Quote
+imajeep Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 The 60CSx has a larger screen, and IMHO is more durable. I've dropped mine a couple of times, with no ill effects. Plus, it has an external antenna connection for really challenging environments. I don't think you will regret paying extra for the 60CSx. Quote
+Miragee Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 The 60CSx has a larger screen, and IMHO is more durable. I've dropped mine a couple of times, with no ill effects. Plus, it has an external antenna connection for really challenging environments. I don't think you will regret paying extra for the 60CSx. I'll agree on the other points, but my Vista C is plenty durable, not that I make a habit of dropping it. However, one day after finding a challenging cache, while standing on a huge boulder to take a picture, my GPSr took a leap from my lumbar pack and fell more than 150'. When we found it several minutes later, after making our way down the narrow, winding trail, it was still on. I think all the Garmin handheld units are very durable. Quote
+kit'n'kaboodle Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 You can't go wrong with either (I used to have the Vista C now have the 60Csx). However, the 60 is far more versatile, if a bit bulky. The screen is easier on the eyes and the it's just an all around easier experience. One thing in the new Vista's favor is that the new antenna may be more sensitive than the 60Csx. I'm not sure on that point. Quote
+Chuy! Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 It's like buying a Corvette on impulse and questioning yourself that you could have bought a Mustang 'cause it's cheaper and does pretty much the same thing. That could be true, but you'll have a lot more fun in the 'vette! Quote
+zeide Posted July 21, 2007 Posted July 21, 2007 There is also the "cool" factor. Around here, all the cool people have the 60CSx. When I show up with my Vista C, people say, "Gee, what a small GPSr." "Cool People"... What makes a person cool? Zeide Quote
+Styk Posted July 21, 2007 Posted July 21, 2007 the 60 CSx has a couple of dedicated buttons..."enter", "find", "mark" and "page". If your not in a rush then they are not big advantages just makes the unit easier to use. Also the 60CSX has a bit of backlighting behind the buttons. It also has a serial port where you can feed external power without a voltage regulator and if your pda has a serial port you can transfer waypoints back and forth(in theroy, I suspect it would be brutually slow) Quote
Bikechuck Posted July 21, 2007 Posted July 21, 2007 Have I made the right choice? Would it have been wiser to have shopped around for a deal on a Vista HCx? Are there any real differences between the two besides screen size and battery life? Those were the only 2 differences I saw from looking on Garmin's site...... Any opinions appreciated. As Steven Stills would advise "Love the on you're with with". Enjoy your 60CSX, it is a marvelous device and don't worry about what else is out there. My guess is that you will be very happy with it when you begin using it. A year or two from now a bigger, better, sexier alternative will emerge, but so what. Quote
+TrailGators Posted July 21, 2007 Posted July 21, 2007 It's like buying a Corvette on impulse and questioning yourself that you could have bought a Mustang 'cause it's cheaper and does pretty much the same thing. That could be true, but you'll have a lot more fun in the 'vette! I would love to get a 'Vette! I think the OP will be very happy with the 60CSX Vette. Quote
+Renegade Knight Posted July 21, 2007 Posted July 21, 2007 It's like buying a Corvette on impulse and questioning yourself that you could have bought a Mustang 'cause it's cheaper and does pretty much the same thing. That could be true, but you'll have a lot more fun in the 'vette! I would love to get a 'Vette! I think the OP will be very happy with the 60CSX Vette. True. There is A Buick Grand National up for auction at the local auction. In it's day it was the fasted production car in North America. I was thinking this might be fun to replace my Taurus for commuting duty. (It's an 80's Boxy Commuter looking car). Then I looked up the price. I think I can get a Vette Cheaper. Quote
+ergomaniac Posted July 21, 2007 Posted July 21, 2007 I haven't seen many comments on this (yet) but there is one concern I would have regarding the HCX's. I wear my 60cx on the belt clip a good percentage of the time when I'm out hiking, fishing or geocaching. My understanding of the patch antennae on the etrex models is that it works best when held with the screen pointing "up". This is opposite to the quad helix antennae on my 60cx which is made to work best sitting upright (I suspect it was designed that way for in car auto-routing). It will be interesting to hear from some of the HCX users as to how these units perform when attached to your belt. I've had my 60cx lose it signal in some deep canyons (while on my belt) so I'm not sure that the HCX will perform as well since it wants to be facing skyward. The places that I walk often require two hands free so holding the GPS in front of me isn't always an option. Quote
+ATXLawman Posted July 21, 2007 Author Posted July 21, 2007 (edited) Thanks for all the great feedback. I now feel confidant that I've made the right decision, and I'll move forward without anymore second thoughts! Hope to run into some of ya'll on the trails! Edited July 21, 2007 by ATXLawman Quote
+Chuy! Posted July 21, 2007 Posted July 21, 2007 I haven't seen many comments on this (yet) but there is one concern I would have regarding the HCX's. I wear my 60cx on the belt clip a good percentage of the time when I'm out hiking, fishing or geocaching. My understanding of the patch antennae on the etrex models is that it works best when held with the screen pointing "up". This is opposite to the quad helix antennae on my 60cx which is made to work best sitting upright (I suspect it was designed that way for in car auto-routing). It will be interesting to hear from some of the HCX users as to how these units perform when attached to your belt. I've had my 60cx lose it signal in some deep canyons (while on my belt) so I'm not sure that the HCX will perform as well since it wants to be facing skyward. The places that I walk often require two hands free so holding the GPS in front of me isn't always an option. I've had a Venture Cx for two months now; and still use my b/w Vista now and again (got in 2002). To get the best signal, yes, face up is the best, but when hiking or biking, I'll clip 'em on my belt or on my backpack shoulder strap. They sit vertical in both positions and don't lose a signal (unless next to tall buildings or heavy foliage overhead). Sure, signal may not be ideal, but they record tracks just fine. I'm waiting delivery of a Vista HCx, and I presume it will work the same. Quote
+ergomaniac Posted July 22, 2007 Posted July 22, 2007 I've had a Venture Cx for two months now... They sit vertical in both positions and don't lose a signal (unless next to tall buildings or heavy foliage overhead). Sure, signal may not be ideal, but they record tracks just fine. I'm waiting delivery of a Vista HCx, and I presume it will work the same. My son has the Venture CX as well and my backpacking partner uses the Legend CX. Unfortunately, they both have had problems with reception when these units are on the belt clip. I'd like to hear how you make out with the HCx because I actually prefer the size of the etrex models. I went for the 60cx because it definitely hangs on to a signal better than the Legend/Venture CX. If the HCx works as well on the belt clip as my 60cx, I'll probably switch (I like the small size, bright screen and better battery life that you get from the etrex series). Quote
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