Etrex Vs gpsmap 60cx

[air28uk]

hey there guys and gals

 

looking for some advice if i may

 

i currently have the etrex venture (the old green sparkly one (hmm why is it sparkly!?)) and i am thinking of upgrading to the gpsmap 60 cx because ive read in a few places the quadra-helix antenna is better in trees and cover (i was caching and my venture just said no, lol.)

so is the 60cx better than say the equivalent etrex version , because on paper they roughly do the same thing just difference in weight and size.

 

or is maggellan better !?!?! arrrghhhhhh so many choices

 

many thanks

 

Alistair

[+NooYawka]

I've cached alongside users of various Etrex mapping models with my 60CX, and I almost always have more accurate coords then they do. The unit locks on to the signal better and bounces less. In some cases, such as under heavy tree cover, I have a reading with 20 ft accuracy where my Etrex equipped partner has no signal at all. I even get readings indoors if I'm reasonably close to a window. I love caching with this unit.

[+julianh]

i currently have the etrex venture (the old green sparkly one (hmm why is it sparkly!?)) and i am thinking of upgrading to the gpsmap 60 cx because ive read in a few places the quadra-helix antenna is better in trees and cover (i was caching and my venture just said no, lol.)

For some real-world testing of a Summit HC under really bad reception conditions (how does stuffed in a backpack, locked in the boot of a car sound?), check out my Post #92 in this thread:

 

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php...8665&st=50#

 

While the quad-helix antenna MAY be theoretically better than a patch antenna (I am not a telecommunications expert, so I wouldn't know), I am not convinced that it makes any real-world difference for practical consumer applications. What really DOES make a difference is getting a unit with a high-sensitivity receiver.

 

Hope this helps!

Edited April 15, 2009 by julianh

[+roadrage64]

I started out caching with the eTrex Legend (the blue one with the sparkly things) and I now use the 60csx. There is no comparison. The 60CSx is a far superior receiver and outperforms the old eTrexes in every way. I'd say buy it, you definitely won't regret it for a second.