Time to buy a GPS unit.

[+rob.marsh]

Hi all,

 

I know this Q is old and probably over asked, but hey.

 

I am about to buy a new GPS and I have done my research and am fairly settled on the 60csx. I like the look of the larger screen than the etrex series, the dedicated buttons (i am not a huge fan of the rocker on the etrex).

 

I am staggered by the variation on price with units, even on the web. You can be looking at differences of £100+, its crazy!

 

Anyway, upon scouting a good price, I havegot myself into wondering again if perhaps the 60csx isn't the right one. The colorada 300 for instance, maybe I should consider that one as well considering it seems to come in a little (ever so slightly) cheaper than the others.

 

Also, the 60csx is a 4+ year old unit now, am i likely to buy one only to find its new brother come out in a matter of months?

 

Apologies of you have answered all this before, but I felt I should seek some advice before committing to a purchase.

 

Thanks!

 

Rob

[+Pharisee]

Hi all,

 

I know this Q is old and probably over asked, but hey.

 

I am about to buy a new GPS and I have done my research and am fairly settled on the 60csx. I like the look of the larger screen than the etrex series, the dedicated buttons (i am not a huge fan of the rocker on the etrex).

 

I am staggered by the variation on price with units, even on the web. You can be looking at differences of £100+, its crazy!

 

Anyway, upon scouting a good price, I havegot myself into wondering again if perhaps the 60csx isn't the right one. The colorada 300 for instance, maybe I should consider that one as well considering it seems to come in a little (ever so slightly) cheaper than the others.

 

Also, the 60csx is a 4+ year old unit now, am i likely to buy one only to find its new brother come out in a matter of months?

 

Apologies of you have answered all this before, but I felt I should seek some advice before committing to a purchase.

 

Thanks!

 

Rob

The 60CSx is a superb unit, I've been using one you quite some time... It's rugged and waterproof (but doesn't float), which means you don't have to worry about wrapping it in cotton wool and keeping it in a larger box. However, unless you really, really need a barometric altimeter and an electronic compass (which I've found to be of limited use for geocaching), I'd go for the slightly cheaper 60Cx. The battery life is excellent; a set of good quality alkaline batteries will last a full weekend's caching (I don't use re-chargeable batteries as they only last half as long, if you're lucky). The screen is visible in bright sunlight and big enough to be useful when displaying maps. On the down-side, the base map supplied is useless and to take full advantage of the unit's capability, you'll need extra maps... either Garmin's Topo (which I use and recommend) that will cost you another £100 or so, or the Open Source maps available on the internet, which are free but of doubtful accuracy.

[+factotem]

There are several recent threads comparing the 60CSx with other units. I only have experience of a 60CSx having been given one for Christmas. There is also discussion about which GPS chip is inside as well! I guess I have one of the newer ones. I tend to use other means to get into the general vicinity and then rely on the unit. For that I think it is excellent. OK and I have OSM (Open Street Map loaded on it), the supplied map is useless. I'm quite happy with my decision. Its not paperless caching though. I tend to know in advance which caches I'll be looking at and do a subset print from GSAK, only one sheet of A4 used. I think I've picked up you are connected with scouting - it is quite a rugged unit (hope I've not spoken too soon). Another thread suggested Handtec for a keen price, it was good enough for me.

 

Hope that helps.

[+rob.marsh]

Thanks Pharisee,

 

I had considered the Cx version, as indeed it is cheaper, but I think that I'd quite like the baromic altimeter, more from an interesting POV rather than "need" it. The electronic compass, the jury is out as far as I'm concerned at the moment. I don't use the compass on my etrex legend as it is naff. If the electronic one is just as naff, I prob wouldn't use it either.

 

As far as batteries go, I have around 24 eneloop rechargables that are 2700mah so powering it is no worry. They last forever in all my camera flashes so I'm certain can cope with the 60csx.

 

To start with I'll be using osm mapping, untill I can afford/justify the topo maps that garmin do. I have had great experiance with the OSM mapping, and I always use an OS map anyway, and the GPS as more of a guide. I have not seen the topo maps from Garmin yet so am undecided.

[+rob.marsh]

factotem, your right, I am a scouter and the ruggedness of the unit is a big attraction for that reason. I'll be out in all weather with it.

 

Thanks for your thoughts, it seems you're using the unit in the very same way I intend too.

I saw the hantec price, but have found a few reviews mentioning that Handtec can be problematic with their stock levels and delivery. I found one for £223 with Pentagon GPS, who did a fellow scouter a great deal on 6 etrex units for his explorer unit. So I am likely to go with them as know they provide good service.

[WorcesterDan]

I would get an iPhone they are clearly the best

 

*runs and hides under desk*

 

 

</tongue firmly in cheek>

[+rob.marsh]

I would get an iPhone they are clearly the best

 

*runs and hides under desk*

 

 

</tongue firmly in cheek>

 

I have one......

[+The Blorenges]

I have one......

And that's why you're getting a GPS eh?

 

I've not used the 60 Series but have used the Colorado and Oregon. Personally I'd go for the Oregon over the Colorado as the menus are much easier to navigate through - they did some design changes with the Colorado menus and personally I think it went wrong somewhere!. Oregon does full paperless caching.

 

Chris (MrB)

[team tisri]

Hi all,

 

I know this Q is old and probably over asked, but hey.

 

I am about to buy a new GPS and I have done my research and am fairly settled on the 60csx. I like the look of the larger screen than the etrex series, the dedicated buttons (i am not a huge fan of the rocker on the etrex).

 

I am staggered by the variation on price with units, even on the web. You can be looking at differences of £100+, its crazy!

 

Anyway, upon scouting a good price, I havegot myself into wondering again if perhaps the 60csx isn't the right one. The colorada 300 for instance, maybe I should consider that one as well considering it seems to come in a little (ever so slightly) cheaper than the others.

 

Also, the 60csx is a 4+ year old unit now, am i likely to buy one only to find its new brother come out in a matter of months?

 

Apologies of you have answered all this before, but I felt I should seek some advice before committing to a purchase.

 

Thanks!

 

Rob

 

I use the 60CSx and have been very happy with it. Personally I'm not a big fan of the user interface of the Colorado and found the screen on the Oregon difficult to read even when the only light around was the strip lighting in the shop hoping to sell it. I also found the user interface fiddly - where the CSx is easy the Oregon felt like I had to keep going back and forth. That may just be the difference between a familiar interface and an unfamiliar interface, so your best bet there is to go to a store that sells them and try them out for yourself.

 

The 60CSx won't do fully paperless caching. I use a Windoze smartphone alongside the CSx and load pocket queries onto it so I can look up the details in the field. The only piece of paper I carry is a sheet of folded A4 so I can note down clues for multis, and note when I leave trackables so I can log them accurately later on.

 

The 60CSx also won't do Wherigo caches, so if you want to do those you'll need to find another way.

 

The 60CSx is robust - I've dropped mine from waist height onto concrete more than once and it bounced. The screen is robust - I had mine clipped to my backpack which I set down on a path half way up Snowdon, only to watch it tip over and bang the screen against the rocks. It's a little scratched but totally useable. And it's waterproof, I washed mine under a running tap today after I'd got it muddy. The others may also have those features... that's just my own experience of the CSx.

 

As others have said the base map is utterly useless. It shows major roads in very coarse detail, which basically means motorways and a few A roads. If you want to know which side of a river you're on you're better off looking at the water rather than the GPS. I use the UK Topo maps which are mostly pretty good although do have some issues. My Topo maps are several years old - some of the issues are undoubtedly due to changes in roads since they were produced; some of them are just map inaccuracies as they were wrong many years ago.

 

Whether you'll buy a 60CSx only to find a new model coming out a week later - who knows? But even if that does happen the capabilities of the CSx won't diminish, and the same could happen with the Colorado. You might buy it only for its replacement to come out a week later, or the price to drop substantially a week later, or whatever else. Ultimately you pays your money and you takes your chances.

[+little-miss-naughty]

oregon oregon oregon all the way

 

lmn

[+NickandAliandEliza]

I've got an Oregon and a 60CSx. Still take both of them out as I can't decide between the two.......

 

The 60CSx feels more robust. It's been attached to my mountain bike during some pretty good falls, with no adverse effects. As said above though, you can go paperless with an Oregon.

 

I'd buy both if I were you.

[+malcesine]

I agree with lmn, oregon is best (400t), can be cheaper on the web, but look around. Full paperless caching and good battery life.

[+FantasyRaider]

oregon oregon oregon all the way

 

lmn

 

Second that! .... My right hand is useless unless my Oregon is in it!

[+rob.marsh]

Thankyou everyone for taking the time to reply.

 

It seems that I won't be doing badly if I go for the 60csx.

 

How rugged is the Oregon 400t? It's IP rating is the same as the 60csx, at X7, but is it as sturdy. I'm a clumsy sod, and am garunteed to drop it and put it through hell!!

I don't know why, but something makes me nervous about the idea of a touchscreen GPSr, and I'm not keen on the idea. I know it gets great reviews, so its prbably just a silly opinion. Maybe I prefer a more traditional GPSr, who knows how my head works!

 

Paperless caching isn't a big must for me either.

[+Jonovich]

Thankyou everyone for taking the time to reply.

 

It seems that I won't be doing badly if I go for the 60csx.

 

How rugged is the Oregon 400t? It's IP rating is the same as the 60csx, at X7, but is it as sturdy. I'm a clumsy sod, and am garunteed to drop it and put it through hell!!

I don't know why, but something makes me nervous about the idea of a touchscreen GPSr, and I'm not keen on the idea. I know it gets great reviews, so its prbably just a silly opinion. Maybe I prefer a more traditional GPSr, who knows how my head works!

 

Paperless caching isn't a big must for me either.

 

I would recommend an Oregon, but steer clear of the T models and the topo maps (free or otherwise). Get the Discoverer OS maps! Retailer at the outdoor show last weekend was doing the whole of the UK in discoverer maps for just £40 when purchased with an Oregon.

 

Jon.

[+Amberel]

Thankyou everyone for taking the time to reply.

 

It seems that I won't be doing badly if I go for the 60csx.

 

How rugged is the Oregon 400t? It's IP rating is the same as the 60csx, at X7, but is it as sturdy. I'm a clumsy sod, and am garunteed to drop it and put it through hell!!

I don't know why, but something makes me nervous about the idea of a touchscreen GPSr, and I'm not keen on the idea. I know it gets great reviews, so its prbably just a silly opinion. Maybe I prefer a more traditional GPSr, who knows how my head works!

 

Paperless caching isn't a big must for me either.

The Oregon is mostly pretty rugged, but probably with a more vulnerable screen than the 60csx. What doesn't seem to have been mentioned so far is that the 60csx has good performance whereas the Oregon has only moderate performance. The big plus point of the Oregon is the paperless caching, but if you don't want that, the 60csx is the better choice.

 

Rgds, Andy

Edited March 30, 2010 by Amberel

[+rob.marsh]

Thanks Jon, Andy,

 

Andy, by performance, do you mean accuracy/signal in cover that kind of thing?

 

Alot of the walking I'll be doing, caching or other, will involve woodland and covered areas. Would the 60csx stand up better in that respect?

[+Jonovich]

The Oregon is mostly pretty rugged, but probably with a more vulnerable screen than the 60csx.

 

Why do you consider the Oregon screen to be more vulnerable than that on the 60 series?

 

Jon.

[+ivanidea]

I have been using a 60csx for over 3 years and love it.

 

I recently purchased an Oregon 400t since I wanted to replace my old ipaq for paperless caching.

 

Once I turned the compass off, it seems to be reasonably accurate for finding caches.

 

I prefer the 60csx for downloading tracks from the gps to mapsource, since the Oregon puts everything into gpx files. Waypoint management is easier (as a long time Garmin user), but I am sure I will get used to the new method.

 

I never really used maps on the 60csx, but the Oregon displays them much better, although the Oregon backlighting is disapointing. Hopefully, the newer 450 & 550 have better screens.

 

The photo organisation could be better on the oregon if you wanted to carry spoiler photos. I believe the 550 will handle geotagged spolier photos, which makes it easier to find if needed.

 

I am disapointed with the built in topo maps, the detail is nothing like the detail found on the topo maps which can be purchased. I only chose the T model since I travel to Europe. The OS maps available are excellent, although it is easy to create your own (there is another thread with detailed instructions).

 

In summary, the Oregon is a smaller unit with better mapping display and paperless caching.

[+rob.marsh]

Thanks for all your help people!

 

I have ordered a 60csx from Pentagon GPS. With a 2gb micro sd card, £227 delivered.

 

Not as cheap as some, but the friendly girl I spoke to, coupled with the knowledge of the product etc, I feel was worth the couple of quid.

[+Jonovich]

Thanks for all your help people!

 

I have ordered a 60csx from Pentagon GPS. With a 2gb micro sd card, £227 delivered.

 

Not as cheap as some, but the friendly girl I spoke to, coupled with the knowledge of the product etc, I feel was worth the couple of quid.

 

Used Pentagon a couple of times myself and always had good service from them. Best of luck with the new GPSr.

 

Jon.

[+Amberel]

Andy, by performance, do you mean accuracy/signal in cover that kind of thing?

 

A lot of the walking I'll be doing, caching or other, will involve woodland and covered areas. Would the 60csx stand up better in that respect?

Yes, and yes .

 

> Dakar 4x4

> Why do you consider the Oregon screen to be more vulnerable than that on the 60 series?

 

Maybe it's not. Someone said they dropped their 60CSx face down on a rock without damage, and it seemed to me the Oregon touch screen might be less likely to survive that. But I'm not about to experiment with my 550t .

 

< ivanidea

> ... the Oregon backlighting is disapointing. Hopefully, the newer 450 & 550 have better screens.

 

I can't be sure, but I suspect they are the same. My 550t isn't too bad, but it's not as viewable as my eTrex HCx in bright sunlight.

 

Rgds, Andy

Edited March 30, 2010 by Amberel

[+Pharisee]

The Oregon is mostly pretty rugged, but probably with a more vulnerable screen than the 60csx.

 

Why do you consider the Oregon screen to be more vulnerable than that on the 60 series?

 

Jon.

The screen on the 60C(S)x is not a touch screen so it is protected behind a thick, clear plastic, 'front window' (for lack of a better description). I had my 60CSx in my hand when I tripped up some steps in Paris a while back and instinctively put my hands out to save myself. The unit was smacked hard into the pavement, screen side down, and survived. The only damage was some slight scuffing on the corner of the grey plastic case. I'm not convinced an Oregon touch screen would have survived such abuse.

Edited March 30, 2010 by Pharisee

[+Jonovich]

The Oregon is mostly pretty rugged, but probably with a more vulnerable screen than the 60csx.

 

Why do you consider the Oregon screen to be more vulnerable than that on the 60 series?

 

Jon.

The screen on the 60C(S)x is not a touch screen so it is protected behind a thick, clear plastic, 'front window' (for lack of a better description). I had my 60CSx in my hand when I tripped up some steps in Paris a while back and instinctively put my hands out to save myself. The unit was smacked hard into the pavement, screen side down, and survived. The only damage was some slight scuffing on the corner of the grey plastic case. I'm not convinced an Oregon touch screen would have survived such abuse.

 

Interesting point. I've owned both. The Oregon screen is 'protected' by being recessed by about 4mm, I guess the same as the 60 series. The difference being the 60 has an additional protective hard cover over the screen that is flush with the front case. The Oregon being touch screen cannot have this as you obviously need to touch it. I can see the reason for this making the 60 'more rugged', but don't think i'd consider it a reason to recommend one as being more rugged than the other. Holding one in each hand, I think the 60 feels more rugged, thanks to the increased use of a rubberised case. But I was wondering if there was some kind of industry standard "ruggedness" rating system someone had access to for these units, in order to base recommendations on something actually properly tested, similiar to the waterproof IPX stuff?

 

Jon.

[+rob.marsh]

The Oregon is mostly pretty rugged, but probably with a more vulnerable screen than the 60csx.

 

Why do you consider the Oregon screen to be more vulnerable than that on the 60 series?

 

Jon.

The screen on the 60C(S)x is not a touch screen so it is protected behind a thick, clear plastic, 'front window' (for lack of a better description). I had my 60CSx in my hand when I tripped up some steps in Paris a while back and instinctively put my hands out to save myself. The unit was smacked hard into the pavement, screen side down, and survived. The only damage was some slight scuffing on the corner of the grey plastic case. I'm not convinced an Oregon touch screen would have survived such abuse.

 

Interesting point. I've owned both. The Oregon screen is 'protected' by being recessed by about 4mm, I guess the same as the 60 series. The difference being the 60 has an additional protective hard cover over the screen that is flush with the front case. The Oregon being touch screen cannot have this as you obviously need to touch it. I can see the reason for this making the 60 'more rugged', but don't think i'd consider it a reason to recommend one as being more rugged than the other. Holding one in each hand, I think the 60 feels more rugged, thanks to the increased use of a rubberised case. But I was wondering if there was some kind of industry standard "ruggedness" rating system someone had access to for these units, in order to base recommendations on something actually properly tested, similiar to the waterproof IPX stuff?

 

Jon.

 

I'm not aware of a "ruggedness" rating, as it would be very difficult to standardise across the industries. You could use/reference impact tests that would give you and idea of forces units could withstand.

 

The IP system isn't just for waterproofing btw.

 

IP is ingress protection. the first number is for foreign body ingress, second for water/moisture ingress. IP X7 is X = no special protection & 7 = protected against immersion.

 

A site that explains it well is http://www.protectingpeople.co.uk/fire_tech/ip_explained.htm

Edited March 30, 2010 by rob.marsh

[+rob.marsh]

Its here!!

 

I'm loving it already, what a great bit of kit!

[+Delta68]

Its here!!

 

I'm loving it already, what a great bit of kit!

 

 

I'm sure someone will lend you an Oregon when you want to do a Wherigo...

 

 

 

 

Mark

[+rob.marsh]

To be honest, I've not even looked into Wherigo, and probably am not likely too.

 

:-p