To Gps 76cs Or Gps 60cs

[+Tubby Rower]

I'm having trouble figuring out which of these units I should get. I 'd like to get the auto-routing feature and both of these have this. A couple of people I know have the 60CS and they seem to like it. I currently have a GPS 72 which doesn't have maps at all. But the body style is similar to the 76....

 

What to do, what to do?

 

Thanks ,

[+Team DEMP]

There are a lot of posts here on this subject. Search the forums for 60 76 and see if you hit the threads.

 

The real difference comes down to size and memory. The features of the 2 are almost identical and so far even share the same firmware.

 

It might be best for you to go to a location that has both and hold them. That is what I need to do. If I'm not uncomfortable holding the 76CS, I'm going to get it as I'd like the additional memory. With the 76CS I can load City Select for the route between Northern NJ and South Eastern NC with plenty of room to spare. I can't load detailed maps for that same route on the 60CS. It matters to me because I currently have a GPSV and the routing used during that trip is not optimal. So I'd rather plot my own route and download that, but you need the complete map segments in order to use a downloaded route.

 

If that wasn't a deciding factor for me, I'd likely go with the 60CS.

[+JohnnyVegas]

Color screens, this is an item I do not care for, I find with my polarized sunglass the screen becomes washed out, if you use polarized sunglass ask the dealer if you can compare a Color screen with a Mono chrome outside in the sunlight before you buy. I have tried both Magellan and Garmin color version in sunlight, for me I was not impressed with them.

[+jj3]

I had the same question running through my mind when I was deciding. I ended up with the 60C strictly for the aesthetics/general feel.

 

The extra memory would be nice but so far it hasn't been an issue (I've had mine for a few weeks now) and I can't see it being one. (live in Texas)

 

The 76 just did not sit well in my hand whereas the 60 is a peach! Not trying to sway you, just try both out and see which you'll like more.

 

Johnny...I've noticed this as well while wearing my Costa del Mars. It's not too big of an issue for me though b/c I was used to taking them off to really read the gpsr readings anyway.

[+Renegade Knight]

Color screens, this is an item I do not care for, I find with my polarized sunglass the screen becomes washed out, if you use polarized sunglass ask the dealer if you can compare a Color screen with a Mono chrome outside in the sunlight before you buy. I have tried both Magellan and Garmin color version in sunlight, for me I was not impressed with them.

I've had the polarized issue with Every LCD screen I've ever encountered. On my PDA, My GPS V, and everything else.

 

It it that much worse on a color screen than monochrome?

[Us 5 Camp]

76cs was an easy choice for me.

• I'll take double the memory any day!!!!
  
• The size of the 76CS is perfect for me, my hands, my RAM mounts, pockets have not been an issue.
  
• They appear to have nearly or identical features.
  
• I LIKE the buttons on the top. With your hands holding/wrapped around the GPS, where are your thumbs? On top!
  
• It floats!
  
• I tried the 60 series in the store and did NOT like the shape & button location.
  
• I had a 76s before this and DID USE and ENJOY the compass while caching, hiking & canoeing primarily.
  
• YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY!
  

Edited June 15, 2004 by Us 5 Camp

[+piper28]

I went to the store and held the two models (although in the case of the 76, it was the mono model). My wife was with me, and our conclusion was that the 76 was less comfortable to hold on and use the buttons. Before doing that, I'd leaned towards the 76cs because of the memory. Ultimately, I bought the 60cs because we felt it fit our hands better. Course, it just arrived yesterday, and I haven't had time to do anything with it yet .

[+Mechanics Hands]

I went to the store and held both. I couldnt stand the buttons on the top as they often obscured the screen when pressing them or navigating through screens. This was a large reason why I avoided considering garmin products before until the 60 series came out. Now I have a 60CS on order after comparing the 76cd and meri color.

 

mh

[+JohnnyVegas]

Color screens, this is an item I do not care for, I find with my polarized sunglass the screen becomes washed out, if you use polarized sunglass ask the dealer if you can compare a Color screen with a Mono chrome outside in the sunlight before you buy. I have tried both Magellan and Garmin color version in sunlight, for me I was not impressed with them.

I've had the polarized issue with Every LCD screen I've ever encountered. On my PDA, My GPS V, and everything else.

 

It it that much worse on a color screen than monochrome?

With my Meridian Gold or sportrack map it has not been much of a problem, With my Sportrack color, it does not get used much and has become by backup GPS. With my pock PC it is a problem but I have never use a monochrome PPC so I am not sure if it would b a problem with a monochrome PPC

[+Olar]

Color screens, this is an item I do not care for, I find with my polarized sunglass the screen becomes washed out, if you use polarized sunglass ask the dealer if you can compare a Color screen with a Mono chrome outside in the sunlight before you buy. I have tried both Magellan and Garmin color version in sunlight, for me I was not impressed with them.

I've had the polarized issue with Every LCD screen I've ever encountered. On my PDA, My GPS V, and everything else.

 

It it that much worse on a color screen than monochrome?

I would say there is less of a problem with my 76C than what I had with my GPS V re the polarized sunglass issue. Overall the 76C color screen is much easier to read/view in all lighting conditions than the V ever was.

 

Olar

[capt caper]

Color screens, this is an item I do not care for, I find with my polarized sunglass the screen becomes washed out, if you use polarized sunglass ask the dealer if you can compare a Color screen with a Mono chrome outside in the sunlight before you buy. I have tried both Magellan and Garmin color version in sunlight, for me I was not impressed with them.

I have Maui Jim's the dark grey one's,and I don't have any trouble with reading my 60cs outside.

[+JohnnyVegas]

I have Maui Jim also, with the brown high contrast lens. I am just going to buy some Seringeti photochromatic sun glass and use the Muai Jims when I am on the water. Polarized off the water does not do much.

[Hankhan]

I looked at both and got the 76CS. The additional memory for about $35 couldn't be passed up. It fits in my shirt pocket and I haven't had any trouble using the buttons, they're postioned right for me and I have small hands.

[+Tubby Rower]

I contacted Garmin to ask about what is the difference in the Basemaps loaded into the two units. here is there reply....

 

Thank you for contacting GARMIN, INTL.  I would be happy to help you with this.  The base map in the 60CS is going to be more basic and general than the basemap of the 76CS.  There could be more specific detail information on the 76CS. 

 

Please let us know if there is anything else we can help you with.

 

Best Regards,

 

Bethany Christesen

Product Support Specialist

GARMIN International

www.garmin.com

1-800-800-1020

Fax 913-397-0836

 

I replied back and asked if the City Select is necessary with the 76CS. I'll post the response as soon as I get it. If I don't need the City Select then that would save about $100 over the 60CS.

 

Also it appears as though they have the same screen installed in them. Just a matter of the button position (I have the 72 so that's not a big deal), size (again not a big deal), and the (factory installed) tide tables.

Edited June 16, 2004 by Tubby Rower

[MacBandit]

Color screens, this is an item I do not care for, I find with my polarized sunglass the screen becomes washed out, if you use polarized sunglass ask the dealer if you can compare a Color screen with a Mono chrome outside in the sunlight before you buy. I have tried both Magellan and Garmin color version in sunlight, for me I was not impressed with them.

I wear Polarized sunglasses all the time while driving with my 60CS and it makes absolutely no difference with it unless you turn your head or the unit to one side or the other. Other wise the Polarization is in line with my glasses so there is no effect.

[MacBandit]

I contacted Garmin to ask about what is the difference in the Basemaps loaded into the two units. here is there reply....

 

Thank you for contacting GARMIN, INTL.  I would be happy to help you with this.  The base map in the 60CS is going to be more basic and general than the basemap of the 76CS.  There could be more specific detail information on the 76CS. 

 

Please let us know if there is anything else we can help you with.

 

Best Regards,

 

Bethany Christesen

Product Support Specialist

GARMIN International

www.garmin.com

1-800-800-1020

Fax 913-397-0836

 

I replied back and asked if the City Select is necessary with the 76CS. I'll post the response as soon as I get it. If I don't need the City Select then that would save about $100 over the 60CS.

 

Also it appears as though they have the same screen installed in them. Just a matter of the button position (I have the 72 so that's not a big deal), size (again not a big deal), and the (factory installed) tide tables.

The map detail is better on the 76CS but it is no where good enough to be the only navigation map you have if you are trying to get around a city.

[+Team DEMP]

I replied back and asked if the City Select is necessary with the 76CS. I'll post the response as soon as I get it. If I don't need the City Select then that would save about $100 over the 60CS.

Yes, City Select is absolutely necessary if you want door to door routing. I can't find the site, but someone had compiled the memory needed for various Garmin products/versions of that product. I have CS5 and the information for all of the Continental US (48 states) and portions of Canada they provide is ~1.3GB. Do you think that's in your 76CS?

 

I currently have a GPS V and the basemap, which if I recall is closer to the 76 then the 60 from what someone else posted, is suitable for major highway driving. Even there, the ramps, etc aren't accurate (clover leafs as an example). With only 19MB of memory and a trip from NJ to NC of 635 files, I can't obviously load that onto my V so I have the start/end detail from CS5 and use the basemap in-between. I'd rate it a B- on the accuracy of the map and of course, the less then optimal routing that is generated.

[+Tubby Rower]

Thanks a lot for all of the feedback. It looks like the 76CS with City Select is for me. Now to find the best price. Looks like ebay has some under $400.

[+Team DEMP]

Thanks a lot for all of the feedback. It looks like the 76CS with City Select is for me. Now to find the best price. Looks like ebay has some under $400.

I'm looking for a 76CS too. I think most of the eBay auctions finish over $400 though. Easiest way to see is to add them to your watch list so you can still look after the auction closes.

 

I have a $100+ Amazon gift certificate too but their price is currently way too high. I've notified them of lower prices on multiple etailers so maybe they will lower it, and with my gift cert it will be a nice buy.

[+piper28]

Regarding the polarized glasses and at least the 60cs, I've found that in the upright position the unit is perfectly readable, while if you turn it sideways (antenna facing to left or right) it's unreadable. Matches my experience with LCD monitors. So for normal useage, I don't think polarized glasses are going to be a big deal for it.

[bnolan]

Since you are already accustomed to the size of the 72, go for the 76cs. The size is the only drawback I can find.

 

I just got 76c a few weeks ago. I have used it quite a bit with polarized glasses and it works fine. Some glasses are polarized horizontal, some polarized vertical, so some will work with the GPS and some won't. My III+ would work fine in both landscape and portrait mode with my polarized glasses, but not at a 45 degree angle. Just check out the glasses with the GPS before you buy them.

[+Tubby Rower]

I bought the 76CS off of ebay for $430 +$15 shipping. I got the bike mount & auto nav kit off of gpsdiscount.com for ~$170. Looking forward to using it.

 

BTW. my old 72 is on ebay if anyone needs one. complete with neoprene case, coiled power cable, & computer cable. no wrist strap but everything else is what came with it.

[+geoSquid]

I had an eTrex Legend. It was a good unit, and has passed to my wife.

 

When I decided to move up it was for a few reasons:

 

1) I wanted the colour screen - where I do most of my caching it matters, particularly on a topo map.

 

2) Memory - the 8 MB of the Legend didn't cut it for some of the trips I do/plan.

 

3) I wanted the sensors.

 

So I looked at the 60 CS and the 76 CS.

 

I have to admit, the 60 has a better form factor. Not that the 76 is bad, it's not. It just seemed that the 60 was a bit more comfortable. That antenna is identical in both units despite the fact that on teh 60 it sticks up and on the 76 it's hidden like with the eTrex series. This gave the 60 a slight advantage.

 

The 60 is also a bit cheaper, another advantage to the 60.

 

I do go fishing and my GPS comes out on boats, typically on generally placid lakes. A GPS that floats is a BIG advantage from my POV. Many times I've been sent diving to catch the GPS before it goes overboard. Advantage 76

 

56 MB of memory is decent, but if you're going on a long trip, it may not be enough. I'm off to Italy soon and could only barely fit the maps I needed into 100 MB. if I only had the 56 MB of a Garmin 60 cs, I'd have to carry my laptop on the trip. Since I visit Europe often enough to care about this, advantage to the 76.

 

The 76 is a rectangular shape with a rubber rim, so it wedges nicely on my dash without a mount. Big advantage 76.

 

So, in the end, I went with the 76 CS.

 

I use MapSource with it and have bought the following maps:

 

Canada Metro Guide

Canada Topo

City Select Europe

 

In Canada, I use mostly the Topo.

 

Wow, this is an old thread. I am raising the dead here.

Edited September 24, 2004 by geoSquid