Garmin gpsmap 60csx

[moonsy]

Hi all,
Any info on this gps?
any of you guys use it?
would it be a good to get for off roading and overlanding?

are topo maps exspensive?

 

[Tapage]

good GPS .. kind of old school one .. do track log which it's very important to me .. small screen tho.

 

[retrofive]

I had the 60csx before upgrading to the 62. It was solid performer and easy to use. Linked up quick. Good GPS.

Maps are spendy if you buy the ones from Garmin. If you are somewhat techy sauvy you can build your own and upload them.

 

[moonsy]

Thanks any big diferences between 60 and 62?

is there ways of getting free maps?

 

[retrofive]

Thanks any big differences between 60 and 62?

is there ways of getting free maps?

Maps.... work, lots of software out there for free, but have to build them, etc.

The screen on the 62 is much better for 24k maps. The 60 got the job done just less of a screen less color.

 

[OregonLC]

Had the 60Csx for a number of years and sold it. MotionX made it rather obsolete and paper maps backup the smart phone so no need for a bulky Garmin. It's solid device and had great features for it's day.

 

[moonsy]

so maybe a bit outdated but good for the money?

 

[Tapage]

so maybe a bit outdated but good for the money?

depends .. how much money ..?

 

[climber8483]

I've had one for a about 5 years now. It's a great, durable unit. it has held up to 4.5 fire seasons now and I am not the easiest on equipment. The screen could use a little better resolution, but in reality it works just fine. My only real complaint in the neoprene cover you can buy for the unit. The stitching has fallen apart on three of them and they just don't seem to be made well. A screen protector is very important depending on where you store it and or keep it on your body/pack.

Oh yeah, if you can find one at the 199 price point I would jump on it.

 

[VidereStudios]

I concur...love this GPS. Read several reviews online (and usage reports on Advrider) that suggested that the 60 had just a bit better reception than the 62. It's old school...so small screen, external antenna, etc. But otherwise just great.

I use it three ways...handheld, on the motorcycle, or in the rig, plugged into my laptop with Google Earth running. One caveat...I don't use this for GPS routing...there are better GPS's for that. However, by creating my own routes in Mapsource, I get that functionality without being tied to Garmin maps. Also, the tracking function rocks.

 

[moonsy]

thanks thats the sort of price i was looking at

 

[fj404life]

Used one on my dirtbikes since they were 400$ +. Good solid GPS. Only weakness I have found was when I smacked a big tree on its antenna which popped the body open. I taped it back together 3-4 years ago...its still going.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

They are great work horses with every feature you need and nothing you don't.

 

[Sc0-]

I have the 76CSX, and an older Garmin 12XL... Small screen but is portable, water resistant, pocketable, and gets decent battery life.

The forum listed below has links to "free" downloadable maps and other GPS related discussions:
Groundspeak Forums

 

[OregonLC]

so maybe a bit outdated but good for the money?

sure... if you like looking at maps through a keyhole.

 

[lugueto]

60csx was legendary, amazing gps, you can find it cheap anywhere. However, the new version, the 62 series, is IMPRESSIVE. owned both, the 62 is much much better, id recommend it no problem to anyone. I own the 62S.

 

[Jacket]

sure... if you like looking at maps through a keyhole.

x2. The screen is too small to use as a real time navigation aide while driving. It's great for hiking, motorcycles, mtn bikes, or other applications where you want to leave bread crumbs or to check in once in a while to make sure you are still on a track. I still use mine all the time, and its a great device, but if your primary need is in-vehicle navigation then you'll want something with a bigger screen.

 

[Bogo]

If you want routing to XYZ destination, the 60CSX isn't for you.

Been using one for ages and see no reason to upgrade. Yeah the screen is small, but for navigation I hook it to my laptop. With the optional antenna the thing will even get a fix in some parking ramps. It is also frugal with batteries. I get around 24 hours runtime from an AA pair. If you are going to use it in the car allot, get the auto power cord, or hook it to a laptop. It will power its self from the auto power cord, or USB thus saving battery life. The only fault I see with it is the switch. There is a piece of plastic embedded in the rubber shell that transmits the button motion to the actual switch. It can go soft in high temperatures, like if you leave it in the sun, and make it hard to turn on and off. Using a blunt instrament like an pensil eraser will allow you to press it in far enough to activate the switch. As for maps, there have been other threads that have free maps for the unit. You will still need to buy Mapsource from Garmin to load them. Get a 2GB plus MicroSD card for it then you can load about 1/4th to 1/3rd of the country into the unit at one time. Also it is possible to load multiple map sets into it. Search on the web for how to do that. It is relatively simple, but requires some management on the device.

For freely available maps, many western states have high resolution topo maps available.

 

[re_guderian]

FYI you can get MapSource free.

Typos sent from my HTC EVO using the IH8MUD app...

 

[driver5155]

I just picked up a 60c at a local auction for 50 bucks with a mount, case, streets software, It is easy to use and works great. I use it mostly for hiking and hunting but take it off roading too. I think it is a good unit.