Wrong about eTrex
The eTrex line goes way back but is now in it’s third generation with high sensitivity receivers and expandable map memory (on some models). These models are designated with HC or HCX in the name and where just released in 2007.
Comparing the Vista HCx vs. Magellan explorist XL is indeed a valid comparison.
the new Colorado’s
are out- by Garmin.
I wish I had waited to get a new one- i would have gone with one of these, looks reall sweet!
so what did you go with?
Not Yet.
Didn’t get one as of yet. I’m going to help our economy and spend that tax incentive check from Uncle Sam when it comes. I only get the 40% discount at work when they have an “employee shopping event” which is typically around the end of the quarter, otherwise I only get a 20% discount. I will most likely get a Garmin Vista HCx unless I see something new that I like better. Planning on a 1 week canoe/camp trip towards the end of June so will have it before then tax rebate or not.
Which GPS?
Both are good units, Why don’t you place a call to each mfg. toll free customer service number and see which one gives you the best service? I wish I had before I bought the wrong one. I sure hate to be on hold for a long time and never get to speak to a human. Just my 2 cents.
gps maps
One of the things about the Garmin is that there are 3rd party mapping and “compiling” programs available that will let you make you own maps. I’m not going to fool you and say it is easy to make your own maps, but it is do-able. Especially if you have access to good data in vector ESRI shape file format. You can “trace” over raster maps and convert the tracing to vector data, but it’s even more tediuous.
I’m told there are programs that will do this for Magellans as well, but I must admit I haven’t actually seen them.
If you have any interest in making your own maps, I’d vote for a Garmin over an Megellan.
Obviously, there are other criteria to be considered…
–
Darryl
I own a Sport-track map and
agree that Magellan’s customer service leaves little to be desired. Also, you would need to compare the Explorist series and the Meridian to a Garmin 60 series to be equal. A friend of mine has a Garmin and it does seem to be more “user friendly.” In the end IMHO they are both quality units. I would try to find individuals that are using units you are interested in and see what works for you. If not I would probably go with the Garmin due to there customer service reliability. IMHO
Since we’re on the subject,
anyone have experience or an opinion about the DeLorme GPS PN-20?
Working in sporting goods
has it’s advantages in that if I have any issues I can talk directly to the sales rep. They tend to take care of us a little better sa we are the ones who will suggest their products or not. It’s amazing how the phrase “I have one of those” can tip the sale.
Do you have one now?
My advice is if you have a gps now, stay with the same company. Getting around the unit will be far easier and you will feel more comfortable with it. I’m not saying it can’t be done. Just speaking from seeing other people who have had one brand than bought the other. All wish they would have stayed with the original brand they had.
I have 3 handhelds and 1 car gps.
Old School.
I have a Magellan GPS 315. On the box it had a selling point of Y2K compliant! The program running is dated 1999. Some of the functions I use with no problems but others can’t be figured out without referring to the written instructions. That’s not how it should be. The unit should be user friendly enough so that needn’t be the case IMO.
No, I don’t presently have any GPS.
But I’m considering those units mentioned in this thread as well as the DeLorme PN-20. It gets good reviews for its maps but seems to be considered less user friendly than the Garmin or Magellan models.
Garmin 60Csx
I just recently invested in the 60Csx and can’t wait to get it out into the field.
I did the usual Internet surfing to research the various brands, but what sold me on this model was a sea kayak trip off the coast of Maine last September. My friend on the trip had the 60 CSx and I was really impressed with its performance. It’s billed as waterproof, and it held up to being strapped atop the cockpit and splashed frequently.
It has an interesting “man overboard” feature in which it will backtrack you along your waypoints.
While it is waterproof, it doesn’t float. Garmin does have a similar model that does float, but it’s about twice as large as the 60 CSx, and I wanted one that could just as easily be carried on a backpacking trip as on a paddling trip.
If there’s a downside it’s that this model runs off AA batteries, not longer-lived lithiums.
For what it’s worth, the 60 CSx also can be used in the car for finding your way.
Nothing better than AA batteries.
I charge up a few pairs of LI batteries and they last all weekend and more. Better than a $50.00 specialty battery any day. And, they work in my flashlight, camera, tent light and radio. Garmin Etrex H is what I carry. And I like it. No mapping features though.
AAs
– Last Updated: Feb-21-08 8:27 AM EST –
I agree that AAs are better, especially for users like canoers and kayakers who may be away from a power source for a full day, or more.
If your proprietary LI battery dies on you while you're on an overnight canoe trip, you're SOL. If your AAs die, you can pop in a fresh pair. In an emergency you can steal them from your flashlight or camera.
If cost is a concern you can always buy some rechargeable NiMH AAa and an inexpensive charger. You'll get hundreds of hours out of
the batteries.
My vote is for Garmin 60CSX
I have a Garmin 60CS. The difference between the CS and the CSX is the CSX has a memory card. That is nice if you travel because you can load maps and waypoints for each location on separate cards.
I buy my gps’ from www.pcnation.com. About the best price you will find and the one time I had to call them, they were very friendly AND I could understand them!
If you want to stay around $100, I recommend the Garmin etrex H. It has the same antenna as the 60. There are no maps but it does have the track log so you can backtrack if you get lost. (Trust me, that’s a nice feature. I got off the trail once and needed the back track feature or I would have been screwed for a while.)
60CSX
" The difference between the CS and the CSX is the CSX has a memory card."
In additon to the memory card, the CSX has a SiRFstar III chipset. The CS doesn’t. This gives the CSX far better reception than the CS.
I have a 60CSX and a 60CS sitting on my kitchen table right now. The 60CSX has a strong lock on 7 satellites. The 60CS has one, barely.
For canoe/kayaking though, I would choose the Garmin 76CSX over the 60CSX because the 76CSX floats. They are identical internally and functionally, but the form factors differ quite a bit.
The 76CXS is slightly larger than the 60CSX
and has more of a boxy shape. Most people seem to prefer the form factor of the 60 line over the 76 line, so the 60 outsells the 76 by a wide margin. This is why you can often find the 76 cheaper than the 60, despite the fact that the 76 MSRP is actually higher than the 60.
But I’d hate to drop my 60CSX while boating and watch it sink slowly into the depths.
It floats!
Can’t argue with that logic. If all I wanted was a GPS for paddling, I would have invested in the version that floats. But since I wanted one that wouldn’t be too bulky for backpacking, I’ll have to make sure I use the provided lanyard or some other device to keep the 60 CSx on-board.
Garmin HCX has my vote
I use a Garmin Etrex CSX, the HCX was not available when I purchased it. If money is not an object I would have opted for 60 CSX but the legend Etrex Csx it perfect for my use (extended canoe trips). The difference main between the Etrex CSX and the HCX is the reception. The HCX has better reception at the expense of some battery time. When I purchased my legend Etrex I was debating, as you are doing, between the Garmin and the Magelan. My researched indicated that the Garmin software is superior to the Magellan software. Even then, I have found glitches in the Garmin topo map software. For example, locations miss marked, major rivers disappearing into small streams. Trails and features missing. The GPS has spoiled me when doing lake travel (BWCA). Usually, before leaving, on my PC at home using Map Source software, I map out the entire route including camp sites, portage location and mile markers. When done, I download all the info on the MicroSd chip in GPS and I am good to go. I have mounted the GPS on my thwart using a Garmin marine mount and once I engage the route tracking it is like following a yellow road. I never have to take out my map or compass and I know exactly where I am. Now, I am not saying it is a substitute for a map and compass; after all it has batteries and can fail or even fall in the water (water proof does not mean it float). Also keep in mind there is a step learning curve, the many features can be overwhelming at first.
Have fun
Size 60 vs 76 vs eTrex
If size is a chief consideration the eTrex line is a better choice. The new eTrex H series is every bit as good as Garmin’s 60 and 76 series. The only real advantage the 60 and 76 have is if you use them in a car. The buttons on the front are an advantage if it’s in a dashboard mount. The eTrex buttons are on the side.
Anyway, there isn’t a lot if difference between the size of the 76 and the 60. See here:
http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=139022&st=0
Size 60 vs 76 vs eTrex
If size is a chief consideration the eTrex line is a better choice. The new eTrex H series is every bit as good as Garmin’s 60 and 76 series. The only real advantage the 60 and 76 have is if you use them in a car. The buttons on the front are an advantage if it’s in a dashboard mount. The eTrex buttons are on the side.
Anyway, there isn’t a lot if difference between the size of the 76 and the 60. See here:
http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=139022&st=0