Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx Handheld GPS Navigator
by Garmin
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx Handheld GPS Navigator
Customer Review: One of the Worst Interfaces That I Have Ever Seen
Summary: 3 Stars
I am commenting again after a few months of use.This is a great device if you want to use it to replace an Etrex. It is costly because you have to buy the maps and they are used on a single garmin-software-computer tuple. You apparently need another if you want to use another computer. The computer is required to replace the touch screen on a nuvi. (BTW the nuvi is great except the annoying "recalculating" the voice repeats each time you deviate from their path." Thus this is quite expensive. However the maps are great and the device allows you to load up and down and set marks. I have used this for laying out fiber routes and it is much better than the old Etrex, yet still quite costly. I have not tried the topo maps. Reception is fantastic as well.
Now for the old bad news. I first gave this one star but returning to it have given it 3. Garmin seems to be a bit too greedy and the software you need for a great device really is horrible. Here is what I said after my first few times and it still holds. The problem is that to really get the most out of this you need the software and thus they should be considered as one which is what is reflected below.
I purchased this for two purposes. First it replaced an old Garmin ETREX which I used for plotting out telecom systems in NH, VT, and MA. The old system allowed recording way points and then loading them into the old TOPO maps. It then allowed easy printing of maps and way points. This unit does that function well.
I also thought that having a GPS for travel was useful. That meant buying the $100+ Garmin software package. That package is clearly, in my personal opinion, the worst software I have ever seen in my life.
1. To enter an address you must enter the number of the location, then when you try to enter the street you must choose from a list of predetermined streets and half the time the street you want is NOT on their list! What moron did this interface.
3. Then you enter the town. You must use caps and spell it just the way they have entered it. I have not seen this trick in decades!
4. The state then must be entered from a pull down menu and you cannot abbreviate it in any way. So just do what they tell you to do they way they tell you!
You then do this several times until you have your route. It then selects the worst possible route possible. For example from New Jersey to New Hampshire it sends you across the Cross Bronx Expressway. For any New Yorker no one in their right mind ever goes near that road! You cannot alter your route as you can in Google.
Then you must upload to your unit. Hopefully it eventually works. Each route takes 30 minutes to do!
Now the worst part is security. It demands the key from the SW and the number from the Garmin unit. That number is inside the unit which you were told to connect to the PC. You must open it, remove the batteries, find the small letter number write it down replace the batteries, reboot the unit, enter the data and at no point are you ever told your activation was completed.
They try to move the software to another PC. Your Garmin unit is now wed to this PC and no other! Microsoft in its worst days could never have imagined such a cumbersome security system. It is as if they never heard of the Internet.
Finally, when you buy the unit they apparently ship from Taiwan via DHL first then a hand off to the Postal Service. I think in my personal opinion that it comes by boat, it takes weeks.
My suggestion if you have the same difficulties as I have had, than just use Google maps, it does everything you need and prints pretty pictures with great directions. And it is free. Frankly, again in my personal opinion based upon my experience, this is truly the worst product I have ever seen, for traveling.
Since I have used this a bit, I have found that it works well for understanding where you are, for establishing and recording specific points on the maps, and for uploading and downloading data. I have tried to use this in my car but it is awkward. The reception is superb but the integration with the Garmin purchased software is the problem, especially if you are trying to do maps.
Customer Review: Perfect for my needs
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently used the Garmin GPSMap 60CX on a geologic field trip in the Middle East. I needed to have real-time updating of a mapping package (OziExplorer) where my position was constantly being traced on an ortho-registered bitmap aerial photo.
The included Mapsource software was not useful for my purposes. I only used it to load the Garmin 60Cx device driver so that the laptop would recognize the Garmin when the USB interface cable was in place.
The interface between OziExplorer running on my laptop and the 60CX was a bit unstable, becoming severed occasionally for no apparent reason. Sometimes I could re-establish the communication by just re-starting the realtime tracking in OziExplorer, but sometimes I had to shut down and restart OziExplorer to get it to reconnect. I do not know whether the instability was caused by the Garmin, the laptop, or the mapping software.
However, no data was lost as a result of these interface problems. The Garmin continued to store the Active Track, which I could easily download into OziExplorer and store permanently at the end of the day.
Another 60Cx feature I love is the coordinate averaging ability when marking a waypoint. It resamples the position once per second and calculates a running average. If you've ever taken 20 individual readings at a single location and plotted them, you will appreciate that the GPS coordinates bounce around within the radius of uncertainty, often as much as 6 meters. Just sitting still in the truck at a single location for a few minutes, the realtime tracking would draw a starburst pattern around our true position on the aerial photo. I could eyeball the center of the starburst and store that location with OziExplorer, or I could run the Garmin's waypoint averaging run for 2 minutes, providing me an average of 120 position calculations.
I also experimented with using the Garmin 60Cx with realtime tracking in Google Earth Plus (you have to buy the license, but it's pretty cheap). It works, but there are some problems with Google Earth I never figured out, like how to make it keep the current position centered in the laptop screen and how to fix the viewing elevation to prevent it from zooming in ridiculously close on the current position.
A hint to GoogleEarth users...increase the cache to the maximum 2000MB, then pan around your area of interest while connected to high-speed internet. As you slowly pan around the area, GoogleEarth will store the images to the cache file on disk, thus making them available when you are on the road and not connected to the internet. Be aware that if you exceed the cache limit your earlier panning images get pushed out to make room for new ones. Choose a viewing elevation that is not overly detailed and zoom in for fine detail only where you need it. Be sure the image loading progress gets to 100% (at the bottom of the GoogleEarth image window) before panning the image to the next view.
I am also a Geocacher. For geocaching, the ability to upload waypoints from my computer to the Garmin is wonderful. My old GPS did not have an interface ability, and every position had to be hand entered. With the cable interface, I can load waypoints from various sources quite easily. However, I did need to use external GPS utility software to reformat waypoint files from various sources. For instance, waypoints or tracks digitized in Google Earth had to be stored as KML format, then opened in OziExplorer, which could then upload the waypoints or tracks to the Garmin.
Overall, I am very pleased with my purchase of the Garmin GPSMap 60Cx. I would recommend it to anyone interested in high-sensitivity position determination and to those who need a real-time tracking interface with mapping software like OziExplorer or GoogleEarthPlus.
Customer Review: Best handheld GPS
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this gps after reading the reviews of how sensitive and accurate it is. Add me to the list of very satisfied owners. My Garmin Legend would sometimes lose the satellites inside the house, under heavy tree cover and in the car. If I turned it on for the first in the house or under my metal car port it would take several minutes to lock on. If I turned it on while driving it could take a mile or more to lock on. The GPSMAP60CX will lock very fast under most conditions and will remain locked not matter where you take it. The Legend will give different distance readings on multiple approaches to a geocache, but the MAP 60CX will read the same every time you approach. When I park each day at work in my usual parking space, the MAP60 will read from 4 to 9 ft every time. The legend with the older gps receiver couldn't do that. Sometimes it would read 12ft and other times 35 ft and then wander even though I was sitting still. Somebody challenged me to keep it locked inside our totally metal office so I took him up and moved it all over the building but the only time it lost the signal was when I got deep into the building where there were no windows and next to a closet filled with running electronic equipment. Even then it only said "weak signal" not "no signal." The built-in base map is about the same as most - not much detail, but what do you expect in a handheld gps. I cured that by buying the South Central TOPO microSD card and now I have so much detail that I have to either turn on "declutter" or set the detail default to a lower level. Some say the maps are out of date and that is true but you can buy the latest edition of Roads of Texas or other atlas for your area and find out-of-date features also. The TOPO doesn't name all the streets so if that is your interest you need to buy city maps instead. This week I was trying to find a way to get to train derailment site in a remote area and could only find one dead end "road" on the map that looked promising. So I took it and it turned out to be a long driveway. I would say that is detail enough. If you are used to a Legend or Vista, you will find that the MAP60CX gives you much more control over your default settings. You can reorder the pages and even eliminate the ones you get tired of seeing, like the satellite page or main menu page. You also have more control over how to search for waypoints. I think just about every feature on the MAP60CX is easier to use than on the Legend or Vista. It also has a routing feature that the Legend doesn't. It will actually pick the route from starting point to destination like the auto based gps units do giving you the choice of fastest or shortest route. I don't think handheld gps units are really suitable for routing purposes because the screen is so small. These color units are hard to see unless you hold them in the sun, so for routing you have to drive with one hand. I navigate with mine, but I don't care to use the routing feature. One guy said he can't get his MAP60 to interface with the computer. It interfaces just fine but it may take you a few minutes to figure out how to configure the MapSource software that comes with the unit. I don't have a bit of trouble communicating with the computer. There is just one area where I would like to see changes made. The symbol set with the MapSource software is not the same as the one in the MAP60CX, so if you create waypoints then download them to the gps, they may be different. Also there is a set of customizable waypoint symbols that I don't have a clue as to how to use. There is no documentaion on them either in the gps manual or in the MapSource help file.Customer Review: reviewed by a motorcyclist
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased the 60Cx to replace a Lowrance H2Oc I received at the beginning of the year. The Lowrance is a nice unit, but lacked trip routing, which I initially thought I didn't really need, but turned out to be wrong.
The 60Cx has an excellent feel in the hands, the buttons are surprisingly firm and responsive, where my Lowrance unit's were a bit mushy. The screen is excellent, highly visible in bright light, and the backlight is effective. The factory settings for turning the light off are a bit conservative, most likely to prolong battery life. As with most anything with a screen these days, the screen itself seems like it would scratch or scuff easily. I suggest putting some kind of protector on it. I cut a protector for a Sony PSP screen to fit.
I have not yet had to test the waterproof claims, but these were important to me, as one of my intended uses for this is mounted on my motorcycle while I'm out and about. I've used it all last season for this and it was great! If you are going to be using the unit for navigation etc you absolutely must acquire City Navigator North America, or whatever is appropriate for your region, or the pre-loaded cards. Base map detail is not enough for more then good sized city routing on highways. I also took the unit to New Zealand and it worked fine there, although Garmin's map availability is laughable, I had to purchase maps from a local shop. This is an advantage though, as apparently it's possible for 3rd parties to create compatible map data, so you are not completely reliant on Garmin.
RAM mounts are probably not your only option for this device but I'd imagine they are among the best. For cars or other vehicles, the suction cup mounts are excellent. For motorcycles there are specific handle bar mounts usually.
The unit also supports external antennas, although I can't imagine needing one, the reception and lock times are excellent, it it sports the well regarded SiRFIII chip. I was able to get solid locks even under thick tree cover while in New Zealand. I can also get a fairly good lock in my home without being near windows(but my house is also not one that would tend to block signal as much as many others).
Realistically, unless you buy preloaded cards, you will also want to purchase an additional microSD card to load maps on to, microSD memory is cheap these days, don't get less then 1GB. There's a great deal of discussion as to if a 2GB card will work or not, but as far as I can tell from said discussion it will. With a 1GB card, I can load full detail and POI data for about 1/2 the continental US.
Another bonus, the unit can be powered from it's USB port. I highly recommend you get some sort of power source for it if you will be using it in a car. This will allow the backlight to stay on while in use, which is very useful.
While in New Zealand, my friend had an older model dash Garmin (color touch screen, voice prompting, the works) and we found that other then the touch interface and voice prompting, my handheld was nearly identical in function. My lock did seem to be faster and better though, which was expected.
I highly recommend this unit. At least 2 people I know have purchased the identical unit after using mine, primarily for geocaching. The 60CSx, one step up, includes a barometric altimeter and electronic compass, which could be useful in certain situations, but I don't think justify the added expense.
Customer Review: Using the 60cx
Summary: 4 Stars
The Garmin 60cx is one terrific handheld GPS with incredible reception and an easy-to-use interface. The only downside is that Garmin could do a better job with its maps. But here are the details...
Satellite reception - The 60cx has unbelievably good reception. In fact, in the last year I've never lost tracking even when hiking in tight canyons or under forest canopy. And where I got 3-4 satellites before I'm now getting 6 or more; that translates into tighter locating. This is the reason I chose to go with Garmin over Magellan and others.
Battery life - With new alkaline batteries I'm getting about two days' use. Note: for some reason new lithium batteries, which give me a bit more time, sometimes cause the unit to automatically shut down. If you drain them slightly in another device they work fine. Very odd.
Storage - The 64MB card that comes with the device is not adequate for my uses. Fortunately, you can replace the card - in my case with a 1GB miniSD card. Some people complain about the size of the included card, but I'm accustomed to the ridiculously small cards that come with digital cameras these days.
Maps - I'm slightly disappointed in Garmin's maps, hence the four stars. I have the City Navigator, U.S. Topo map and suite of national park maps. Generally, I've had no problem in city/highway navigation. But hiking using the topo and national park maps I've run into unexpected map gaps.
Screen - Little difficulty reading the large color screen even in sunlight. I went for the 60cx over the eTrek line because of the larger view and better receiver.
Handling - The device is a little big with the antenna at the top. When hooked to my belt, unless positioned carefully, it can jab me in the side when I bend over. But it's an acceptable tradeoff for the reception quality and large viewing screen. Having the buttons at the bottom of the device can be a little awkward - it would be easier to hold the device and page through with the buttons higher up (as on the 76 models) All in all, though, very easy to use.
Build quality - It seems very solid. I've dropped from belt high more times than I can count, drenched it in water at the bottom of a canoe, left it sitting in the desert sun for hours and propped it up in the snow with no ill effects.
Comparisions - If you're trying to decide between the 60CSx and the 76Cx, here are the key differences: With the CSx, the only difference is the electronic compass and altimeter. After perusing the message boards a while, it appears functionality of the barometric altimeter is not exceptional. The electronic compass, however, enables you to get a bearing when you're standing still, while the Cx version captures your direction only when you are moving. The digital compass would be useful, but it also puts more drain on your batteries, and when hiking I'm always carrying an analog compass as a backup anyway. The 76 is a marine model that floats and has a 128MB card included instead of the 64MB card in the 60. It has a rounded top and the buttons are above the screen - more ergonimic.