As in, I know nothing about them really. And the fetching Mrs. Morgan got me a Garmin Nuvi 350 for Christmas for pities sake! Not quite the right unit, but geez she really went out of her way to do it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Here's the problem: the guys at Car Toys took her for a ride on the price and choice of unit IMHO. Not drastically, but she paid more than she could have. It's great for automotive use, not great for my uses. I need:
-Topo ability
-4x4 use more than street navigation
-motorcycle use, including more dirt bike orientation
-handheld use, such as for hiking and hunting.

From what I have gathered, guys in my uses tend to like the 60CSx (like a 60CS, but with compass and altimeter that work when standing still), or 76CSx (not sure of the differences), or the 276C which has a larger screen (good for aging eyes) and is kinda like the GPSIII-IV-V). No idea on 276C use in hiking though.

Anyone able to give advice here? Ideally somebody local who is keenly interested in mentoring a newbie in exchange for, say, 1554 ale? HMMMM???? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" />

BTW, I need to decide fairly soon as they have a 5-day return policy. Yech! After that it's store credit and I am locked into Car Toys.

This ties into which Map databases are supported on a given GPS.. decision #1

When we discussed the CNET guy that got lost with his family and died in Oregon, it kind of motivated me to really do some digging and comparison between the different databases I have.. using the remote area they got lost.

The comparison is below in the area where they got lost.. a very good test case for the level of detail in say TOPO versus other databases e.g. City Navigator

Here is the TOPO map database I have. Admittedly this is the 2002 edition which hasn't been updated.. the terrain won't change, but roads will... based on this database and another one I have (National Geographic TOPO), my gut feeling is topo maps are not updated as frequently as the "city" type databases..

None of them will be current in the remote places with the spurs, illegal cut throughs and so on... The GPS charting your own bread crumb track in case you got to backtrack out is mighty comforting..



bigger pic

Here is the City Navigator map of the same area... this is the version 8 that was just put out this year and has much more detail of the logging trails even though it is called "City Navigator" and of course, no terrain detail....



bigger pic

Which is better to have? BOTH <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> And this to me is where buying a GPS with fully integrated PC software is important e.g. a Garmin GPS and MapSource on the PC and, a the GPS unit having sufficent or expandable storage to have several different map databases loaded at the same time.. On my Garmin StreetPilot 2610, I have installed a 2GB memory card and allows me to keep the entire US and Canada City Navigator database loaded and a good portion of the US topo maps of the areas we frequent... I can toggle back and forth on either the PC or, in the GPS itself..

And this gets into another attribute. I simply will not consider any GPS unit that does not have the companion PC software and map data base and, an interface to download/upload routes, waypoints, maps to the GPS system.

This feature may be too complex or too much trouble for some folks, but I really like doing the route planning and research on a big screen PC, then simply download everything into the GPS.. When on the road the laptop will not be needed..

Decision #2.. Which GPS type, Handheld or Automotive ?
This in my opinion turns out to be a very personal decision based on what you want the unit to do.. You mentioned handheld use and on a motorcycle/vehicle. These two uses are pretty much going to turn out to be mutually exclusive due to one very important aspect Screen Brightness.. A battery powered handheld is not going to get you the screen brightness you really want when in a vehicle.


I started out with battery handhelds. still have it, still use it for day hikes, but it's a PIA in the vehicle (which I used for a long time with lots of attempts to fix the screen brightness problem including external lighting as shown below



The "automotive" types are typically not battery powered as they use a very bright screen which you need, but has to run off vehicle power due to power demand.

This pic from from http://gpsinformation.net/ shows the Garmin StreetPilot 2610 which I bought and absolutely love the screen brightness in the vehicle.. It's the one below with the yellow screen



A pic I took of the vehicle powered 2610 screen in broad daylight..


Decision #3 Which GPS Software, Screens, Features you you really like?

Again a personal decision and this is where the GPSInformation.net site really shines.. In addition to the excellent reviews, the site shows the actual GPS screens so there are no surprises...

Recommend you go ahead and return the unit, then spend some serious time at the above site to pick one most appropriate to your needs.

Personally if I had to replace my Garmin 2610 (no longer in production) I would go with either the Garmin 376 or 476 chartplotters (fine detail screens for either automotive or marine use) similar to the 2610 as opposed to "Crayon like" graphics on the 2620, 2630, 7200 series..

I agree. I have a Magellan hand held. The the only way I can read anything while driving is to change it to HUGE text mode which only gives me Heading, Speed, Distance.

What we really need is a HUD <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I agree that the size of screen on handhelds is a problem, but for brightness, my GPSMAP60C does the trick. When working on battery, the backlit screen (which has varying levels of brightness) stays off until you press a button to see the screen and turns off again after a couple of seconds. When you plug it in, though, it stays lit and is pretty visible.

As far as mounting options go, Garmin makes handlebar mounts, belt clips, suction cup/sandbag auto mounts (I use the suction cup in mine) and various other accessories for the GPSMAP60 series. Topo maps, city maps and blue charts abound are available. If you get the new Cx model, you get the expandable memory slot that takes SD cards as well.

If you can't tell, I'm happy with it! Good luck!

I had tripped over GPSInformation.net and it is indeed very helpful. One thing about the 60CSx that I find appealing, is that it compares to the GPS V, but is handheld. And the screen is bright, and readable in bright sunlight.

I would love to have an automotive GPS and a handheld, but unless I went frustratingly simple on both, it won't happen. In fact if my wife had not thoroughly surprised me I wouldn't even consider a GPS!! I would have thought "no sale" for sure.

So I really do need a do-it-all solution, and I figure I can set up a RAM mount in the truck and the bikes that should be legible. I'll stop the bikes before GPSfiddling of course! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> I think a tough handheld like the 60CSx would be the minimum for dealing with an XR650R vibramatic. I don't think a 276/376 would be happy.

I suppose I can just connect the GPS to a laptop for in the truck navigating too- I'll get a very decent topo view. I guess Garmin's TOPO software is so-so, but usable? And that will be my only option with a Garmin GPS? I know for a fact that some of my favorite forest singletrack is flat missing on their SW.

I also got advised to load both the City Nav and TOPO maps, and toggle between them. As I think about usage, that doesn't seem to inconvenient really.

Yeah, my next purchase is the City Nav software. The extremely basic canned map is great for major highways, but anything below a state route is not there.

You have a Thumper, too, huh? I've got a KLR that is my DD until I get the Raider engine swap done. That's cool. I half-way wish I went with the XR when I had the chance.

If you have the CSx, you get the altimeter and expandable memory over my standard CS. I thought about waiting a year when I bought mine, but it was a price I couldn't refuse so I bought it.

Go for the GPS Map. I think you'll be happy overall...

I wondered if these were adequate for car and hiking. best buy I got a gift card, so I thought I might get this.

Any comments?

In the car that monochrome display will be hard to see. Not to mention that it's small (screen viewing) and will not get reception if you take it out of your windshield areas to look at it (you need unobstructed line of sight with satellites). For hiking, on the other hand, it would probably be great since it is compact and lightweight. The nice thing about the GPSMAP is that the external antenna helps reception.

I did look at e-trex, but decided on the one I got. Just my .02.

I really don't have a whole lot that I can add to this thread. I don't use my GPS when driving unless I'm out in the middle of nowhere and I need to find my way back. I use it a lot when I'm mountain biking but again I don't ever look at it, it just sits in my camelback until I get home and then I use it for ride analysis. I'm really impressed with the 60csx and if i had my druthers that's what I would be packing around, but since my eXplorist only cost me $30 you won't find me complaining. The only thing I've got to say that is even remotely helpful is that you should check out TopoFusion, it's dirt cheap and for mapping biking and hiking I think it's fantastic. There is a full functioning demo that has no expiration, check it out.

I wonder if an exterior antenna could be utilized in the truck. I would not want to lose the signal while holding it in my hand ,driving. But if it would get the job done in an emergency, for $149.00 I would try it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I really like the idea of having one that can be taken out of the vehicle.


ouch! those are expensive. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />