help selecting GPS and software

[Friar_Tuck]

Hello guys,
Maybe this is a Ford Vs Chevy thing, but I hope you guys can steer me in the right direction.
I have an old, basic handheld GPS now, but want to upgrade.
Here is what I am looking for:

Good mapping capabillity
Accurate
Easy to make and load Topo maps of USA
3D topo on PC would be a plus, but not mandatory

I am looking at the Magellan Explorist 600 or XL, with the MapSend Topo 3d
But after reading here, I am now looking at the Garmin line, 60Cx, or 60 CSx, 76Cx, or 76CSx
Is the only difference between the Cx, and CSx the altimeter and electronic compass, or are there other things?
Is the case design the difference between the 60, and 76 series?
Anybody have a good indication of battery life for Alkaline, an Lithium batteries in either the 60, or 76 series?

I will be using this primarily for Hunting, often under a canopy, with a bit of fishing thrown in too.
The ability to use it in the car as a nav tool would be a plus too.

I hope I didn't overdo it with questions here.
Thanks
Jim

[Siskiyou]

I am looking at the Magellan Explorist 600 or XL, with the MapSend Topo 3d
But after reading here, I am now looking at the Garmin line, 60Cx, or 60 CSx, 76Cx, or 76CSx


Is the only difference between the Cx, and CSx the altimeter and electronic compass, or are there other things?

The altimeter and electronic are the main difference. 

Is the case design the difference between the 60, and 76 series?

Siskiyou

The case design of the 76 series makes it a better option out on the water.  The 76 floats, the 60 sinks.  The design of the 76 series better protects the antenna from “extreme” impact.  Mountain bikes have broken the antenna on the 60 series when they have had bone breaking crashes.  Normally the 60 series holds up better then the bones.

Anybody have a good indication of battery life for Alkaline, an Lithium batteries in either the 60, or 76 series?

Siskiyou

“Good Alkaline” batteries last the advertised 18 hours.  I have not used lithium batteries in a gps.  I have used them it flashlights and cameras.  They are good but expensive.  99% of my use is with rechargeables.

I will be using this primarily for Hunting, often under a canopy, with a bit of fishing thrown in too.

Siskiyou

I like the 76Cx because in receives very well in building and under heavy canopy.  This last year I have taken a number of friends into the woods with the Garmin Legend, the Garmin 76C, and the Garmin 76Cx.  The 76Cx never lost a satellite lock.

If your fishing is closes to being wet and you are floating rivers and rapids I would go for the 76 series.  I have never drop a gps into a like but I use caution.  For me the bottom lines was the price, and with the rebate at the time I made my purchases the 76 series came in lower then the 60 series.  

http://www.garmin.com/whatsNew/currentpromotions/

The ability to use it in the car as a nav tool would be a plus too.

Siskiyou

I have used my units to navigate, when I added the City Navigator 8v.  I was impressed because I could locate address, intersections, fuel, service, food, motels, and hospital.

This summer four of the people that I work with purchased new GPS units.  All five were upgrading from old GPs III Plus units.  And they had already invested in US Topo. Two purchase the 60CSx, and two purchase the 76Cx.

A number of retailers will be offering after Christmas discounts on gps units.  If you are around a retailer that carries both Garmin and Magellan models have them take a Cx or CSx model and a high end Magellan model outside and compare them.  Last summer I was at a REI store and a lady looking to buy a gps did that.  She bought the 60Cx.  Even if you do not buy at the store it sure is away for you to see the product in action.

A good outdoor store will already have units that have been INITIALIZED.  I a unit has not been INITIALIZED IT WILL NOT BE A FAIR TEST.

Hopefully we get some feed back from Magellan eXplorist owners

[brnchbrkr]

Sorry if this has been posted allready, I am new to this forum and have not read all the post.

Yahoo has some groups that talk about the models.

You have to join, but not that hard, just remember your sign in info, because they ask for it if you haven't checked in for awhile. 

Here is a link to get you started on more reading material.

http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=gps+garmin&sc=-1&sg=11&ss=1
http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=gps+garmin

http://gpsinformation.net/     (more info than the law allows.)   ;-)

After you read a few reviews, you will know more than the salespeople trying to sell you something else.

I apologise to Mr. Siskiyou if this is old news.

[SURVEYOR]

Here a very good forum,

GroundSpeak

[Siskiyou]

No apology needed, I have checked out the Yahoo site in the pass but did not post the link.  Most of the information I viewed at the time had little relationship to the hunter, fisherman, or backpacker.  I am sure that as time passes the information of interest will popup.

I do check the GroundSpeak link every once and a while.  You can pickup good information on the site.  Like any other site the wheel is re-invented at times but that is a positive so that new members do not need to drop back six months to a year on some questions.

Gpsinformation.net is an outstanding site. 

[Friar_Tuck]

Well guys,
Just ordered the 76CSx.
I figure if I get response from Garmin users, I will get more help for Garmin use!
Thank you for your answers.
I have a few good 1:24000 topo CDs from USGS
I see that the utm is shown, so I assume I can transfer the locations I want onto the unit as waypoints?
This will be an adventure, I am sure there will be plenty of dumb questions to follow.
Thanks,
Jim

[Siskiyou]

Your new 76CSx will come with a Mini USB to USB interface cable.  It will also come with USB software to use with Garmin’s MapSource products.  I recommend that you check out the version of your USGS software.  If you do not have the latest version you will need a low cost update to obtain the USB drivers.  The update also adds 3-D and other features to the USGS software. 

A friend purchased the update a while back and he is happy with it.

http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/topo/


Take a look at your USGS software, under Preferences you can adjust the software to UTM, Lat/Long, along with the NAD.

Most likely your new gps with come with Lat/Long set as the default.  You can change that by selecting the Setup Icon, and then going to units.  You can select UTM, at that location. 

Treat the rubber cover over the mini USB connector with caution.  It may come off if miss-handled.  A small screwdriver will make the fix if it does.

[victorcharlie]

The 76CSX is the model I'm wanting..........great choice IMO.......

[Friar_Tuck]

well,
My 76CSx arrived today, and I have begun to play with it.
Now the trouble,,,, I bought it from a dealer on ebay with thousands of feedbacks, and 100% rating, that swears he is an authorized dealer, no grey market or refurbished stuff.  But when I went to garmin to register it, I get a "This number has already been registered" message.  I have contacted the dealer, and will call Garmin next week.  Wish me luck!
Jim

[Siskiyou]

It will be interesting how this turns out.  Garmin warns about auction sites.  Please keep us up to date on this.  I would say that your problem is with the seller and not Garmin.  I wish you the best of luck. 


Q. Does Garmin have any authorized dealers on eBay or any other online auction site?
A. Garmin does not have any authorized dealers that sell new products directly on online auction sites. Any purchases made through online auction sites are on a ?buyer beware? basis. A copy of the original sales receipt is required as the proof of purchase for warranty repairs. Online auction confirmations are not accepted for warranty verification and Garmin will not replace any missing components from any package purchased through an online auction.

 

[EsoxLucius]

well,
My 76CSx arrived today, and I have begun to play with it.
Now the trouble,,,, I bought it from a dealer on ebay with thousands of feedbacks, and 100% rating, that swears he is an authorized dealer, no grey market or refurbished stuff.  But when I went to garmin to register it, I get a "This number has already been registered" message.  I have contacted the dealer, and will call Garmin next week.  Wish me luck!
Jim

Should have bought from TIGER GPS!

[brnchbrkr]

A shout out to Robin Hood and his Merry Men, may be in order!   


Sorry, couldn't resist.

Hope all ends well here shortly, but would like to see link to sellers store front.

[Friar_Tuck]

I will post a link to his store front, after I get this worked out.
He is seeming to be helpful, I will know more after a call to Garmin.
No telling, maybe somebody entered their numbers wrong.
Still have faith!  The seller has been at it for over 3 years, and has several thousand feedbacks 100% possitive.
Jim

[brnchbrkr]

Hopefully you get this glitch over with ASAP.

My setup is a few years old now and I remember the scare in just trying to get everything loaded with no hang ups.

 MapSource was pretty straight forward. Just got around to updating MapSource and like what I see so far.  Under View, you can now click on Google Earth.  At this point I just cut and paste the gps coordinates in Google Earth and it will show you your favorite hunting grounds. I believe their is a few other moves, but haven't figured them out yet.  (too much grey matter in operator.)


At the time, I could only buy City Select North America v6. As a Map/Auto Routing Program.
They give you a couple of unlock codes and then thats it. The only good thing is that once you have your GPS and Desktop/Laptop Syncd, you can due this with every computer you might have access too.   So you could load it into 10 computers if you had them and just be using One of the Two unlock codes for the Maps. Of Course I think I used the function where Garmin has my codes uploaded to their sites.



Hope your able to try out a few functions in the mean time.

[Siskiyou]

For users of older versions of Windows operating system Do Not Download the latest MapSource Update.  It will not reconize the older versions of Windows. 

[Friar_Tuck]

Woohoo,
First off, I feel like a total idiot now, again. 
The number I was using that was molded into the unit, was not the serial number.
The serial number is on a tag under the 4 pin weathercap, would have been nice if the garmin site mentioned that, rather than saying it was, "On the Back"
But the great news is, it is now all registered!!!!!!
I ordered the Garmin Topo, and also the National geographic 24:000 topo for my state.
Thanks for all the help, I am sure there will be more.
Jim

[Siskiyou]

In my old age there is another mine field out there.  You will find there is also a unit number, and it is also confused with the serial number.  I am glad you hung in there and resolved the issue.  I suspect that you are not the first to get nailed by that one.

I just looked at the Manual for the 76Cx Product registration information.  It says the serial # is on the back of the unit.  The information is incorrect, the serial # is under the cover for the batteries and the 4-pin connector. 

One cannot fault you for following the manufactur's directions.  Hopefully you have saved a member some grief.

[Friar_Tuck]

This thing is a hoot!  My old one would lose the signal if a robin flew overhead, but this thing can lock on 11 satelites inside the house.  I can't wait till the 24:000 topo shows up, and the garmin topo, i should be ablr to really get in trouble!
Jim