Garmin 60CX

[slipshod]

   Siskiyou I am considering upgrading from my old Magellan 315 to the Garmin 60CX.It appears to be quite similar to your Garmin 76 CX except that it doesn't float.I hunt in extremely rough terrain with steep hillsides and valleys and although the Magellan has never let me down I feel that it is time to move up to a mapping model.Are you using rechargeable batteries and are you getting good battery life?I see that buy.com has the 60 CX listed for $285 and no shipping charges and I was wondering if you would get the PC cord with this or if this would be additional?Slipshod.

[Siskiyou]

sliphod the Garmin 60CS has the same operatinng system as the 76CX.  I use rechargeable batteries in mine.  When out I carry a couple of extra in case I get stranded.  That way I can use them in my mini maglight, my portable radio, or my gps if needed. 

Package Includes: GPSMAP® 60Cx unit
64 MB microSD
Belt clip
USB interface cable
MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager CD
Lanyard
Owner's Manual
Quick-Start Guide

While travelling in a vehicle in and out of my hunting areas I use a Pc interface cable plugged into a power outlet.  It also has a PC adapter for a serial port.  This worked okay on the older gps units but one must now purchase a serial port to USB adapter to add to the dasiy chain if you are going to connect to a laptop in your vehcile.  Admittedly I use the laptop very little in the vehicle.  But I do take advantage of the cable to power the gps.

Rechargebles require battery management so they are usable when you needed them.  One of the chargers I have works in my vehicle.  I can put my batteries in the charge when I leave the hunting area and they are recharged in a short time.

A word of caution, a friend bought a couple extra SD cards from a computer outlet.  Oops, they did not work, you want a Micro SD card.  Most computer stores have them far cheaper then empty Garmin SD cards.

[slipshod]

  SiskiyouI have one more question.It concerns the use of Maptech software.Will I have to purchase a USB link to transfer waypoints and download tracks on to my Maptech program.I have purchased the Mapsource Topo spftware and I plan on loading it into my gps but for paper maps I would much rather view the Maptech maps.thanks.Slipshod

[Graybeard]

Will AA alkaline batteries power it also?

[Siskiyou]

Alkaline Batteries:  Provide more hours of service.  Better for cold weather.  Lithium batteries have seven times the life of Alkaline batteries.  If I were making the hunt of a life time I would take a supply of lithium batteries.

Every once and a while you will see a couple of old guys out hiking in my neighborhood.  Each has a Garmin gps hanging from his neck.  The old lady’s think the guys are wearing heart monitors.  Human failures become evident with one of the guys.  About half the time his unit is not working because he is trying to get the last minute of use from a set of Alkaline batteries.  The other guy is using good rechargeable NIMH. Batteries.  You do not see his gps go dead.  He also carries an extra set just in case.  A matter of human nature.

I recommend a 12-volt power cord when in a vehicle.  This saves your batteries, and allows you to have the background light on in your gps.  It makes it easier to see the screen.  I use a Gilsson Technologies cord which comes at about 1/3 the cost of a Garmin or Magellan cord.

If I were spending one or more nights on the trail Alkaline or Lithium batteries would be my choice.  When hunting from home or a camp I us rechargeables.  I have a 12 volt charger and just plug it into my pickup.

I spend a lot of time playing with my gps units, on walks, hunts, in the living room, and at the computer.  I would go broke if I was feeding them none rechargeable batteries.  On some days I have two in service, one with a grandkid and I having the other.  Rechargebles are the answer for me.

I have friends who work for a government agency.  They do critical emergency work 12 months a year.  The temperature this morning in the area they work was –5 degree.  Alkaline or Lithium batteries are the answer for them.

This hunting season I encountered a number of mornings with the temperature in the high 20’s.  I did not have any problem with rechargeable.

More then what you wanted to known.

Garmin 60CX Mini USB to USB 1.0 cord comes as part of the 60CX package. 

" From Map Tech"
 

 "    GPS Ready
Real Time Positioning
Connect a USB GPS to your PC to see your position right on the map.
SWOSXUSB   USB GPS Receiver      $119.95   
             Learn More About the USB GPS Receiver
 

 Or, connect an industry-standard NMEA 0183 GPS receiver to your PC.View GPS Compatibility List
Transfer Waypoints from PC to GPS
Transfer waypoints directly from your PC into popular GPS receivers. Say goodbye to the task of keying in waypoints one by one. View GPS Compatibility List
Download Your Maps Onto a Pocket PC Handheld
Download USGS maps onto a Pocket PC handheld using Pocket Navigator software (sold separately). It's the most portable way to take detailed Maptech digital maps into the field.
   
      

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Support Home > GPS Compatibility (Serial and USB) - Terrain Navigator / Terrain Navigator Pro
        
     TITLE  (printable format) (email this document) GPS Compatibility (Serial and USB) - Terrain Navigator / Terrain Navigator Pro   Created: 04/01/2004Modified: 12/28/2005
 DISCUSSION IntroductionTerrain Navigator (and Terrain Navigator Pro) is compatible with a wide variety of GPS units. Transfers of routes, waypoints, and tracks to and from many GPS units is possible - as well as the ability to display a real-time position on the computer screen. The attached .pdf document lists and explains all of the various supported configurations.USB GPS UnitsMany popular GPS units now require use of a USB port for connection to the computer. This includes the Garmin GPS 60c, GPS 60cs, and GPSMap 276c. Because of the shift in protocols from standard serial connection (relied upon in the NMEA GPS specification) and this new USB configuration, version 6.04 (or later) of Terrain Navigator (and Pro) is required in order to communicate with these units. The free 6.04 update is available for customers running previous editions of Terrain Navigator (and Pro.)Click here for the Terrain Navigator 6.04 update.Click here for the Terrain Navigator Pro 6.04 update.Click here for the Terrain Navigator Pro, Network Edition 6.04 update.Terrain Navigator 7.0 (and Terrain Navigator Pro 7.0) is fully compatible with Garmin USB GPS units; no separate update/download is required." **   http://www.maptech.com/land/terrainnavigator/index.cfm?infopg=gps

So that we understand, you cannot transfer Map Tech maps to a Garmin gps, BUT you can transfer waypoints, routes, and tracks both directions. 

[PA-Joe]

You can also upgrade to a Megelian Sportrak system!

[Siskiyou]

Magellan no longs produces or supports the Sporttrak series of gps units.  The eXplorist 600 North America is the close unit to the Garmin 60CX, except it does not have the chip found in the 60Cx which gives its great reception.  Currently reading says that Magellan is trying to get there.  Also Magellan has been spun-off from it's parent company.  It maybe better for that Magellan makes good gps units.  A problem with some production runs of the SportTrack was the screws on the back of the case cracking the case.

I have not heard of major problems with the eXplorist series.

[victorcharlie]

I second the rechargeable batteries.  I use my unit a lot and like Siskiyou, I found it cost prohibitive to use anything other than rechargeable Nimh batteries.   A while back, Siskiyou made an extensive post regarding rechargeables.......I took his advice and bought several sets of different Nimh rating......and found the higher Nimh last significantly longer and justify the small extra price..... I usually take extra batteries with me......

I also have the external power cable and would recommend it.....

[slipshod]

    Siskiyou I have recieved my 60CX and it appears to lack one feature that my Magellan 315 has.It appears not to display the actual bearing in degrees when navigating to a waypoint.When navigating I would always use a compass and if in the event that you would lose satelite acquisition all was not lost as the compass would carry you on through.Am I missing something or doesthe bearing actually appear when doing a Go To?slipshod

[Siskiyou]

I am not a great technical writer, but here goes.  First I suggest that you setup your gps at home and practice with it.  I believe you are doing that, and taking shake down walks to learn how to use it.

You have found your Waypoint and you choose the GoTo option.  Then you switch from the Waypoint Page to the Compass Page.  Once you select the compass page you have a number of options.  Click on the menu button and you will find that you have a large number of options.  I have changed my around a number of times playing around.  One of the options shown in the Menu is that you can have the Compass Pointer setup as a “Course Pointer” or a “Bearing Pointer” I prefer to have mine setup as a Bearing Pointer.  The Pointer will point to the waypoint.  The Pointer will continue to point at your waypoint, and the outside Compass Ring will swing around and change with your course showing your direction in degrees.  (Ref.  Page 48 60CSx Manual)  Check out page 52 of you manual and you will see how you unit will display degrees.  One we get into the operation of your electronic compass I am in over my head.  I have the “cheaper vision”.

Suggest you go out and create a waypoint and then select the Waypoint, and the GoTo option.  Then walk circles around the Waypoint watching how the Compass Ring and the Bearing Pointer reacts to your movement. 

I have my Compass Page setup with 4 Data Fields.  If you select the Bearing option it will show you are N, NE, NW, SE, and so forth.  Normally I take a bearing be it with a compass or gps, select big snag, rocky point or some other target and work my way to the target.  There maybe logs, thick vegetations and other obstacles in the way, so I will zigzag to get there. 

When I am in the woods I like my USA Topo Software and when out of the woods I like City Navigator.  Using the Map page or the Highway Page maybe to you liking.  I prefer the Map Page.  The position marker, which is the dark triangle, points the direction you are moving in relationship to the targeted waypoint.  As an example the map shows you that you are on the wrong side of a lake from the waypoint.  The walking on water option does not work for me, so I detour along the shoreline until I get to the waypoint.  The map may show you a stream flowing into the lake.  You have a choice of crossing the stream or taking a route around the other side of the lake to avoid the stream cross.  The Position Marker and the GoTo line depicted on your screen will guide you to the Waypoint. 

As you work with you 60CSx you will find that most PAGES will offer you are number of options if you hit menu.  The Map Page offers a ton options.  And those options will change to take advantage of the software you have loaded on you unit.

[slipshod]

  Siskiyou,I used my 60CX for the first time yesterday.Last day of NY muzzleloader season so I took it along with my Magellan 315.I tried it against the 315 and it recieved 2 to 3 more satellites than the Magellan in most all cases.Acquisition was much faster with the 60CX.I also found an actual bearing to use for a Go To.On the waypoint page when you scroll to a waypoint at the bottom of the page the distance and bearing to that particular waypoint shows up.I stillhunt most of the time and this will work to help me navigate when moving very slowly.Slipshod