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GPS Question
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05-15-2006, 03:41 PM
Anyone know a lot about gps units. I am buying a gps this week. I am looking at two models. Garmin 60c and Garmin eTrex Vista cx. What do you all think. Any recommendations. [
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05-15-2006, 04:02 PM
Not sure about the specific models you are describing. However, my wife just purchased the Legend C. It has been really good. I used to own a Magellan and I never worked properly.
I would just make sure that the model you do purchase has internet capabilites (USB connection) and is able to down load maps. Its amazing how far they have come in the past few years [signature]
05-15-2006, 04:29 PM
I have a Garmin right now - it's my second Garmin. It is fantastic ! I also have another(non-Garmin) that I use exclusively on my water craft.
Depending on your intended use, either the e-trex or the 60c will be great. There is a pretty big difference between those units though - and the price tag reflects that. If all you need is a speed ometer for your water craft, get the e-trex - it's cheap at about $100. The e-trex Vista is around $250-$275, but has some serious bells and whistles (really nice if you need them) that are the same as the ones on the 60c. The 60c has about twice the memory capacity of the e-trex, (important if you want topo maps, which can be down loaded from your PC). But with the SD cards, that is a negotiable variable - you can add the cards on the fly and they contain the maps. They are both really good on batteries(even rechargables last quite a long time). Again, it will depend on what your intended purpose is for the GPS unit. But, either way, I have had great service from my Garmins and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone. [signature]
05-15-2006, 07:58 PM
Both GPSs are great. The advantage to the Vista CX is the expandable memory. I haven't seen prices, but I am sure that Garmin will make a pretty penny off this memory. They had units in the past with thier memory and it was expensive. It is small and lightweight.
I like the 60c a little more. It has some 56 mb of memory and I doubt that you will ever use more than that. The screen is better sized and much easier to see, especially if you are using it in your car to navigate. The Vista has a real time compass and a barametric altimeter. The 60c uses satelite information. You can get all of the Vista features in the 60cs. I was thinking about buying a 60cs, but when it came down to crunch time I bought the 76cs because it floats. I've learned my lesson. [signature]
05-15-2006, 08:33 PM
[size 1]How much difference is it to have a real time compass and a barametric altimeter???[/size]
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05-15-2006, 09:21 PM
A real time compass works like a compass. It will indicate the direction that it is POINTING. GPSs that don't have a real time compass will only indicate the direction that you are MOVING. The satleites have to supply the GPS with information, so with the 60c for example, you could be facing north, but the GPS indicates east. You will need to take 3 or 4 steps and it will indicate the right info.
A barometric altimeter gives you elevation based on barometric pressure. All GPSs will give you elevation base of satelite information. It isn't that much of a difference, for me. Soem people may want to know that they are at 4773 rather than 4770. I don't need anything that accurate. Another advantage to having these options are that if you cannot get satelite reception, for what reason I don't know, your compass and altimeter would still work. Although GPS are electronic, and if the past has taught us anything it is that electronics can and will fail. So I would never goo into the back country relying solely on my electronic compass. A di  vantage to both of these options are that have to be calibrated daily. It isn't hard to calibrate, the GPS will walk you through it and it only takes 30 seconds at the most. I forgot to mention earlier that the 60 series has a more receptive antenna. You will get better reception with its quad-helix antenna versus the E-trex's patch antenna. You will notice a difference in a car, next to a tall building or mountain side, or under tree cover. I have the 76cs with all its bells and whistles. I don't need them, but they are fun to play around with. I could have easily gotten by with the 76 c, basically the same as the 60 c, but I was thinking it would be easier to sell the CS if I chose to do so. Just my two cents. Hawkez [signature]
05-16-2006, 12:39 AM
I'm not very familiar with your exact models, but I have a Garmin e-trex, and for a basic unit you can't go wrong. I've thought about upgrading to a mapping unit, but I have a GPS reciever for my PDA, and I have both Terrain Navigator Pro, and Pocket Navigator, so I have all the 7.5 minute maps of the state available, which are significantly more detailed than any of the maps that you can download with the mapping GPS's. My only worry is the "abusability" of my PDA! Kind of a trade off, but it works great. Can't have your cake and eat it too.
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