Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx

Imperial Dave
Reviewed: 01 November 2010

Expensive, full of features but ultimately diappointing

Robust - waterproof case
packed full of features (electronic compass, altitude tracker and data storage options)
quick acquisition rate for signal

bit bulky and realtively heavy
very expensive when I bought mine 2008
mapping an expensive option
screen difficult to see in sunlight

When this first came out, I had a Garmin GPS12 unit which was ok for basic navigation but wanted something bigger and better. I bought the 60scx to replace the GPS12 as it had features such as the elctronic compass and microcard storage options. Having used it, I quickly became dienchanted with it as it didnt come with any mapping software and at the time the only option was Garmins own UK topological mapping set at around£150. Seeing as I had paid over £400 for mine I felt hard done by in this respect. The unit had a reasonable display screen (although a nightmare in bright sunlight) and was robust enough but this didnt give me an overall feel good factor. In the end I just couldnt see what my £400 had given me above and beyond other handheld GPS units at the time. Of course since then, GPS units have come on leaps and bounds and now this really is a big dinosaur in my opinion. I managed to sell mine on for not much less than I had paid so was lucky.

Not for me sorry

Actionman
Reviewed: 13 December 2009

CANT GO WRONG WITH THIS UNIT GOOD BIT OF KIT AND EASY TO USE

great unit small ,well featured, easy to use and with a 2 gig Micro SD card all the memory you need to put on Topo UK the mapping is a stripped down version of the OS type giving basic landmarks such as rivers roads tracks contours and easy to read plenty of POIs even my local Cafe' runs on AAs so you can use 2800mAh Ni-MH and it will run from the USB port but it wont charge from it.

well lets see its water resistant not waterproof it will sink if used with Ni-Mh batteries and you cant charge said batteries from its USB port but you can run the device using the FREELOADER solar psu and with a wind up torch with phone charger adapter you have a perfect PSU to run it forever so to speak now why didnt Garmin think of that? oh yea you have to build it yourself and mod the torch.at least it has AAs so worse case you use the ones you always carry as spare

as my teacher used to say Could do better but not for a while yet pretty much a good all rounder and only the odd niggle to put it down

Dave Carter 2
Reviewed: 31 October 2007

EXCELLENT PIECE OF KIT. WELL WORTH THE EXPENSE.

Great battery life. Easy to use. Fast and accurate. Weatherproof.

A few gimmicky features that will never get used.

My third hand-held GPS unit and the only one I can see me using on every trip. I've just done the first two walks with it. I left it clipped to my belt and powered on all the time - the battery level is still showing full. It got rained on which obviously doesn't affect its operation. It's so easy to use and doesn't just tell you where you are like many other cheaper GPS units. Following routes with the colour map and compass is a doddle and, combined with a proper map, there's absolutely no excuse to get lost. The GPSMap 60CSX will certainly be a standard piece of kit to take on all my walks from now on.

The UK Topo Map is quite OK when using the device but for planning routes and analysing tracks, it's best used with software like Memory Map or Anquet.

Robert Colton
Reviewed: 28 August 2007

GREAT PIECE OF KIT DEFINITELY RECOMMEND TO ANYONE

For someone who's not really competent with map reading this makes walking an easy task. (no getting lost)
If you mark where your car is you can use the device to find your way back.
You can also plot a route on your PC and then download to your device.

Sometimes in bright sunlight it can be difficult to view the screen without shading it.
I guess this would be the same for any device.

I bought the additional mapping software and to fit everything into the device you have to buy an additional SD card it's a shame it doesn't come with a larger memory card out of the box or in the software package.

I always keep it with me even when not walking it's a small device can easily be put in your pocket.
With my job sometimes I'm out and about and I need to find somewhere ideal for car navigation if I haven't got my in car GPS with me.

Very pleased many more items on the device than I will ever use for my type of outdoor pursuit.

One of my other hobbies photography you can log where the photograph was taken for future reference.

Also ideal for geo-catching ( GPS treasure hunting )

Christopher Rose
Reviewed: 17 May 2007

SUPERB PIECE OF KIT

Waterproof plus you can buy a case. Has an altimeter and compass. Add this to the car navigation and you have an all in one package with superb battery life

For in car navigation no voice commnds just a beep (somebody may see this as a blessing!). It is a bit slow on roundabouts.
Would like to see more International TOPO maps though

This is a superb GPS unit. I have used in in the US and in France. You have to hunt around to get the Euopean TOPO maps but it's work the effort. I bought the car kit which has a superb mount and maps for all of Europe.