|
| Garmin GPSMAP 60CS 56MB Handheld GPS | 
 enlarge
| Brand: Garmin
Category: CE
List Price: $535.99
Buy Refurbished: $153.95
You Save: $382.04 (71%)
Avg. Customer Rating:  80 reviews
Sales Rank: 3278
Media: Electronics
Number Of Items: 1
Tracks: 20
Batteries: 2
Batteries Included: Yes
Native Resolution: 240 x 160
Includes MP3 Player: 0
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 8.5 x 5.8 x 3.5
Array:
MPN: 010-00322-30
Model: 010-00322-30
UPC: 753759044060
EAN: 0753759044060
ASIN: B000189W8M
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Customer Reviews:
Excellent outdoor GPS unit. Limited auto application. October 4, 2004
13 out of 19 found this review helpful
I'm not altogether taken with this product. First of all I was disappointed that in addition to the $400 plus this item cost it was necessary to spend an additional >$125 for the North America City Select maps! Ouch!
I purchased this to help me navigate through unfamiliar cities. I did not find the maps nearly as useful as those that are available in Microsoft's Streets and Trips for $39! Unfortunately, you cannot download THOSE maps into the Garmin unit.
The other problem I had with the Garmin unit was that it took quite awhile for the unit to lock onto the satellites while inside my car. Not only that, but I was loosing my lock frequently.
To give the Garmin 60CS its due, while outside my car I found that the Garmin 60CS worked very well, locking onto the satellites quickly and providing a reliable continuously updated GPS location. The display is, despite its small size, easy to read.
This product words great for geo-caching, which is why I bought it in the first place. Honestly, my major complaints are price and the fact that it doesn't work very well in my car.
This GPS just doesn't seem to warrant the rather extravagant price BUT if you need a portable handheld GPS unit with weatherproofing then this may well be your solution. I have to admit that the proliferation of available points of interest (restaurants, hotels, hospitals etc.) available in North America City Select maps for this product makes it very nifty when in an unfamiliar city. That plus the mapping to the various points of interest with a push of a button is quite a nice feature. BUT, you do pay for these features!
 decent GPS, but poor quality of accessories limits usability September 19, 2004
15 out of 24 found this review helpful
The 60C and 60CS are, by themselves, pretty good GPS handhelds. Reception and battery life have improved much above those of the older generation of GPS units. The color screen, while not as brilliant as some sported by the latest PDAs, is a great advantage. It makes the uploadable maps much more useful and remains readable under practically all lighting conditions. The altimeter and compass are nice add-ons (especially the altitude tracking), but, in my opinion, dispensable. The unit seems pretty rugged and is waterproof.
That said, there are some drawbacks that keep me from recommending it. The objections I have might not apply to everybody's "usage pattern", I myself am using GPS handhelds only in the outdoors (I own a dedicated car navigation system).
Without any of the accessories, the practical value of the 60CS is only marginally higher than that of any entry level GPS. To make good use of it, one needs, first of all, uploadable maps - the included "base map" is all but useless. These maps are available from Garmin only. Unfortunately that leaves much of the world outside the USA uncovered, especially if one is looking for topographical maps. The upload of third-party maps is not possible - this is a significant drawback compared to many PDA-based GPS-solutions.
Also, if one plans to use their GPS on a mountain bike, they should quickly forget about the 60C/60CS. The handlebar mount offered by Garmin is of a ridiculously poor design and cannot keep the GPS safe in place when travelling off-road (or even on bad roads). I am not the only one who has lost (or destroyed) their GPS because of relying too much on Garmin's "engineering quality".
Finally, dealing with Garmin's support was a great disappointment. Garmin must be aware of the problems with the handlebar mount: Newer ones are shipping with an additional securing lace - a sorry attempt of a touch up: one cannot install the lace without covering either some keys or parts of the display (nor is it mentioned in the instructions how to install it correctly).
So when I got in touch with Garmin after losing my GPS (which was clearly due to the poor design of the bicycle mount), I hoped that they would at least offer me a discount on a replacement unit. But after a brief advice to rather talk to my insurance, they have been simply ignoring my emails ever since.
So overall, 4-5 stars would be appropriate if accessories and service lived up to the quality of the GPS unit itself, but the way it is: not recommended.
For cycling use, given my recent experiences, I would rather recommend lower-end GPS units like the Garmin Geko or Magellan eXplorist series (Garmin's bicycle mount for the Gekos seems much more trustworthy). For hiking: If you plan to use it in the USA, Norway or Germany only (topographical maps are available for these regions), the 60CS is certainly a good, albeit pricey, choice. There are also some pretty good PDA-based GPS-solutions that I basically like better, but only some of the newest PDAs offer suitable screens and sufficient batterie life - and I am still waiting for that ruggedized "outdoor" PDA with built-in GPS...
UPDATE: Somebody has pointed out to me that the packaging of Garmin bike mounts (at least in Germany) now has a big read sticker on it that reads (loosely translated): "Warning! For extreme use (e.g. road racing or mountain biking) additionaly secure unit using a string or cable binder! (...)". Funny for a unit that was advertised in mountain bike magazines and contrary to statements of Garmin's own support from only a few months ago. Well, that warning comes a tad late for me. By the way: Garmin's support has not yet responded to me - I don't expect they ever will.
 Awesome Functionality September 19, 2004
10 out of 12 found this review helpful
I've taken this on numerous hunting trips this year and have loved the map detail (with Mapsource SW), active compass, and altimiter. The battery life is significantly improved and using NiMHs I can get through numerous days of continuous use. Its bigger than the color Vista, but still small enough. I also prefer the usability of 60cs' buttons on the bottom which allows easier 1 handed operation for me than I found with the Vista.
Garmin, nice job, now all I need packed into this is a satellite phone!
Best GPS I've ever owned August 29, 2004
24 out of 26 found this review helpful
Garmin has a very hard-to-beat product with the GPSMAP 60CS. I've owned 13 different GPS units from Garmin and Magellen and this one is the best I've had. This handheld, waterproof unit does all of the things found in the much more expensive units such as autorouting, providing the user with audible turn-by-turn directions. You can also customize the display to suit your taste of color, etc. The color screen is absoultely superior and its high resolution makes it very easy to see in any condition. Easy interface with a PC allows you to upload a varity of topographical, city, and marine map products for use anywhere on the planet. I've traveled over 2,000 miles with my GPSMAP 60CS with an average accuaracy of 7 feet. Reception is excellent and fast. It's rugged which means you can take it out in the weather without fear of damaging the unit- I take it kayaking regularly. There are so many features with this unit that it can suit just about anyone's requirements for a recreational handheld GPS. You will NOT be disappointed with this gem. This is leading-edge GPS at it's best, all in the palm of your hand. Stop thinking about it and get this one!
Be aware August 3, 2004
11 out of 13 found this review helpful
The GPSMAP 60CS works fine, it's a good unit. I only see two problems. 1- The manual is not as complete as I thought it could be (Garmin's solution to the problem: we do not have more sources of information). 2- If you plan to use the unit in your car with the automotive mounting bracket, the PC interface cable and the GA 27C low profile remote automobile antenna, be prepared, the bracket was not design to work with all these stuff, you will have to force the cables to fit the unit into the bracket, this is a risky procedure for the health of the cables.
|
|
|
Copyright
©
2006 Adminpal LLC | |
