GPS?

[msad1217]

A question to those who loves to go hiking. Do you have a handheld GPS?

I am looking at buying the Garmin GPSMAP 60CS and have a few question. Is this GPS capable of detailed in car navigation? Can you punch in an address and you can get a turn by turn direction? Or is this strictly topo GPS only? Would I be better off buying a separate in car GPS, or will this handheld GPS be more than capable?

Thanks in advance.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Two things taken from Garmin's site:

"Multi-platform navigation for easy navigation in a car, in a boat, or on foot"


"Detailed basemap with general map data, including highways, major roads, river, lakes, and borders"

Looks like it'll do just fine in a car.

[dewmuw]

I've done some work monitoring rare bird nest and the GPs is a god-send - save the location of the nest (when you find it) and you can go back to the same spot over and over again with the GPS guide!

However I also do a lot of walking in the hills and have found that people are using GPS to replace traditional map and compass - which is a bit dangerous if you ask me. Use it as a support and you'll be OK.

[Loki1117]

Have you looked on the Garmin website for detailed product info? My Garmin (3 years old) is basically for hand held use. some though have a capability to have an external receiver attached to them for more reliable use in a car or more sensitive receiver for use through the car's shell. Mine needs to be near a window to have access to satellites. The one you have noted looks like it will do some road routing, but a lot of it just depends on what type of maps you have loaded onto the device. I have a set of topo maps (as opposed to road maps) for the entire U.S. on top of the map data provided by Garmin (basic highways and main city roads).

[msad1217]

Thanks for the quick replies. One thing I found is that in order to have a more detailed map, I have to shell out another $140 on top of the $400 that I will pay for this. I might need to look at the cheaper version. I just found the reviews it received at amazon.com. I found that to be very informative.

I will be using the GPS to find my way around the mountain ranges here in Washington State. I will still be bringing my good old fashion $5 maps but thought it's about time to get a GPS receiver.

[Rubi Jane]

I have the GPSMAP 60CS and it can be used as a handheld and in car with a variety of mounts. It is capable of doing turn by turn directions however you don't enter an address to navigate to but rather a waypoint with coordinates. If you have the address you can look up the coordinates on a number of websites (mapquest offers this I believe) and then enter the coordinate into the GPS, either via computer link & Garmin's Mapsource software or directly into the unit.

You can get a number of street maps as well as topo, park & special interest maps, but the 60CS does not function like a Street Pilot with address look-up. I use my 60CS for geocaching, 4 wheel offroading, street navigation (I look up & enter waypoint before I leave) and general navigation if I'm not sure exactly where I am (it's different to actually being lost;)).

I'd suggest you find a knowledgeable GPS retailer and get some direction from them. The capabilities are constantly changing and good retailers (the GPS geek retailers) stay up on the changes and can analyze what features you need & which units fit the need.

[msad1217]

Thanks for that Lindsey.

What you mentioned about on street navigation is what I was wondering about. I would prefer to be able to specify an address like the Street Pilot. But, I will have more use with the 60CS, so I will purchase that. I will try your trick in finding an address with coordinates and see if that works.

Thanks again for the tip.

[BottomBracket]

I have a Magellan Meridian Gold that I have been using for over a couple of years now. I have a mount on my bicycle and I use it to navigate the city and plot out routes, etc. I also use it for geocaching - it's kind of like the sport of orienteering but instead of control points you find caches hidden by other geocachers. To learn more about the sport, go to geocaching.com (http://geocaching.com).

I also use this handheld unit when I drive around, although it is nowhere as convenient as a dedicated car based GPS receiver.

I would urge you to look at Magellan's products too if you would like more choices. At any rate, Magellan or Garmin. you won't go wrong with either.

[KirkM]

I got the GPSMap 76C because of the additional memory for maps, routes, etc. (128mb vs 56mb on 60CS). If you can live without the electronic compass and barometric altimeter, you can get the 60C for about $50 less.

Another good source for obtaining coordinates with address input: GeoCode (http://www.geocode.com/modules.php?name=TestDrive_Eagle)


Kirk

[netadmin22]

I use the Garmin 76CS for both handheld and in-car navigation. IMO it is excellent for both applications. The major drawback for in car use is that is doesn't talk. That means that it should be mounted where it is easily visible.

For handheld use you download national park topographic maps. For auto use you download street maps for the states or areas in which you will be travelling.

[IanD]

I had used various handheld GPSs for a number of years. Currently I am using a Lawrence iFinder H20C. The base map that comes with many units is OK for general usage but if you want the high detail maps, then you will have to purchase them either preloaded on SD cards or as a map package that contains hi-res maps on CD's that you can dowload into your handheld. Just about all units can be run in a car using a lighter adaptor. However, depending upon the units antenna, reception might be a little weak. Color screen units will eat batteries a lot faster than monocrome screens.
However, i never depend solely on my GPS. I always have a real paper map stashed close by.

[primoz]

I don't know if it's interesting for you, but I use my pocket pc (hp hx4700) for this and I use cheap bluetooth gps receiver connected to ppc. After that it's just a matter of programs running on ppc, and yes voice navigation (or turn-by-turn navigation) works nice. But this is in Europe and I never tried it in USA. To be honest, maps are a bit too expensive to buy them for once a year use :)

[howler]

I have a 60cs and find it difficult to see the map when driving at speed. Also the barometric feature seems only generally accurate. But it's fun and great for fitting in your pocket.

[Citizensmith]

Trimble GeoXH. Forget finding your way back to the car, this lil puppy will get you back to the car door handle. OK, its my work one, but for something that small being able to get sub-foot accuracy is pretty amazing.

Personally I own a Garmin Vista and its been very useful. Often used it for navigation when I have a co-driver (basically anyone else in the car) as its too small otherwise.

[msad1217]

Thanks for the tip guys. I will look into the ones that you use and recommend.

[viodea]

I don't know if it's interesting for you, but I use my pocket pc (hp hx4700) for this and I use cheap bluetooth gps receiver connected to ppc. After that it's just a matter of programs running on ppc, and yes voice navigation (or turn-by-turn navigation) works nice. But this is in Europe and I never tried it in USA. To be honest, maps are a bit too expensive to buy them for once a year use :)

I'm using a PDA + GPS receiver combo in the US. It works great. It costs a little more than a standalone GPS but PDA can be used so many different way and I think that was a good option. Also, you can switch software without costing too much (only the cost of software).

[Steve Parr]

I'm on business in Nova Scotia right now, and have been doing a lot of driving. They guy I'm travelling with has a Magellan GPS. This thing is, quite simply, amazing. It ran him around six bills, but I can definitely see the value of it...

[thebrewer]

I hae a 60cs, it is worth it to spend the money on the updated maps. I considered a pda/gps combo, but the 60cd is waterproof to 1 meter and much more durable then a pda. The barrometer is neat for plotting pressure when hurricanes go by!

Rich

http://www.richmichaels.net/images/pressPlot.bmp
Frances going past.