Garmin users-need your opinion

[4x4 explorer]

I'm trying to decide on one of four Garmin units to buy. The primary use will be for kayaking on inland waters. However I also want to use it for off-roading and hiking. The four I've looked at are:

Garmin Oregon 400i
Garmin Colorado 400i
Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx
Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx

I know some are older technology, but even the newer models have their drawbacks like the hard to read screen on the Oregon. In the past I've bought Garmin's that were factory reconditioned at about half retail price and no problems also some of the older models are selling for less than half of what a new Oregon is going for. So of these four which would you recommend and where can I get the best price?

 

[redbeard]

I know the 60csx is on sale at REI for $199 - it's getting phased out. The 62csx is due out soon.

There was some discussion recently on an email list I'm on, mostly relating not being able to upload routes or tracks, but waypoints only - so he couldn't save his custom route. This may help
http://developer.garmin.com/web-device/garmin-communicator-plugin/device-support-matrix/

 

[shogun]

I havent used any of the others, but the 60Csx is good kit. I chose it for mil work where battery life is important and ability to lock in rough terrain. It has a fast lock time which allows a quick fix and shutdown. Also, it doesnt use a cheap "patch" antenna, so the reception is good in semi blocked terrain situations.

I think most people will recommend it also.

 

[762X39]

I have a Garmin map60 as well as a Nuvi (265WT) in the truck.Can't say enough good things about the 60.My brother has a Colorado and although it is cool, the battery life seems to be wanting.I like the fact that the 60 takes AA's so you aren't stuck if you carry spares.As others have noted, it is one piece of very well sorted out kit.

 

[97tjguzzy]

i'm looking at getting a 60csx as well, would yall suggest waiting on the new 62?

 

[Scott B.]

i'm looking at getting a 60csx as well, would yall suggest waiting on the new 62?

Go to Garmin's site, and compare the features of the 60 to the new 62 (if it is out there.) They just upgraded the 76 to the 78 - seeing as the 76 has the same feature set as the 60, I'd guess that the 62 will have a very similar feature set to the 60.

Then, decide if the new "features" are worth all the extra money for you. The 60/76 series are very good - the new features are really about more memory in the devices, and what can be stored in the additional memory. Not really new features/functionality, just more quantity, if you will.

For me, $200 for a GPS is a no-brainer - $500 for 10,000 extra way points isn't worth it.

Your mileage may vary...

 

[Rando]

Rumor has it that the Garmin Oregon 200 is on sale at Bass Pro shops for $200 if you would like to complicate your decision even further.

 

[SirCampalot]

I had a 60csx for many years... it was and still is a great unit. I recently upgraded to the 450t with the street software and it is awesome. Touch screen, AA batteries, and a much better user interface. The connection between the computer and the 450t is much faster as well... it used to take forever to transfer data with the 60csx. The screen on the 450t has much better resolution, but can be a bit difficult to see during certain lighting conditions... during extremely bright situations, the 60csx screen was better.

For the money, get the 60csx... you can't go wrong. If you have a few extra bucks to spend, try out the 450t. :victory:

 

[Driver-Navigator]

The 62 series will have a number of additional features that may or may not be important to you: wireless sharing with other wireless Garmin GPSs, paperless geocaching, better screens said to be much more readable outdoors, receiver chipsets that are several years newer and more sensitive. Probably not too much there that would apply to kayaking, but more so for offroad & hiking.

Normally I'd much rather go with the 60/62 form factor over the 76, etc., but the fact that the 76 floats may appeal to you for kayaking.

I'd check them all out in person if at all possible. I've used all of the existing models you mentioned and have friends that have definite preferences for one over the others. I use a 60Cx myself.

No matter which you get, I recommend learning how to use it properly. A lot of people that own these GPSs don't understand how they really work. REI offers good basic classes.

 

[bobc]

Garmin Nuvi650

I've had a Garmin nuvi 650 for a zillion years. It works great. Helped me find some interesting places. As someone said earlier the battery life leaves something to be desired. Thank the gods for cigarette lighter outlets. I built a shock proof plastic case for it when I use it on my motorcycles. Occassionally I do run into a problem with an address. It says the address is on this side of the street when it's on the other side. No big deal. I can live with that.

 

[TJDIV]

I'm in the same boat with the 60csx or the 450T.

TTT

 

[esh]

Since Garmin makes it very easy to compare, it is a simple thing to go through the lists and see if any new features are what you need. I love Garmin for having this tool ever since I discovered them around the III+ era.

For me, I look at the comparison and see most the differences in the 4xx line are more gimmicky than functional. I don't want photo nav, don't want my grubby fingerprints on the screen, don't need wireless. The st is sweet because of battery life and topo maps included, plus you can do cool stuff like add custom maps (satellite layers, etc) to it.

I would do a 62st with the preloaded maps if I had the money and were looking, but tbh I would likely wait and find a used one on CL in a year. The used deals are nice because you usually can find one with accessories and software bundled for the retail cost of just the unit.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Anybody looking at the 60/62/76/78... why bother with the 60 series? Go with the 70's, they are the exact same unit, only the 76 floats. And at least when I bought mine, the 76 was cheaper. Seemed a no-brainer? If I use it on the water, and I drop it, it floats.

 

[esh]

Why even make a statement like that? I am sure the 100s of thousands of 60 series owners feel so stupid because we all made such a clearly inferior choice.

:victory:

 

[Viggen]

Is the software from Garmin available for Mac? I have a Forerunner 305 but use their training center software which is web based. I would love a new Delorme but they do not support Mac at all so Im left with Garmin. So, their DVDs with map updates, are they Mac compatible?