Pro’s & Cons of the Different Garmin Units – Wisconsin Geocaching Association

This topic has 19 replies, 12 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 5 months ago by Astro_D.

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07/13/2008 at 6:21 pm #1726798
Astro_D
We are looking to upgrade from our Garmin E-Trex Legends. We are looking at staying with the Garmin line (sorry Ecorangers). Right now we are looking at the following units:

GPSMAP 60CSx
GPSMAP 76CSx
COLORADO 400t
OREGON 400t

Does anyone have any comments both pros and cons about these models?

AstroD-Team
07/13/2008 at 7:25 pm #1892165
cheezehead
The Map units are pretty much the same unit. I think the only difference is the 76 is a little bit bigger and will float. I still haven’t heard very good reviews about the Colorado and I think the Oregon is still a little too new.
I have the 60 and love it. I also upgraded from the Legend.
07/13/2008 at 8:00 pm #1892166
Buy_The_Tie
I have a 76 Cs and a 60Csx.

They have the same size screen, and virtually the same software inside. They have the same connections on the back and accept the same software.

Pros: 76CS
Floats (supposedly, haven’t tested)
More memory (128Mb)

Cons: 76CS
Buttons on the “top” of the unit. Hands tend to be in the way of the screen when pressing buttons.
Too wide to comfortably fit in my hand while geocaching.

Pros: 60CSx
Upgradable memory ( cheap: 2gB < $20)
Buttons on bottom
Narrower (easier to hold)
Belt-Clip included

Cons: 60CSx
auto-routing seem a little more “wonky” than the 76, but I have made no direct comparison
07/13/2008 at 9:22 pm #1892167
decdogg
It just doesn’t matter what unit you use as long as the batteries are dead and you always face away from the sun. Then walk in a straight line until you fall in a hole. When that happens follow your left ear until your arrested and kept for 24 hour observation.

Geocaching is fun.
07/13/2008 at 11:11 pm #1892168
Astro_D
@decdogg wrote:

It just doesn’t matter what unit you use as long as the batteries are dead and you always face away from the sun. Then walk in a straight line until you fall in a hole. When that happens follow your left ear until your arrested and kept for 24 hour observation.

Geocaching is fun.

🙄 🙄 Geez..that was a lot of help.
07/14/2008 at 1:42 am #1892169
K0rpl
Hey Guys!

I am also thinking about replacing the old Beat up Garmin Rino 120

I am thinking of going with the Garmin Rino 530HCx, or with the Garmin GPS Map 60CSX.

Those are my two choices for now. It was neat to get to see a Colorado, but I am not completely sold on that.
07/14/2008 at 5:07 pm #1892170
SammyClaws
We have a 76CSx and a 60CSx and they are virtually the same with the exception of the form factor. If you like the bigger buttons and and larger unit, you will get used to having the buttons on top of the 76CSx. The 60CSx has the same screen is a smaller unit and smaller buttons. The only reason I have trouble with it, is I am used to the bigger buttons and not press them quite in the center.

If you narrow your selection down to those two, get your hands on the two of them and see which you like better. I know Cabelas will let you play with them in the store.
07/14/2008 at 5:59 pm #1892171
Team Deejay
One other advantage to the 76CX over the 60Cx is “waterproofness”. Many people have experienced failure of the 60s when pushing the buttons during a driving rainstorm. (No, we aren’t smart enough to come in out of the rain!) I have not heard of similar failures with the 76s, which are designed as “boating” GPSs, hence the floating and higher level of waterproofing.
07/15/2008 at 3:57 pm #1892172
gotta run
Any one versus the other work better within tree canopy?

On the Left Side of the Road...
07/15/2008 at 4:25 pm #1892173
SammyClaws
@gotta run wrote:

Any one versus the other work better within tree canopy?

Of the two we have they are virtually equal. Sometimes, I will take mine out of the case in a last act of desperation in hopes to get a better signal. But I cannot say either one is better than the other regarding accuracy on any given terrain.
07/16/2008 at 2:43 am #1892174
PCFrog
GPSMAP 60CSx
GPSMAP 76CSx

What I don’t get is the 76csx floats and has a larger screen, I know not by much, and comes standard with larger SD card. So why does it sell for less than the 60csx?
07/16/2008 at 8:44 am #1892175
Team Deejay
@PCFrog wrote:

GPSMAP 60CSx
GPSMAP 76CSx

What I don’t get is the 76csx floats and has a larger screen, I know not by much, and comes standard with larger SD card. So why does it sell for less than the 60csx?

The 76 used to be more expensive, but the 60CSx is much more popular with geocachers, so the street price hasn’t dropped as much.
07/16/2008 at 11:07 am #1892176
Cachew
Looking at where the Y’s fall in this comparison, the ’60’ would be the one for me…

http://garmincolorado.wikispaces.com/Colorado vs 60csx
07/16/2008 at 1:25 pm #1892177
PCFrog
@Buy_The_Tie wrote:

Cons: 60CSx
auto-routing seem a little more “wonky” than the 76, but I have made no direct comparison

Could you conduct side by side test to see if they handle a trip in a different manner? It would be interesting to know.
07/16/2008 at 1:50 pm #1892178
nohandsgps
You may also want to consider the 60 because it will fit in that new GPS Body Mount. You never know when you may want your hands free while geocaching.
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