New ETrex vs. 60CX or 60CSX

[DCCEH]

We are shopping around for a new GPSr to replace our Magellan Explorist, and I just noticed that the ETrex Venture, Legend, and Vista have a new “high sensitivity” receiver. The price looks good on all these units, but I wanted to know if the new receivers are as dependable as Garmin claims they are. Or, should I just shell out the money for a 60CX or 60CSX with the SiRF chip? I checked out the reviews on Amazon.com and I just wanted to see if anyone had additional opinions on this topic before I make a purchase. Thanks for the help.

[-cheeto-]

I recently bought the vista HCX which has the “high sensitivity” and I thought it would be a big improvement over the magellan unit I was using and I was dissapointed. not sure on the comparison to the other garmin units, but not nearly as “high sensitive” as I guess I was expecting.

And I have come to learn that I am not too fond of the electronic compass it uses. But I love the form factor (size, button placement) of the unit which is mostly why I chose it.

[bandits]

We have both the 60C and the 60CS. We did not care for the electronic compass in the CSx as you have to calibrate it often and can be a pain in the butt, IMHO.

You can’t beat the build quality of the Map 60 units. We own the Explorist 400 but never use it. I would recommend forgoing the units with the “x” (which denotes electronic compass and barometer) unless you think you would really use them. It will save you some cash as well without giving up the chip, color and the routing capabilities.

[hogrod]

Actually the X stands for expandable memory(card slot). S stands for sensors(electronic compass and barometric altimeter), except in the etrex line they don’t use the same lettering. The Etrex Vista, VistaC, VistaCx, and Vista HCX are the only model with the “S” features.

I own both types(with and without the sensors) even if find you don’t like the electronic compass its easily turned off. On the VistaCx I hold the page button for a few seconds(top right) to turn it off. On the 60CSx its also the page key, just hold it for a few seconds.

[hogrod]

I’ve currently own a VistaCx and 60Cx, and love the sirfIII chipset in the 60Cx. I’ve tried my brothers VistaHCx with its newer chipset and found it to be as good as the chipset in my 60cx.

Don’t be expecting miracles with a “high sensitivity chipset”, all this really means is the unit will get signal slightly quicker and hold signal better in the woods. This doesn’t mean you will have a more accurate unit.

Cold start my 60Cx takes 45seconds to get lock, if its been on recently(with a few hours) it only takes a few seconds after power up to regain lock. My VistaCx without a “high sensitivity chipset” takes 45-60 seconds to get lock cold start, and half that when used recently. Similar to the 60Cx, the VistaHCx seemed to get signal in about 40seconds and only a couple when warmed up recently.

[Team Hemisphere Dancer]

I have the 60csx and have absolutely no problem with the electronic compass. It seems to work fine for me. Just calibrate after changing the battery or an extended period of time not turned on and you are ready to go.

[bandits]

@hogrod wrote:

Actually the X stands for expandable memory(card slot). S stands for sensors(electronic compass and barometric altimeter), except in the etrex line they don’t use the same lettering. The Etrex Vista, VistaC, VistaCx, and Vista HCX are the only model with the “S” features.

I own both types(with and without the sensors) even if find you don’t like the electronic compass its easily turned off. On the VistaCx I hold the page button for a few seconds(top right) to turn it off. On the 60CSx its also the page key, just hold it for a few seconds.

Thanks, hogrod. I missed spoke!!! You are correct!

[cheezehead]

I started with the old blue Etrex Legend with the color screen. It served me well even after I beat the hell of of it. For my birthday my parents bought me Garmin Map60CSx. The map60 works great. Old Blue…not so much 😳 😥 I normally carry my gps around my neck. I was out one day and after a good hike back to the truck I started taking of the layers. I, like and idiot,put the unit on the top of my truck and hurriedly got the geomutts loaded up. I got about a mile or so down the road when I noticed that the unit was not on the dash as that where U usually put it. 😯 😯 😯 NUTZ!!! I turn around and find the unit about a half a mile back on the opposite side of the road. I stop, pick it up. The screen covers is laying next to it but doesn’t look too bad. I try to turn it on, nothing. I shook it and all I hear is a big rattle. A pulp Truck got the best of it! 😥 Sorry! back to the subject at hand.

While I love my Map 60, I would have no problems going back to a Legend. IF you look around, they are about 1/2 the price of a map60.

I noticed tonight that the local Wally World the Legend with color screen for around $250,Legend with no color was $200 and the New yellow Etrex for $99.

I too have turned the compass off on my Map 60.

[hogrod]

@cheezehead wrote:

I noticed tonight that the local Wally World the Legend with color screen for around $250,Legend with no color was $200 and the New yellow Etrex for $99.

You can get better deals from walmart online, though they won’t match the prices in the store. Orders can be delivered to the store for free shipping, or you can pay for home delivery.

The LegendHCx is under $200: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=6015173

or if you want the VistaHCx(same as LegendHCx but has the electronic compass and barometric altimeter) its around $230: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=6015174

[DCCEH]

I like to travel light when caching, and I sometimes let our kids (age 6 and 7) use our GPSr when caching. So, a small GPSr at a reasonable price probably fits our needs right now. I am really leaning towards the Legend HCx after reading the posts here. I like the expandable memory in it too…nice bonus. After seeing the Legend HCx on the WalMart site, I think that’s the one. But, I am going to see if anyone else has any strong opinions on the topic before I take the plunge. Thanks for the input, everyone!!

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