Choosing a GARMIN

[KLR Kid]

I've decided on a GARMIN after using both the Magelan and the GARMIN units over a short period of time.

I've got my heart set on the GARMIN Map60CSx and GPS Central in Calgary has a good price for the unit...better than in the US as well from what I have found.

Does anyone have any pro/con feedback on this particular model or any other GARMIN that they think I should consider?

I'd also be interested in what map software people are running in their GARMIN that gives the best Dualsport bang for the buck...detailed for off road and useable for touring to different towns and cities.

Thanks.

 

[joker650]

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What about some of those other bigger models, i.e the street pilot and the lot like that?

They have bigger screens and that is a BIG +, and the prices look in line with the MAP60 series. Maybe they are not water/weather proof though.

I have a GPS Map60C with Topo Canada and really like it. If I was to buy another one I would geta GPSwith a bigger screen.



I have the Topo maps for "Lend" if u need. Just don't load Quebec and Ontairo...the program seems to screw-up when that disc is loaded. But don't tell anyone...it might be illegal to lend them out. shhhh.....

 

[JavaJude]

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I have the Garmin 60C which is the model before the 60CSx. I think the 60CSx is a big improvement with the expandable memory card. Most of the other functions have remained the same. I find it to be a durable unit (I have dropped mine a number of times at speed . . . I won't explain how it keeps happening . . . and it keeps on working).

The only thing that I don't like is the small display window. But I'll take durablity and functionality over a bigger screen.

I mount mine on a lockable touratech mount and have a hard wire on the bike to save battery power. I've used this system for a couple of years and it works great. Very rarely do I ride off road or on the street without my GPS.

I have found that Metro Canada andMetro USA mapping softwarework well. Ihave the TOPO maps but I find them too confusing with a small screen to see the details. The contour linesand theroad lines are pretty much the same color and it gets confusing. That's just my opinion though. TheMetro maps are great for road trips as there is lots of useful infofor Points Of Interest (ie: hotels, food, gas, camping, etc).

A larger unit is greatbecause you'd get a larger display screen. But you have to think about whatkind of riding you would be using the GPS for.

I also have found over thelast couple of years that when I ride with the GPS I tend to look at it quite a bit and I miss what is going on around me. I went for a ridelast week with out it and I found found myselfenjoying the scenery more. Funny huh?

Those are just my thoughts. I hope you pick the GPS that works best for you.

-Judy-

 

[Poco Red]

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I've got the Garmin 60CSx and its great for both on and off road and I've got City Nav North America as well as Topo Canada. It is a good all round unit and also very robust and seems to be OK on a Ram mount on my bars!

I also have the Lowrance Iway500c for my touring bike and cars and its great as well. Much larger screen and software preprogrammed for all of North America. I would not consider putting this on an off road bike. At 4 lbs if would not stay on and would be too bulky for the trails! You would need to make sure what ever unit you buy does not have an active hard drive which would be susceptable to vibration!

The 60CSx also offers the benifit of being handheld if you might need to walk out of the bush! Grin!

 

[250ccforme]

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The Garmin eTrex Legend might be one to avoid. I had to exchange mine several times. Number 4 seemed OK but when it screwed uptoo :mad3:I went for a refund rather than another exchange. The screen would blank out with a line top to bottom. Power switch would not work at this point. Removing the batteries would reset the units. Battery power showed good. Great when it works but something not quite right with the Legend; maybe a bad batch made it to this area.:?

 

[KLR Kid]

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Thanks to all for taking the time to givefeedback....and the offer Joker .

 

[Randy and Dee]

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I bought the garmin 276c with the tourtech mount.Works good on and off road large screen long batt life.GPS citywas very good for service and delivery.

 

[Randaroo]

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Great to here that people are using those things.

Make sure you figure out how to save and upload those tracks/files to http://bike.stu.ph

The site has been bereft of new content and needs a bunch of new rides on it. that way i can download and explore some other parts of the province.

I'll be adding a lot more content next year but have only recently become a GPS user and even more recently figured how to upload the tracks/files.

Great way to spread the word.

Party on Garth!

 

[blocker]

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I have the 276C and find it useful for bike and car travel. Very durable, large customizable screen (I use it as my speedometer). I use the original mount on my bike andthe unithas survived many KM. Great in the car with adapter for voice directions.

 

[Shifty]

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I had the Garmin 60CSx with the lockable Turatec mount. It seemed like a good system but the draw backs are small screen and tough to use with gloves. With the Canada topo and the small screen it was hard to navigate around with the full detail. Another issue was that was told to me that it was not good for Vibration.... On my first trip out with it were I did about 800km off road over a weekend, it started to shut off on me for no reason. So I took it back. (Something you don't get when you buy on line!!) I then upgraded and replaced it with the Zumo 550. This one kicks a**! Large screen, Great adjustable mount and it has all the main roads and cities on North America. It doesn't matter where you are you can find fuel and it guides you right there. It also is designed for a motorcycle with touch screen for the left hand. Another great feature that I like is the fuel setting. You plug in what your range is and it will alert you when your about 20km from that range. Plus the Canadian Topo goes right in with the 2 Gig SD card. I was able to install all or BC, Yukon and Alberta and I still have 1 gig to go. Out of all 6 units that I have owned, so far this one is the easiest one to use. It also came with a car mount and I use it everyday driving to new job sites. No need for the map book.
Hope this helps.
list of the other unit that I have owned
Garmin III, III plus, Rhino 310, Rhino 530, 60CSx and Zumo
Cheers

 

[Shawndude]

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I agree with others here, the Garmin Topo Canada is very hard to use, because the elevation lines get in the way of actually seeing the roads/paths.

The USA and Canada Metroguides work great. The Canada one hasn't been updated in a while, so some stuff is obsolete on there, so you need to learn when to trust the GPS, and when to take it with a grain of salt.

Offroad, the Garmin treats all the trails as equals, and can really push you into "roads" that haven't been used for 20 years, and end up in some dubious predicaments if you follow it without question.

GPS is great, but is only as good as the mapsthat you have available. I've had great success using other peoples tracks though, andI rely on those much more than the built in maps.

Off to check out the Zumo, Shifty suggested,sound great!

 

[Shawndude]

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Ok, the Zumo is crazy expensive, especially for the thrashing we dish out on dirt bikes.

:?

 

[Shifty]

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I think online you can buy the Zumo on the 750 range and I paid 550 for the 60CSx at Deakin, which is here locally. At Deakin the price is steep....1150 .. It hurt for a little while, but I am over it and its great!...and I use it every day versus using it just for the bike or hiking.
If your worried about trashing it , you can plug in the external antenna and put the unit safely in you back pack or tank bag keeping the antenna out. The antenna is great for keeping a strong signal and not having any dropped areas in the deep valleys or when the trees get thick.

 

[640in604]

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Shawndude wrote:

Offroad, the Garmin treats all the trails as equals, and can really push you into "roads" that haven't been used for 20 years, and end up in some dubious predicaments if you follow it without question.

Seriously some of my best days riding in BC have been trying to find a way from point A to point B that is shown as a "road" on the Garmin Canada Topo maps! Awesome! Some overgrown old goat tracks...

I have had the 60C - awesome GPS, but the screen is small for something you wouldn't mind glancing at while riding. So I upgraded to the 276C couple years ago.

I bought the Mexico & Barrancas del Cabre maps last year and look where I ended up.

I use the stock mount that comes with it attached to one of the Ram ball mounts. 8000kms mostly offroad and it hasn't come loose on me once. Some guys will put an elastic band, I never saw the need.

I'd seriously look at the zumo 550 if I was to buy one now, they were built for us motorcyclists. Bigger is better. Bigger is better.

Paul

 

[North]

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HI,

I have the gramin 276C too. I use it on the Bike and Car. (A Ram mount for the bike.)

I got it due to it's large screen and battery, although I do have it wired to the Bike.

 

[ktmken]

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Shawndude wrote:

Ok, the Zumo is crazy expensive, especially for the thrashing we dish out on dirt bikes.

:?

I picked up the Zumo 450 which is the same as the 550 except you don't get blue-tooth and it is a couple of hundred bucks cheaper. As for the thrashing, when I talked to the Garmin rep, he said that they were designed to be on a motorcycle and they can take a beating more than the other models.

KTMKen

 

[KLR Kid]

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Still considering options.....Hmmmm

http://www.gpscentral.ca/index.htm

Garmin 60CSx at GPS Central out of Calgary for $345...

Garmin 276C for $560 new and $480 refurbished (1yr waranty)...

From what I gather from the posts, most people who have had the 60C or 60CSx arevery satisfied with the main limitation being the smaller screen.

The 276C is definitely nice, but for bushwacking and the possibility of having to navigate on foot if the bike dies, I wonder whether a mid-sized unit might be the way to go. The 60CSx has an internal compass and barometer which could come in handy...especially in pocket or lanyard size....

I don't need a marine capability either..for some reason my KLR sinks....

Thoughts?

 

[dooveman]

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I have the 276C and have made positive comments about it in the past. I am getting into more hiking as well this year and it would have been nice to have the other more portable one 60CSx. But then I could just buy that as well.

My issue with the 60CSx for riding the bike is the screen and usability. Everything comes down to ease of use. I can push buttons on the 276C while riding. Yeah I know, suicide GPS. The sceen is the right size to see the map and read the directions. The 60CSx you may need to lean into it. Not sure. I also bought a car window suction mount. I toss the gps in there when I need to find a place. Use the battery powerin that case. Works great.

As for bushwacking? No issue with my 276C. Crashed many times, hit branches....my mount and unit have had no issues at all.

How often are you going to be navigating by foot because the bike died? You got bigger problems then. And it has a 12 hour battery life. Big battery. I hard wired it to my bikepower via the frontaux connection.

Much more frequent then being stranded is the fact that you will be pulling over and walking to things likerestaurants, movie theater, shopping,.... and it is bulky to carry around. You don't want to leave it on your bike. So if I was to decide again? Not sure. Maybe I would get the 60CSx first and see if the screen size is an issue, if it is?, then get the 276C as well. Because I definately need the 60CSx for hiking.

I went to Mt. Rainier last year and a guy got lost on a trail. It was a freaking 1 hr. loop trail from the hotel. How can you get lost? I assume he died as they never found him.

oh and the compass thing is ok, but not that important. What is important is that you spend time to learn the display options and all the other options. There are soooo many. For example it can display your position with a dot and a circle. You are somewhere in the circle. the dot is the best guess. Or you can have it snap the the nearest road. This is default but can throw you off if you are on a trail that parallels another within 100ft.

Brian

 

[c337b]

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I got the 76CSX. Only used it twice so far

GPSMAP 76CSx & GPSMAP 60CSx DIFFERENCES
Q: "What are the main differences between the GPSMAP 76CSx and the GPSMap 60CSx?"
A: "Included data card (the 76CSx includes a 128MB microSD data card, the 60CSx includes a 64MB card); physical size, weight and shape; floatability (the 76CSx will float; the 60CSx will not)."

 

[W RON]

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Iuse the Rino 530 has two way radioa lot of guys use them sleding and hunting I can ask for your location works great.GMR radio good for 10-12ks battery lasts all daywith GPS and radio on. someone said something about the colour of the lines, you can chanes to about seven colours