Posted: 2/28/2008 6:54:59 PM EDT
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I am looking for a new hand held GPS unit. I already have an older Garmin GPSV and it works fine but the memory is too small and it is a little slow. I would like to stick with Garmin because I already have the TOPO software.I would like to be able to have both the TOPO map and street maps loaded at the same time. Is that possible on the newer models? I use it 4x4ing in the desert and also for road trips. I use it on my street bike too. With my old GPS I have to choose which map to load which sucks if I need it to find a street location while only having the Topo map loaded. What are your favorites? |
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I upgraded to a Vista HCx at Christmas. So far I am very pleased. I can get street maps for the lower 48 and topo for about half the states on a 2GB micro SD card. You can't have both streets and topo showing at the same time. You must toggle between them. Color screen is the cat's ass. Battery life is great (8 plus real world hours). Sensitivity is worlds better than my old Legend B&W. The old unit used to drop signal under the slightest tree cover. With the "H" recieveers I can get a signal in my house, inside the grocery store, etc. If you using the unit for driving it will auto route as well. J |
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GPSMAP 60CSx It rocks. Upgrade memory with micro SD cards. It does the in car navigation stuff while still remaining a ruggedized handheld. It locks up quick, is accurate to less than 12 meters most of the time, nice color display, adjustable backlight, etc... All in all it's a great unit. |
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I have both the Vista HCX and the 60CSX. They are both great GPSs. You won't go wrong with either of them. If you are going to use it for driving the 60 CSX would be a little better, due to the screen being bigger and the buttons being on the front as opposed to the Vista's buttons being on the side. For on foot I like the Vista HCX because it's smaller and can fit in a pocket better. The 60's screen may be bigger but the Vista's screen is brighter. You might want to go to a store and check them out in person before buying either one and see which you like better. If I'd have to give up one of my two hand-helds I'd have a hard time deciding between the two! As a side note, a dedicated car GPS is of course better for road navigation with the spoken directions but you can still get by with either of the above GPS's. ETA: Yes, you can load both topo and street maps on the GPS, but it will not display both at the same time. It's very easy to switch between topo and road maps on either one of the above GPSs. |
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Thanks guys. I don't mind switching between the maps as long as I can have both with me. I would like to have cali and AZ street maps plus topo of both states since that is where I spend most of my time traveling and off roading. I need a hand held since it will be used on 3 different vehicles (2 of which are motorcycles so space is limited) and I want to start some exploring/hiking out in the desert when I go camping so it would be nice to find my way back to the truck.  I will try and find a place I can check them out in person. Another question, can my existing maps be loaded into the newer models with out having to pay another arm and leg for another license or code to activate it? |
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Depending on where you are in Cali, you can check them out at the Bass Pro Shops off the 15. They have a booth set up just for GPS and the guy there really knows his stuff. Lots of models on display that you can hold and handle. You can probably get your old maps to work, and I think you only need to contact them to get a new activation code. You shouldn't have to pay anything. |
Yep. Garmin are the most user freindly units I have ever seen. |
Another +1 from me. I broke my Cx a couple of months ago (left it on the car roof... don't ask  ) and just ordered a CSx to replace it. I loved the Cx, and the CSx adds baro and magnetic compass for just $20 more. Amazon has them on sale since I think they are being discontinued for some new model (which has issues according to some GPS forums). Get one while you can  ETA re the maps: I heard there is a way to create a second "unit code" for your existing Garmin maps that allow you to use them on a second GPS - I have not tried it yet but hope it works since I have an old set of map CDs for a Garmin GPS puck. |