Researching GPS

[Robdice]

I'm looking to buy my first GPS receiver. Right now I'm looking at the Garmin Venture HC GPS receiver. (http://www.rei.com/product/761620). Anyone know much about this? Or one in the $150-300 price range that is great?

[big_load]

I was surprised by the improvements to the "x". I was pushed into because Garmin is no longer releasing street map updates compatible with the 60CS . The 60CSx is far more sensitive. It gets good signal inside my house and anywhere inside the car. Unlike the 60CS, it accepts power through the USB cable, so it doesn't run down the batteries when you're transferring data. That also lets you use much cheaper cables for powering from a car lighter. Finally, they made some key software improvements to help deal with the much larger memory, such as proximity-based listing of stored waypoints. That helps when you have six years of saved stuff and street maps loaded for half a dozen states.

[Grasshopper]

That also lets you use much cheaper cables for powering from a car lighter.

I still need to buy one of these cables. Do you have a link to a recommended less pricey cable for the 60CSx?
(even from Amazon.com the Garmin cable is pretty pricey)

[big_load]

The so-called "universal" GPS auto power cables at Best Buy will do it, just look for the USB terminal on one end. I think the one I bought was a Belkin, about half the cost of the 4-pin Garmin auto power cable.

[azbackpackr]

So what is the dif between 60 CS, 60 CSX and (mine) 60 CX? I thought the X has to do with the external card, and the S had something to do with an altimeter? You do want that external card, so you can load different brands of topo map software, etc. My friend just put Mapsource on my card, but if I also want National Geographic or other topo software, I can just get another card--at least I think that is how it works.

[big_load]

The 60CS is an older version, before the chipset upgrade. The only thing the 60Cx is missing from the latest and greatest is the barometric altimeter and the compass. I leave the compass turned off, anyway, because it sucks power and isn't all that useful as sighting compass. The altimeter is nice, though.

[azbackpackr]

Yeah, the satellites do not provide accurate elevations, that's for sure. You know, GPS joe told me I didn't really need the Csx, and recommended the CX, and I don't know if it was the power sucking or added cost or what.

[Grasshopper]

The so-called "universal" GPS auto power cables at Best Buy will do it, just look for the USB terminal on one end.. about half the cost of the 4-pin Garmin auto power cable.

That is good advise.. T-hank-S.. I just arrived back from Best Buy with enough left over from a a $20. bill to stop by IN-N-OUT Burger
(It is called a "Universal GPS Car Charger" by Rocket Fish Mobile-Model#RF-GCHDC for $14.99+tax with the USB terminal at one end)

[big_load]

Yes, I'm sorry, Rocket Fish was the one I got.

[kevinweitzel75]

I got A Triton 400 only because it was brand new and the guy was only asking $40 for it. Not too difficult to navagate through and seems to work pretty good. I have since found out that getting topo maps is a pain in the pumpkin! Nat Geo State Series TOPO, that was nice to know before I got suckered into buying some other Nat Geo TOPO! map. After downloading VantagePoint on my computer, and all the other things I had to do, I still can't get topo maps on my unit. I was going to get the Garmin Legend or Vista. (Probably should have stuck to my first plan.) The Triton is not so bad, but tring to get topo maps for it without spending a darn fortune sucks. Anybody have the Nat Geo Arizona State Series Topo?