Garmin eTrex Vista HCx or GPSMAPS 60CSx

[hikerdw]

I am looking to replace my older Garmin Legend. I have narrowed my search down to the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx or the Garmin GPSMAPS 60CSx. Both are available for $200.00. Comparing the two on Garmin's site shows they are pretty close. The biggest difference being that the 60CSx comes with a small microSD card where the Vista doesn't, although I would probably upgrade to a 2gb card so that isn't that big of a difference.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

[big_load]

I like my 60CSx, especially at that price. I have a bigger SD card with the CityNavigator maps and another with those plus a full AZ 24k topo.

[Grasshopper]

@hikerdw

Like big_load and many others on HAZ who have decided to buy the Garmin GPSMAPS 60CSx, I am very pleased with mine. New GPS technology enhancements and lower costs are ongoing, but if you are now trying to make a decision between the Garmin Vista HCx and the 60CSx and both for ~$200.00, I would say definitely go with the 60CSx. Below is my personal comparison (and I'm no expert here) on these two units, posted on another HAZ- GPS thread back on 1/12/10:

Re: Researching GPS
by nonot » Jan 12 2010 10:02 pm

Most of Hank's points are correct however you can power on the Vista series HCx's without batteries when connected to your computer, I do it all the time on mine.

Additionally, it has a decent set of mounting options if you wanted to attach it somewhere...but it fits in a pocket just fine.

Grasshopper wrote:
Since our Angela(tibber) and Beverly(blk) took advantage of that great Wal-Mart past X-Mas'09 holiday price of $149.00+tax for the eTrex Vista HCx, I have now had a whole lot of personal up close time with these units helping to get their AZ topo maps(1:24k) loaded in and working with the various menus setup for them. So I can now kind-of compare my 60CSx to their Vista Hcx units and here are just a few things in my mind that make the 60CSx a superior unit:
..the HCx screen is just too small and much more difficult to view the map detail compared to the larger 60CSx screen;
..the HCx buttons are funky to work with (buttons on both sides of unit and the squirrely toggle switch on top;
..the HCx does not have an automatic power up option(110v) when you hook it up to your computer..it hooks up and powers up on the computer using the batteries only;
..the HCx does not have the capability (I can't find one if it exists) to move backwards to your previous screen(s) one-at-a-time.. ie- if you are on a particular screen and you want to go back one screen, you have to go forward through all your loaded main screens inorder to get to that particular screen;
..the HCx does not have an adequate design solution to hang your GPS on your pack shoulder strap.. the 60CSx has a great in the box solution with a relatively strong clip to attach high on your pack shoulder strap that the 60CSx unit attaches to;
..the Wal-Mart holiday'09 special price of $149. for the HCx no longer exists, so the published price difference now between the HCx and the 60CSx is not that much different for the larger and better designed, user friendly 60CSx;

All this being said, the HCx unit buy for Angela and Beverly at $149. was the correct solution for them and this unit does have numerous excellent other GPS features like the higher end 60CSx that make it a solid contender..

[hikerdw]

Thanks for the input big_load and grasshopper; especially the personnal comparision grasshopper provided which gives me some excellent data points to consider.

[Grasshopper]

@hikerdw
Glad to help! Also, if having a smaller size unit that will ride in a shirt pocket (like what is important to nonot), then the 60CSx will probably not.

[nonot]

Like Hank mentions I like my Vista HCx because it's smaller and has excellent battery life. The screen scratches easily so you need to buy a screen protector. I think you will be happy w/either. The rubber grip on my HCx is starting to delaminate, but I imagine I've abused mine much more than most people out there.

Hanks notes are incorrect though on two things:
You can plug the HCx into the computer via the USB cable without batteries and it will stay on.
The buttons are actually easy to use once you get used to them.

Also, there is a mounting option for the HCx, but it isn't easy to find an off the shelf mounting solution.

[hikerdw]

nonot, thanks for the additional information regarding the Vista HCx.

I went out yesterday and looked at both real close and opted for the 60CSx. The two major deciding factors for me were the keys in front vs. on the side, and being labeled, and then the screen size itself (at 51 my close up vision is not that good) I was surprised to see a 1gb mircoSD card installed as I thought I read they only came with a 64MB card so that was a nice extra. I already have installed a freely available AZ topo map and AZ trail map, and was able to transfer all my waypoints from my Legend to the 60CSx so I should be set.

BTW, the sale on the 60CSx was at Sport Chalet and runs through August 9th, although with the new 62 series out now I would expect to see this pricing more the standard than the exception.

nonot, thanks for making your Garmin maps available. I am looking at the process of using/installing those and then will test with them.

[Jeffshadows]

The screen scratches easily so you need to buy a screen protector.

I use that clear, thick packing tape. I expected to need to replace it by now but it's stood up to scratches and dings for about five years and my screen is still immaculate...

[joebartels]

Hopefully with the 1962 Gorilla Glass finding a new life scratches on newer models will become a non existent issue.

[big_load]

I trimmed down a screen protector from my old Palm Vx.

[nonot]

nonot, thanks for making your Garmin maps available. I am looking at the process of using/installing those and then will test with them.

Let me know how it goes, there's been little interest but if it picks up I have a major update I could work on for awhile.

[hikerdw]

Will do. I downloaded the tools today and started downloading the maps.

[kingsnake]

Hopefully with the 1962 Gorilla Glass finding a new life scratches on newer models will become a non existent issue.

I clicked on that, and kept waiting for the serious science part to end and gorilla's start jumping up and down on some glass, like some sort of old SNL ad ...

[beiley]

I already have installed a freely available AZ topo map and AZ trail map, and was able to transfer all my waypoints from my Legend to the 60CSx so I should be set.

Where did you find these free maps?

Thanks,
Mark

[joebartels]

you can get them here http://hikearizona.com/garmin_maps.php or google for others