I'm searching to get a GPS that does what I need for the lowest possibly price. But in looking at the lists of functions, I'm not sure which ones I need. I want to be able to save a point, so that if I leave a trail to go cross-country or because of snow, I can later get a compass reading to get back there. Do I need custom points of interest for this? Can a short track (that I turn off at some point) do it? How about individual waypoints? (which I don't see listed at here).

The Garmin 60csx is popular, but the Summit HC is a lot cheaper (like $150, half the 60csx). But it doesn't take SD cards either.

You'll get lots of feedback on this, but here's my opinion:

Go with the Garmin 60csx.  The one thing it has going for it (in addition to all its other features), is that it holds a signal REALLY well.  I started out with a $40 Garmin gecko 101 that was very basic.  It didn't hook up to a computer (to upload/download tracks, etc), but it did work.  My two biggest issues with it were battery life (6 hours on a pair of AAA's if I was lucky), and it losing signal in trees or canyons.

I got a 60csx for Christmas last year, and LOVE it.  I almost never lose a signal, and the battery life is GREAT.  It hooks to the computer and it allows you to do all sorts of really cool things like sync pictures with the track you have, so you can pinpoint where you took pictures (if your clock on your camera is synced with the GPS).  There are a lot of other cool features, but don't skimp.  If you do, you'll be sorry......

One other thing:  When I was looking, I don't recall ANYONE saying bad things about the 60csx (other than the price).  I think you should be able to get some good deals on it now, since Garmin has now come out with the Colorado line.

---

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention to arrive safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: WOW-What a ride!-Dean Karnazes-"Ultramarathon Man"

The quad helix antenae and the improved receiver on the 60CSX get better reception.  It always works, even in canyons or under heavy trees.  That's the reason for getting it even though it's expensive.

I talked to someone that had a garmin etrex legend which costs $250 and he said it lost lock when going in treed area.

The 60csx costs $400 at REI.  I saw it on sale 6 months ago for $350 at REI, maybe it will be on sale again some day  You can't use the 20% off cupons on it by the way.  I bought mine on-line from pcnation.com for $350.

I bought a 60CSX about a month ago during REI's sale event, in large part due to the rave reviews and testamonies I came across on this very site.  I've been out with it several times now and am absolutely in love.  I had an old Garmin Venture from years back and I used that thing exactly three times because it lost signal in even the thinnest of tree cover and in canyons...forget about it.  The 60 CSX gets full signal in my windowless kitchen for crying out loud!  Add another raving fan for this unit.

-Aaron

---

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." -Lao Tzu

Offroute.com has the 60CSX for $305. http://www.offroute.com/product/view_product.asp?x_ID=148702&new=1&fromfind=1

---

"Come visit us again and again. This is a state of excitement. But for heaven's sake, don't move here to live." Tom McCall

Amazon.com had it for $303 and change yesterday, however their price can vary from day to day.

Amazon.com Garmin 60csx

---

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention to arrive safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: WOW-What a ride!-Dean Karnazes-"Ultramarathon Man"

RobFromRedland:

Go with the Garmin 60csx.  The one thing it has going for it (in addition to all its other features), is that it holds a signal REALLY well.

Can't emphasize this enough.  I finally got to really field test mine this weekend, took it deep into a canyon below essentially a 3000 foot cliff face, absolutely covered in old growth head-to-toe, and it not once lost the signal.  Not only that, but it also maintained an elevation reading accurate to within 10 feet the whole time (as I was scrambling up 1000 feet even).  Get the 60csx, you won't regret it.

---

Bryan Swan
http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com

The cheapest I could find it is  $293 with free shipping:

http://www.comparemaster.com/product.asp?pf_id=GRGPSMAP60CSX&crcat=ppc&crsource=pricegrabber&crkw=010-00422-00

(use mysimon.com to find the best price)

If price is the only issue, you can go with a cheaper GPS.   You will just spend more time finding a spot that can pick up satellites, and you will lose signal a lot more, but they do work.

---

Dan - Site Cartographer

Is Garmin the only show in town?  I see Magellan Triton 500 listed everywhere but it is never talked about.  Does anyone have one?  How do they compare?
Bill

I don't know a lot about the Magellan Triton, other than it has a lot of promise.  I haven't seen any real world reviews on it.  I think one reason that the Garmin 60csx is so popular is that it just works, and has a good reputation.  My one and only complaint about it is that you can't load your own maps on it (like NG Topo maps).  There is an article on the web telling you how to do it, although it is a very complicated, multi-step process.  I did it once and got it to work, but it wasn't worth the effort.

Garmin now has the Colorado model, which just came out, and it looks really nice, however they aren't cheap.  The graphics look better, but the most important piece for me is how well it tracks, and I haven't seen any reviews on it.

---

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention to arrive safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: WOW-What a ride!-Dean Karnazes-"Ultramarathon Man"

I was very interested in picking up a Triton because of its compatibility with NatGeo Topos, but all models of this Magellan series are plagued by a great number of problems.  A visit to a few Triton forums will show that many are jumping ship and fleeing the Magellan company altogether due to the sheer volume of problems with these units.  Spend a half hour or so checking out a Triton site adn you'll come away with 30 different problems happening to 50 different people, all with their own experiences in the hassles of dealing with a company overwhelmed by a far too early release of what could well have been, like you said, a promising product!

www.tritonforum.com is a great place to start as it is moderated by several employees of Magellan as well as folks from the general public.

-aaron

---

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." -Lao Tzu

Thanks Zombie,  I had heard that the Triton would work with NG topos easily and that is a selling point, but not if the thing doesn't work.  I'll look up the forums and see how bad it is.  Maybe I'll stick with a map and compus for a little longer or try a Garmin?
Bill

I initially purchased the Garmin Vista cx.  It was pretty much useless in the gorge.  Sold it on craigslist to a geocacher and bought the Garmin 60csx and it works much better.  The barometer appears to be accurate and smooth.  The built in compass is invaluable.   The downside for me is the button placement.  I'd like to be able to operate the unit 1 handed but the buttons are on the bottom so you can't hold it with one hand and push buttons  with your thumb.

Just an FYI, but I would not recommend anyone get the new National Geographic TopoExplorer program.  I volunteered to beta test it, and was really surprised that they considered it a beta.  It is technically released to the public, however there are MANY bugs and MANY features that aren't even active yet.  The comments on their message board are similar.  The product is not even close to being ready for prime time yet.  If/once they get it complete and nailed down, it will be a pretty cool application, but that won't be for at least several months.....

---

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention to arrive safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: WOW-What a ride!-Dean Karnazes-"Ultramarathon Man"

Thanks to all. Thick forest is where one gets lost most easily, so it's important to me that I be able to get a signal there. So the 60CSx it is, somehow or other. And I know somebody who already owns the maps and will let me load them.