Advice needed: GPS for hiking/camping

Just a hint that might not have been highlighted before. Touchscreens and gloves don't get along very well. Something to keep in mind if you hike in cold weather.

I own a GPSMap 60cx (discontinued) and it is a nice piece of gear. It allows us to reach the start of climbs with ease during night aproachs and also to come back safely to the parking lot when it is to foggy or whatever. It is also useful to follow routes downloaded from Wikiloc and be able to reach spots where you have never been and couldn't find any other information.

I got it used but still with Garmin guarantee (2y, 1y left). The only diference with the GPSMap 60csx is that the later has built in barometer and digital compass... which only helps to use up your batteries faster. Not something truly needed.

The new 62 series is the closest thing you might find... but beware. If you plan to have this unit stuck in a RAM mount in your dashboard for offroading (I use mine in Morocco also for this task), the 62 series only has mini-USB interface... so if you plan on keeping it fed from a 12v outlet... you are somehow screwed. The min-usb is a weak conector not meant AT ALL for being plugged on the move. The old 60 series has dual USB and series (big, round, stout conector) that allows you to feed the unit vía 12v plug with no problems.

I hope this helps.

Mikel
 
redpoint said:
I've had a Garmin 60CSx since 2006 - awesome unit: tough, accurate, great water resistance, full featured, big antenna, finds a fix fast etc. The successor is out of your price range, but you could easily find used - many people feel the 60 CSx is better than the new models. Other than that, Garmin is pretty solid. If you're in heavily forested areas, you'll what something with a big, powerful antenna like the 60 CSx. I used mine last weekend in a snow storm in the mountains ... took me exactly where I needed to be in a complete whiteout.
Click to expand...

+1 to this. I have the same unit and they are widely used in forestry, geology/geophysics, surveying etc. as they are rugged, and reliable. Pretty compact and lightweight if you are concerned with that. The 60 series is discontinued but you can find them online. A lot of the geophysics field techs I know prefer the 60s to the new 62 series. Apparently the 62s eat burn through batteries pretty quick.
 
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