I'm trying to decide on my first GPS and I don't want to make the wrong decision...
I was hoping some of you might be able to offer some helpful advice before I go and buy the wrong thing..
I posted over on advrider too:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=186568

I've narrowed it down to these 2 Garmin units, but I've never really used a GPS so I don't really know the pros and cons of these two.

GPSMap 60Cx: http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap60cx/index.jsp
Quest: http://www.garmin.com/products/quest/

I guess my main sticking points are:
- 60Cx has expandable memory (Quest is 115MB fixed)
- 60Cx is larger and heavier (although the screens are same size on both units)
- 60Cx comes with no mapping software (Quest comes with MapSource CitySelect)
- 60Cx is quite a bit cheaper

Anyone got anything to add? Any advice is appreciated. I plan to use it to explore back roads in the rural areas of BC... I don't expect that there is going to be much detail on the Garmin maps, so I guess I'll be making a lot of my own tracks via Google Earth and uploading waypoints to my GPS (is that how I'd do it)?

Also, the niether unit boasts a Barometric altimeter, but can't all GPS units determine altitude through triangulation? (barometer not necessary?)

I plan to mount this on my bars with a RAM mount, so the small size is important to me. But most important is that it does what I'm hoping it does which is to give me some directions out on the rural logging/fire roads.

thanks in advance!

 

Jason-

I have the 60csx...my friend has the quest II, both are good units. Mine is mounted by a low profile touratech mount that is a work of art. Hardwire, don't use batteries on a trail bike...bad for the unit.

The 60 does come with mapsource mapping software but not routing software which it does support...but I don't use the unit to generate routes because they generally follow roads! I lay down tracks by copying my rides and fooling around with mapsource and some other mapping software like topo or nat'l geographic. I also like the 60 because I take mine hunting...the Quest is strictly an automotive device IMO.

Also, the beauty of the gps is that we can share tracks of good rides by copying into gpx format...we have not been able to download a track into the Quest off of the net...it might be possible but I havn't figured it out.

BTW, you'll need other software anyway if you want trails and fire roads.

 

I've had 2 GPS units. The garmin etrex legend for about 4 years and most recently the GPS MAP 60CSX(with pressure barometer and electronic compass) The most important thing is that the 60cs and csx boast a new hypersensetive chipset--Sirf3. This is supposed to track better in heavy foliage and canyon like conditions. I have to say the new unit picks up in my house and holds a signal better.I haven't been able to test in foliage yet for obviuos reasons of no foliage. Now I don't know if the canadian models are different....make sure you are not getting a left over...and that the model has the new technology in it(the sirf3). There are base maps of north america included. you do have to purchase topo or mapping software do anything in detail. Out of the box the unit will map,track, and interface with a pc. If price is no problem go with the 60csx. The units do give you altitude based on triangulation. the barometer will track elevation changes and also weather pressure changes.

 

I'm not really familiar with those models so I can't really comment on their specific features since mine is the 276C. But regarding where to buy, I can recommend www.gpsnow.com. They have good prices, but you have to add it to the cart to see the lowest price. For example, the listed price on the web site is $499.99 but add it to your cart and it drops to $399, which is pretty decent. They also have a nice comparison matrix showing the features of each similar model in a side-by-side table format, so even if you don't buy from there that can be useful.

Regarding barometer vs triangulation, yes you can get an altitude from triagulation but it is nowhere near as accurate as a built-in barometric pressure sensor.

I have mine mounted on my handlebars and powered from 12V from the bike so I don't have to worry about the batteries running down on an extended ride. I use a RAM mount wich seems pretty solid, but those Tourtech mounts look superior.

 

i put my gps on yesterday i mounted my treo with gps and mp3 player with bluetooth so i can listen to my music and when its time to turn it lowers the music and tell me where to go. i noticed the the speedometer is off by 9 mph at 55 so now ill never get lost or have to listen to my stock exhaust lol

[IMG]local://upfiles/2783/F255A27EE53148E2944E98B12B18EE0C.jpg[/IMG]

 

Thanks for the replies guys. Is that Treo watertight? I was thinking of one of them but I didn't think they would like the rugged abuse of off-roading.

 

I have the quest because that was the only thing available and it looked sturdy...I use it on my bike and in the car...

 

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I got an eTrex Venture Cx and RAM Mount from GPS Central (www.gpscentral.ca). Their price was very good and service was excellent! The unit is waterproof, which is nice, but the display is a little on the small side. It has expandable memory, routing, but no software or PC cable. Battery life is really good, but I've heard that sometimes vibration causes the battery contacts to disconnect. (I haven't had this problem, though ... yet.)

I'm looking into getting a wired conection using Powerlet connectors and adapters. Does anybody have any experience with these, or are there other routes to take (pun intended)?

 

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