MnGCA

JJJeffr · Geocacher Joined: 29 Jul 2004 Posts: 10

I am finally looking to replace my Magellan with a Garmin. There are things I like about the Magellan series (ability to store multiple files of waypoints on the SD card), but I guess it is finally time to conform with most of the other geocaches.

MSPMatt and I have been debating the 60CSx vs 76CSx. Are there opinions out there on these units?

Thanks,
Jim

Marsha and Silent Bob · Past MnGCA President Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 6261

I only recommend the 76 series but fundamenally, the units are nearly identical.

The only main difference is a 1 or 2mm screen size increase and floatability with the 76. Otherwise they use the same software, etc.

I don't like the way the 60 series fits in mt hand and because I have an inferiority complex, I need the larger unit.

My suggestion is to use both before you buy. There are plenty of people that are using the 60 and 76 x units.
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Sad state of affairs.

bflentje · Geocacher Joined: 29 May 2006 Posts: 3655

I've gone through three different 60's. And not because they are bad but because I like them so much. Went from 60, to 60CS, and now to 60CSx. I don't have a complex and think the 60 feels better in my hand for size AND grip. Even though they are supposed to be identical, I think that the external antenna on the 60 makes me feel better about the readings, even though it probably make no difference.

Centris

Marsha and Silent Bob · Past MnGCA President Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 6261

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CSQRYS/ref=pd_ys_ir_all_217/105-7054721-7796464

$367.53 for the 76CSx! I don't know how long that sale price will last.
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Sad state of affairs.

Arcticabn · Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:20 pm Post subject:

Hodges Marine

Garmin 76 Cx

$399 list and $318 at checkout.

http://www.hodgesmarine.com/GARMIN-GPSMAP-76CX-HANDHELD-GPS-p/gar010-00468-00.htm
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Airborne All the Way!

naoc · Geocacher Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 9

I'm not that familiar with 76CSx but I do own a 60CSx and I love it. I think it is better than the legend model I had before. and retains better signal strength in cover and in urban areas where there are tall buildings. Plus you can do HALO jumps with it! Smile

Arcticabn · Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:49 pm Post subject:

The new SRIF receivers in the 60Cx and 76Cx versions is definately better then the older units. Example. Last Saturday I was standing inside a building that only had two South facing windows. I was still picking up 8 sats and had 24' accuracy. The other thing I noticed is that the wild swings in distance to waypoint smoothed out considerabliy. Moe was walking along with me and his GPSr (76C) was constantly 100' behind me in lag until we got to the cache site and it settled in.
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Airborne All the Way!

bflentje · Geocacher Joined: 29 May 2006 Posts: 3655

Dropped my 60CSx from about five feet down onto concrete. That darn thing popped apart. I put it back together, turned it on, still worked!! Awesome. Has a nice dent now but thrilled I don't have to buy a new one. These things rock.

celticwulf · Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:26 am Post subject:

OK, now that I made my decision and picked up a new unit, I guess I'll explain my decision making Smile

First off, I had the same question on 60 series versus 76 series, but I was also questioning the need for the electronic compass and altimiter. Since I'm not a pilot, the altimiter was basically useless for my caching. So I had to decide if the compass alone was worth it. So first off, I looked through all the details and checked this forum and the GC forums for ideas, and both Artic's statement about the compass on a different thread, and the fact that you have to "recalibrate" it with every battery change (I use rechargables so change the batteries decently often), I decided against the compass. So that focused me on the 60Cx and the 76Cx.

I ran to REI and checked both of them out side by side, and although the 60Cx looks a little smaller in some ways, overall they're almost identical in overall height and other dimensions. I couldn't decide at that point, so I checked with some of the other cachers last week at WeekNIGHT caching, and tried out thier GPSr's for a short time. But after all that I really wasn't sure which I liked better. The price difference was one factor (76Cx cheaper, but 60Cx has mail in rebate so about even), but it finally came down to a quick conversation online with GeoPierce. I was asking him how he liked his new 60Cx, and during the discussion he mentioned that having the buttons on the bottom of the unit it made it harder to opperate one handed in the field. All of a sudden that dawned on me as something I liked from my Etrex, where I could input coords and page through menus while holding flashlight or driving with other hand. That made me look closer at the 76Cx, and with that button layout on top of the screen, it sold me.

I got my new unit late Friday night, and have loved it so far. I was amazed that the first time I turned it on in my apartment I had lock within 30 seconds...something that never happened with my old Etrex Legend. The autorouting is amazing, and I love the fact I can just put in an address and don't need to look up the coords from google maps. The only problems I've had so far is a couple caches yesterday that the autorouting wanted me to park on the interstate for, but I'll figure that out as time goes on I think.

So yeah, I think I'm in the same boat saying the 76C series is what I'd reccomend, but again, it depends on a lot of variables so some may like the 60 series more. Hope this helps anyone looking at new units in the future Smile

Celticwulf
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Who put this trail here???

GeoPierce · Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:38 am Post subject:

Arcticabn · Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 12:06 pm Post subject:

So where did you get it and how much did you pay?

As far as autorouting, all of the Garmin products will route you to the closest road possible to the cache, be it interstate, road on the wrong side of the river, or what be it. Common sense must always be applied. Like don't turn down a one way street just because the autorouting told you to turn that way. Wink

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Airborne All the Way!

celticwulf · Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 1:04 pm Post subject:

jrest · Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 2:49 pm Post subject:

MNMizzou · Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 11:33 am Post subject:

It's funny you mentioned the button placement as a factor in deciding between the 60 and 76... we were at REI last night looking at the two and I liked the 60 over the 76 for that reason. I think I'm used to having buttons below a screen, similar to a cell phone, which I've used for years one handed while balancing a 25 pound TV camera on my shoulder with the other hand.
I'm looking forward to using the autorouting, not so much in the caching world, but to get around all the various NFL citites for work. (and if I happen to have caches near stadiums or the hotel loaded in that it can point out, well that just might be a bonus!)