Upgrading my GPS

[laseranimal]

Right now I've got a Garmin Vista and was looking to upgrade to something like the CX series, or the new Triton series from Magellan

I'm also considering the garmin Rhino as I often carry a two way radio and a GPS so it would be nice to be able to combine two devices.

The two things I really desire are a barometer/altimeter and the ability to acquire/hold signal in East Coast woods. Right now I'm leaning towards the Triton because I own the National Geo Northeast map set and the ability to upload maps to the GPS would be awesome but I've never been a huge fan of Magellan's interface, plus I'm not sure a touch screen GPS is really that great an idea.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Rontele]

Laser,

I just got the 60CSx. It has what you want--a barometer and altimeter--as well as one of the strongest GPS chips available (search a thread by Upallnight if you want the techy shit). Anyways, I haven't had too much of a chance to use it, but I am very impressed thus far. The waypoint feature is easy to use, there is a "bread-crumb" feature so you can mark you trail without having to constantly enter waypoints, and the geocaching feature is pretty rad.

[Bluebird]

I picked up the 60csx as well. The only time I have gotten the chance to use it so far is during the VT 50 mtn bike race. I strapped it to the outside of my camelback and did the breadcrumb trail option. I haven't had time to play with the data yet, but it looks like it was able to keep or find a single for the entire 50 miles. A lot of this was under heavy cover in the mountains of VT while riding a bike.

[snoboy]

60Csx gets a fix inside my house 50% of the time.

Also has good battery life, and a nice interface. I like it.

[laseranimal]

60Csx is the leader in the clubhouse by far, however I'm not convinced I want to spend $450 on it, the 60Cs gets knocked out because it loses the Alti/Barom function I need.

I'm really intrigued by the Magellan Triton 500, on the surface it seems to have all the stuff I want in a GPS, ie high sensitivity receiver, Alt/Baro, and takes an SD card to store waypoints/routes plus Nat Geo topo maps but I'm sure I've got to be giving up something cause its $200 cheaper then the Garmin's

[Rontele]

60Csx is the leader in the clubhouse by far, however I'm not convinced I want to spend $450 on it, the 60Cs gets knocked out because it loses the Alti/Barom function I need.

I'm really intrigued by the Magellan Triton 500, on the surface it seems to have all the stuff I want in a GPS, ie high sensitivity receiver, Alt/Baro, and takes an SD card to store waypoints/routes but I'm sure I've got to be giving up something cause its $200 cheaper then the Garmin's

www.offroute.com. I got it for $350 and it has a $50 rebate.

[1080Rider]

I got the 60csx this summer from somewhere online for $320, w/ free shipping. Deals are out there, find one and buy the Garmin. I've been happy w/ mine thus far. I haven't made it out to the woods yet but whenever i get to a place and lose cel signal, the gps always has tons of sat's still connected. I think it'll do everything you want it to.

[El Chupacabra]

There's a new one now that allows upload of National Geographic Topo maps directly into the GPS unit: Magellan Triton:

http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/c...?cid=183&tid=3

I haven't played around with it though. I have an older Garmin 60CS (not CSx - no removable card), and the Garmin interface is pretty nice.

[LeeLau]

laser - after doing some more digging and investigation i decided to get the Garmin etrex Vista HCX. It has the barometric altimeter and compass, seems to have sensitivity that's more then adequate for my needs (thick PNW woods) and more important to me - a nice small form factor.

The 60 CSX is nice but bigger and I don't want something that big.

The Vista HCX is about 209 on ebay and the 60 CSX about 299 on ebay also. Both from Afriel LLC - reputable seller.

[laseranimal]

Alright I took a look at the 60 series at EMS and despite it being really nice, Its a bit too big and bulky for my taste, which is really the reason I dig my Vista. Lee the Vista HCX sounds perfect.

El Chup

thats the one I'm after, I really want to get it in my hands and play with it before plunking down $$, Previous GPS war was Explorist 300 v. Vista and the vista won hands down due to the interface being tons easier

I think I'm gonna wait till I can fondle the Triton 500 and if that doesn't suit my liking I'll go with the Vista HCX

[Bluebird]

whatever you do, I would check out amazon. I picked up my 60csx for $330 plus a $50 rebate.

[Rontele]

Alright I took a look at the 60 series at EMS and despite it being really nice, Its a bit too big and bulky for my taste, which is really the reason I dig my Vista. Lee the Vista HCX sounds perfect.

El Chup

thats the one I'm after, I really want to get it in my hands and play with it before plunking down $$, Previous GPS war was Explorist 300 v. Vista and the vista won hands down due to the interface being tons easier

I think I'm gonna wait till I can fondle the Triton 500 and if that doesn't suit my liking I'll go with the Vista HCX

You have to do what works for you. I happen to fasten my GPS unit like a radio onto my pack, so the size isn't overly burdensome, though I could see how it could be for some folks. I think you can't really go wrong.

[laseranimal]

yeah my pack is fairly clean strap wise so no go on the strapping, good idea though

[upallnight]

laseranimal-
are you having a specific problem with your vista? (Edited to add: I know you want a barometric altimeter in the new device, but your Vista's already got one, as you know; also, per below, while the HCx is promising in terms of better acquisition, it is not without problems. Is there anything else you are looking for in the new device?)

my vista died (7+ yrs), which is the only reason i upgraded to the HCx. i get a decent lock fairly quickly, and i can even get a lock indoors....but.... it's not without its problems. none of these devices are.
color screen of the HCx = better
longer battery life = better
case / battery cover = better

the HCx screen is wider but shorter than that of the vista -- you decide if it's better or not.

the interface is still the same. better than magellan, but it's not great overall.

i've definitely had it drop a signal even while hiking on an unobstructed mountain ridge. i need to do more testing to ensure it just wasn't a "bad gps day" (it does happen when you use these consumer devices long enough). unfortunately, since my vista died, i can't compare it to the HCx on the same activity -- but so far i do see that the HCx dropped out about as often as the Vista on the same routes (different days).

the HCx *should* be much better under thick cover/narrow canyons than the vista, but if there's any way for you to buy locally and test them side-by-side, you really might want to do that. i understand you could miss out on a discount by not buying online, but you may find that there is no material difference in your actual circumstances.

there is still a rebate program going on for the Vista - $50 i believe. i can dig up details if you need them.

agreed about the form factor of the 60-series...they're great but generally too big for certain activities (as lee discovered and as discussed in the other thread).

[laseranimal]

not specifically a "problem" I'm just wondering if upgrading to the newer models will help me maintain a signal under tree cover, and I'm curious about the triton's ability to use NG Topo basemaps, since I lack that feature with the Vista.

Those are really the only reasons I'm considering making an upgrade. I really dig everything about my vista, which is probably why I won't make the switch unless I'm certain I'm going to get an upgrade in signal reception, or I can convince myself that the ability to load NG basemaps is worth switching over

[Dobe]

If you want 1:24K maps on a Garmin, try www.abovethetimber.com.

I vote Garmin. User interface is great, and tech support is actually available when you need it.

Never had a good experience with a Magellan.

[Buzzworthy]

Bump for Freezerburn.

[freezorburn]

Bump for Freezerburn.

Thank You! The search function is not working for me today.

Anyone hear has any advice: I'm looking for a more basic model around 100 bucks. The Triton or the 60CX are too intence for my basic needs.

All I need are plotting and stearing to a point. Don't need color either but MUST BE WATERPROOF.

[Buzzworthy]

Hard/Impossible to search for "GPS". I follow these threads as I used to be in the industry, so I knew where to look.

There is another 3 page thread I bumped for ya too.

Good luck.