I got the eTrex Vista (b&w screen) sometime around 2000. There are newer Garmin products out there now (circa 2011) including the 62xx and Oregon models being some of the latest. Initially the 62st sounded great (although pricey).
I started by reading several blogs & reviews but this review (1) for the 62st was particularly thorough and I decided the 60CSx suited my needs/pricepoint and was a better product (at this point in time 2010-2011) than the 62st for basic handheld GPS use. As the reviewer pointed out it is hoped, over time, that firmware updates to the 62st will address its shortfalls. Perhaps... but as an Android Phone user I'm a little tired of paying for then waiting on fixes to half-finished products ;o)
End-User Support for 60CSx
Given how old the 60CSx has been and how many people have used it there are numerous good blogs & guides out on the interweb. There is also a good source of support for most Garmin products. For tips and tricks on the 60CSx including map installation tricks this site is great.
The 60CSx seems to be an 'old' favourite even today as it is described as solidly built and less buggy than the newer versions. It also has:
- omi-directional antenna giving better accuracy,
- a more readable screen under sunlight and
- less jumpy/spidery behaviour when standing still.
It also has compared to my eTrex Vista:
- USB 1.0 and a USB MassStorageDevice microSD card, in my case it came with a 1Gb card despite the marketing saying 64Mb.
- slightly better battery life,
- a colour screen compared to my eTrex Vista,
- navigation seems easier,
- the build quality is solid and now squeeking as heard in the newer models.
Maps & Garmin 60CSx
I have by no means explored and learnt all there is to know about importing and arranging maps for the 60CSx. The main purpose of this blog post is to point out the free mapping solutions out there and specifically those linked to openstreetmap project.
My initial experience with MapSource 5 and 6.1.6.3 web-update are a bit temperamental especially if you use other 3rd Party map installers. I am hoping to find a solution that doesn't not require the use of MapSource. It is still included with 60CSx sales unlike in the newer models it is removed and has to be purchased.
OpenStreetMap (OSM)
The most exciting thing I want to share is the openstreetmap project. It has a fantastic wiki with links to many pre-compiled maps and is becoming as good or better (more current/accurate) than commercial alternatives.
Also worth a mention is the Mapping Projects wiki page which lists by geographic location the roadmaps over which OSM maps are being created and compiled. Routable-maps for say the whole of Canada.
In addition, projects using the freely available Canadian Government data sets for the whole of Canada and the work that has Dale Atkin done with the Ibycus project (currently non-routable topo maps).
Within minutes (ok, 40mins at USB1.0 rates) I'd copied the gmapsupp.img over to the micro SD card under USB mass-storage-device mode and it was available on the device.
You can browse the openstreetmap maps here online.
