0ur opinion:

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handheld GPS navigator for use in car, boat, or outdoors * 256-color backlit TFT LCD display (160 x 240 pixels) * LCD size: 2-3/5' measured diagonally * pre-loaded basic basemap of the Americas includes select cities, highways, interstates, rivers, and lakes * microSD card slot allows for storage of optional MapSource detail (64 MB microSD card included) *

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The venerable Garmin 60C just got a whole lot better. The 7.5-ounce GPSMap 60Cx now features an insanely accurate, high-sensitivity GPS receiver by SiRF that tracks your position even in tree cover and canyons. Plus, you get a bright, sunlight-readable color TFT display and an included a 64 MB microSD card for storage of optional map detail. Simply put, this powerful unit is ready to take you anywhere on land or sea.

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Map page. View larger.

The GPSMap 60Cx features the powerful SiRF GPS navigation chip for supreme accuracy in all conditions.

You can use the 60Cx's memory card slot with preprogrammed microSD cards from Garmin (sold separately) that provide topographic maps, city streets, and nautical charts. ln fact, the unit is compatible with most Garmin MapSource products including BlueChart, City Navigator, U.S. Topo 24K, and U.S. Topo and Recreational Lakes with Fishing Hot Spots. The unit comes preloaded with an Americas autoroute basemap that provides automatic routing capabilities including highways, exits, and tide data. There's also a preloaded marine point database. You can even get turn-by-turn directions when you're driving, and an integrated trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more.

The 60Cx's 2.6-inch, 256-color TFT color display is designed to present mapping and trip information clearly and accurately in any lighting conditions. Plus, the case is lightweight, rugged, and water resistant to lEC 60529 lPX7 standards (can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes). When using two AA alkaline batteries, you'll get up to 30 hours of battery life from the unit.

Another key feature of the 60Cx is the 10,000 point automatic track log; 20 saved tracks (500 points each) let you retrace your path in both directions. There's also a large-numbers option for easy viewing, as well as a dual-position display mode. The also unit includes built-in celestial tables for best times to fish and hunt, plus sun and moon calculations.

The 60Cx's trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more. Meanwhile, a fast processor allows the 60Cx to provide quick auto-routing, turn-by-turn directions, and audio alerts when you use the optional MapSource software, which can be stored on the unit's included 64 MB microSD card. Downloading information is quick with the USB or serial port interfaces. Using the dedicated serial port, the 60Cx can share navigation instructions with repeaters, plotters, and autopilots. The four-position rocker pad and dedicated high-use buttons make navigating through the unit's features easy, even when your fingers are cold or wet.

Finally, the GPSMap 60Cx is packed with some extra fun features. An integrated outdoor calendar provides ideal hunting and fishing times, as well as moon rise/set/location information. There is a dedicated geocaching mode for those of you into the hot GPS community treasure hunt game. Finally, there are indoor/outdoor GPS games to help you and your friends enjoy the outdoors.

lf you like the features of the 60Cx but require an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter, check out the Garmin 60CSx.

What's in the Box
60Cx unit, 64 MB microSD card, belt clip, USB interface cable, MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager CD, lanyard, owner's manual, and quick-start guide.









Piece Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

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Buyer's feedback: - * Great Unit... don't know how I lived without it ...
I am sooo glad I got this unit. It's so handy. Very user friendly. I suggest getting some rechargeable batteries. I have been geocaching like crazy... so fun. You will want to get the city navigator DVD with this. It has great turn by turn info. I use it to look up phone numbers, addresses, etc.. it's like having a unit with the internet (not really, but kinda).

I am very impressed with this unit. I've dropped it in the snow twice and it kept on ticking...

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Buyer's feedback: - reviewed by a motorcyclist
I purchased the 60Cx to replace a Lowrance H2Oc I received at the beginning of the year. The Lowrance is a nice unit, but lacked trip routing, which I initially thought I didn't really need, but turned out to be wrong.

The 60Cx has an excellent feel in the hands, the buttons are surprisingly firm and responsive, where my Lowrance unit's were a bit mushy. The screen is excellent, highly visible in bright light, and the backlight is effective. The factory settings for turning the light off are a bit conservative, most likely to prolong battery life. As with most anything with a screen these days, the screen itself seems like it would scratch or scuff easily. I suggest putting some kind of protector on it. I cut a protector for a Sony PSP screen to fit.

I have not yet had to test the waterproof claims, but these were important to me, as one of my intended uses for this is mounted on my motorcycle while I'm out and about. I've used it all last season for this and it was great! If you are going to be using the unit for navigation etc you absolutely must acquire City Navigator North America, or whatever is appropriate for your region, or the pre-loaded cards. Base map detail is not enough for more then good sized city routing on highways. I also took the unit to New Zealand and it worked fine there, although Garmin's map availability is laughable, I had to purchase maps from a local shop. This is an advantage though, as apparently it's possible for 3rd parties to create compatible map data, so you are not completely reliant on Garmin.

RAM mounts are probably not your only option for this device but I'd imagine they are among the best. For cars or other vehicles, the suction cup mounts are excellent. For motorcycles there are specific handle bar mounts usually.

The unit also supports external antennas, although I can't imagine needing one, the reception and lock times are excellent, it it sports the well regarded SiRFIII chip. I was able to get solid locks even under thick tree cover while in New Zealand. I can also get a fairly good lock in my home without being near windows(but my house is also not one that would tend to block signal as much as many others).

Realistically, unless you buy preloaded cards, you will also want to purchase an additional microSD card to load maps on to, microSD memory is cheap these days, don't get less then 1GB. There's a great deal of discussion as to if a 2GB card will work or not, but as far as I can tell from said discussion it will. With a 1GB card, I can load full detail and POI data for about 1/2 the continental US.

Another bonus, the unit can be powered from it's USB port. I highly recommend you get some sort of power source for it if you will be using it in a car. This will allow the backlight to stay on while in use, which is very useful.

While in New Zealand, my friend had an older model dash Garmin (color touch screen, voice prompting, the works) and we found that other then the touch interface and voice prompting, my handheld was nearly identical in function. My lock did seem to be faster and better though, which was expected.

I highly recommend this unit. At least 2 people I know have purchased the identical unit after using mine, primarily for geocaching. The 60CSx, one step up, includes a barometric altimeter and electronic compass, which could be useful in certain situations, but I don't think justify the added expense.

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Buyer's feedback: - * Excellent value ...
Easily seen, has all the features you need and then some. If you do your research you'll find that it has most of what the average person would want without going deeper into the wallet. Performs flawlessly and has a pretty good battery life. Battery life exceeds my Legend.

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Buyer's feedback: - Great Product
This is a very good GPS. I am a forester and I use this GPS for work and for hunting. The best feature of this GPS is that it NEVER loses contact with the satelites, even in the house. I recommend that you use batteries that can be recharged. That way you won't care if you leave it on all day.

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Buyer's feedback: - * Excellent Navigation ...
I've had this GPS for a few months now and give it an EXCELLENT rating. I added a 1GB card to it and uploaded City Navigator North America, by Mapsource. With the 1gb card, I now have detailed roads for most of the US. A 2GB card would have given me the whole US, I suppose. I use this GPS almost every day at work. I am most impressed with the function that allows you to type in a street address and the GPS gets me there every time. Way to go Garmin!