Garmin GPSMap 60C Handheld GPS Navigator (56 MB) – Customer Reviews
Incompatible with 64-bit XP
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If your using a 64 bit OS you will not be able to download maps to unit until Garmin provides driver support. Other then this it's a great product!
9/5/2006 12:00 AM | Rating:
Garmin GPSMap 60cs
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This GPS is a pretty good deal for the money.From an operational standpoint, it works well.It is apparent though, this is really all about being portable, the screen is too small for good marine or car use.For my use, mostly marine, I set a lot of waypoints and scrolling on this tiny of a screen is just lame.Not any fault of the unit I know, just something to think about.
7/20/2006 12:00 AM | Rating:
Loved it before I even got it
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I had read quite a few of the online reviews for this GPSr and realized there wasn't much negative about it.I was right, and I think I made a good investment.Although this model has been updated with an expandable, this one I found new for under $300 and it does the trick for what I need.
The unit performs flawlessly.I even can get a fairly good position - in my office with no windows!The quadrifilar helix antenna really is the key to this GPSr's ability to get fast, accurate fixes even under dense coverage.I don't live in an extremely dense urban area with tall buildings, so I cannot attest to its use in that environment.I have noticed (and read somewhere, if I recall) that the GPS receives best in the vertical position.On its side or holding screen up, the signal degrades.The helicoil antenna must be polarized to be held vertically.
All in all, it's a great unit for the price, and still worth the purchase even though it is being outdated by newer models.6/14/2006 12:00 AM | Rating:
Experienced GPS user finally posts a review
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First off, let me apologize for the lateness of the review.I purchased this item in Feb 2004.I already had owned 1 Garmin GPS, the Vista, and was looking for something a little nicer for Geocaching.The 60C and CS hit the street with color hi-vis screens and over double the memory (Vista has 24mb) and it was a shoo-in.Take all that along with the auto-routing feature and this product rocks.
After 2 years of EXTENSIVE use this is the skinny on this product - IT IS AWESOME.Because the screen is slightly larger than the Vista, it is MUCH more readable.This is probably because of the sun readable display and differences in internal software (larger fonts).It has a geocaching mode which is actually very fun to use.You can select it and it shows the closest cache to your location (you must upload the waypoints first but there is many ways to do it en masse).Once you find the geocache it lets you change its status to found with a time, post a note about the find or hike etc. then select the next closest un-found cache and keep going.It no kidding will give 30 hours of use (as long as the backlight is not used) which is fantastic compared to ALL GPS units that are currently available.
About the auto routing feature - the basemap is limited.It has only large highways and state roads alond with cities, states and other large boundaries in CONUS.This is still pretty darn handy (it beats keeping an atlas in your car).Remember, when GPS came out it gave only a Lat/Long or other grid coordinate, so to have a moving map display is still very handy.The best way to use the auto routing features is to use the Garmin map software Mapsource.The 2 that most recently work are City-Select v6 and v7.However, unknown to most people is that Metroguide V4 is compatible routable software (you can probably find a dirt cheap version on multiple sites - it also had no UNLOCK codes needed).Only in the later versions did you need to have City-Select to route to the 60C.With this software, this is a true navigation device.Originally I bought this for geocaching and some road trip type routing.With good routable maps you can not only do a search in your area for the closest chinese restaurant, but you can enter an address and it will take you right to their door.This feature has been immesuarably helpful as I am an active real estate investor.The time that this unit has saved me so I didn't have to use a map in the car made a direct impact on my bottom line.It is also incredibly helpful in unfamiliar cities.When navigating to a destination, it is even so helpful as to give commands like "stay right on I-10" when approaching confusing interchanges.
The ONLY reason I checked 4 stars instead of 5 is that the map draw is sometimes slow when you have the detailed maps loaded.Also since it is color, the display is not Night Vision Goggle compatible (I am a helo pilot for the USMC - If you are interested in a good NVG usable unit which works well in the air, use the non color version of the Vista.)As a last note why i am reviewing NOW is my unit was stolen out of my luggage on a recent trip and i will get a 60CX to replace it.Having expandable memory and a newer processor for faster draw and aquisition times are irresistable (however, I am not looking forward to the drop of battery time from 30 hours to 20 in the CX)
Semper Fidelis,
Tattoo5/14/2006 12:00 AM | Rating:
Two Strikes I'm Out!
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Bought one from Amazon, they sat on the order for a week before shipping a unit that arrived dead. Went through the return/replacement process and they sat on the order for over a week this time and thethat one arrived dead with the exact same failure mode.
The second one looked as if it had been opened before, accessory bag not sealed, manuals out of place, interior packaging worn. I believe the second one they sent was a return that was then resent to me. Bad news!!!
I still had both and in hope of fixing on, I contacted Garmin who said they were indeed broken and offered to fix one and send it back. This would mean I'd have paid full price for what would then be a refurbished unit.Both of them returned.
I needed the unit right away for a desert trip. Amazon's refund process made it such that they'd not refund all of the funds but hold them on account (those that were originally given to me as a gift certificate from my employer). Therefore I could not get the equipment for a local vendor.
I opened one month nearly to the day dealing with slow order processing, bad units, and more.
So, I'd not recommend the unit and I think Amazon may need to review their own practices to ensure what they have in inventory is new and likely operational, and that when a customer orders something, they put in the effort to ship it ASAP!!
Without that, if you have to buy one, go to a local dealer, put that batteries in at that shop and have them prove it works before you leave with it. Since you can't so that here, don't buy it here.5/12/2006 12:00 AM | Rating:
