Sanity check: Garmin 76cx as first GPS

[Waihou Thumper]

Especially when your trying to ride up a sand dune at the same time.

Yeah! Though, falling off never happened because of that...It was a result of the front wheel digging in, me trying in vain to bring the rear down and then realising there aint any oomph...over we went... Despite all of this, the GPS still was attached, it was working....The altitude changed... it was calibrated originally for the bike being Horizontal.... Most of the time......

[chasio]

OK, had a play with a 78 and a 60cx today (no 76cx in stock).

The 78 has a nicer interface and easier to use buttons for gloved hands but reminds me of a 1982 remote control: big and fugly. Why they made it white and grey I don't know: everyone knows black is more slimming

Anyway I assume the 76cx would feel similar and I am thinking of a multi-day kayak trip next year and a floating unit will probably save my bacon.

The 60cx was MUCH nicer in the hand and for tramping only it wins easily for me. But since my main use is on a bike, the extra weight is not an issue and the big buttons win.

Now here's a thing: PBTech do the 78 for $450 incl. and I can probably get a bit off that through my company as we get a discount.

So I'm probably only looking at $100 difference over the US 76cx to get a local 78 with 65k colour screen, nicer menu system, 1.7GB on-board memory and multiple map support. And I can take it back to the shop if it goes wrong.

So right now the 78 is leading for me. I'll sleep on it.

Chasio

PS I have no idea why the 78 still ony has USB 1.1 when the 78s gets USB2. I hope I can get data onto the internal memory by copying from micro SD card but if not, patience will be needed!

[sinned]

I have used a Garmin 60Cx now for four years. I feel they are a great piece of kit, perfect for ADV riding. The unit can be mounted on my bars, it works well in rough weather, is waterproof and handles the conditions. I used it for DB last year and it was fine.
One thing I did find was that in bright sunlight it is hard to see the route, but you just stop, shiled it and go again, no big issue.
Battery life is great and I also have it hard wired to the battery, draw is minimal, I have had a few rest stops and left it on many a time and all is good..
Buttons are small, I agree but at the end of the day I would have these over the Zumo anytime....

100% agree and I have Ram mount + battery connection which is required for all night riding. Here is my review of the 60CSX;
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...Motorcycle-GPS
Hope that helps your decision.

[chasio]

Thanks. I far prefer the 60csx from an 'in hand' perspective and it has many fans, so this is a tough one.

[NordieBoy]

Oooo...

Trig have a Nuvi 500 for $410

It's a Zumo 260? without the blueteeth.

[chasio]

Now you're just messing with my head!

[NordieBoy]

I like the 500 for the size of the screen.
The 60/72/Quest/etrex series are better from the customizability side of things.

But I'd rather get my 500 fixed than put the Quest back on. The Quest doesn't have the high sensitivity antenna.

My main issue is the 500 doesn't do track management.
It archives the old tracks off into another folder and you can't choose to display them at all.

It's got 2Gb of built in storage though.

[chasio]

Thanks, I'll look into it some more. [Edit: the price is $410 ex GST so $471 for those of us that aren't GST registered! Or $435 inc from PBTech.]

FWIW - I noticed in PBTech yesterday that the Nuvi units have an offer currently to get the Garmin Aus/NZ maps with updates for free.

[Transalper]

I tend to think Nuvi or Zumo for more roady type stuff but as soon as you want to leave the vehicle you better off with a handheld.

[chasio]

Tending to agree there, especially as none of my backpack, pushbike or kayak has a 12v power supply... The Nuvi has a custom battery, so no emergency purchase of AA's at the nearest servo.

But I am going to shoot down the road and have a play with one for giggles.

[chasio]

Insanity check: the 2 year old 60csx on TardMe has gone for $452 or $120 more than a brand new one from GPS City...

[Transalper]

Yea but you're still talking an overseas purchase vs NZ market.
Still it seems a weee bit for second hand, or maybe I have no idea what I'm talking about as I only bought new and locally for just $133 more for the newer model.
I'm still happy with the price I paid and service I got and the Map62s itself.

[chasio]

Nice choice: the 62s is lovely in hand and would probably* be my choice for bike and tramping only, budget permitting.

I see where you're coming from on local and I'm still erring towards the NZ new GPSMAP78 for myself, because the ability to get local support is a major bonus for a new unit. But that advantage disappears if buying a 2 year old GPS, so for me buying new from the US edges out local second-hand at the same price and once it's a lot cheaper to buy new (to cover return shipping for warranty if needed), there's just no contest, as I see it.

Chasio

* Assuming battery power only

[Transalper]

I know you know this already but to summerise the comparsion... 62 vs 78.
The 62 and 78 are the same except the 78 is 41grams lighter, floats, has the buttons above the screen, has the water resistant external power plug and has a couple of mm difference in the overall dimensions (wider but shorter sort of thing).
You mentioned kayaking, their all IPX7 water rated but the 78 series floats.
Screens are identical etc so no advantage between either option there.
The power socket on the 78 would have been good if I wanted to run the backlight on full all the time so in hindsight that may have been a good idea. The screen is best on a dull day. At night I use the backlight on low so that's ok too, but in bright sunlight (especially when wearing sunglasses) to see clearly the sun has to hit the screen at the correct angle otherwise it's hard to see without the backlight on full so on a long trib I sometimes tweak the angle of the ggps after turning corners to conserve batterys rather than turning on the backlight.. ( I have yet to test how long the batterys last with the light permanently set on full on the new 62s).

I like the electronic compass on the 's' models as when standing still when set to track up I can turn and the maps turn with me, I lived without it on the old Legend but really like it especially when geocaching.
The USB2 on the 's' is great too.

I like the newer models over older but that price you first mentioned for the older 76cx seemed pretty good too.

I have no real issue with buying overseas, I suspect the trademe guy just hadn't looked or considered it.
If you are happy with the layout of the 78 then you know which one to get. Some say it's easier to use one handed with the buttons up there. Never tried it for myself.
I do admire your patients and ability to shop around for that very best price, though I also like the guy at kiwigps so in the case of gps that remains my shop of choice.
I also like dealing face to face which for me is one of the worst pitfalls of buying online... no face to face.

Good luck with your purchase.

[chasio]

Thanks for your detailed comments - it's bloody useful to have them from a hands on user.

Heck, I hadn't thought about the map orientation thing when not moving, although I don't geocache (yet). It's pushing the price up though... unless I get the 60csx and lose flotation and the new features, processing power and on-board memory.

I don't think any of the units would be a 'bad' choice but bugger me it is hard to pick one! I have analysis paralysis.