Which would you buy - Garmin Zumo or the GPSMAP 60CSX?

[Qkchk:Me]

Simple question, complicated answer.........

Which of one these GPS units would you choose and why?


FYI
Priced a Zumo for $1125+GST from a NZ site. The GPSMAP60csx is going between $520 and $840 (what a rip!) on Tardme. Has anyone found any better prices?

Thanks

[insane1]

i have a zumo 550 cost me just under $2000 when i bought it and it"s the one made for bikes if you want i can bring my one round for you to have a play with for a while.

[Ruralman]

Or if anyone knows - what about the New Navman S30 portable which is available in the new Flybuys catalogue for 2430 points (pity they didn't have a points plus cash deal as I'm about 600 points short at the moment!) - any good on a bike?

I want something that has the road maps and can plan best routes etc but also be good for this geocaching lark that some of our biking brethren/nutters get off on.

[NZsarge]

Simple question, complicated answer.........

Dont worry about the price difference - Which GPS would you choose between these two and why?


FYI
Priced a Zumo for $1125+GST from a NZ site. The GPSMAP60csx is going between $520 and $840 (what a rip!) on Tardme. Has anyone found any better prices?

Thanks

Excuse my ignorance but I know not of what you speak (GPSMAP60csx).
The Garmin zumo on the otherhand, I know someone who has the 550 to which I think you are refering and it's an awesome bit of kit but way overpriced, all just because it's motorcycle specific/compatible.... The guy I speak of got his through rewards points apparently which was a sweet deal but I would'nt buy one....not at that price anyway. I don't see any reason they should be that much dearer the a normal car GPS...
It's a good GPS though, don't get me wrong.

[cooneyr]

Zumo if I had the cash but if not I would not buy a 60csx. For a start do you really need the barometer and magnetic compass i.e. 60cx may be better.

Secondly the new H series etrex specifically the Legend HCx is effectively the same internals as the 60cx (the vista goes with the 60csx) with the differences being casing (obviously) and the legend HCx not having a external antenna socket, slightly (and I mean very slightly) smaller screen and the Garmin 4 pin waterproof plug.

The external antenna really doesnt seem to be necessary now. Transalper took his legend HCX for a walk in pac and slave and found that it had perfect reception the whole time except when he was in the underground car park. Pretty impressive compared with the days of old.

The smaller screen is really not an issue as the 60 series put a menu bar across the top of the screen whereas the etrex dont so the size of the map on the screen is almost exactly the same.

The 4 pin waterproof plug is probably the most compelling reason for having a 60 series but the legend with a claimed 25 hour battery life hardly needs external power. Some claim that the adv riding vibrations result in the unit turning of due to the batteries loosing contact temporarily but others find it OK.

Whatever you do - if you get one send me data www.advroutes.org.nz ... advroutes@gmail.com

Cheers R

[jim.cox]

The zumo is designed to be used with gloves on, is waterproof and has an mp3 player built in.

It would be my choice - IF i could afford it...

[cooneyr]

The zumo is designed to be used with gloves on, is waterproof and has an mp3 player built in.

It would be my choice - IF i could afford it...

Ya forgot the bluetooth (some models) so with the right helmet you can get the turn directions and music wirelessly

Cheers R

[Qkchk:Me]

Ya forgot the bluetooth (some models) so with the right helmet you can get the turn directions and music wirelessly

Cheers R

Well its your fault I want one now..... HAHA got the adventure bug and want to map some tracks.

Ive got a Blueant Interphone (bluetooth to my helmet) so the Zumo probably be the way. Ive heard that you can download topo maps and still use it in the bush - correct?

[Qkchk:Me]

Excuse my ignorance but I know not of what you speak (GPSMAP60csx).

This question was more directed to the Adventure/Trail riders out there. The GPSMAP 60 series is a portable GPS that you can attach to handlebars/waterproof etc - designed for use in the bush.

[jim.cox]

Ya forgot the bluetooth (some models) so with the right helmet you can get the turn directions and music wirelessly

Cheers R

That doesnt do it for me

I've tried speakers in my helmet - but they are never loud enough to hear over the wind and the bike

And besides I dont need no frigging machine telling me where to go

I've friends and a wife for that...

[cooneyr]

Well its your fault I want one now..... HAHA got the adventure bug and want to map some tracks.

Glad the site has inspired you I suspect it wont be till next summer that things really start to crank but I'll keep working on it in the mean time. Still learning HTML etc - very much a nOOb at web sites.

Ive got a Blueant Interphone (bluetooth to my helmet) so the Zumo probably be the way. Ive heard that you can download topo maps and still use it in the bush - correct?

I've just check out Garmin and it would seem that given they have the ability to load maps I highly suspect that NZ topomaps (look up GTmaps, Freshmaps, maptoaster and nzgpsmaps for Garmin compatible topomaps) wont be an issues. Definatly ask if the unit comes with mapsource software (Garmins computer GPSr interface software) before buying though.

With mapsource it is not to hard to load both topomaps and the free NZ autorouting software.

Cheers R

[WRT]

Ive got a Blueant Interphone (bluetooth to my helmet) so the Zumo probably be the way.

Hey Qkchk - double check first if the Interphone will work with the GPS before using this as another reason to go with the Zumo. I'm pretty sure that it will work with the instructions (seem to recall reading in the manual that it will connect to GPS units) but I think that they wont work with streaming music. My understanding is that both the GPS and the Interphone would need to support A2DP in order for it to work, and I'm pretty sure that the Interphones don't.

[Zukin]

Well my 2 cents worth

Easy decision

If you want to stick to the road then go for the Zumo (for those than can afford it)

If you want to ride off the beaten track (gravel roads, farm tracks etc) - Go with the 60 series (either the 60CX or 60CSX) or the Legend HxC
These are the 2 you should be deciding whether to buy or not

The Zumo will NOT navigate off road
As Cooneyr said, the Legend Hxc is another good one, but I decided against that because I can use mine for other things in the bush etc
So having tried 2 units at exactly the same time(the 60 and the Legend HxC), the 60 picked up the sats better than the Legend in thick scrub, and I like the display better and you can get more bits for it.
It also has a much better handlebar mount with the 60, I have lost my old Legend twice now cause the handlebar mounts to the battery cover and it comes off easy on rough roads

I have both the Maptoaster topomaps and NZ open source maps on one SD card, they work together so no need to turn one set of maps off, unlike the Legend I have heard you have to turn off one set of maps to get the other one to work??
This is for auto routing (navigating on the road), maptoaster doesn't do this

Keep an eye on TM for $1 reserve I got my 60CSX for $500

Either way the 60 or the Legend HxC will be the best for you in my opinion

Cheers Scott

[Qkchk:Me]

Hey Qkchk - double check first if the Interphone will work with the GPS before using this as another reason to go with the Zumo. I'm pretty sure that it will work with the instructions (seem to recall reading in the manual that it will connect to GPS units) but I think that they wont work with streaming music. My understanding is that both the GPS and the Interphone would need to support A2DP in order for it to work, and I'm pretty sure that the Interphones don't.

Not too fussed if it does run through the Interphone, I listen to music on my cellphone at the moment (even if its in mono - sure beats listening to drone and wind noise) but I found some good info on the Zumo from here:


AUDIO:
NOTES:
The new upgrade will allow the user to select if they want the phone audio to go to a bluetooth headset and the XM or mp3 audio to go to the hardwired headset. Effectively this will send the mono phone signal to the mono headset and the stereo audio to the hardwired speaker or headset at the same time.

There are several sources to hear the spoken instructions and other audio:
Bike Mount, Hard-wired Audio:
By connecting a standard 1/8" audio plug to the side of the mount (above), one can use a normal head set. The the mount must be powered to hear the audio.

Car mount, Speaker:
This mount has a built-in microphone and a speaker in the back of the mount (above). This mount also must be powered to hear the speaker audio.

Bluetooth Audio:
With a Bluetooth handsfree cellphone headset, one can activate the Connect Headset feature in the Tools Menu. We tested the unit with a Morotola H3 headset (about $65), and the audio range was about 30 feet. After having selected the headset, reconnecting is about as simple as we've seen. First turn on the unit, then turn on the headset. The headset connects automatically. The zumo does not need to be in the mount or powered to hear audio directions through the headset.

[Qkchk:Me]

The Zumo will NOT navigate off road

Thanks Scott

A had a hunt around on Google and came up with this:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=282955

Supposedly they DO work offroad as long as you disable the streetmapping side of it. It has a SD slot and USB so as far as I can figure out you can download/purchase a togo card in which it will work.......