Garmin 60csx map help please

[optique]

After a recent trip to BB without a GPS, I decided to take the plunge.

I got the popular 60csx.

I noticed that the base map (is that the right term?) in the brand new gps has very little detail in it. I know this because the Garmin 265WT has a wealth of map detail that the 60csx lacks.

What is your opinion on the best way to get the 60csx to
1. have similar map detail for roads as the 265WT
2. have topo info on BB to show at least mountains, dirt roads, and the such?

Maybe I am asking too much. Any info would assist this newbie.
thanks.
steve.

[jeffblaylock]

The base map is terrible and useless. It's actually quite appalling that Garmin ships its GPS units with it, instead of providing a chance (for a fee, natch) to customize the data on the system.

I took the 1:100K scale topo map to Idaho and elsewhere last month. I found it to have the right amount of detail for the trail, when used alongside my printed 1:24K topo maps. You can get 1:24K topos as well, but these are regional and more expensive.

The link I posted is to Garmin's store. I guarantee you'll find a better price from an online vendor. I think I paid $65 for the Mac version of the 1:100K DVD.

I also have a 2GB microSD card installed in the unit, which provides pretty much limitless capacity for maps and track data.

[optique]

Jeff

Thanks for the reply so quick.

About the 100k topo, looking at the country just around Marathon, it is better than the base map.

So, I am wondering if the map above now would be useful in just day to day non-camping hiking use, like in Houston?

Sorry if these are incredibly stupid questions.
steve.

[homerboy2u]

My best source for what you are looking for have been:
http://www.pricegrabber.com/ , much cheaper here than Garmin's website.

http://www.amazon.com/

 And the king of opportunities: http://www.ebay.com/

 As Jeff stated,search on Garmin's website but buy or compare in these other ones,lots of luck.

Jeff
Sorry if these are incredibly stupid questions.
steve.

 Ha,nooo!!!...by a longshot. You should have read some of my questions , while i was learning the ropes on my 60 Csx.

 Buena Suerte

[jeffblaylock]

Jeff

Thanks for the reply so quick.

About the 100k topo, looking at the country just around Marathon, it is better than the base map.

So, I am wondering if the map above now would be useful in just day to day non-camping hiking use, like in Houston?

Sorry if these are incredibly stupid questions.
steve.

Probably would be useful for non-vehicular navigation in the Houston area.

If you're going to use it to navigate when in the car, I suspect the 60CSx is not going to make you very happy. The screen is too small. You can pick up a Garmin Nuvi pretty cheap these days. I took a 305W (I think that's the model no.) on my road trip -- got it for under $100. Much better for vehicle use. On the other hand, if you're using the GPS purely to record where you drive, then the 60CSx is superior to the vehicular models, as far as flexibility for saving and exporting tracks goes.

As for navigating in the city of Houston on foot, I suspect the base map which came with the unit is probably adequate.

[optique]

Jeff,

That is unfortunately what I suspected, that the 60csx is not a dual purpose road trip / hiking/offroad unit.

thanks for your insight.
steve.

[RichardM]

As for navigating in the city of Houston on foot...

Houston? On foot? You don't need a GPS unit...you need either a bodyguard or a psychiatrist...or both!

[optique]

As for navigating in the city of Houston on foot...

Houston? On foot? You don't need a GPS unit...you need either a bodyguard or a psychiatrist...or both!

Hold on, I resemble that. I have never needed.....a body guard. 

And for Big Bend, you need a podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon to pull cactus spines out.





You all have a great day.
steve.

[Robert]

If you're going to use it to navigate when in the car, I suspect the 60CSx is not going to make you very happy. The screen is too small.

While the screen is small it does provide turn by turn directions and I have found it very useful when driving in unfamiliar areas. So to me it does perform well enough to save having to buy another unit for occasional use.

[dkerr24]

In addition, the 60csx won't speak out the turn-by-turn directions.  I find those just as handy as the 4.3" screen on my Nuvi.

[homerboy2u]

In addition, the 60csx won't speak out the turn-by-turn directions. 

 That's OK too, mine has sign language capabilities .....for lack of a speaker,that is.

   In my opinion,the 60 Csx is one of the best GPS Garmin has put out on the market.Once you start learning the ropes,it i very difficult to put it down.

 Before i ever go out on a trip i have made it a habbit to read all the manual  again,just to pick up stuff (of course some of the pages i may know by heart,so i just zip thru them and refocuse on the important ones to me) i might have forgotten and i have the .PDF version of it too, so it comes in handy when using the laptop on airports,shuttle buses,hotels,you name it. A very handy device...

[optique]

I downloaded the Texas topo map from http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/131/

It's described as a 24k+ detail map, that has much, more detail of every kind than the Garmin basemap.

Since I am not really in a place to test the map, I don't really know how good it is.

Anyone have any comments about this map?

Thanks.
Steve.

[badknees]

I downloaded the Texas topo map from http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/131/

It's described as a 24k+ detail map, that has much, more detail of every kind than the Garmin basemap.

Since I am not really in a place to test the map, I don't really know how good it is.

Anyone have any comments about this map?

Thanks.
Steve.

The elevation data and hydrolological data in your Texas Topo are from USGS and NHD databases and should be very good. I'm haven't exactly figured out where the road data came from, but some is misleading. No trails, only a single point for each.

[optique]

Bad Knees,

Would the Garmin Texas Topo map have trails?

Just took a short hike along an established hike bike trail here in Harris County and that trail was not on the map. Roads, creeks, and contour lines were on the map.

Compared to the Garmin base map, I am impressed!

Have a good day.
Steve.

[Al]

Bad Knees,

Would the Garmin Texas Topo map have trails?

Just took a short hike along an established hike bike trail here in Harris County and that trail was not on the map. Roads, creeks, and contour lines were on the map.

Compared to the Garmin base map, I am impressed!

Have a good day.
Steve.

Steve, perhaps you should ask BK what maps he uses in Big Bend with his 60csx

Al