Anyone use the little GPS gizmos?

[PyramidBlaster]

On second thought, that 60CSX is mighty nice.....

[WL2]

GPS stuff

First, the map and compass thing is like any other common sense warning; I do not need to go there any more.  

Now for GPS users, as stated before either you like them or you do not.  If you do not care for GPS then no big deal, go without one.  However, if you are interested then think about all the possibilities a mapping GPS unit offers.  Think of waypoints and tracks as taking pictures, they are a way to remember hikes.  If you find something interesting and want to return or want to share with someone else then GPS coordinates and tracks are really nice.  The map on the GPS screen is really very small, but it can still help you in route finding, especially if the trail is on the GPS map.  Points of interest are found on most GPS maps and these are also helpful in finding interesting places and staying on route.  With a few notable exceptions most of us get out to BIBE once or twice a year and have a very limited time to explore and see the wonderful backcountry sites.  A mapping GPS with waypoints, points of interest, and routes to explore can allow for a better use of the time available.  These things are remarkably reliable, lightweight, and have long battery life.  A spare unit tucked away in a pack or making sure there is more than on unit in your hiking group is not all that unreasonable.  Tomorrow it may be some other unit suitable for hiking, but right now the Garmin 60CSx is right at the top of short list for great mapping units.  Of course there are other units, just pick one and have fun.

[SHANEA]

GPS stuff

I think you said that quite well.  

[ed]

GPS units can get to your desired location.  We used one last year near Glenn Springs to hike cross country, and it was a difficult hike.  If we had used the trail that was listed on the topo map it would have saved us over 30 minutes.  We did take the trail back to the car.
GPS units are great but knowledge of the area is more important.

[BigBendHiker]

GPS units can get to your desired location.  We used one last year near Glenn Springs to hike cross country, and it was a difficult hike.  If we had used the trail that was listed on the topo map it would have saved us over 30 minutes.  We did take the trail back to the car.
GPS units are great but knowledge of the area is more important.

I second that.  The GPS is a great tool, but it is not an end all.  It is an adjunct to the compass and topo map.


BBH

[stingrey]

One thing I can't find about GPS's is whether or not you can use maps from other GPS's or whatever... In short, I am debating between a Rino 530HCX and one of these 60CSX's that everyone here seems to enjoy so much...

For reference, the 530HCX was just released from what I gather and is a noteable improvement over the plain 'ol 530 which is rated either high or low depending on whether or not you got a good one. I'm torn between the two and want to know (both by Garmin) if you guys think the maps would be interchangeable.

I need some general advice in this area because I basically ONLY want the maps for Big Bend right now and the trip I'd be taking to use this gadget during will be on 8/13... ANY advice appreciated! As a side note, the things I like about the Rino are the hunting/fishing calendar (I don't hunt and seldom fish, but still),l the weather radio (NOAA I believe?) feature, and the walkie talkie feature ALL built into one.

[homerboy2u]

Well Stingrey, let me tell you that more than one have travelled thru that road before. I myself included, and since posting the same questions and venting out my inquiries with the best gps guys a forum can provide , i have come to the conclusion that due to the features the Garmin 60 CSX provides, it is the best gps money can buy, plus it won the 2006 Outdoor Magazine gps of the year award.

 A humble opinion, from a guy who knows very little about GPS´s... :oops:

[badknees]

One thing I can't find about GPS's is whether or not you can use maps from other GPS's or whatever... In short, I am debating between a Rino 530HCX and one of these 60CSX's that everyone here seems to enjoy so much...

GPS manufacturers tend to be very proprietary about their maps. Garmin can only use their MAPSOURCE series. Although the selection is quite good it is by no means cheap.

http://www8.garmin.com/cartography/

There are options for those who are computer-comfortable, where you can actually generate some real good custom maps.

http://home.cinci.rr.com/creek/garmin.htm

I have generated some Topos for the park that are better resolution than the Garmin topo series and almost infinitely customizable.

[SHANEA]

www.gpsnow.com pricing.  

Garmin Rino 530HCx PKG incl USB PC Cable $419.95
Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx PKG incl USB PC Interface cable $369.95

Looking at the specs, the main thing I don't like about the Rino upfront is that

removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack

So, can I use other batteries when the rechargeable drain in 18 hours?

Battery Life 18 hours, typical

 or do I have to charge from the truck or A/C?  The 60CSx uses 2AA disposable.   I carry extras and have rechargeable in the truck.   If I have to recharge, doesn't do me much good up on the mountain when I find the secret cave with all the gold in it and can't mark it so I can find it again.  :P

To me, that's the biggest question.  The radio and transmitter are bound to chew up the battery life.

The 60CSx also has a larger display - which is pretty important if you are going to "read the map" on it.  A 1/2" may not sound like much, but compared to the ole Vista that I had, it's a lot of real estate.
Rhino 530HCx 1.3" x 1.7" (3.3 x 4.3 cm)
60CSx 1.5" x 2.2" (3.8 x 5.6 cm)

I'm not sure how the resolution compares???
Rhino 176 x 220 pixels
60CSx 160 x 240 pixels

FRS/GMRS will this radio communicate with other radios on these bands?  Or, can you communicate with only another Rhino?  The Rhino indicates that it uses a voice scrambler?????

Rhino does have the ability to record the external temp.

Having two Rhino's would be neat to be able to send coordinates back and forth, if you are going to buy two units.

[WL2]

I have two Rino 120's and they are nice even though they only have one watt ouput.  However, I find myself using my 60CS and also carring a GMRS radio rather than using the Rino's.  If I had the newer Rino with more power and longer range maybe I would prefer them, but if I was buying today it would be a 60Csx and a Midland radio.

[stingrey]

You see, that's my exact problem! :) The Rino uses the standard GMRS and FRS channels, so you can effectively communicate with all who have regular walkie talkies... This model is supposed to be comparable in performance to the 60CSx, but as was mentioned, the proprietary battery thing is something I was NOT thinking about... Hmm... :(

Basically the fact that the walkie is a higher output version of the 120s (and the regular 530 for that matter in this new 530HCx format) makes me want to pick that one... BUT there is bound to be something that is not quite perfect on it. The moon/sun calendar and the hunting/fishing feature and the weather radio and the fact that you COULD use it as a walkie make me want this one... That and I found a vendor selling it at $380 :) BUT I still don't understand whether or not you can use all the same maps and all with each GPS. I am sure you can, but I'm an extreme newb when it comes to portable GPS's. My car has one and I love it, and I want to mark the spots we visit, etc., but running out of juice when we find the lost gold will really hurt... Decisions, decisions.

[WL2]

All the GARMIN Mapping GPS units can load the various Garmin Maspsource maps.  The "National Parks 24K topo central" includes Big Bend and has essentially the same detail as the 7.5 minute USGS maps.  In addition it has a lot of points of interest like springs, geographic places, etc.

[stingrey]

And I just found that the Rino has an optional battery pack that lets you pop in some AA batteries... So... I'm still undecided! :) BUT they Rino isn't in stock in many places yet since it is new... And I've still got a couple of weeks to at least wait for one or two reviews if this bad boy hits the stores before then... I'll keep you guys posted either way!

Thanks for the info on the maps, but  what exactly does that mean about the Natinoal Parks map having the same detail as the USGS maps? I know I've seen some maps for sale here and there, and from what I gather (based on your info), the National Parks one has more POIs than the 7.5 minute one?

[stingrey]

Would there be a clear advantage to getting the National Park maps versus just entering coordinates for places we want to get to? We won't be doing any 15 mile hikes this time around... Any input would be appreciated as this gear has to get to me in time and be learned before going to the park in a couple of weeks. I will be getting the 530 most likely.

[RichardM]