Garmin 60csx handheld GPS Question???

[FishGuru]

I need help with my gps, I have a Garmin 60csx with a 2009 MN Lakemaster chip. It seems like my gps is not getting an accurate read because when I'm on the road and I zoom into like 100ft or less my position is way off the road. It does say that I have a 11ft or sometimes 17ft accuracy on the unit itself when locked on satellites. I was wondering if there is a setting I can change. One of the big reasons why I upgraded to this unit was the same issue I was having with my Lowrance Ifinder pro it did the exact same thing. I'm also wondering if its just the lakemaster chips. Any help is appreciated.

[bigbad401]

I think mostly is the inaccuracy of the road maps, not really the GPS itself.

[FishGuru]

Thats what I thought, so I'm guessing I'm way off on the lake contours too.

[WhiskeyPete]

I just checked the settings on my old Etrek and there is a setting for WAAS or standard. I don't know if this is an option on the 60csx, but I'd be sure to have it on WAAS for the most accurate position.

[Scott Wpg]

I've upgraded to a 76csx, but when I had my 60c I was having similar trouble (and long boot times). I was told to upgrade the firmware as sometime satellite orbits are changed or renamed... so I downloaded the most recent software version for the unit from the Garmin site and it worked great after that.

[FishGuru]

Yea, my gps has the latest firmware but I did check the waas and it was diabled so I enabled it but I don't know if it makes a difference. Not sure what the waas is all about so we'll see. Thanks for all the info though. Anyone else with more info is very appreciated too.

[FishGuru]

I went to look at the owners manual on waas and yes that does make a world difference its kind of hard to explain but it has something to do with ground reference and satellites, thanks again guys.

[Big-Al]

Having WAAS enabled will definitely make the position more accurate. It is referencing a known point on the ground and correcting the error that is always there on any satellite signal due to the atmosphere and other things. I have noticed that the base map on garmin units is sometimes off a bit. The mapsource and Navionics maps are likely much more accurate than the basemap.

[BobT]

The lake contours were created by using GPS mapping of the lakes in a grid so you can expect them to be very accurate. Especially the navigational quality ones....those displaying 5' increments or less. The road maps may not be as precise.

There is a feature called lock on road that may place your actual position on the road. I've never tried it on my Rino120 so I can't attest to how well it works. Personally, I don't trust the road maps to be super accurate but accurate enough to navigate by.

[FishGuru]

So would the waas enabled or disabled make a difference on the lake maps?

[GBPackerNut]

Leave WAAS enabled no reason to ever turn it off really, I have 2 of the 60CSx's and they are some of the most accurate GPS's I have ever used. And yes almost all of the basemaps that come preloaded are way off in the lakes area.

I have the Garmin TOPO maps loaded on the mini SD card, and they are very accurate, big difference.

I would assume the Lakemaster maps are probably dead on accurate (well within a 5 meter radius) in fact the rigs they use to map these lakes are pretty impressive if you get to see one on the water

[McGurk]

The lake contours were created by using GPS mapping of the lakes in a grid so you can expect them to be very accurate. Especially the navigational quality ones....those displaying 5' increments or less. The road maps may not be as precise. ...

Yes, and No. There will be some error in the aquired data as it is taken, and there will be some error in the position that your handheld GPSr will give you. There will also be some arror in the maps that are loaded in, and what we all have to understand and accept that. These handhelds are a tool to help get us close, but you can't ever expect to have your GPSr put you exactly on top of something that may not be where it says it is to begin with.

On the other hand, if you yourself mark something in the field, you have a better chance of getting back to it. One cannot expect better than +/-20' with any GPSr that does not have an error correcting base station (not waas).