Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx

[mccullen]

I had my H2OC stolen this summer and am in the process of replacing it. I am leaning towards a Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx. Any which way I will be buying a Garmin, as Lowrance is now falling behind in the hand held department IMO.

The question is has anybody used the Upper Midwest Fishing Guide chip?It includes LOW, Dakotas, WI, IL, MI and IA. Seems to be the best bang for the buck.

I should do a search before posting, I found a thread on the chip, sounds like everyone likes it. How bout the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx? Any reviews?

Thanks.

[BDiss]

i bought it last year and i like it a lot. just like it's competitors, it won't have details on all the lakes, but ones that it does have, it it is pretty accurate. i used it on devils lake nd and a bunch of metro area lake and the rivers. it definitely improved my hook up rate.

[MN Mike]

I've got a GPSMap60CSx, had for about 4 years now, I really like it, it's been rock solid and great battery life. The GPSMap60CSx has been around since about 2004.

The 60CSx has now been replaced by the GPSMap62 ( this happened about a year / year and a half ago ), more features, capable of satellite imagery and other items. A buddy of mine bought one when we were on a snowmobile trip last year, seems to be a very good GPS and a good successor to the GPSMap60.

How much are they asking for the 60CSx? is it new? Not many left that I have seen, a new GPSMap62 is running around $400, less if you find it on sale.

I also have the Garmin Upper Midwest Fishing Guide, I don't hit a lot of different lakes, I mostly fish Lake of the Woods and it's right on the money with the Lakemaster card I have for my Garmin. It's going to be nice to have the extra coverage if I ever decide to explore more lakes.

Mike

[mccullen]

Thanks for the responses. To answer your question, yes they are still around on the big auction site. I just missed out on one at $210 for just the unit itself. Some of them are selling bundles of maps and RAM mounts etc pushing $300. All used but saw one that was refurbished. I really want one with a cord for the cig lighter in the truck. I guess a manual would help also but I'm sure you could dowload one from the Garmin HSOforum.

Sounds like the map is exactly what I want. I really only fish a dozen lakes or so in MN but it would be awesome to have LOW so I could venture off the beaten path a little more with confidence.

[MN Mike]

The power cord is just a standard mini USB cable like many devices use, if you have a standard USB cable that has the mini connector on the other end, all you'll need is to pickup one of those cig. adapter that have the USB port in it, that should power your GPS just fine, lots of gas stations carry these accessories.

That USB cable comes in handy when you want to use your computer to update software, backup waypoints, view routes or upload maps to the GPS.

Yes, the manuals are available for download, free from Garmin's site, comes in handy to show you the customizations you can do.

Make sure when you buy the 60CSx that it has the x designation, that means it will accept the MicroSD cards, there were some 60 series that did not accept MicroSD Cards.

Mike

[mccullen]

Great info, I never thought of that. That just another reason to justify buying a splitter and inverter. My cig lighter went bad but the power port is still good. I try to stay away from batteries as much as possible so the cig lighter gets abused quite a bit.

Thanks for the info on the x part of the unit, I've done my research for months now and am dead set on this unit and chip. Your input makes me feel at ease with my decision. Appreciate it.

[MN Mike]

Just an update, I took my USB to Mini USB cable and hooked it up to a charger, it powered up but it also thought it was attached to a computer..... so I would recommend getting a true Garmin power cord if you get your Garmin GPS.

Mike