Hands on with the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx
UPDATE: The 60CSx has been superseded by the Garmin GPSMAP 62s.
UPDATE 2: This model has been discontinued. For more current recommendations, please refer to our handheld GPS buyers guide or our Garmin handheld GPS comparison chart.
UPDATE 3: Here are some reasons to look at a more up to date model.
The Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx updated the now ancient Garmin 60CS with two important improvements. First, the 60CSx includes the SiRFSTARIII chipset, which has been getting rave reviews for its fast acquisition time and awesome coverage under canopy, in urban canyons and even indoors! Second, the 60CSx no longer utilizes the built in memory for MapSource maps, but loads them to a removable microSD card instead (the unit comes with a 64 MB card). This means you have nearly unlimited map storage capability.
updated the now ancient
UPDATE: In early 2009, it appears that Garmin stopped using the SiRFstar III chipet due to a patent dispute, substituting a MediaTek (MTK) chipset. While both are high-sensitivity chipsets, Garmin is still fine-tuning the MTK firmware. The switch to this chipset has reduced one of the advantages the 60/76 C(S)x series has enjoyed over newer Garmin models.
UPDATE 2: Here’s my 2010 take on SiRFstar III and the newer chipsets.
The Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx is a favorite of geocachers, and is great for hikers and bikers. There are newer, flashier units, but the 60CSx is tried and true, and is perhaps the most accurate handheld GPS on the market; I always use mine as a comparison whenever I am testing new devices for accuracy.
One other point before we go on to other reviews — the 60CSx is identical to the 60Cx, except that this unit, the 60CSx, adds an electronic compass and barometric altimeter. To see how the 60CSx stands up against other Garmin models, check out my Garmin handheld GPS comparison chart.
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Before we hear what others have to say, here’s a snippet from Amazon’s Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx review:
“The venerable Garmin 60CS just got a whole lot better. The 7.5-ounce GPSMap 60CSx now features an insanely accurate, high-sensitivity GPS receiver by SiRF that tracks your position even in tree cover and canyons. Plus, you get a bright, sunlight-readable color TFT display and an included a 64 MB microSD card for storage of optional map detail. Add all that to the 60CSx’s integrated barometric altimeter and electronic compass, and you’ve got a unit that is ready to take you anywhere on land or sea…”
More Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx reviews
- Consumer-authored Garmin 60CSx reviews have been posted at GPSNow,.
- Hundreds of readers have submitted Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx reviews to Amazon.com.
- GPSInformation.net, one of my favorite web sites, has posted their Garmin 60CSx review.
- Patrick Roeder has posted a detailed review of the Garmin 60CSx.
- Scott from GPS Lodge has posted his own Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx review.
- BMC Software CEO cops to using the Garmin 60CSx in this mini-review.
- Consumers have posted their own Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx reviews at CNet.
- Survival AZ reviews the Garmin 60CSx.
- LetsGoMobile has also posted a Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx review.
- The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog tests the 60CSx.
- Maptoaster.com has posted a detailed Garmin 60CSx review.
- Yes, the 60CSx is rugged
- Mapomatic compares the 60CSx to the newer Colorado 300.
- Geocacher reviews of the Garmin GPSMAP60CSx
- A comparison of the 60CSx and the newer 62s
- A motorcyclist’s video review of the 60CSx:
I’ll be posting more reviews as they appear, but in the meantime, here are some other…
Garmin GPSMap 60CSx resoruces
- Here’s a link to a PDF version of the Garmin 60CSx owners manual.
- Want to see how the 60CSx stacks up against other units? Use this handy Garmin handheld GPS comparison tool.
- This is such a popular unit that there is a message forum devoted to the GPSMap 60CSx and 60Cx.
- Here is a Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx FAQ page.
- The official Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx web page
- This page is full of Garmin 60CSX tips and tricks, and you can even get them as an eBook
Compare prices on the Garmin GPSMap 60CSx at these merchants:
- Find the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx at GPS City, one of our favorite low cost vendors
- Get a great deal on the Garmin GPSMap 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator
at BeachCamera (the folks behind BuyDig.com)
- Check the current GPSMAP 60CSx price at Amazon.
- Buy the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx Expandable Color Hand Held GPS Receiver at TigerGPS, where you get free shipping on orders above $250.
- Get the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx
for an amazing price at eBay.
About Rich Owings
There isn’t any such beast. Read this and then let me know if you have other questions.
http://gpstracklog.com/2009/04/dual-use-gps-for-road-and-trail.html
I like the Oregon series for dual-use, but its not very good for biking.
I’m looking for a handheld GPS to be used exclusively on the water to track fishing hotspots. Would the 60CSX or the Dakota 10 be a better choice? I have Garmin Mapsource Topo US 2008 SW on my computer.
I’m a big fan of the Dakota series, but it might not be bright enough to see in the kind of glare you might find on the water. Another good choice would be the 76CSx, which floats.
we use my 60csx for geocaching and have loved it. I just turned it on after the batteries ran out and when I choose a point to navagate to, the compass does not show the red pointer (in either bearing or compass mode) and the data fields do not show time or distance to destination. I can see the gps adjust to my movement in the map mode and also see the pink line in map mode but compass mode does not show any info in the data fields. Has anyone else seen this? We tried every ‘reset’ we can think of… Thanks for your help.
Have you tried a firmware update? I assume you tried a “hard reset.” If not, here’s the procedure from Garmin.com’s support pages:
If the GPS is not responding correctly, for example it is not receiving a satellite signal, it may be necessary to perform a master reset. This can also be used if you want to restore the factory default settings. To reset the device please follow these steps:
1. Turn off the device
2. Press PAGE, ENTER and POWER.
3. You will see a message on the screen that says “Do you really want to erase all user data?”. Select Yes.
4. The device will now reboot, leave it with a clear view of the sky for 30 minutes to acquire the satellite almanac.
Please be aware that a master reset will erase all waypoints or favorites and will restore your device to the default factory settings.
Rich,
It’s mentioned that the 60CSx chipset got switched in 2009. Are there any models out there that have accuracy equal to the 60CSx? I’m looking to buy and I’ll be using it only for hiking. I’m not concerned about needing maps to upload to a unit (I carry my own paper maps). My main criterion is accuracy. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Cameron
My take is that the newer units are now comparable to the 60CSx in terms of accuracy, now that they have gone through several firmware updates. Unless you are going to be hiking in tight canyons, any of the current generation high-sensitivity chipset Garmins should do fine. From what you stated, a simple unit like the Venture HC may meet your needs.
Rich,
Thanks. The reason I asked was most of my hiking is in steep, deep forested canyons and drainages. I just want a unit that will accurately keep track of my position on my hikes that I can look at and plot on maps back at home. Any recommendations on one to use in tight canyons? Thanks.
Cameron
The only thing that I think would be any better would be if you were willing to use an external antenna. The 60/76C(S)x series accepts those, as does the Garmin Colorado series. Otherwise, any of those models, or the eTrex H series, Dakota or Oregon series might do just as well. I’d buy based on feature set, weight, screen size, battery life, etc. Hope that helps.
My company bought 4 GPS60CSx units in October 2009, to say the fact it really interesting having met our needs especially its fact tracking and satellite acquiring even in valleys. About a month, my own unit stopped acquiring satellite, in fact it is still trying to acquire the usual satellites it used to acquire for less than 1 minute for since Nov. 24 2009 up till now, it displays ‘ACQUIRING SATELITE’ I have tried all means to set it up but all proved abortive. This is so surprising as a month is only 1/12 of one year warranty, I tried to contact the company that ordered the unit still in vain. The serial number of the unit is 118475832 Cam210, I am really confused because this unit was handled with care and I don’t see anything wrong with it on my own side. Please what can I do to fix this problem problem.The other three are still working perfectly. I will like response via my email,
I will so much appreciate quick response.
Nice time.
Things to try, in order of severity:
1. Leave it under open sky for half an hour and see if it acquires
2. Upgrade the firmware
3. Do a hard reset (search Garmin support for “reset” for specifics)
4. Call (recommended over emailing) Garmin support
Dear sir
Its a wonderful site you have here. Nice and detailed description on alot of issues. Cheers to that.
Sir, I wanted to take you opinion on the selection of what model of GPS to buy. I am confused between the 60CSX & the 76CSX. My use will primary be in the car, rallying & off-roading, biking & trekking. I will not be taking it anywhere near the water like river, marine or lakes etc. However while trekking rainfall might be an issue.
So keeping in mind the above requirement what model of GPS do you recommend??
All my colleagues in off-roading and rallying are using the 76CSX and swear by it, so naturally they are advising me the same. Further I am getting the 76CSX $10 cheaper than the 60CSX.
the only difference between both the models I am able to find is that the 76CSX floats on water and the 60CSX doesn’t. Secondly I like the 60CSX better as the buttons are below the screen and the unit is more handy than the 76CSX which appears a little bulkier.
please advise what route to take.
Cheers
The 60CSx is quite waterproof. I prefer the button placement to those of the 76CSx.
After much contemplation and research for a gps unit, I decided to buy a Garmin GPSmap60csx. After a couple of weeks use, I can say I have no regrets. Have no fear about the new chipset, it is great.I usually have 10-12 satellites locked on and have no trouble keeping an excellent signal.I love it!
Hi,
I’m really stuck and I don’t really have any GPS resources to go to. I’m new to GPS units but an experienced hiker. (I know, I’m just slow at adopting new technology…) I’m trying to decide between the GPSMAP 60CSx or the Dakota 20. I’ll mostly be using it for hiking and occasional geocaching. I’m also interested in free, third party topo maps since I just looked at the prices on map sets from Garmin. Wow. Which model has the best support for that kind of thing?
They’re going for close to the same price right now at REI, with the Dakota $50 more. What do you recommend?
I think the Dakota has a little better support for third party maps, because you can rename them and avoid having to reload everything via MapSource each time you want to send new maps to the unit. Not a huge deal, but I’d give the Dakota a bit of an edge here.
But the Dakota also supports many other things the 60CSx doesn’t, including Garmin custom maps (allows you to load USGS topos, PDF park maps, etc.), BirdsEye aerial imagery, enhanced track navigation features, etc. The 60CSx will likely be discontinued in favor of the upcoming 62 series. Between the 60CSx and the Dakota, I’d definitely go for the Dakota.
Ok, thanks!
Hi Rich –
So I just recently purchased the 60csx for a smoking deal at REI during their sale for $199. I got it home, along with the garmin topo 24k west and nav NT program. I loaded some maps. Here is my first impression. The nav program sucks compared to a dedicated road nav gps unit, even with turn-by-turn directions, as expected. However, when looking at topo maps, the image is certainly not as nice as on my laptop screen. My question is: for all the great things I read about this unit, along with the awesome price I got it for, will I be much happier with the fancy oregon 400t with it’s beautiful resolution (or at least it appears that way online with your screenshots)? Which unit offers more value, more features per buck?
thanks
I would not go for the Oregon 400t. Instead, I’d get the Oregon 450, which has a much better screen. You’ll get some new capabilities, including the ability to add Garmin custom maps, BirdsEye aerial imagery, track navigation and paperless geocaching. There’s a $50 rebate (not good at Amazon) thru 6/20. Some folks are reporting getting the price down to $300 this way.
RICH I AM NEW TO GPS SYSTEMS AND CONSIDERING THE 60 CSX OR THE OREGON 550. I WILL BE USING THE GPS FOR HUNTING PRIMARILY AND WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ADVICE ON WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST UNIT FOR CANYONS AND TIMBER. IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE IN ACCURACY. TOPO MAPS WILL BE A BIG HELP FOR WHAT I AM LOOING FOR I BELIEVE. THANKS.
No need to shout!
I’d suggest looking at the Oregon 450 (better screen than the 550) or the new GPSMAP 62s (Oregon features in a 60 series package). You can see my description and testing of accuracy issues near the bottom of my Oregon 450 review…
http://gpstracklog.com/2010/04/garmin-oregon-450-review.html
Feel free to follow up with more questions.
Hi, could you recommend a good hand held GPS unit that can be used for heavy brush/timber/woods?
Id like to be able to put in different land survey (lat-long) points, and then be able to walk a line through dense brush to the different points. And if possible, map these points on an aerial map or reloaded map. (I currently own property where 4 corners are marked/staked, but the acreage is soo overgrown I cant see them, and would like to create a fence, property line.
Thanks!
I’m not sure a consumer grade GPS will meet your needs. You can expect the accuracy to range from 10-30′ with a good unit. I wouldn’t put up a property fence based on that.
I am going to buy this baby. How can I be sure the one gpsmap 60csx I will buy will have a SiRFstar III?
The only way is: Main Menu > Setup > System > Menu > Software Version. If the GPS software version is 3.00s its SiRFstar II?
What if the version will be 4.xx?
I doubt that you’ll find one with the SiRFstar chipset unless you buy used or refurbished. If the GPS firmware ends in an s its SiRFstar. If it ends in an m, its MTK.
Ohh boy… WAY TOO MUCH! The Garmin GPSmap 60SCx is available all over the place for just around $200!
Rich
I just bought the garmin 60CSx and wish to learn as much about this unit as possible. First question being what is magnetic variation mean? on my unit, it says that it is 009 degrees W. wouldn’t that take you off course if you were trying to be accurate. Second question, I have another car gps unit and when putting both of them side by side the the lonitude and latitude do not match up, how close should I expect them to be. the car gps is very accurate on the road.
thanks Jack
Your compass will always point towards the waypoint, regardless of this setting. This would only matter if you were going to project a waypoint or something like that.
Your car unit is likely the less accurate one. You don’t see it in practice because the position icon is always locked to the road.
You suckers need to get your goods at Costco, if it breaks, just get a new one.
If I install a GA 30 external antena to the GPSMAP 60csx will it make a big difference y acurancy???
Not unless you’re in challenging conditions, like an urban or natural canyon, under a metal overhang, etc.
Hey Richard,
It was great to read your forum…
I got this Garmin 60CXs from Amazon but realizing the map that Garmin’s website charges cost a bomb!
I am heading to the whole Latin America, e.g. Argentina, Peru, Brazil etc…
I was wonder is there any website that I can download free map from Latin America, Cuba and Mexico?
I will be going away in a week time and I need map to help me to navigate the countries that I am going…
Please advise… Many Thanks!
Answered at http://gpstracklog.com/2008/11/more-free-topo.html/comment-page-1#comment-129740