UPDATE 5: Check out my hands on review of the Garmin GPSMAP 62s. I’ve also got pages posted for the GPSMAP 62 and GPSMAP 62st.
UPDATE 4: For a sneak peek at the 62 series interface, check out my hands on review of the Garmin GPSMAP 78s.
UPDATE 3 – It’s official!
UPDATE 2 – I’m now doing hands on testing of the GPSMAP 78 series, which seems to be the same platform as the forthcoming 62 series.
UPDATE – Here are specs (and a new pic above) from Bass Pro. They are showing a price of $499.99 for the 62st and $399.99 for the 62s.
- Incredibly sensitive and easy to use
- Preloaded Worldwide DEM basemap plus Topo 100K
- Brilliant 65K color TFT display
- Crisp 160×240-pixel resolution
- 1 GB internal usable memory
- Includes a variety of essential outdoor apps, including compass, altimeter, and wireless
- High-speed USB serial interface
- External GPS output
- MicroSD card slot (card not included)
- Runs 18 hours on two AA batteries (not included)
The king is dead, long live the king. We now have visual evidence of the existence of the Garmin GPSMAP 62 series, including the successor to the long-reigning 60CSx, which has served as the gold standard for handheld GPS receivers for several years.
Designed for those of you who think “ruggedized touchscreen” is an oxymoron, or prefer visibility to high-resolution, word on the street is that we’ll see these babies in stores by early July.
Like the 78 series, the 62 line mimics the form factor of the previous generation, with only slight updates. The buttons remain the same, and thankfully they’ve left the quad-helix antenna in there too. Looks like you can expect paperless geocaching and the ability to load up on Garmin custom maps and BirdsEye aerial imagery, while some models will add a tri-axial electronic compass and barometric altimeter (62S, 62ST) and pre-loaded topos (62ST for the US, 62STC for Canada). Speaking of our brethren up north, we can thank the Canadian publication Radio World for the pics (hat tip to Coggins).
About Rich Owings
This makes me very happy :).
Dear Garmin,
Please drop the ripoff policy and let us use the maps we bought and paid for on other units…. like this one!!!???!
Regards.
BF
I believe that’s a NAVTEQ licensing issue over which they have little control. If you buy City Navigator maps on SD cards, you can switch them between units. Also, for whatever reason, the Topo 24K maps that include City Navigator appear to be unlocked.
I am READY for one that gives me paperless in the GPSr unit . . . have had 4 60-series and loved them, current one has all worn (white) buttons but works fine.
Hopefully, we will be able to work out some deal on mapping download to a new one to help offset the costs of a new unit . . . I am READY!
Rich
Thanks for the update… was expecting something after you mentioned the possibility in your 76 article.
REI and Cabelas are heavily discounting the 60CSX now (Cabelas has a bundle with the US topo DVD). Have had a Meridian Platinum and always wanted a 60CSX. Should I grab the bargain older model or save up for the 62?
Thanks in advance.
Ah, only you can make that decision. Me, I’m a latest and greatest kind of guy. The downside is that you have to pay through the nose or wait at least several weeks for the price to drop. And if you wait long enough, something even better gets announced!
Thanks Rich, agree on something better always coming, just like buying a pc. Based on the limited info on it at this time, would it be safe to say it’s a cross between the original 60csx and the Oregon 450? I had read your 450 review and was weighing the pros/cons of making that buy when your posting on the 62’s cropped up.
Thanks for the great site, info sharing and reviews.
Clearly it is somewhat of a hybrid. I don’t think we’ll know for sure until someone actually has one of the units. The 78 series is due next week, so we should know soon. There are questions lingering about the chipset and advanced features not found on the Oregon series, etc.
I still prefer the form factor of 60Csx than this new one though.
Really? They look pretty close to me.
Too bad Garmin just can’t redo to the 60Csx firmware to allow loading of different maps from the micro-sd card. I have no other complaints about my 60csx…
That said, the 60Csx will be a great deal if it ever gets down to a couple hundred bucks. 😉
Goto REI or Cabelas for your wish Bluewater. They both dropped it to $199 on Friday. If you drop an extra $20 at Cabelas they bundle it with a case and the topo DVD.
Yes, we’ve currently got those deals posted on the other site: http://bestgpsdeals.net/
The REI price is probably a markdown for the Anniversary Sale which ends 31 May.
Yes, you’re right. Others have a similar price, and it is probably going to be discontinued.
It would be really neat if this unit can serve as the base for the next gen Rinos.
Yeah, and the Rino series is due for a refresh too.
Any idea if they are going to integrate a camera on this one?
I doubt it (not for this generation anyway). In six months or a year, who knows?
Look what popped up on Bass Pro Shops today with images, some specs and prices (not for sale yet):
62s
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10206510_425002001_425000000_425002000_425-2-1
62st
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10206512_425002001_425000000_425002000_425-2-1
Thanks Rick! You are awesome!
Rich, could you write an article comparing the pros cons of units like the upcoming GPSMAP 62 with physical buttons, smaller brighter non-touch screens, external antenna -versus- units like the Oregon 450 with no buttons, larger dimmer touch screens, and no external antenna? I am trying to decide between these two purchases this summer, but not clear the advantages of one form factor over the other. Clearly Delorme has gone the latter with the PN series. And Garmins gold standard has been the GPSMAP 60. But the Oregon should enable entering addresses and text much easier. What am I missing?
Sounds like a great idea for a post. Of course I can’t write it till I get to try the 62! Its going to be hard to beat the Oregon 450, but there will be pros and cons for each interface. And it will be interesting to see if there are reception differences. Time will tell. I hope to have a 78 series unit in for review soon.
Given the way technology has evolved, these seem really expensive given the tech involved.
I left out “sure to be discounted” but you can insert that into any consumer GPS receiver announcement.
Any idea yet on the release date and the chipset being used? Might still be too early to find out?
I think we’re looking at July. GPS Fix seems to think the chipset is the STM Cartesio, but its still being investigated…
http://www.gpsfix.net/garmin-gpsmap-62/
How would the STM Cartesio compare to other chipsets or is there any data on this? Thx
Somebody else may want to chime in here, but my take is that the STM Cartesio is a good chip, but Garmin’s implementation has suffered from an inability to pull in WAAS. How much this is linked to chipset, firmware and/or antenna is somewhat speculative.
Here’s an opinion piece on wrote on the newer chipsets…
http://gpstracklog.com/2010/02/getting-over-sirfstar-iii.html
Is the new GPSMAP of the same bad quality concerning the chassis and buttons as the old one?
I appreciate the development of a kind of real rugged devices. But the old one wasn’t really, so I think the new won’t either. The button on my 60CSX were worn after only a very, very short period of time. So was the “Gummierung” on the bottom.
Quite inacceptable regarding the price of the device…
Unsure about the buttons. They aren’t worn on my 60CSx though. The “Gummierung” (technical term?) is missing. Glad to see that!
Oops sorry. I was referring to the 78s, not a 62 series unit.
Garmin has released a news release
http://garmin.blogs.com
Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and all. Nevertheless think about if you added some great visuals or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and videos, this blog could definitely be one of the greatest in its niche. Wonderful blog!