UPDATE: 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: GPS City is showing an estimated stock date of July 23.
As expected, Garmin has announced a successor to their most popular handheld, the 60CSx. The new GPSMAP 62 series marries the best capabilities of the Garmin Oregon line with much of the functionality of the 60 series. The three models announced this morning include the:
- Garmin GPSMAP 62 (Amazon
) – base model; MSRP $349.99
- Garmin GPSMAP 62s (Amazon
) – adds a micro-SD card slot, tri-axial electronic compass, barometric altimeter and wireless data sharing; MSRP $449.99
- Garmin GPSMAP 62st (Amazon
) – adds preloaded 1:100K scale US topos or (1:50K scale Canadian topos for the Canadian version); MSRP $549.99
The 62 series will have the capability to load BirdsEye aerial imagery and Garmin custom maps, giving you the ability to add USGS topos, park PDF maps and more. They also come with full paperless geocaching capabilities.
None of this is a surprise, nor is the confirmation that it will have a quad-helix antenna. The biggest news in the press release is that it will utilize the same mounting systems found on the Colorado, Dakota and Oregon series (as seen at right).
The interface seems to be the same as the just released Garmin GPSMAP 78 series. For a sneak peek, check out my first looks post on the 78s. And be sure to hit the comments for a detailed discussion.
Availability is listed as Q3, but I’m betting they try to hit the market as early in the summer as possible. Here’s the full news release:
Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced the GPSMAP 62 series of rugged outdoor handheld devices, bringing a sleek updated look, new mapping options and many technical innovations to a product line beloved by hunters, hikers and geocachers of all ages.
“The GPSMAP 60 series has been one of our most popular product lines, and the new GPSMAP 62 series improves the form and functionality to make a best-in-class device even better,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “Whether you’ve been using Garmin for years or are buying your first handheld, GPSMAP 62 is ideal as it combines our new breakthroughs in outdoor recreation technology with the comfortable feel of an old favorite.”
Boasting a 2.6” sunlight-readable color display, up to 20 hours of battery life and a high-sensitivity GPS receiver and quad helix antenna for unparalleled reception, the GPSMAP 62 series features three distinct waterproof models to suit various activities and interests. The basic GPSMAP 62 includes a built-in worldwide basemap with shaded relief. The GPSMAP 62s adds a 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass and wireless connectivity for sharing routes, tracks, waypoints and geocaches between other compatible Garmin handhelds. GPSMAP 62s also includes a barometric altimeter that tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude. Users can also plot barometric pressure over time, which can help keep an eye on changing weather conditions. In addition to these key features, GPSMAP 62st includes preloaded 100K topographic maps for the entire United States (or preloaded 50K topographic mapping of Canada for the Canadian version). Coverage on GPSMAP 62st includes major trails, urban and rural roads, interstates, highways, coastlines, rivers and lakes as well as national, state and local parks, forests and wilderness areas. In addition, you can search for points of interest by name or proximity to your location and view descriptive details for terrain contours, topo elevations, summits and geographical points.
To help each user maximize the mapping potential of Garmin handhelds, each model in the GPSMAP 62 series is compatible with Garmin’s subscription-based BirdsEye™ Satellite Imagery, the free online community at Garmin Connect™ as well as Garmin’s free Custom Maps utility for transferring paper or digital maps onto a compatible handheld.
Geocachers can help the environment and be more efficient by going paperless with the GPSMAP 62 series, quickly downloading cache information directly to the device. Each model stores and displays key information such as location, terrain, difficulty, hints and description, so that you don’t have to tote printouts with you. Learn more about geocaching, getting started and going paperless at www.garmin.com/geocaching.
Subscribers to BirdsEye Satellite Imagery can use BaseCamp™ software to quickly transfer high-resolution satellite images to any Garmin GPSMAP 62 device and seamlessly integrate those images into the handheld’s maps to get a true representation of the surroundings. More details can be found at www.garmin.com/birdseyesatimagery.
Customizing maps for your Garmin outdoor handheld has never been easier. Through a few simple steps, Garmin’s Custom Maps can bring the details, labels and landmarks of your existing paper or electronic map to a product in the GPSMAP 62 series, or a compatible Garmin Oregon, Dakota or Colorado. Compatible with both PC and Mac, this free utility complements the myriad of mapping products already offered for Garmin devices, including City Navigator®, NT for turn-by-turn directions on city streets, Blue Chart® g2, for marine charting, and TOPO U.S. 24K and 100K map software for incredible terrain detail (each sold separately). To walk through the steps, to find and share maps and to join discussions about Garmin Custom Maps, visit www.garmin.com/CustomMaps.
Experiences will live on long after the activity has ended, thanks to Garmin Connect (http://garminconnect.com), the free-to-join online community of more than 20 million activities for sharing, storing, analyzing and enjoying at garminconnect.com. Outdoor and fitness enthusiasts alike can share activities on Facebook and Twitter, export to Google Earth or relive the activity in table view, calendar view or on a variety of maps including our new embedded Google Earth view.
Each device in the GPSMAP 62 series has a high-sensitivity GPS receiver with HotFix, which automatically calculates and stores critical satellite information and can use that information to quickly calculate a position. The GPSMAP 62 series is made even more versatile through its universal mounting system that is compatible with the same accessories as Garmin’s Oregon, Dakota and Colorado products. Other key upgrades include photo navigation and onboard memory for downloading maps. GPSMAP 62 and GPSMAP 62st models also feature high-speed USB for faster map transfers with your computer, as well as a 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass, which shows the user’s heading even when standing still, without the need to hold it level. In addition to the preloaded topographic details for the entire United States, GPSMAP 62st features 500 MB of available built-in memory. GPSMAP 62 and GPSMAP 62s are ready to be customized to fit any user’s activity, thanks to 1.7 GB of onboard memory.
The GPSMAP 62 series represents the latest breakthroughs from Garmin, which has spent 20 years developing technologies and innovations to enhance users’ lives, making Garmin a household name in the automotive, aviation, marine, wireless, outdoor and fitness industries. For more about features, pricing and availability, as well as information about Garmin’s other products and services, go to www.garmin.com, www.garmin.blogs.com and http://twitter.com/jakesjournal.
About Rich Owings
Rich MY GPSMAP 62st just went back to Garmin today. After all the trouble I had, as posted above, the latest problem reared its’ ugly head on Saturday. I tried to rename an archived ‘track’. System locked up and removing batteries and, ultimately, doing a Master Reset would not solve the lockup.
Plus doing the Master Reset would not erase user data. So Garmin said to return it.
Master Reset is achieved by: pressing Enter + Page + Power together. then when the Garmin logo appears, release the Power button but continue holding the Enter + Page buttons until the ‘user data deletion’ warning appears.
Sorry to hear that. I’ve renamed tracks on my unit, but not archived tracks. I’d say I’d give it a try, but I’m a bit afraid to now! They will undoubtedly just switch it out and give you a new unit, hopefully with a quick turn around. Please continue keep us posted on your experience.
Has anyone tried the Oregon/Colorado vehicle power cable on their 62 yet? Model #010-10851-11 is the one recommended and I’m a little concerned that the “L” style plug won’t fit securely.
Thanks.
Mine works well on the Oregon as well as on the 62S. I also thought that there might be a problem but it seems to fit fine. The L makes the cable go up, so if the GPS is installed above the power socket (like on the windshield), you may want some slack, as strain relief on the connector.
Amir K9CHP
Thanks Amir. Looking at the picture of the cable on the website and then looking at the 62 made me wonder if the L plug was long enough to fit securely. Now, I have some real world experience to go on. Thanks again.
One caveat: I have not used it much more than plugging it in and seeing it worked for 15 seconds or so. I don’t know how it will work with the road vibrations etc. But that is easy to solve by slightly and gently bending the microUSB connector with needle-nose pliers. In any case, the black plastic shield goes all the way in to the bottom of the connector well on the 62s. I do not intend to use my 62s as a road navigation GPS, I’ve got the Nuvi 765T and the OR 400i that can do that and have the mapping in them, so that’s why I just tried it and never did anything further with the power connection. If I also remember well, the Garmin OEM cable works slightly differently from a plain old USB, both with the OR and 62S, but they both do work.
Amir K9CHP
Thanks for the info. This is my first gps and I have a dumb question. I don’t have any saved or archived tracks, but everything still shows up on the map. Is there a way to remove them from the map?
Hey, a handheld GPS is a complex device. I’m still learning things about the ones I have.
In the Track Manager, you can select the current track and save it and/or clear it.
I was going to reply that I did that and they were all still there. But, I turned my gps back on and all the tracks are gone now. They didn’t disappear when I hit clear, but turning the unit off and then back on seems to have cleared them. Is that normal or should they get removed when you hit clear in track manager?
Thanks for your help.
Sounds like a bug to me. We’re still in the early stages of firmware tweaks with this unit.
I turned on my 62 and wandered around a bit to make a track. Then, I went into track manager and hit clear current track and when I went back to the map, the track was gone. So, I don’t know whether it is a little buggy or I was doing something wrong before. Only time will tell, I guess.
so in a nutshell to clarify….the new 62s or st or do i go for the touch screen Oregon 500 with the 3.5 mega pix camera? just for clarity previous lover and owner of the 60csx
Maybe this will help…
http://gpstracklog.com/2010/07/garmin-gpsmap-62s-or-oregon-450.html
I bought and Oregon 500 in March 2010 but was unable to seriously use it until October. The higher resolution screen is nearly impossible to read. Youcan make all the adjustments possible to text size, etc., and it is beyond difficult. I had to hold mine inside my hat to see anything. Two problems: the higher resolution screen cannot have the brightness that the 60 receivers and the 62 receivers. The resolution is about double, yielding 4 times the number of pixels. Garmin is trying to cram too much into this additional pixel space. One solution to this problem might have been to provide a “magnify” function where each Oregon 500 pixel was dithered into 4. This might have provided an even more readable screen than the 60 abd 62 receivers. But, they didn’t.
I complained long and hard and would not accept Garmin’s responses about the visibility of the Oregon 500 display, which were simply not true. Ultimately, they offered to trade my 500 for a 62s. I accepted instantly, having ordered the unit with a camera and really have no use for it. The 62s is excellent (so far). All of my SD cards that have multiple maps on them have to be recreated because of the way the 62 receivers handle enabling and disabling maps. With the 62s, you transfer individual maps to the SD card or the receiver, then rename them from gmapsupp.img to meaningful file names, say NPWTOPO.IMG. You can have a bunch of these file. I know not the limit, but I have them for several individual 24K topos, the three Natl. Park maps, Topo USA and a couple of others. Unlike the 60 receivers, you cannot enable or disable individual map segments, but this is not a big deal IMO. The equivalent of hide and show is on the 62s. This map method makes it easier and faster to add a new map — no recreating a huge img file.
Thanks John. The newer 550s have an improved screen, but that didn’t roll out till this summer…
http://gpstracklog.com/2010/07/garmin-oregon-550s-getting-a-new-screen.html
I think you’ll continue to like the 62s. I love mine!
Do you know what chipset? the 62 has? Would it not be based on the 60csx and not the Oregon???
Nope, it appears to be the STM Cartesio, like the Oregon line.
Does the 62st suffer from the Oregon maladies of low velocity trip odometer inaccurate readings?
I didn’t check, but will try to in my continued testing.
Rich,
I am awaiting the shipment of Garmin’s 62st. I have a 60 CSX. What should I be expecting from the 62st in performance when matched against the 60csx?
The performance section of my 62s review should give you some idea…
http://gpstracklog.com/2010/08/garmin-gpsmap-62s-review.html#performance
Love all the info here. I’m finally going to get a GPS, so, should I get a 62s or the 60 CSx? I probably don’t even need all the features of the CSx, but now that it is being blown out as the “old model” at around $220 it seems like a great value. Thoughts?
I own 60csx, it’s a great model, but the limitation of only one IMG file on flash card is irritating. I vote for 62s because of multiple IMG files and the possibility to have interface language and input language different.
I totally agree Sergey. Map management is SO much easier on the new models.
Hmm, you didn’t say how you were going to use it, but in general, I’m a fan of some of the newer features. For hiking, the advanced track navigation features are really nice. If you’re a geocacher, going paperless is awesome. Aerial imagery is nice, if you’re in urban areas or the open landscapes of the west. And if money is an issue, I’d sure try to come up with $30 more and get the Oregon 450 over the 60CSx. Hope that helps! Feel free to ask more or tell us about how you want to use it.
Thanks guys. I take one weeklong fishing trip a year, and need a unit that can put me on a specific set of waypoints (I have a map that indicates the coordinates). I also intend to get a map from Lakemaster (or some similar place) that contains the specific lake that I go to. The other use is the occasional hunting trip to Colorado. When I can, I hunt with some guys in the Routt National Forest in NW Colorado. The only other solid use I have (at least at this time) is identifying and then finding again, wild growing asparagus in ditches close to my home.
With one of the newer units, you could scan a lake map and then use it on the GPS. Just one of the reasons to go with the latest technology.
Dear All,
I have bought 62s and what is my surprise. When TRACKBACK the small window “dist to next” show distance to NEXT WAYPOINT of the route no to next track point. This is useless and (at least) I need the previous dist to next track point (as in gpsmap 60 csx).
Thanks
Hmm, most people regard this as an improvement. Usually, your next track point might only be 5 or 10 feet away. Is that really what you want? Under the old style trackback, the unit would cerate a route of maybe 50 waypoints from your track.
More info here on how the new setup works…
http://gpstracklog.com/2010/07/navigating-tracks-on-the-new-garmin-handhelds.html
I accept it can be an improvement. But it could be one more option (not substitute it). Try to follow a track in the open field with several paths crossing. Which do you chose? Have you download only a track from internet and try to follow it? if not, please try it.
(data fields suggeted for that. 1-compas 2-dist to next 3-off course.
When in bike (mtb) or walking I know (old style) than I have to walk, following the arrow 100m (example) then the arrow will turn again and I check again arrow.
Actually I have tracks of 40 km, 1000 trackpoints and without waypoints. how I can navigate? I now I must follow map screen. I think that take out old wayu is a back-step.
Please GARMIN include again (as a new option) old style.
I miss one comment from you. Next trackpoint is 10 feet…
I have trackpoint automatically and the GPS put it when convinient. Some people change it and put it every 10 meters or 1 second. Then I am agree is not useful (I do not suggest it the Garmin do it perfect.
If this happend you should filter the track and will clean redundances. GPSMAP 60 csx only accept tracks of 500 (2×500=1000). You can clean with mapsource or with oziexplorer. If in one line you have 20 trackpoints the program will put only 2 trackpoints
also forget to thanks you for your comments
There is a classic profile option, but I don’t think it will change this behavior — just the menus.
I download tracks online all the time and follow them with this feature. But I’ve usually created some waypoints for trail junctions, stream crossings, etc.
Here is Garmin’s post announcing this feature, though I don’t see anything there that will be of help:
http://garmin.blogs.com/softwareupdates/2009/12/getting-more-out-of-track-navigation.html
Hi Rig,
Thanks again for answer, (sorry for my english)
But this way is not “trackback help” is a “route help”.
I usually mark waypoints. But sometimes I download form internet tracks and there is no waypoint.
When in mountain bike, when I go down-slope I cannot stay watching all the time the arrow. But if I know that in 20m or 100 or 200 or whatever distance I can anticipate and only watch the screen when needed. otherwise if I watch too often I will fall down (hi speed) and if not I will pass a cross (hidden one) and it will be 2km. And when I notice the error it will be 30 minutes going up again (mmmmm).
How do you know that the arrow is going to change the direction?
I understand It is usefull (We have 4 data displays and whe can have both). I request to include old way also (is only improve software).
It would be great more people claiming for it (in order Garmin notice utility)
Thanks
Alejo
hi
I’m sorry about my english
I recently buy new gpsmap 62S and try to install new custom map in my device
after some successful experience I make last map and copy final.kmz file to Garmin\Custiom_map folder and turn on my device
but after the start up splash screen my device hang on “loading waypoints ,tracks and routs …” step .
I try to reset device using Power+enter+page key and select delete all user data but it still hang on startup
when I connect the device to pc using USB cable it also hang on same step and I can’t remove custom maps from onboard memory
now, what can I do with my new device!!!!!!
Try this:
http://garmingpsmap.wikispaces.com/Miscellaneous#toc3
I hope it will work for you.
hi
thank you very mach amir for your replay
before your replay I try another solution and my problem solved but I
for others use I paste that solution from: http://blog.hendricksen.eu/2010/08/22/comparison-between-garmin-gpsmap-60csx-and-62s/
(“If your 62-device won’t boot any more just like mine did, you can enter usb-mass-storage-device-mode by pressing the “arrow down”-key before connection the usb-cable (which is connected to a running computer). After holding the button for approximately 30-seconds the internal memory becomes visible as drive and you can modify it again.”)
Have been getting oriented to the 62ST; I’ve had a GPSmap 60cx for 5 yrs & the screen started getting a dark spot so had to make the leap. One feature I can’t find on the new st that I liked on the 60cx is the “welcome page” where I entered name, phone, etc in case it was lost/found for return to me (and differentiating from teammates gps who had same model).
Have looked & looked & can’t find equivalent page on st. ???
Hi,
1-Conect your gps
2-conect to PC
3-In the PC go to “x:\Garmin” (x: = driver)
4- open file “startup.txt” and read messages, and you can write what you want as a welcome page.
hope to be useful
Alejo
Thanks for helping Alejo. You saved me looking it up.
Alejo, thank you. I was able enter the info from my handheld on the 60cx so was driving myself crazy looking for how to enter on the st. Too bad this was eliminated.
given the low price around for 60csx, (2f00) is this a better purchase for a non-geocacher but serious hiker and kayaker, or save my money and buy the 62st? i did borrow one couple of years ago and felt it was a bit bulky ofr deck of kayak so bought one of the high end color extrex. thats hard to see at less than 40-50% illumination level howerver. thanks for help.
The 62 series has some great new features, like improved track navigation and the ability to load custom maps and aerial imagery. No need to go for the 62st though; I’d get the 62s and load free topos from http://gpsfiledepot.com. You might also want to look at the 78s. If you can swing the price, I’d go for the one of the newer models. But a lot depends on whether these new features are important to you or not.
The 62 series is pretty much the same size and form factor as the 60 models, so if you found the earlier series too bulky, the new one will have the same problem.
Agree. Sometimes I miss the obvious. Of course 2011 might bring an updated eTrex line.
Well, there is another difference to consider. The 62s does not float, whereas the 78 does, but then, the 78 is even larger than the 62s. My solution is to use the 62s but put it in a waterproof plastic pouch when I work my dog on water searches.
THe 62s also has the capability of having multiple img (map) files in memory and uSD card and this will save you a lot of headaches down the road when you need to have more maps available but do also want to keep the current ones handy. No more overnight compilations of files to the uSD card
i just looked at the top of 78 line on gps store website. a nice unit partic the high end model with the nav maps. i do use a water proof case for gps and for the radio as get splashed with salt water. unfortunately the extra layer of clear vinyl means i have to crank up the illimination even more meaning new batteries daily for safety sake. i like the appearance of the new 62 but list is 300 more than 60csx which ive seen online for 200. i also notice above lots of reference to various bugs which i assume are typical on a new launch. suppose waiting a little longer unitl things get squared away makes sense also.
incidentally, i did talk to garmin about the need to keep the light on during the day and the tech mentioned the screen on my extrex vista hcx color unit is slighly lower, or recessed, compared to some of other units. as a result, a little more difficult to see. i had not heard of that before but sounded logical (at least to me??)
Hello,
I have the 62st and also the 60csx. With the latest update to the 62st (v2.70), it appears many of your concerns have been corrected. When I take both units out on a hike, they record almost identical data. Rich is correct that the 62s tracks better. But I never had a problem with the 60csx when I had to use the track to get back to where I wanted to be.
A tough choice, your money. If you can afford the 62s get it! If money is an issue then you can not go wrong with the 60csx.
Dear all,
suggestion to introduce maps in gps
1-download MAPC2MAPC and 7-zip
2-this program split a jpg file in several files (you chose how many), also you can chose resolution.
3- if the map is already calibrated (ex: for oziexplorer *.map, and other programs …). the program recognize it.
4- and created automatically the kmz file to be saved later in gps
5- works great, much easier than garmin suggestion to procedure
I hope someone find it useful
Alejo
i have question re number of proximity alarms which seems to max at 10 entries. i was trying to plot a trip in the car with many points and trying to alert myself by sound. i know this is probably an obscure question but 10 seems to have been the default number on my old csx as well as my etrexe(s)
thank you
Mmm, not sure, and I’m traveling without my 62s so can’t check it out. There’s a ten waypoint limit? You might have to load them as custom POIs.
hi
i dont know about the 62 but the etrex and 60 limit at 10. i called garmin tech who confirmed . i didnt ask about the 62 however or if could be downloaded somehow via pc. its not a deal breaker but was just trying to set up alarms for markers on highway for a long trip between NY and PA. thank you.
Okay, I see what you’re saying now that I can check the screens myself. I’m pretty sure you can get around this limit by creating your waypoints as custom POIs.
I read in another forum ( http://blog.hendricksen.eu/2010/08/22/comparison-between-garmin-gpsmap-60csx-and-62s/comment-page-1/#comment-1106 ) that the 62s / 62st has problems with storing automatically tracks with more than 10,000 points. Is this true? Has this been corrected with firmware updates? Does auto-archive work now?
I think this may be what is happening…
http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=261952&st=0&#entry4515860
I want to buy a Garmin 62st but i did’n find the precision (accuracy), It’s very important to me know exactly this accuracy.
Like all GPS receivers, it will vary depending upon terrain, satellite constellation, etc.
Unless you travel a lot, you might want to look at the 62s instead, and add some of the free maps found at places like http://gpsfiledepot.com.
The 62st and a sticky compass.
I returned mine to Garmin, and they sent me another unit. It had problems turning on and also when you would connect the usb cable. It seemed that I had to pull the batteries and re-install them to get the unit to work. So I sent it back. It has been longer then their promised turn-around time, so I am still waiting.
When I receive it and test it out, I’ll update you folks on the sticky compass.
I used mapsource to upload a new gmapsupp.img to my 62s unit and a new gmapsupp.img to the memory card. When I go to select a map, my only choices are the base map and the new gmapsupp.img on the memory card. Shouldn’t I have 3 choices; base map, gmappsupp.img on the unit and the gmappsupp.img on the memory card? Any help for my confusion would be greatly appreciated.
~scott
Rename one of the img files to “somethingelse.img”, and it will show up in the map list.
Scott,
To help keep the various image files identifiable, try these options. Transfer one map set at a time, then go in and change the file name to eg. 24K Map Ohio.img, or City Navigator City 2012.img Also if you are using a menmory card, you will have to identify the destination in Mapsource (62st… or dive d for the memory card). I load all of my maps to the memory card.
como conecto o traspaso informacion de mi 62s a mi PC y al revez tambien , para recuperar la informacion de mi antiguo 60 cxs
I plugged your comment into Google Translate, which usually works, but not this time. I can’t really tell what you’re asking.
I am new to the gps field. I am looking to buy a unit that can download the usgs maps from the internet. For example, the utah fish and game has landowner hunting units highlighted on their website in usgs topo. Could I download that information onto a gps? If so, which brands and or models would you rccommend?
You can’t download those directly, but there are some options available:
1. Free: http://gpsfiledepot.com/maps/state/ut
2. Not free: http://www.huntinggpsmaps.com/
You’ll need a Garmin mapping unit for either.You may find this helpful:
http://gpstracklog.com/buyers-guides/handheld-gps-buyers-guide
And check out this series:
http://gpstracklog.com/category/handheld-sport-gps/handheld-gps-101