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Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx Review

February 23, 2006 By 118 Comments

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UPDATE: The 60CSx has been superseded by the Garmin GPSMAP 62s.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.

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Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin handheld GPS, GPS Reviews, Handheld/Sport, Hardware Tagged With:

Garmin StreetPilot 7200 Review

February 21, 2006 By Leave a Comment

Streetpilot_7200_1

UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For current recommendations, please refer to our auto GPS buyers guide.

The Garmin StreetPilot 7200 is a new wide-screen GPS navigation device with a 7″ display, designed for larger vehicles such as RV’s, semi-trucks and buses. The 7200 includes an audio book reader, an MP3 player and XM satellite radio. With XM radio, you not only get music, but also weather and real-time traffic conditions that overlay maps in major metropolitan areas in the U.S. The StreetPilot 7200 uses this data to automatically calculate and suggest faster alternate routes before traffic starts backing up. Of course this is all in addition to pre-loaded maps of North America, a touch screen interface and voice-prompted routing.

So what distinguishes this unit from those above and below it? The primary difference between it and the StreetPilot 2730 is the big screen on the 7200. Step up to the StreetPilot 7500 and you’ll get a a dead-reckoning feature that allows drivers to continue receiving navigational cues when GPS signals are obscured – such as in tunnels – through a built-in solid state gyro and a connection to a vehicle’s odometer system.

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Filed Under: Auto, Garmin, Garmin auto GPS, GPS Reviews, Hardware

Garmin StreetPilot 2730 Review

February 18, 2006 By Leave a Comment

Streetpilot_2730_2

UPDATE: Most of the several generations old StreetPilot series, including this model, has been discontinued. For a more current recommendation, check out our Auto GPS buyers guide or go straight to our Garmin nuvi comparison chart.

 

The Garmin StreetPilot 2730 is part of the popular 2000 series of auto navigation systems. The 2730 adds a couple of major new features — an MP3 player and XM satellite radio. With XM radio, you not only get music, but also weather and real-time traffic conditions that overlay maps in major metropolitan areas in the U.S. The StreetPilot 2730 uses this data to automatically calculate and suggest faster alternate routes before traffic starts backing up. Of course this is all in addition to pre-loaded maps of North America, a touch screen and voice-prompted routing.

Compare prices on the Garmin StreetPilot 2730

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Filed Under: Auto, Garmin, Garmin auto GPS, GPS Reviews, Hardware

Hacking eXplorist 100, 200 and 300 GPS Receivers

February 17, 2006 By 11 Comments

PC-Mobile.net, a popular aftermarket supplier of GPS cables, has a product that may bring joy to many Magellan owners. It’s a PC interface cable for the eXplorist 100, 200 and 300 units. These GPS receivers don’t come with this capability, nor can you buy such a cable from Magellan. The only options I know of are this aftermarket unit or a do-it-yourself hack.

Filed Under: Hardware, Magellan, Software

Magellan eXplorist 300 Review

February 17, 2006 By 1 Comment

Explorist_300

UPDATE: The Magellan eXplorist line has been officially discontinued. For an overview of our current recommendations, check out our handheld GPS buyers guide.

The Magellan eXplorist 300 GPS is one of eight models in the eXplorist line (16 if you differentiate between the North American and European models). With that many different models, you can bet there is confusion over the differences between them, so here’s the low-down on the 300. It is very similar to the eXplorist 200, except that the 300 adds an electronic compass and barometric altimeter (features found only in the 300 and 600 models in the eXplorist line). Moving further up in the product line, the 400, 500 and 600 models add SD card slots so that you can load maps to the unit. With the 300 you are limited to the built-in 8 MB base-map.

Several readers have posted Magellan eXplorist 300 reviews at Amazon.

Compare prices on the Magellan eXplorist 300

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Filed Under: GPS Reviews, Handheld/Sport, Hardware, Magellan, Magellan handheld GPS

Garmin eTrex Summit Review

February 15, 2006 By Leave a Comment

Etrex_summit_1

UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For more current recommendations, please refer to our handheld GPS buyers guide or our Garmin handheld GPS comparison chart.

The Garmin eTrex Summit is basically the same GPS as the basic yellow Garmin eTrex, with two added features — a barometric altimeter and electronic compass. Just like the basic eTrex though, the Summit comes with no PC interface cable. If you want that, you’ll have to pay extra for it.

14 readers at Amazon gave the Summit an average 4 out of 5 star review. Here’s what other reviewers are saying about the eTrex Summit:

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Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin handheld GPS, GPS Reviews, Handheld/Sport, Hardware

Garmin Forerunner 305 Review

February 10, 2006 By 32 Comments

Forerunner_305_review

UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For information on current models, check out our GPS for runners page.

The Garmin Forerunner 305 updates the Forerunner 301, and there are a number of improvements that go beyond the stylish appearance, such as the addition of customizable data screens. But the thing likely to wow everyone is the SiRFSTAR III chipset, which has been getting rave reviews for acquisition time and awesome coverage under canopy, in urban canyons and even indoors!

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Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin handheld GPS, GPS Reviews, Handheld/Sport, Hardware Tagged With: ,

Garmin GPSMap 60 Review

February 6, 2006 By Leave a Comment

Gpsmap_60
UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For a list of current recommendations, see our handheld GPS buyers guide.

The Garmin GPSMap 60 is the low-end (and lowest cost) unit in the GPSMap line. It could be the ideal GPS solution for the budget conscious outdoors enthusiast. And it will even auto-route on highways with Garmin’s City Select software.

Lets take a quick look at the differences in the GPSMap 60 product line. The GPSMap 60C adds a color screen and bumps the memory from 24 MB to 56 MB, while the GPSMap 60CS goes even further, including a barometric altimeter and electronic compass.

 

Here’s what others are saying about the GPSMap 60:

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Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin handheld GPS, GPS Reviews, Handheld/Sport, Hardware

U.S. plans massive GPS jamming tests

February 4, 2006 By 6 Comments

Gps_interruption

The U.S. Coast Guard has posted dates and times for GPS "service interruptions." The purpose is "to conduct GPS interference tests, exercises and training activities that involve jamming of GPS receivers." Affected locations are China Lake, CA, White Sands Missile Range, NM, Cape Canaveral, FL and the Nevada Test and Training Range.

Though the testing is brief (a few hours at a time), it is of multiple day duration. And don’t think it won’t affect you. Check out the map of the China Lake test area to the left. This is a massive area, defined by the red range ring (230 nautical mile radius) and blue lines (testing does not extend beyond longitude 115W and 120W). As shown, it includes all of L.A., Joshua Tree, Sequoia/Kings Canyon, Death Valley and Yosemite. I’m hoping the area really isn’t that large. Please, feel free to comment and tell me why it isn’t this extensive. There are some caveats in the test announcement; here is the full text:

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Filed Under: Best of the boards, Hardware

Garmin Geko 201 Review

February 3, 2006 By Leave a Comment

Geko_201
The Garmin Geko 201 GPS is one of the smallest, lightest weight handheld receivers available. A mere 2.3 ounces, this unit won’t slow you down in the field. The primary differences between this and other Gekos is as follows — the 201 offers a data port, allowing you to transfer waypoints, routes and tracks between it and a  computer. The Geko 101 doesn’t offer this feature; the Geko 301 adds an electronic compass and barometric altimeter. None of the Gekos allow you to load maps.

Here’s what others are saying about the Geko 201:

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Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin handheld GPS, GPS Reviews, Handheld/Sport, Hardware
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