Is the Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx a Good Value? Where Can I Get a Great Deal on this Handheld GPS Navigator?

2004 was a major year for Garmin when they launched the GPSMAP 60C which was designed to be an all-purpose model. The device was rich in features and provided up to 256 colors surpassing its older devices. The rugged and waterproof design was a major plus and it managed to be lightweight to carry around with ease.

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It was widely lauded by consumers and some even report that their devices lasted more than 5 years. But Garmin capitalized on the success of the GPS 60C by releasing variations including the Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx handheld GPS navigator.

Company Overview

Garmin received a lot of attention from the military in the company's earlier years and they did not even have a military contract. Their popularity expanded in the late 90s when Garmin started taking a great portion of the market share to becoming one of the top GPS makers in the US.

Highlights

The Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx is an evolved version of the Garmin 60C. Although it looks similar to the 60C, it features some improved hardware under the hood with the SiRF GPS navigation chip being the most notable improvement. This chip ups the sensitivity and maintains the device's accuracy even when used in canyons or areas populated with trees. Those that experience poor reception with the 60C may find some refuge with the 60Cx.

Another nice improvement over the 60C is the included memory card slot for people that believe that the built-in 54 MB memory is not enough. Gigabytes of data can store more map data and can store even more track data to exceed the 10,000 point track limit. Track data is stored in the .gpx file format so other programs like Google Earth can read them once the device is hooked up via USB. All of the other features found in the 60C are present in the 60Cx like the integrated outdoor calendar, geocaching mode, and preloaded basemaps for outdoor and marine usage.

Drawbacks

The GPSMAP 60Cx has a few features that allow the device to be used as a car GPS device. However, it performs very poorly compared to the Garmin nuvi products that are specifically intended for car usage. It also shares the other main drawback of the 60C which is the routing interface. Routing takes some time to get used to and could use some improvements in the number of steps that it requires to create one.

Reception

Many customers were happy with their purchase of the 60Cx because of the new technologies and performance improvements that Garmin introduced at the time. The GPS accuracy and improved tracking was welcomed by the consumers but noted that the maps could use improvement in detail. Some also found some of the maps to be quite pricey.

When choosing between the superior 60CSx and 60Cx, get the 60Cx only if the electronic compass and barometric altimeter are not required features. All of the other features remain the same. The device also comes with a lanyard which should also be used when travelling around to avoid loss.

 See Lowest Price on Garmin GPS 60Cx | Read Customer Reviews