Thread: Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx

Originally Posted by IkenI

I've been on the lookout for a handheld GPS to use in my kayak, for hunting, (and in other peoples boats) for a while now. I have a GPS in my Lund. I used a Lowrance H2Oc for a few years without one problem and foolishly sold it when I put the one in the boat.

I ran across a Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx NIB behind some newer models at a local Academy. It was the last one and still sealed at a decent price so I picked it up. Now I need to know if it's any good. I did a search and found lots of info on the newer 70 series GPSs but not much on this one. Will it do for the above and was it worth $52?

Buy.com's selling this model for $235, so it looks like the price was right.

I own, use, and like the GPSMAP 76CX. It cost over $300. Feature for feature, your 60CX compares very favorably. The only negatives worth mentioning are a slightly narrower screen and smaller capacity micro SD memory card. Screen height and resolution are the same, and you can substitute a higher capacity memory card. Other important capacities (# waypoints, # routes, # tracks) are all the same. Both units are waterproof, but yours won't float. I know mine floats because it fell in the minnow bucket one day!

Looks like you got a GREAT DEAL!

Super! Looks like I finally got a decent buy on something - now just to learn how to use it.

Originally Posted by IkenI

learn how to use it.

Take the unit & manual to your favorite fishing hole. You already know where there's structure, now you can mark it for practice.

Learn how to:
1. mark a waypoint,
2. page to the map view so you can see the mark, and
3. zoom in and out.

When you get these simple operations under control, you've mastered the single most valuable GPS technique--returning to brushpiles in blind locations. Everything else is gravy.

After getting comfortable with the handheld unit, you're going to discover that Garmin's "base map" for this product sux. It has far too little detail. After a few months, I bought the "Topo U.S." map CD. I would have gotten the marine product, but it included very few of the small lakes I fish often. Topo, on the other hand, provided good detail about the back roads leading to obscure destinations.