Garmin 60CX and Mapsource

[MacWildcat]

This may be a topic buried in a previous thread.... I ordered a Garmin 60cx last weekend. As I read through the product reviews, a negative issue that was stated several times was location inaccuracy of the GPS/mapsource location. Reviewers were stating their 60cx would show their position on the GPS up to 200' off their physical location. I figured this is probably a set-up issue, but thought I better check if anyone has had this happen - what was the fix?
I figure I'm going to have limited experience with the new GPS before I ride the Arkansas backroads. 200' can become a big deal navigating backroads.

[MoRidin]

We had 3-4 60's and they performed very well. Accuracy I observed under hard use was always withing 20 feet.

That being said, the 60 is past technology...the SIRF has been replaced. The newer H models outperform the 60's hands down. I liked them so much, I wound up ordering another 50 to hand out. We had no use for the memory, so I was buying the HC...but the HCX is primo.

Best part is it is less money that the 60!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PDR27G

Be warned, the H's do not come with Mapsource...so keep that factored into the cost.

[MacWildcat]

Holy Crap "I wound up ordering another 50.....to hand out". How do I get on your Christmas list! I'll take one if you just happen to have one laying around.
That being said I went back and looked at the reviews for some details: The location issues were happening with the 60 cx and Mapsource Topo. I think there is enough of us on this site using 60s, has anyone heard about this issue?

[ajayhawkfan]

I have had a 60CS for 3.5 years and the newer 60CSx for about 2 years. I use topo on both. The CSx is very accurate. Rarely is it off my more then 20 feet. The only time I had a large variance on the CS was when there was a lot of tree cover or in a canyon, however I never recall it being 200 feet (maybe 100) and that was only temporary.

Your 60Cx is similar to my 60CSx only with the electronic compass and barometric altimeter. You should be very happy with your purchase.

[troy]

I've never noticed my 60CS being off anything worth caring about. When it shows me in an intersection, I'm in the intersection. When I geocache hunt with it, it usually puts me right on top of the hide.

It has to be outside to work and even loses signal sometimes in my truck unless on the front dash. the 60CSx as I understand has a much stronger reception. Sean says the H is the bomb, and he is in a position to know. I'm VERY satisfied with my 60CS, though.

[MacWildcat]

I'm upgrading from a B/W Trex Legend so the 60 will be a big improvement. I had no problems in KS with the majority of roads on a grid. When you get in Arkansas or other places where roads follow terrain, it get difficult to tells the difference in gray scale between roads and streams. This has been confusing before in AR when the road and the stream are on top of each other.
http://picasaweb.google.com/MacWildcat/TurnersBend03

[safiri]

My experience is that MapSource is off, not the GPS.

When I track back, thus going the exact same way hours / weeks / months / year later, the two track lines are on top of one another. They may not be on the road ... but the previous version of MapSource didn't even show I-435 going over the MO R near Parkville. Thus I figured the digitizing of the maps was off, not the GPS.

The only time I lost reception with my 60CS was in a steep walled valley (not quite a canyon), with lots of tree cover. It would pick up once I stopped. That was once. That was three years ago. Since then I have updated the internal software and not had a problem.

BTW, Sean does mapping for the govt. Thus the order for 50, I assume! If not, then add me to the Christmas list as well.

[The Harm]

I agree with Safiri, Mapsource is off not the GPS, I've never experianced the 60csx being so far off I was unable to find the correct rode. I most recently used mine while snowboarding at Crested Butte and Keystone. Held up great!! Its really fun to see how much ground you cover while skiing throughout the day.

[MacWildcat]

I got some real life experience this morning with the Mapsource maps being inaccurate. Took the GPS with me as I drove around town. On streets that have existed for awhile, the maps were dead on. Hwy. 24 was rebuilt late 80s-early 90s, the maps are off close to 200 feet. I have to qualify this by the antiquated Mapsource version I'm using. For the moment I'm still using Mapsource Road&Rec created in the late 90s. I like the simplicity of this version, wish there was a comparable modern version.

[kchusky]

I'm still trying to learn all the different things about my 60 csx but from what I saw last week down in Ar. it was pretty much right on. I find if you come to a intersection with multi. choices its kind of hard to tell what its trying to tell you, but I'm new to using a gps. I was able to find a trail using the topo maps that a riding buddy could not find for us the day before when he was leading, and he's been using it for years. But again it was a multi. choice intersection with multi streams crossing right by there.

Will be trying it again tomorrow, heading out towards Harrisonville for a little adventure. Going to try and go by Troys hidden bridge down South before heading East.