Garmin GPSMap 60C/60CS Review
The Garmin GPSMap 60C/60CS is one of Garmin's latest entries into the GPS field in 2004. It comes with a radical new design, new colour screen and complete street navigation support. Something that has never been achieved on what would usually be called a Handheld GPS, and this is a welcome feature. The GPSMap 60C/60CS has almost every conceivable feature imaginable and is the ideal tool for both outdoor navigation and in-car navigation.
In The Box
The Garmin GPSMap 60C/60CS comes complete with the following items:-
- GPSMap 60C / 60CS Handheld GPS
- European Basemap
- MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager CD
- PC to Garmin USB Cable
- Lanyard
- Belt Clip
- Manual
- Quick Start Guide
Mapping Software
The GPSMap 60C/60CS does not come with any mapping software out of the box, so if you do need maps on the handheld then you will need to purchase one of the many Garmin MapSource CD's. These range from Topo to Street Maps from North America, to Europe. In-fact maps are available for Western Europe and North America and also for some non Pan European or North American countries too! A good addition if you are looking for Street Navigation or Routing is to go for Garmin MapSource City Select. This will allow you to plot routes from one address to another, and also be directed en-route. This basically gives you the same quality of maps and direction information as a Garmin Street Pilot, the only thing you are really missing is audible navigation prompts which is not available either with City Select or the GPSMap 60C/60CS.
Screen Technology
The Garmin 60C/60CS screen is a new kind of screen from Garmin. For one it's no longer grayscale, it now has a vibrant colour display supporting up to 256 colours on a trans reflective TFT Screen which is a first for GPS handheld's of this type. Garmin have also worked hard because usually in the addition of a colour screen, battery life tails off quite substantially. Not with the 60C/60CS, Garmin say that on a normal set of AA alkaline batteries you should expect up to 30 hours use and they're not far wrong! You don't have to have the backlit screen on all the time, when you are out on a bright and sunny day as the screen is trans reflective it makes more sense turning off the backlit screen and allowing natural light to light up the screen. This is a break through for Garmin and you should expect to see this on more GPS's in the near future!
Memory
Unfortunately memory is not expandable, but does come with 56mb of usable memory to upload MapSource maps to. This will not cover an entire country, as maps of the UK tend to be around 100mb in size, but it will give you a reasonably sized area in which to navigate.
Basemap
The basemap installed in UK versions cover Europe and is not changeable and cannot be modified in any way. US based versions will come with a USA basemap. Basemap's are not that accurate so if you want to see streets it is better to add a MapSource CD to your collection. Although the GPSMap 60C/60CS are very similar in terms of menus and routing ability to a Garmin Street Pilot, the basemap will differ and will not be as detailed in coverage as the basemap's you would expect to see on a Street Pilot.
GPSMap 60C/60CS Main Features
The GPSMap 60C/60CS comes with the following major features:-
- Sunlight readable trans reflective 256 colour TFT Screen (1.5" x 2.2")
- Fast processor to support Auto Routing, turn-by-turn directions, audio alerts along city streets or trails when using MapSource City Select or 24K Topo (optional)
- 56mb Internal Memory for storing map detail
- Permanent User Data Storage
- Geolocation games:-
- Virtual Maze
- Nibbons
- Geko Smak
- Memory Race
- Gekoids
- Fast map transfer with USB support (slower transfer with Serial)
- WAAS Support
- Waterproof
- Built-in Alarm Clock!
Differences between 60C/60CS
The main and only differences are as follows:-
- Electronic Compass displaying accurate heading while standing still
- Barometric Altimeter with automatic pressure trend recording
- Elevation computer provides current elevation, ascent/descent rate, minimum and maximum elevation, total ascent and descent, average and maximum ascent and descent rate.
So in a nutshell if you are looking for an accurate compass which does not require line of sight to the GPS Satellites and for you to be moving, and/or you would prefer a proper barometric altimeter than the Garmin GPSMap 60CS is the better choice of the two. If an Electronic Compass and Barometric Altimeter are not really in your wish list then a GPSMap 60C will more than supply the features you need.
Using the GPSMap 60C/60CS
The 60C/60CS contains very similar menus to what you would expect on a Street Pilot, so if you have seen or even used a Street Pilot then you will be at home with a 60C/60CS.
Screenshot's
Below you will find a large selection of screenshot's from the GPSMap 60C/60CS.
Technical Specification
| GPSMAP 60C | GPSMAP 60CS | |
| Receiver | 12 channel | 12 channel |
| Number of Waypoints | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Built in Memory | 56 MB | 56 MB |
| # of Routes / # of waypoints per route | 50/250 | 50/250 |
| Database or Basemap | (Recreational Routable Basemap, Americas) or Recreational Routable Basemap, Atlantic | Recreational Routable Basemap, Americas or Recreational Routable Basemap, Atlantic |
| Additional map options | MapSource CD ROM | MapSource CD ROM |
| Battery Life | 30 HR (2 AA) | 20 HR (2 AA) |
| Display Size | 2.2 x 1.5 | 2.2 x 1.5 |
| Display type | 256 level Color TFT | 256 level Color TFT |
| Area Calculation | Yes | Yes |
| Pixels (H x W) | 240 x 160 | 240 x 160 |
| Standard GPS Antenna | Built in quad helix | Built in quad helix |
| TracBack Mode | Yes | Yes |
| # of Tracklog Points | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Unit Weight | 5.4 oz. w/o batteries | 5.4 oz. w/o batteries |
| Audible Alarms | Anchor: Yes | Anchor: Yes |
| Arrival: Yes | Arrival: Yes | |
| Clock: Yes | Clock: Yes | |
| Off Course: Yes | Off Course: Yes | |
| Waterproof Standard | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Unit Size (H x W x D) | 6.1 x 2.4 x 1.3 | 6.1 x 2.4 x 1.3 |
| Separate Serial & USB interfaces | Yes | Yes |
| Map Storage | Internal Memory | Internal Memory |
| Backlit Display | Multi-level adjustable | Multi-level adjustable |
| Ext. Ant. Hookup | Yes | Yes |
| Internal Differential | N/A | N/A |
| WAAS capability | Yes | Yes |
| Loran TD position format | Yes | Yes |
| MGRS position format | Yes | Yes |
| Glide Ratio, Glide Ratio to Destination, and Vertical Speed to Destination | N/A | Yes |
| Built-In Electronic Compass | N/A | Yes |
| Built-In Barometric Altimeter | N/A | Yes |
| Hunting/Fishing calculator | Yes | Yes |
| Celestial Information Page | Yes | Yes |
| Proximity Waypoints | Yes | Yes |
| Tide Prediction | No | No |
| Voltage Range | 8-36 | 8-36 |
| Waypoint Icons | Yes | Yes |
Conclusion
If you are looking for a new Handheld GPS with a vibrant trans reflective colour TFT screen, then you really cannot go wrong with the GPSMap 60C/60CS. It's an ideal companion and will fit every need from topographical, hiking, adding waypoints and Street Navigation. It's an ideal partner and a solid and reliable GPS Receiver!
