Garmin GpsMap Systems

The GPSMAP 60 is completely waterproof, with up to 28 hours battery life using two AA batteries, this new product will target the marine and outdoor recreation markets. The GPSMAP 60 has up to 24 MB’s of internal memory for detailed maps that can be transferred to the unit using the USB interface. The GPSMAP 60 also includes a built-in Americas basemap with automatic routing capabilities. The GPSMAP 60 is fully compatible with MapSource products like BlueChart, 24K Topo and City Select, which provides detailed streets for turn-by-turn guidance (there is no voice output). The GPSMAP 60 provides separate serial and USB interfaces. Navigation instructions can be shared with repeaters, plotters and autopilots using NMEA protocols through the dedicated serial port. Includes: unit, USB interface cable, lanyard, belt clip, manual, quick start guide

User Reviews about Garmin GPSMAP 60 Personal Navigation Unit

Great item, used for geochaching and basic nav. nice features, easy to learn and use. Problems I had, gps would not settle down, kept jumping with big variations for distance, from 1.3 miles to 53 miles, recalculating every 2-5sec. wanted me to leave trails to jump on the interstate. The biggest problem is the screen. You cant see a thing, even after adjusting the screen, contrast, brightness, you cant see the screen very well. outdoors, in sunlight, indoors, even in a dark room with the back light on, hard to see. I'm very experianced with using GPS units and this screen is just horriable. I'm returning it for the 60CSx with color screen, should be able to see that. Oh and Garman quit advertizing the units and showing them with the topo mapes that you have to buy seperatly and that you dont mention in the item desription but show on every picture of the product. at least note that the picture show is of an add on map feature not included. I recommend if you plan on using a gps for more than an emergency or back up gps, get the color you'll enjoy it more. -- great item, but....

I love this unit. It is much easier to use than the old Magellan I own. Satellite acquisition is pretty quick, even in tree cover. When cold, I have consistent acquisition within 45 seconds. I input GPS coordinates from a topographical map as a waypoint, then navigated directly to it through heavy tree cover, and only lost the signal once. The unit menus are easily customized. The only draw back I find to this unit is the battery life. In November I used it for a 5 day hunting trip, and had to replace the batteries twice. In short, if you are looking for a unit to find your way around in an urban setting, this is not the unit for you, but if you want to explore the path less traveled, you could not find a better unit than the Garmin GPS 60. -- excellent back country GPS

I bought this mostly for hiking and also for geocaching. For those uses this GPS does all you need. Sure the base map comes with only the larger highways and basically no landmarks aside from large lakes and points marking towns; but if I do a little planning ahead I don't need the map.

What I do is trace with paths, or mark with points any landmarks that are important for where I will be going in google earth. I export these to a free 3rd party software (GPS Trackmaker) that will allow me to open google earth KML files and save out a GPX file which I can then open with the included software (Mapsource) and transfer to the device. This sounds complicated but it's really a quick operation and allows me to use google earth for everything which is the point.

You can also buy maps for it if this is too much work for you. The great thing about my process though is you learn a lot about where you're going before hand from your exploration in google earth which can be invaluable.

My only complaint(why its 4 stars instead of 5) is it only supports 20 saved paths. I haven't really needed more than that yet but I'm sure at some point I will considering I'm using saved paths to mark roads, rivers, creeks, trails and other landmarks in the area I intend to visit.

Aside from the 20 paths you also get the 10,000 point "track log" which is just one very long path that it makes automatically as you travel. I enjoy this feature a lot and google earth does support loading all the paths and waypoints directly from the GPS so its not an involved process to view your recent exploits in google earth.

If you want something that doesn't require any tinkering you'd better double your price range; otherwise this is a great device. -- Does the job.

This Garmin Map60 has everything you need for hiking, hunting , Geocaching, road navigation and more. It's easy use and hold. The screen is also easily seen. I'm still learning about but very glad I bought it! -- Work Horse GPS

I love this GPS, so much in fact it goes everyplace I do. Bought it for geocaching, now I use it to track my workouts or to give me driving directions. It works better than the Navi I have in my car, I have tested both and the handheld unit beats the car everytime. -- GREAT