12 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
Essential Toy
Date of Review: Nov 23, 2005
The Bottom Line: It's not just $500 map, it is a stress relieving fun and essential driving gadget.
After getting lost in the woods while riding a bike well into the sunset, the quest for GPS began the very next day while hunger, thirst, fear, frustration, cold, etc. were still vivid. The objective was to get a handheld unit that could be used for hiking or biking in addition to driving.
The photo of Garmin 60CS caught my eyes, and although other units were compared I knew that my mind was already set on this unit based on its durable looks. I wanted a unit that used off-the-shelf AA batteries for ease of replacement power when and whereever I was at the time. The 20 hours of battery life sounded reasonable also.
After a month of research, I bought a Garmin 60CS. I was somewhat taking a chance as I never found a local store who carried this unit. So, the day I received it was the day I first so it. Reading about it made me realize the unit itself would be somewhat limited in capability without a software loaded. Although my intention was to use it for off-road trail, I decided to get a driving map software called City Navigator. This has detailed city street level map for the entire US plus some Canada. I also ordered a windshield mount so I could use the unit while driving.
My first impression of the unit off the box was extremely good. Using it for the driving impressed me even more. A technological wonder I might say! Once initialized, finding satellites for reception takes only a few seconds and the unit pretty much locks onto the signal even if the unit is left on the seat. Depending on the direction of travel, the signal does get lost at times but if fixed to the windshield the problem never seems to occur. I am amazed by what it can do despite the fact that it is meant for it; it knows exactly where I am on the map all the time.
The base map built into the unit only shows major routes such as Interstate highways, and cities for the entire USA. However, a paper map could easily outperform this capability. The City Navigator software which is downloaded from a DVD to the unit via included USB cable improves everything. It has just about every streets shown and it could find known addresses. While in navigating mode, it beeps to let you know the turns coming with a final beep to show when to make the immediate turn. And at any location, it provides the list of nearby points of interest such as restaurants, shopping, etc. and it shows how to get there if one of them is clicked. Since it has no physical keyboard, inputting is done by scrolling through screen alphabets and it is a task not too easy.
If you go to RandMcNally website, you could obtain a detailed turn-by-turn directions printed out from one address to anther. The 60CS does the exact same thing by showing you the real time information at the exact moment. Since the unit knows which direction you are heading and knows the current location and speed of travel, making a wrong turn triggers the unit's recalculation mode and it shows either how to return or if you continue to ignore, it will show alternate route from the current location.
Despite the small screen, the map could be zoomed in and out to reveal more or less detail. What is comforting is that you know exactly where you are on the map all the time. For a navigation mode such as programming it to get to a point, the map shows a highlighted route to the destination with your location always visible. And where ever I am, I can always click "home" which I saved as a waypoint to let the unit bring me back. When the map is not used, the unit can also show the current speed of travel, estimated time to destination, elevation, estimated time of arrival, distance left, etc. I mean it is amazing how much function was stored into the unit.
Okay, after the initial excitement I began to find its shortcomings. To be fair, the 60CS was intended to be a handheld and I need to give Garmin a credit. As a human, greed grows once seen what could be achievable. So here I go, for all you out there looking to buy a GPS unit food for thoughts...
60CS screen is very difficult to see under certain lighting condition. When it is held with hand (as intended) this is not a problem. But when mounted on windshield it becomes a problem. Avoid getting the windshield mounting unit as it is not made sturdy enough to hold the unit vibration free. Garmin does sell dash mounting kit and this might be the way to go although I don't know how well it may work. I just learned to use a cup holder to hold the unit until it beeps, and then I hold it with my right hand to view the screen.
The second complaint is that it only has limited memory to download map information. This may not be a problem if the unit is used in the limited area, say one or two States. So far, it provides me with what I need as I downloaded the states of SC, GA, and some of NC. Adding more maps is not possible due to its limited memory. That means I need to replace the current map information with others if to travel to areas outside SC, GA, and NC. This is where 60CS may become less useful for those who travels more than 200-300 mile radius. I may need to get a laptop computer just to make extended travel in the future. Again, 60CS was not made for driving only.
The third wish list is that unlike the dedicated car navigation system, 60CS won't "tell" you the direction. Voice output could be valuable option for driving when the road gets busy with traffic. 60CS could turn into another "cell phone hazard like" because of the lacking voice output.
On the final note, 60CS' portability allows you to input destinations while sitting in a living room. Doing it while driving is not recommended since the busy sequence is complicated even after mastering all its built in functions. The unit has options to follow the road (vs. off road as in trails), quickest route, shorted route, etc. and plotting the route could be done on the PC software for downloading. If you are a gadget lover, you will no doubt love this. If you "need" it for driving navigation, you may consider getting a GPS designed specifically for automobiles.
