HITCH n HIKE > GEAR TESTS > GARMIN GPSMAP 60CX


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What is it?
The Garmin GPSmap 60Cx is one of the most versatile hand-held GPS receivers available. It is equally at home out on the hill as it is on the water or in the car. Topographic, marine and road mapping can be loaded onto the internal memory card from Garmin MapSource CD's so you can see your relative position to your surroundings in real time, and on the road it will provide "sat-nav" style guidance. It has a bright, sunlight readable TFT colour display, easy to use keypad, external ports for power and data transfer and <30 hour battery life from two AA's. Reception is excellent, even under trees thanks to the new highly sensitive SIRF receiver coupled to the built in quad-helix antenna. It's waterproof to IPX7 (1m depth for up to 30 minutes) so it will handle any amount of bad weather.

What do you get in the box?
You get the receiver, a USB cable, basic data storage software (for windows XP), a lanyard and belt clip. You don't get batteries or a case for it. Alkaline, lithium and NiMh batteries all work well in the 60Cx. With regard to a case, it's not vital to use one but it is advisable in order to protect the screen from scratches and the like. Garmin do quite a good soft padded case with a belt loop that isn't too bulky so it can be pocketed. The mapping software has to be purchased separately.

In Use:
We've been running a 60Cx since the beginning of 2006, for walking, summer mountaineering, canoeing, in the car and it's proven to be very versatile. The topo mapping, although not as detailed as an OS map, does provide contours, rivers, streams and roads. The detail is such that you'll know your position relative to what's around you at a glance, most of the time without having to refer to a grid reference or paper map.


Navigation is an essential skill but it bores me silly and I'd much rather concentrate on taking in the scenery and enjoying myself. Maps are fantastic things to study when planning a trip but once underway they're nothing more than a necessary tool and I'd rather not have the hindrance of using one. The Topo mapping for the 60Cx goes a fair way to solving this problem but as good as it is, it's not perfect. At times you will still need to refer to a trusty old paper map with higher detail. If anyone was expecting to see an OS 1:25k map on the screen they'd be dissapointed.

In the car, it's great, working pretty much like any other portable sat-nav. It doesn't talk, which in my opinion is a good thing, unless someone comes up with one that sounds like Dervla Kirwan then I might change my mind. Instead it gives an obvious but subtle beep to alert you to a turn which shows clearly on the screen. Once you park up, no one can break in to steal it because it goes with you.

With regard to the basics, battery life is good. You'll safely get a full day out on the hill from one set of batteries tracking continually, or many days using it on and off. NiMh rechargeables work well in it. It has all the standard GPS functions, and a whole load more! The various screens can be customised and set to scroll through in a defined order so you can set it up to show exactly the information you want it to.

To sum it up, it's as close to being perfect as current technology allows. Yes, it would be good to have full OS 1:25k detail on-screen but that's not going to happen for a long time, due to OS licensing constraints. It's easy to use and integrates well with PC based mapping (like Memory-Map). It's not the smallest GPS about but it's small and light enough.

Written by Shaun (HNH staff) based upon personal experience and additional feedback from Adam Evans.

For the full spec or to buy on-line see our catalogue page
The summit of on Bruach na Frithe, Cuillin Ridge, Isle of Skye.
Enlarge Photo: Shaun, 14/05/2006.
Taking it easy through The Swellies tidal race. Although the Manai Straights are fairly narrow speed of progress could be difficult to judge running with the tide but against the wind for the ten miles between Caernarfon and Manai. The 60Cx made life easy showing true speed, distance to go and predicting our ETA at destination ahead of the change in tide. Enlarge Photo: Shaun, 21/04/2006.
Mounted on a pack in the front of the kayak, with the speed, distance to go and ETA set to 'large' it was easy to see from the paddling position.
Enlarge Photo: Shaun, 21/04/2006.
A lumpy day in Broadford Bay, Isle of Skye. Once more than a few hundred meters off shore progress in these conditions was very difficult to judge. With the 60Cx mounted in the front of the kayak the speed and true direction were easy to see at a glance.
Enlarge Photo: Shaun, 11/05/2006.