I have been a long time user of Garmin GPS units, plus the software
MacGPS Pro (Mac only) which allows me to do some neat mapping things
on a Mac. The MacGPS site is [http://www.macgpspro.com/] and they
also sell cables plus they are talking about a new iPhone app due out
soon. Should be interesting.
First of all I would strongly recommend the Garmin because of it's
nice user interface, and because it can do 10,000 track log points
and each track log record has the complete location information (not
just a "delta" from a starting point). Plus if you use WALLS (PC
only), you can just plug it in and download your track log and
waypoints (specified as a radius from a central waypoint) and the
result can be integrated with your cave mapping project.
I have the 76CSx which, as I understand, is larger than the 60CSX and
therefore it floats. (Good for river trips.) Otherwise, I think the
two units are about the same. The "x" in the model name implies the
higher sensitivity receiver which is good for caves in those deep,
tree-lined canyons. There is a comparison of the 60 & 76 models at
[http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=139022].
Although the 76CSx has the altimeter function which can be accurately
calibrated, apparently this more precise elevation measurement does
NOT go into the track log, which instead uses the GPS measurement of
"z" or elevation.
Alan Blevins just posted some good information on uploading maps
using the PC only software Mapwel.
Alan said:
"The upside: you don't have to buy maps from Garmin. There's a
software called Mapwel (free demo, full version for $45) that lets
you make your own maps from any image:
http://www.mapwel.biz/
On my last trip to Big Bend, I just pulled down a bunch of topos from
the USGS seamless server (http://seamless.usgs.gov/index.php), poked
around in Mapwel for about 5 minutes, and loaded them onto the GPS.
It worked great. "
- Pete
On Apr 24, 2009, at 12:54 PM, Don Arburn wrote:
I love my Garmin CSX 60
Sent from my iPhone
On Apr 24, 2009, at 12:52 PM, Thomas Sitch <[email protected]> wrote:
Dear Friends,
The time has come for me to ask for your help.
The last time I was seriously doing any orienteering was in the
military, and before that digging through USGS drawers at the local
sporting goods store hoping to find the topo maps I wanted.
I now find myself starting a business where I need a nice hand held
GPS, and I obviously want it to do double duty on caving trips and
karst walks.
I'm looking to spend around $300, but can go higher if there's a
really good model I should own.
What do you recommend? Which models have served their owners well,
and which ones have looked pretty and then broken down with the
slightest abuse?
My Best Regards,
~~Thomas
