60CSx vs. 76CSx

From what I can tell, the GPSMAP 60CSx and the GPSMAP 76CSx are essentially
the same units with a few differences, and I would like to get some opinions
on the differences that might be of interest to me.

1) Slightly different display sizes, and the 76CSx has the "Transflective
display". My question here is: is there a significant difference in display
visibility under difficult conditions?

2) Different antennas. Based on the shape it appears that the 60CSx has the
quad-helix type of antenna which gives best reception when the unit is held
vertically. The 76CSx presumably has the patch type of antenna which gives
the best reception when the unit is held in a horizontal orientation. When
I am not looking at the gps while hiking, it is most convenient for me to
keep the unit in a pocket that will result in the unit being in a vertical
orientation. That would give the 60CSx an edge over the 76CSx in reception
quality when stashed in my shirt or pack pocket. Do other people agree with
this?

3) In an on-line review I read that the 60CSx had the ability to store
tracks in the data card, giving one a very large tracklog capability. Is
the same true of the 76CSx?

4) The 76CSx will float in water, the 60CSx will sink. Floating is not a
great advantage for me. I am putting it in here for the sake of
completeness as it is a difference that I am aware of.

5) What did I miss?

TIA to those who can answer the questions that I have, or who can comment on
other differences that I may have missed.

I keep my 76CSx in a vertical position and it reads perfectly well. I
usually turn it on and place it vertically either in a side pocket of
my pack or in a shirt pocket. The beauty of this unit is that it will
read satellites even through a closed pack or through its case. I get
readings in my house and I don't have to be near a window, Both units
will do that since they use the same technology. I am not sure about
the differences in antennas but was told that they have been improved
and that the orientation is not as critical as it once was but don't
know if that is a fact. I was just on a backpacking trip and went down
backwards into some very deep mud and since the 76CSx was in my
backpacks side pocket it was completely immersed in the mud. Luckily I
was near my destination which was a pond and I just put it in and gave
it a good bath and believe me I was happy that I bought the 76CSx at
that moment. Not a scratch, nothing and I mean we had a serious mud
bath. It really does float. The 76CSx also can store tracks on the
card. I believe the 76CSx has a slightly larger screen but maybe not
enough to be a big deal. I bought mine because I upgraded from the 76S
and it feels very much the same. There is also a lot of stuff about
both of these units in the archives.

Functionally, they are identical units. They both have quad-helix antennas.
The difference is the form factor - button placement and shape of the case.
The 76csx floats because of the extra space in the case around the antenna.

Tom H. wrote:

I've not seen the two side by side except in a store (West Marine) and
at full brightness as they were on external power. If the displays were
not identical, I could not see a difference.

As for the difference in size (60CSx = 1.5" x 2.2" (3.8 x 5.6 cm), 76CSx
= 1.6" x 2.2" (4.1 x 5.6 cm)), I'm wondering if that is a difference in
the actual seen viewing area or a difference in the surrounds or
something else. They are both the same pixel count at 160 x 240.

And I think the word "transreflective" was left off of the description
on the 60CSx in some places (I'm looking at a compare result from this
page):

http://tinyurl.com/36d5qn
(or)
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=145&compare=compare&compareProduct=310&compareProduct=351

The 60CSx Owner's Manual says it is a transreflective display. Garmin
is semi notorious for inconsistencies and mistakes in its web pages.


The both have "built in quad-helix antennas" as per the Owner's Manuals.
I don't think there is any difference in the performance of the
antennas on one or the other.

The 76CSx antenna works best held at a natural viewing angle (inclined
back 30-40 degrees or so). But there is very little difference between
any position from vertical to horizontal. Superb is about the only word
for the reception with either model.


I don't agree. I carry my 76Cx in hand, on my belt, in a jacket pocket,
in a backpack, put in the cup holder on the console in the car (Dodge
Durango, down pretty low), prop it up against or lay it on boat dash
boards, leave it laying on seats, carry it around in soft suitcases, and
it never seems to lose fix.

I keep mine in a Gilsson soft case that has a clear plastic screen
protector and it both protects it a little and keeps it from sliding
around on or damaging a varnished, hardwood, dash. I have no
reservations on laying down or propping up the 76Cx anywhere on a One
Million Dollar boat. It props up better than the 60 series and I have
not regrets on choosing the 76 over the 60.

I've used both styles, I now prefer the 76's buttons over the display as
it works better for me than the buttons under (left hand grip, thumbing
the buttons).


Identical capabilities. If you have the Log Track To Data Card feature
turned on, each and every single track point collected (lat/long,
date/time, elevation) is saved to a *.gpx file on the data card as long
as there is room. You could go for days, weeks, or months and not miss
a single hit as long as there is room.

The tracks are saved to one file for each day, in the file will be track
segments for each time it is powered up, after each period of no
movement, and each time the fix is lost and then regained (you can lose
reception inside some places and buildings).


I've heard the 60 series will almost float. It might give you enough
time to take your wallet out and go after it. Also, I've heard using
NiMH batteries makes the 60 series very close to neutral.


The memory cards are easier to get at on the 76 series as the batteries
do not have to be removed and a card holder removed. They just pop in
and out of a slot with the cover off. Not a good idea to do it under
power, map data can get corrupted. I have done it by accident though.

On both models, treat the battery sockets and contacts as fragile
things. Put the batteries in as level and possible making sure that you
have the coil spring contact trapped.

I remove my batteries by slapping the GPS against my cupped hand. The
variations in sizes and lengths of batteries and design of the contacts
on the 60 and 76 have resulted in the increased length when batteries
are tipped in and out breaking or damaging battery contacts. I think
the problem is lessened in the "x" series models over the first 60/76
models.

I know from first had experience the 76Cx will take a pretty good hit
without damage in the Gilsson case. I dropped mine about 3-4 feet to a
Fiberglas deck the other day and it sounded terrible hen it hit. When I
picked it up, the display had changed from the BlueChart marine maps I
was using to the base map. I powered it off, ejected and reseated the
microSD card, and everything came right back up. I noticed later that I
had lost some track data from the *.gpx file so I assume that it was not
able to write the segment (card not seated) when I powered it off.

Jack

Jack Erbes wrote:
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=145&compare=compare&compareProduct=310&compareProduct=351
Probably the same for both models, but I use my 60CSX mainly for
walking. When following a route the device needs to be vertical in order
for it to point accurately to the next waypoint.