Best handheld in forested area

I am shopping for a new handheld device for use in forested areas, hiking,
bicycling etc. I have three candidates:

Delorme PN-40
Garmin eTrex Vista Hcx
Garmin 60CSx

The garmin units advertises effectiveness in heavy cover, high
sensitivity...
Would the sensitivity of the Delorme be comparable to the garmin units? The
delorme seems to have advantages otherwise: memory, processor, software.

I want a the best connection available in forested areas. Precision isnt
critical. so I dont know whether WAAS is necessary.

Are there any small portable units which can connect to a high gain antenna?

My Garmin GPSmap 60CSx has a socket for an external antenna. I have not used
it as the 60CSx holds its lock quite well under trees with the inbuilt
antenna.

Mark I

On Aug 30, 4:58=A0pm, "Mark Illingworth"
ng,


I do both with my 76csx and am very well satisfied. Functionally the
76csx and 60csx are identical.

I had originally bought a 76cs because it had more memory than the
60cs. This is no longer the case with the x models because they now
use microSD cards and you could use an 8gb card is you wished. When
the x models were introduced, I decided to upgrade to the 76csx
because freinds were having trouble keeping their 60 models from
flopping out of the bike mount bracket and had to use rubber bands to
keep them in place. I don't know if this is still an issue. If its no
longer a problem, I'd probably go with a 60scx because its a little
bit smaller, but the screen size is the same.

I did use an external antenna with my 76cs, but have never had the the
need for it with the "x".

I once had an eTrex. The larger screen in the 60/76 units is a
definite advantage.

Just remember that if you go with either of the Garmin units you will
need to buy maps also. The base map in the unit is useless unless all
of your travel is on major roads.

Bob

polecanoe wrote:

The Garmin 60/76 Cx and CSx do very well in heavy cover without an
external antenna. I'm from Maine and we have heavy cover. I've never
felt a need to use an external antenna (and I happen to own one).

Try to find someone that has a PN-40 and get some firsthand feedback if
you can. I've never used one but every person I know that bought one
hated it. Most of these were people that had experience with Garmin or
Magellan handhelds and regretted buying the PN-40. I can't fill you in
on the details of their unhappiness.

One or two of them looked at my 76Cx and made very favorable comments
about it.

This is a Garmin oriented group and we do like them. But we also are
honest about the warts on them. We are all pretty much in agreement
that the 60/76 Cx/CSx are still the best performing and most versatile
handheld GPS receivers available. I don't think I've ever heard anyone
praise anything about the PN-40.

Jack

Jack Erbes wrote:

Can I tack on a question here?
I'm not so into forested areas, but I would like a hand held GPS for use
on my bicycle and for hiking trails. My old Magellan quit working.

I've looked at my dealer's web site to see the 60Cx and the 76Cx, and
have done the site comparison. It makes them seem identical. If that
were the case, why is the 60Cx priced at $329 while the 76Cx is only
$249? There must be some difference(s) not shown by the compare function.

Dave S.