GPSmap76CSx vs. eTrex Vista HCx

David Millen wrote:


Yes, his is a "non-H" series so I can't comment on those.

Personally, my map/compass skills are good and still use them
periodically to keep them sharp but mainly use the 76CSx. Never had
a problem getting somewhere (or back) yet. But as you said, I also go
places that if you get lost, you're pretty much "toast" so you'd better
carry a topo and a good compass as well as know how to use 'em.

--
Steve

I am one of those "who just need something to use for reliable navigation
and who also carry map and
compass and are comfortable with their use" but thinking it's time to get a
new GPS as my six year old eTrex Vista is not at its best i.e. had to remove
and refit the rubber around it about 3 year ago as the glue breakdown in the
heat, about a year ago a line of pixels died on the screen but is not to
noticeable when using the unit, and more recently the rubber covering the
click-switch came out, I have done a home repair and on replaced it finding
found part of the rubber still in the unit. I was of the mind to get a new
Vista HCx knowing the accuracies would be much better than my old unit, but
then started thinking that the GPSMAP 60CSx might have an even better
accuracies and maybe and probably more importantly to me a tougher build
than the eTrex range. I would be greatly interested in any ones opinions on
the construction, ease of use so on of both units.

Cheers,
MP

MP wrote:

60CSx versus Vista HCx...

The 60CSx has a larger screen.
The color eTrexes have a smaller screen than the older ones. That
means the menu bar at the top of the older b&w ones is gone.
You have to navigate with the "Page" key. I missed being able
to go forward and backward quickly.
You can select which pages are in the sequence otherwise
there is an icon in the main menu for the page. So it
depends on how you what to operate.

I have the 76 series which has a slightly different button
combination than the 60 series. I can operate the receiver
with either hand easily. I'm not sure about the 60 series
because of the lower buttons. In any event, I only operate
the eTrex series with my left hand. Also I would have
preferred the "Page" key on the left side where the zoom
keys are because I used "Menu", "Click Stick", "Page (Quit)"
frequently and that would save a small hand shift to get
to the "Page" key for me. Someone with a larger hand might
be fine with the current arrangement.

I think the 60 series is a bit more rugged in the construction
than the eTrexes since it doesn't have the rubber band and
click stick.

The small size of the eTrex can be nice (ie. backpacking).

--
Dan

Personal: www.gpsmap.net
Business:
Western Maps LLC
www.westernmaps.us

I must admit I have always like the small neat size of the eTrex, as said it
packs away nicely into a backpacking and even into a shirt or jacket pocket
easily. I'm not sure the same could be said of the GPSMAP 60CSx, but
havening never actually had one in hand I might be wrong about that, any
opinions on this from 60 series owners?
MP

MP wrote:

I don't have a 60 but rather a 76CSx. I'll take the slight increase in
size personally for the electronic compass which is a requirement of
mine. Also that it floats and the controls are on the front vs the
sides. All personal preference.

Here's a link to a comparison of the eTrex Vista HCx and the 76CSx (the
op's question):

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=145&compare=compare&compareProduct=8701&compareProduct=351

--
Steve