GPSOZ - Garmin - Zumo V 276 V 60

[KTMSprocket]

A couple of years back some mongrel stole my Garmin eMap. It was old tech but i really liked it and it was very easy to use. Anyway, with the kids getting a little older and with some encouragement from my wife, I hope to be on the dirt once again. Earlier this week I trotted up to the guys at GPSOz to check out the GPS units I thought I would consider. Here are some thoughts...

I was interested in the above three units. I had not seen them before so my interest was based on reading websites and forums.

My requirements (not in order) were something like:

• Colour
• Easy to use ergonomics
• Depth in the 'technical' functions
• Easy to see track or bearing indicator arrow
• Customisation of screen data panels
• Profiles if possible
• Robust

I asked some rudimentary questions of the GPSOz guys. They were all answered well. When I asked some highly detailed (targeted) questions they knew 90% of the answers of the cuff - pretty good! Note: If you are looking for them to tell which one to buy...they are NOT able to do this because the functions,use and so on are quite varied and you really need to know what you want (....there is no perfect fit for all uses).

First impressions...
Loved the 276...the screen is superb!!!
The 60CSx felt robust and versatile
The Zumo didn't do it for me..

Looking Deeper
The 60CSx was just like my old eMAP. Easy to operate with one hand when held in the palm of my hand. The joystick style pad in the centre is great and the buttons are laid out well (but remember it is like the one i used for years). It took a while to hunt around the menus and functions to customise it for my taste, but once I got the hang of it, it was great. One of the things that is important to me is to be able to see a clear or large Pointer for detail navigation...it must be easy to read at a glance. In the 60CSx I was able to customise the screen sufficiently to achieve this...for example you can use the Compass screen to show a large pointer when navigating to a point (the pointer can be bearing or course aligned).

The trip screen can be setup with minimal data fields and set large so that you can see a pointer as well as a trip distance or similar...

The sensitivity of the unit was amazing, sitting in the office the unit hapily found satellites and was 5m accurate or better. This was a surprise to me as the old eMAP needed very good sight of the satellites to get a reading.

The 276C in simple terms is much like the 60, but much bigger. Of course there will be differences but essentially it was very similar. The screen is very crisp and large. Sensitivity on the model I used was crap compared to the 60. I am not saying it is crap...but it was crap when I was testing it. This was a concern to me as riding or driving through tree lined trails could cause satellite drop out for some time.

I didn't test the Zumo extensively, I didn't like the touch screen operation and the apparent lower level of function offered by the above two. I didn't like the Road Navigator style interface either. I need to be very clear here...the unit just didn't appeal to me so, right or wrong I didn't test it so much. Also the GPSOz guys said the unit was more on-road in its technical bias and I from my small look at it...I agreed.

Decision Time
As the Zumo was knocked out early it was between the 276 and 60. The 276 is roughly twice the price the 60 and twice the size. The 276 occupies alot of the cockpit space on the 640.

I bought the 60CSx as it fitted my needs. Note: The CSx was only $40 more than the model below and you get Compass and Barometer/Altimeter features not in the lower models.

Other
When I got home I tried to run MapSource and the OzTopo maps I bought. The UNLOCK wizard fails in the Mapsource/OzTopo software so I was not able to UNLOCK the maps and get going. Hunting around on GPSAustralia Website I downloaded the UNLOCK wizard that works and then I was able to get going. So watch out for this. If you are not computer minded, make sure this is all tickety boo before you leave the shop!!! (This is not a failing of GPSOz...it is problem with the product software).

[carmima]

I reckon you'll be happy with the 60...tons of ADV'ers use them (me included).
Good all round GPS that takes a lot of punishment

[trailjeff]

i have the 60 and the 276 i use the 60 in the car has all the crap loaded on it it works great abit small though. just bought a 276 a few months ago i have used in the car and boat and its fantastic updates quicker and i can find the same spot the size of a washing machine in 90 foot of water so it gets my thumbs up. it replaced my 176c which was slowly fading in the sun (for teh boat only). if your eye sights getting bad the 276c is better in that respect and has alot more features aswell

[GodSilla]

The 60 and 276 are very similar in functionality, with some minor differences in how they do autorouting (the 60 can be an occasional bitch because it ALWAYS does a recalc when you load your route) but the real deal-breaker for myself and others is the memory limitation on the 276. It will only take Garmin proprietary cards, which are HUGELY expensive (over $200 bucks from memory, might have changed but I dunno) and only go up to 512Mb, whereas the 60 will take up to 4Gb microSd cards (officially) and they cost around $9 each.
I love the bigger screen on the 276, but on a bike it's a bit of a brick in size.
And the 60 will slip into your pocket.

My 2c.

[KTMSprocket]

Godsilla....ah yes - i forgot that in my write up. The memory cards are propriety and limited to 500K (i think)...so yes, it was another thing that put me off.....but very nice kit though.

[GodSilla]

Originally Posted by KTMSprocket

Godsilla....ah yes - i forgot that in my write up. The memory cards are propriety and limited to 500K (i think)...so yes, it was another thing that put me off.....but very nice kit though.

They are a nice bit of kit indeed. GWilli has one and when we go in his car I always drool at it.

I get woody whenever I see one, and I still lust for one, but it's mainly the big screen I like, as the 60 unit is actually every bit as good for half the price.

[willy1818]

Hi
Can anyone tell me if the 60Csx can be powered directly from a motorbike, like the Zumo it it's cradle, or if it just uses the AA batteries and recharge every few days?

Thanks
Michael

Found the answer.

[GodSilla]

Originally Posted by willy1818

Hi
Can anyone tell me if the 60Csx can be powered directly from a motorbike, like the Zumo it it's cradle, or if it just uses the AA batteries and recharge every few days?

Thanks
Michael

Found the answer.

The 60 series has 2 AA batteries, replaceable, and also can run of the vehicle 12 volt system, which does conserve the batteries and lets the screen run at full brightness automagically. The 12 volt does NOT recharge the AA's.
If you turn off the compass and I think the altimeter off you can get 24 hours plus from the 2 AA's as a handheld as long as you don't turn the screen up. This is very good battery life for a GPS by any measure.
Use good batteries. The units will run on rechargeables, they need to be good ones (2500ma) and won't last as long as disposables.

[willy1818]

Thanks for the info

Michael