Re: Vista or GPSMAP60cs for hiking under tree cover

From: P.J.Des. (patdesie_at_yahoo.co.uk)
Date: 11/19/04 

Date: 19 Nov 2004 12:22:31 -0800

"John Dekker" <jdekker@xtra.co.nz> wrote in message news:<0dand.3613$9A.145389@news.xtra.co.nz>...
> A little advice please on whether I should get the Vista or GPSMAP60cs for
> hiking.
> Considerations are:
> Sensitivity under tree cover, Ease of one handed use, ability to load
> contour maps and navigate around them easily on the small screen,
> connectivity with pc software.
>
> Help appreciated.
> Regards,
> John Dekker.

As regards sensitivity under tree cover, I have found in my own
experience that a 60CS is superior to an Etrex Summit, for example,
which is comparable to the Vista. Nonetheless, don't expect a miracle
from the 60CS. Once you are hemmed in by trees, and particularly if
they have broad, wet leaves, the satellite receptivity drops,
sometimes even to zero. In relatively open woodland, however, it
usually holds on to an adequate number of signals for accurate
navigation.
As regards one-handed use, the Etrex models are easier to manipulate
with one hand, since the buttons at the top sides and the screen below
are nicely placed. They are also less bulky than the 60CS. The buttons
below arrangement on the 60CS mean that with one-handed use there is a
danger the unit can be dropped. With a little care, though, the
difference is not a substantial one.

P.J.Des