Garmin 76csx vs 60csx vs Vista Hcx vs ???



I'm trying to decide on a new GPS.

Currently I'm using a Garmin Geko 301 which I've been very happy with.
This is the smallest GPS around, and includes the barometric altimeter
and magnetic compass, but its tiny screen is getting smaller as my
eyes age. :)

I use the GPS for flying both ultralights and powered paragliders as
well as hiking/hunting. The tiny size of the Geko is great to keep the
weight down when I'm carrying it all on my back, but it's also getting
hard to see it in the dim light of sunrise when I'm in the woods, or
where it's mounted on the plane.

Anyway, I'm looking at the [76Csx, 60Csx, and the eTrex Vista Hcx. All
have the altimeter and compass, which I need, and can display vertical
speed and glide ratio, as well as the ability to download maps. The
eTrex is smaller (better for hiking) and cheaper, but the side buttons
seem a lot less convenient, especially when it's mounted in the plane
or on my PPG frame. The 76 and 60 seem to have (at least from the side
by side comparison I did in Campmor this morning) a slightly better
display than the eTrex. The 76 is slightly larger than the 60 and has
more internal memory (which hardly matters as both accept memory
cards), but otherwise there seems to be little difference other than
ergonomics.

It seems that if it were just for flying the ultralight, I'd go with
the 76. Just for hiking, I'd go with the eTrex. For PPG, hard to say,
but I might keep using the Geko there... I use it mostly for logging
and ETA in the PPG.

I don't want/need to spend the extra $$$ for an aviation unit, which
wouldn't be all that much more useful to me anyway, and they're not
waterproof, which would be bad in the woods on a rainy day.

So, opinions? Alternate suggestions?

-Dana

--
When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced...
Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.
-- Cherokee saying
.



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