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Back to back with the Garmin Legend and Garmin GPSMap60

Submitted by BigNick on Sat, 2006-09-02 17:47.
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The Legend was my first GPS. The key attractions being the size, mapping capability, and cost. I’ve travelled for work a couple of times and got lost in new cities, so decided a mapping GPS was the answer.

The GPSMAP60 is a new GPS from Garmin. The key attribute for me was the USB port and the 24mb of memory - after developing maps and testing with a Legend it is a real luxury to upload 8mb of maps in 20 seconds...

Garmin Legend Overview

[img_assist|nid=42|title=Legend and the GPSMap60|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=200|height=150]

The Legend was my first GPS. The key attractions being the size, mapping capability, and cost. I’ve travelled for work a couple of times and got lost in new cities, so decided a mapping GPS was the answer. I’ve used it to do an occasional cache, but mostly for road navigation. It did great service on my South Island road trip earlier this year. I found it a real asset to be able to determine how far to the next town… which direction is the glacier… all that helped make the road trip pleasant.

The Garmin Legend takes 2 AA batteries with best performance from NiMH. The screen resolution is good with the maps being rendered clearly with fine detail available. Map drawing speed depends on the maps loaded. The Legend is designed for one-handed use – the ‘click-stick’ is used all the time - which can be a bit fiddly. There are reports on the internet of the click-stick rubber needing replacement. Mine is still in good condition after a year of use…fingers crossed!

The Legend has a serial port – a full set of 8mb maps takes around 17 minutes to download into the GPS. 8mb is enough for the full set of Open GPS Maps of NZ, or limited to just the north or the south islands when using the commercial maps. The internal antenna does a fair job, but struggles to get a quick fix when in city canyons or bush. Getting into a good clearing is needed!

Pros: -

  • 1,000 waypoints (more than my 60)
  • Great screen with fine detail
  • Light
  • Cost – big bang for the buck!

Cons: -

  • 8mb for mapping
  • Slow serial uploading
  • Internal antenna not the best for bush
  • The ‘click stick’ is fiddly to use – you also have to question its durability

Garmin GPSMap60 Overview

The GPSMAP60 is a new GPS from Garmin. It is a development of the colour 60c and 60cs line. It cuts costs by using a greyscale screen and 24mb of memory. It retains the 60 series attributes of a USB port, combined power and serial port, and capability for an external antenna to be used. The GPSMap60 has more ‘heft’ to it in terms of weight; it is far more noticeable when carried in a pocket than the Legend.

The key attribute for me was the USB port and the 24mb of memory… after developing maps and testing with a Legend it is a real luxury to upload 8mb of maps via the USB port in 20 seconds vs. the 17 minutes with the Legend. The 60 also uses 2 x AA batteries with a promised lifespan up to 10 hours longer than the Legend.

I’m guessing the screen ‘driver’ that is used for the colour models is used in the greyscale 60 – the LCD screen is large enough, but the lines are heavy in appearance and fine detail is not well shown. The heavier lines do help when reading the screen in a moving car. Comparison screen shot between the 60 and the Legend below:

[img_assist|nid=44|title=Legend and GPSMap60 Screen Image|desc=|link=node|width=200|height=190]

The GPSMap60 is not quite as easy to use one handed as the Legend, but it is quicker with the individual buttons all on the front of the unit. The antenna is another strong point – it seems quicker to get a fix and has higher signal strength levels than my Legend. The 60 has less problems getting a fix when in city canyons – it happily get a fix quickly when mounted in my car. I also have an external amplified antenna which works wonders.

Pros: -

  • USB port
  • 24mb memory
  • Good antenna
  • Autorouting
  • Averaging function for marking waypoints

Cons: -

  • Fine detail not drawn well on screen
  • 500 waypoints (less than the Legend)

Conclusions

I like both models. I’m going to be keeping the Legend as its ‘pocketability’ is great, and the screen is very clear to read. The GPSMap60 has all I need for map development – the USB port and additional memory is a great asset. The GPSMap60 also seems to work better in the car and will become my preferred GPS.

Graeme Williams (GraemeWi)