I'm new to the GPS world. I know the 60csx will do what I need, but since I'm gonna be in my truck whenever I use my GPS, I figured a netbook with Garmin Mobile PC 20x might work better. Basically, what I want to do is track where I'm going and where I've been, and come back home to look at it at home on a bigger map along with other trips I've done. It's primarily going to be used as a device to keep me from getting lost in all the logging roads and 4x4 trails. I'm pretty sure I'm going to need a topo Canada map (I'm on Vancouver Island), is this something I'll need to buy extra?
I read some mention of free maps like Ibycus - do these work with both units? Are they as good as the Garmin maps?
Can I use these free maps with either GPS device?
Can I plug the 60csx into my laptop for live tracking on a laptop (i.e. big screen)?

You probably already have MapSource on your computer to use with your 60Csx so a better choice for off roading would be nRoute. It will work with your GPS and use maps you have assuming they are already available in MapSource.

Ibycus Topo will work with Mobile PC and nRoute and, I assume, your 60Csx but is not routable. Topo Canada which is routable, is in a newer format and will not work with nRoute unless you convert it. There is a program to do that, MapReverseConverter, but you must email the author and request a copy.

You might want to look at BackRoad Mapbooks as well. It's a little pricey but probably has more routable backroads on Vancouver Island than Topo Canada. Most features for it will work with your Csx and nRoute although the recommended devices are the Oregon and Dakota.
Vancouver Island BC-SD card [978-1-897225-81-3*] - $69.95 : Backroad Mapbooks, Fishing Mapbooks, Recreation Maps, TOPO Maps
If this interests you, make sure to talk to the retailer about a copy for MapSource and nRoute.

BTW, if you are considering 'upgrading' your Csx for an Oregon, I might be interested in buying your 60Csx.

Terry

Terry didn't say it right out, but if you want to use your 60CSx as a GPS receiver for a netbook, the answer is a qualified Yes. As Terry said, in your situation you might be best to try nRoute and see what you think. You can use the 60CSx with nRoute so you don't have to buy anything, except possibly maps.

As Terry mentioned, the Ibycus Topos for Canada do not contain any routable road information. If that's not an issue for you, go for it.

If you want to be able to have guidance when you are on routable roads then Topo Canada or Backroad Mapbooks maps would be a better choice. Neither are particularly cheap but you get what you pay for. As Terry mentioned, Backroad Mapbooks maps probably have more minor roads and trails with routing information in them than Topo Canada.

All of the maps mentioned will work on your 60CSx and in nRoute or Mobile PC on a netbook with the one exception that Terry mentioned that you will have to reverse convert Topo Canada v4 to a format that nRoute likes. This is a trivial exercise .. install Topo Canada and run the reverse converter that Terry mentioned, after which you can remove the original Topo Canada installation if you want to save space (after reverse converting you'll have two copies of the maps .. one in the original format and one in the format that nRoute likes).

...ken...

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that I have the 60csx. I have yet to buy or try any GPS unit. There are few retailers here in Victoria that have any units to try.

At the moment, I'm aiming for the Oregon 200 w/ Topo Canada from Costco.ca for $279. At least it will give me an oportunity to try a GPS out and if I don't like it, I can return it. I think I can do without the altimeter and compass to save $200 over the Oregon 450t, and the touch, extra screen and detail I think will be worth over the 60csx.

I assume I can hook up the Oregon to a laptop, too?

I do not believe the Oregon 200 has any maps besides the basemap. As a beginning device, it would not provide much help in navigating back roads but could create tracks you could follow to get back to where you started. I think the device is usable with nRoute but, with no maps, that wouldn't give you much advantage. A bigger screen with no information on it is not much help. Backroad MapBooks does sell microSD cards that plug directly in that Oregon but it might be premature to buy a map for a device you don't know if you want.

You will have to decide before hand whether you are interested in portable or laptop type navigation. Mobile PC with a GPS is a lot less expensive but requires the laptop and somewhere secure to mount it in your vehicle. It does come with good road maps though.

Terry

The Costco.ca version comes with Topo Canada... which is a big plus. $279 for an Oregon and Topo Canada seems like a great deal if one can do without the altimeter and compass, and extra memory... I assume I can just get a cheap memory card to make up for the lack of memory.

Here's another question: Can I get live tracking on my netbook, via the Oregon + USB and whatever software it comes with?

That's an excellent starter package if it comes with Topo Canada.

Many people really like the touch screen on the Oregon. Be aware that it is not quite as bright a screen in direct sunlight as a non-touch screen. But most who have them don't find that a huge issue. It's still a good screen.

I chose the eTrex Legend HCx over the eTrex Vista HCx because I have no use for the builtin compass and altimeter/barometer. The internal compasses need resetting frequently. If I want to use a compass I can buy a really good one at Canadian Tire for peanuts and it never needs recalibration. And I've never been in a situation where I really cared what altitude I was at. I'm not planning to climb Everest any time soon so oxygen depletion isn't an issue for me.

Topo Canada v4 is a really good product. It has all the same POIs and routing data for highways and streets that Metroguide Canada has plus it has minor roads and trails. So you really get the best of a good road map product and a good topo product combined in one.

The Oregon, like most handhelds, will accumulate a track of your travels. There are programs for the PC that will allow you to view those tracks on a map to review where you have been. If you add a micro SD card to it the track data will be saved to the card so you can read it directly on a computer from the card (you need a card reader on the computer, of course). Google Earth is the most obvious one to use for this.

If you want live tracking on a netbook just refer back to the previous posts about nRoute.

...ken...