Importing a Garmin handheld from the US

fwor · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 01, 2005 Posts: 39

I've owned Garmin handhelds for years and they've always been good (and Garmin Customer Service always exceptional), but I've decided to change the eTrex Legend for a 60Csx as the screen is just too small.

Normally I'd be happy to support UK retailers by buying over here, but the difference in price in the US is just incredible! The best UK price I've found so far is £380 delivered, but PCnation.com will sell me one for just $342. I've not done any detailed sums, but I reckon even when I add international shipping, import duty and VAT it's still going to be a ~lot~ cheaper than the UK.

The fact that the basemap will be a US one isn't a problem really as I'll probably get the UK topo map. If not, I think Garmin's Worldmap product is the equivalent of the standard built-in basemap, and that only costs around $40.

So the question: Is there a downside? Has anyone done this and had problems?

missing_user · Joined: Aug 30, 2008 Posts: -7

I bought my 60Csx in USA.
It has the US basemap and came with a free MetroGuide Europe v7
Topo is not really suitable for road navigation due to all the contour lines!

Three screenshots of my unit:-
CityNavigator v9
GB Topo
US Basemap

fwor · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 01, 2005 Posts: 39

Thanks for the response, and for the screenshots - I see what you mean, the topo maps would be a bit of a pain to use on the road!

One further question on the 60csx: is it correct to assume that you can load both City Nav and Topo maps onto the memory card (assuming you have enough space) and then just switch between them?

missing_user · Joined: Aug 30, 2008 Posts: -7

Yes, I have on the micro SD:-
parts of CityNavigator Europe v9
parts of GB Topo v2 [over rated]
parts of MetroGuide NA v7
11,700 speed cameras.

Internally:-
US BaseMap
American Marine Basemap

The screenshots were of Tenby[West Wales]
There is little point in loading on the SD card any areas you are not likely to visit.
I use one 512MB SD card for normal use and a 1GB for my European holidays.

fwor · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 01, 2005 Posts: 39

Thanks, looks like a purchase from the US is on.

I'm tempted to buy a 2Gb micro SD card for it as they are now only £18 from 7dayshop, but there is that nagging doubt that the 60 series can't cope with a card that big. Mind you, I don't believe Garmin say that the 60 series works with a 1Gb card, but AFAIK nobody has reported any problems...

fwor · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 01, 2005 Posts: 39

And forgot to ask: why do you reckon that the Topo GB V2 is over rated? Too expensive for what you get??

missing_user · Joined: Aug 30, 2008 Posts: -7

Paths are incomplete on the Pembrokeshire Coast, they get hidden behind the contour lines.

The value on the PC is apalling as you can only see a small selection at a time and you cannot print the maps. Unless you are a 'serious' walker it will be difficult to justify the cost.

PM me a location of interest to you, and I will post the screenshot of the location!

fwor · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 01, 2005 Posts: 39

Many thanks for the advice. I'll have to think carefully before buying the topo map. I'm not really a ~serious~ walker, but mostly I would use the handheld on the hills in Wales and Scotland where the contours would I guess be handy. I'll probably stick with TomTom on my Palm T3 for road navigation (despite the annoying map errors).

If you get a chance, would be interested in seeing a screenshot of Sgurr Alasdair on Skye (Southwest corner, directly North of the isle of Soay). Does it show the Great Stone Chute?

Skippy · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 5:38 pm Post subject:

fwor · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 01, 2005 Posts: 39

No, AFAIK it does not come with any decent maps, just the (US) basemap. Hence my interest in buying it plus some more detailed UK maps. If you know of any good deals on UK maps that will work with the 60 csx please let me know!

Thanks...

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