RE: [Paddlewise] Garmin GPSMAP 76CSX Vs 60CSX

Will wrote
>One advantage of the chip switch is that maps
>with topo, city street guides, and blue charts
>do not excel at the same details

G'Day Will and Paddlewise,

Does this mean that it's possible to buy chips with charts that have some
coastal topographical detail? I'm used to Australian Navy paper charts which
include this data, but its ommitted from the BlueChart Pacific range for
Australia. The convenience of planning with an electronic format is
attractive but impractical without coastal topography, unless one is relying
on GPS alone, which is something I wont do. Without topographical detail
setting up visual bearings becomes much more difficult. It would be very
convenient to have an electronic resource with both chart and some topo data
for planning, visual navigation and GPS navigation.

Another question relates to the water proof quality of the Garmin range. As
others have said trying to read a GPS through a waterproof bag is difficult
in strong sunlight and Dave's references to the 76CSX and 60CSX being
susceptible to water damage via the battery container is worrying. On a long
crossing, say 6 to 10 hours with waves breaking continually over the deck, I
would expect the GPS to be thoroughly, continually and violently soaked.

Would the susceptibility to leakage in the battery compartment of the 60CSX
& 76CSX make them unreliable without a waterproof bag/case on such journeys.
As the map facility and the improved sensitivity that goes with the X suffix
may not be useful for long crossings can anyone recommend a more robust
perhaps simpler unit, or a waterproof case that allows the unit to be read
in strong sunlight.

All the best, PeterO
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