I am currently looking for a new hand held GPS.
My primary concerns are:
Rugged/Water proof
Able to grab a signal through thicker veg
I was looking at the Garmin 62 series. Any experience with these?
Any other options?
Thanks
PJ
The 62 Series are, from what I have seen, great units - I have three Garmins and see no reason to buy anything else.
I have a 62ST, but it is inventory… I have not played with it, but that may change.
Great unit I have used the cxs60 awesome unit no problem with signal strengh.
The Garmin Rino is a nice unit. I only had signal loss inside a three story building while testing it. The radio can be handy, and the battery last longer then lets say a Motorola Talkabout, but lets not go there. The Rino is a bad mama jama, I beat the hell out of mine and its still running great. Also if you feel like wasting batteries it even has some games in the menu.
Plus 1 for the Rino
No experience with the 62 series but I’ve been researching them, the 62s will be my next purchase. They’re a 60csx on roids, everything about them is upgraded and you can input custom Rastor maps (USGS topo’s or one of your own creation using satellite imagery overlays, aerial photos, or PDF’s). Here’s a good review of them at GPS Tracklog
i really like my Garmin E-Trex Vists Cx.
i got it as a christmas present before a deployment to Afghanistan and it did great. ive also been in some thick woods down in the Natchez Trace park and it has read through every time.
i like its size and ease of use with the controls. i like its magnetic compass vs the map compass based on your movements.
i too have been looking at the rinos for the dual use as a radio.
Here’s another good timely thread (at least for me), since I’ve been thinking of purchasing another Garmin. Now with that already stated above, I’ll have to look more into Garmin’s GPSMAP 62xx series.
Another vote for the Garmin 60csx. When they first came out i paid $450.00 out of pocket for one and i was issued a Garmin 76 at the time. One of the best equipment purchases i have made to date.
I spent the day yesterday teaching some fella’s how to land nav with GPS while using a 76. The 60csx is worth every penny.
It has good battery life, gets a signal FAST (I have never had less than 6 Sats locked, anywhere) is small and lightweight and easy to manipulate with gloves on.
One good piece of equipment.
60 series are goin cheap and fast, i dont think they are making them anymore. 62 series is current gen. The only thing important that i gleaned is that with subscriptions 62 series can download sat views from satellite connections.
On Amazon it’s selling for one hundred ninety-nine and ninety-nine new w/free shipping. Now I’m wondering is that a pretty good deal? Seems the reviews on that particular model (60CSX) ranks high.
original retail for em was like 400 and up i think.
I look at it this way, as long as the thing works, works fast, is durable, and accurate i dont need the cutting edge brand new product just because its new.
The opposing theory is buying a discontinued product means it will be obsolete sooner, especially when we consider the pace that technology advances in electronics. You may pay $200 now but might have to replace it in a couple of years vs. several years. To each his own but thats my rationale 
The 62s is going for $319 on Eastern Mountain Sports, best deal on it so far.
its GPS, it may become obsolete buts its still gonna work. its not a used car
I have a Garmin 60Csx and its a great unit. For its replacement I went with the Delorme Pn-60. The Garmin user experience is far more intuitive, but Delorme maps seem much better so far. Plus the SPOT tracker is kind of fun.
+1 60csx
I got a Delorme PN-40 for Christmas and have been using it alot. Navigating and geocaching. As for the signal, it locks on FAST. This is way more accurate than my old Garmin.
I’m a big fan of the Garmin 60Csx. I was also recently issued the wrist-mounted Foretrex 401 which is about the best backup GPS anyone could ask for.
No maps, but it gets signal quickly and accurately. It runs on two AA’s and burns them down quickly if you keep it on, but great overall product.
I am pretty sure I have been issued nearly all of them at one time or another. Every year we seemed to upgrade.
For grab it and go the Garmin Etrex is a very good bet for an ultralight set up.
The Garmin 60 is good but I would argue for the some size and weight upgrade to the 530 or better. The GMRS radio is pretty handy if you are working with other people.
On a budget look at the 110 thru 130. You can text GMRS on the 130. A handy feature if you are in the hide position.
Ive been using the 60c since it first came out in all the major theaters. I love its ability to withstand hot/cold environments and the antenna strength.
I’ve been testing the 62 for 4 months now and I have to admit I’m really happy with it. Both Cold and warm starts are even faster then the 60 series. Battery consumption is similar, the antenna is even better than the 60 (if that can be believed!), the software is very user friendly and screens are very customizable.
That said…for the insane prices that the 60 is going for right now…If I were were shopping for a new GPS, I’d get a 60 and pocket the difference.