Garmin GPSMAP 62s

Garmin’s GPSMAP 60CSx has enjoyed an almost cult-like following and for good reason.  It has been the gold standard of handheld GPS units since it came out over four years ago because of its high sensitivity SiRF chipset, quad-helix antenna, bright, easy-to-read screen and rugged waterproof design.  This has made it the obvious choice for many outdoor enthusiasts even as Garmin has introduced newer touchscreen models like the Oregon and Dakota.  I still use my 60CSx as a reference for the receiver tests I run on the Dakota, Oregon and Colorado because I trust it to perform well in just about any condition.  If you are looking for a no nonsense GPS which is particularly adept at trail mapping and backcountry hiking you don’t have to look much further.

In the four years since the 60CSx was introduced a lot has changed in Garmin’s product line.  Most of the new units have focused on higher resolution and/or touchscreen displays, improved paperless geocaching and new advanced mapping options like Custom maps and BirdsEye aerial imagery.  All of this left fans of 60CSx feeling a little left out even though the new units were never quite able to match the the accuracy of the 60CSx.

That is until last week when Garmin introduced a replacement for the 60CSx called the Garmin GPSMAP 62, actually three new waterproof GPS devices including the 62, 62s and 62st ranging in price from $350 to $550.  The main differences being the preinstalled maps of the 62st and the added altimeter, 3-axis compass, high speed USB, wireless transfer and micro SD slot on the “s” models.

Garmin GPSMAP 62s showing Oregon-style rail mount

Garmin decided to leave some aspects of the 60CSx alone, retaining the lower resolution (and hopefully easier-to-read) display, hard keys and quad-helix antenna in a package that looks like a slightly more rounded 60CSx.   While on the outside it appears similar to the older unit, much of the software and electronics is probably leveraged from the Oregon/Dakota line with obvious changes made to allow user input from buttons instead of a touchscreen.  Features like paperless geocaching, BirdsEye aerial imagery, Custom Maps, photo navigation, high speed USB, 3-axis compass and wireless transfer have been inherited from the Dakota and Oregon.  Astute readers may notice that the 62 does not appear to have a 4-pin Garmin serial connector like the GPSMAP 78,  but according to Garmin’s accessory list the GPSMAP 62s and 62st do support an external antenna port. Based on the photos Garmin decided to reuse the Oregon/Dakota/Colorado rail mount system on the GPSMAP 62.  You can see the familiar spine mount on the back of the 62s pictured to the right.

In all likelihood the GPSMAP 62 is based on the STMicroelectronics Cartesio like the Oregon, Dakota and GPSMAP 78 but it is impossible to know at this point.  The good news is that the GPSMAP 78 is looking very strong in my GPS tests, in most tests it has performed as good or better than the 60CSx.  Garmin seems to have made some software and antenna optimizations to get more out of this receiver chipset than on the Dakota and Oregon.  If you take into account the GPSMAP 62 adds a quad helix antenna Garmin could very well have a worthy 60CSx replacement for hard core users who don’t care about higher resolution touch screens.

Garmin has announced that the unit will be available in July and is available for pre-order on Amazon (GPSMAP 62: $349.99, GPSMAP 62s: $449.99, GPSMAP 62st: $549.99) .

We can’t wait to get our hands on one to put it through its paces.  The GPSMAP 62 will be covered along with the closely related GPSMAP 78 on our new GPSMAP wiki.

Related posts:

  1. FCC Images: Garmin GPSMAP 62 Much Like GPSMAP 78
  2. Garmin GPSMAP 62 Rumors, More GPSMAP 78 Details
  3. Garmin GPSMAP 62 Images Surface
  4. Garmin GPSMAP 78: The Inside Story
  5. More Garmin GPSMAP 62 Images and Details