Garmin GPSMAP 62 Rumors, More GPSMAP 78 Details
Even before Garmin announced the GPSMAP 78 last week there were rumors circulating about a possible GPSMAP 62, a replacement for the venerable GPSMAP 60csx. The announcement of the GPSMAP 78 combined with some items I’ve tracked down online point to the fact that the GPSMAP 62 is probably the real deal. New product pages on the REI site for the Garmin GPSMAP 62, 62S and 62ST are the biggest confirmation. Although these pages are essentially empty the page source contains the product names, typical for unannounced products. Other twitter references to the 62 and this Hungarian blog post which references a Garmin rep discussing the new unit on Facebook further support the rumor. I’m speculating, as others are, that the GPSMAP 62 will be a non-floating version of the GPSMAP 78, based on the same electronics, screen and software with a slightly smaller housing.
Yesterday the FCC site published test data which reveals additional information about the GPSMAP 78sc. The 78 will have the following external ports:
- USB mini-B port
- MCX external antenna port
- 4-pin “Garmin” port
The pictures of the back of the unit and battery compartment look like the Oregon and Dakota which have the micro SD card mounted under the dual AA battery supply. The battery cover looks more like the Dakota as do the rubber plugs around the connectors which keep out water and dirt.
Unfortunately the part numbers and insignias on the electronic components were blacked out but based on the shapes, sizes and locations of the devices it seems that the GPSMAP 78 is probably based on the STM Cartesio GPS chipset (large square device, slightly left of center) and other electronics found in the Oregon x50. The big white device on the right appears to be a passive patch antenna.
Combined with the data in Garmin’s announcement this leads me to speculate that the GPSMAP 62/78 are based on the following:
- Oregon x50/Dakota GPS (STM Cartesio) and electronics (3-axis compass, sensors)
- Oregon x50/Dakota OS and software with some design changes to work with physical keys instead of a touchscreen
- Patch antenna on the 78 (possible quad-helix on the 62?)
- GPSMAP60/76 screen (dimensions and resolution are the same) with enhanced color depth (256 vs 65k)
- New ruggedized, floating industrial design (78)
As we get more information on either units we’ll post it here or you can follow us on twitter. Let us know what you are hearing!
Related posts:
April 28th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Hopefully the Wherigo player will be on this device if it’s based on the Oregon/Dakota OS.
April 28th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
I think, this is a GPSMAP 78sc.
See this PDF, type number 1st picture: https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/oet/forms/blobs/retrieve.cgi?attachment_id=1273287&native_or_pdf=pdf
See this PDF, type on the 2 barcodes: https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/oet/forms/blobs/retrieve.cgi?attachment_id=1273291&native_or_pdf=pdf
Thank you the backlink!
April 28th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Yes, the FCC files are for the GPSMAP 78sc.
-Scott
April 28th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Here’s hoping that the 62 gets the quad helix.
I certainly hope there is something to put it slightly ahead of the Dakota series in accuracy.
April 29th, 2010 at 3:30 am
A hungarian Garmin staff member says on FB that he had seen the type of 62.
(http://tinyurl.com/35mwume – translate w/ Google!)
May 7th, 2010 at 1:55 am
On the picture the unit is grey. And its a SC.
But on the Garmin-Page the S is grey.
Does anyone know whats the real color?
I hope the S is grey. Silver looks cheap mostly
May 17th, 2010 at 10:42 am
Garmin GPSmap 62 series confirmed by Radio World (Canada). Should see it on the Garmin site any day now.
May 18th, 2010 at 7:33 am
Cool.
And whats about the new etrex-series?
They somehow must be not as good as a62 to make sense
June 2nd, 2010 at 10:33 am
[...] might have decided to use the SiRFAtlasIV system-on-chip in this new line of GPS’s but as we reported several weeks ago when the FCC photos first became available Garmin has stayed with the STMicroelectronics Cartesio [...]
March 17th, 2011 at 10:25 pm
[...] New Garmin Handheld GPS Receivers There’s been some buzz lately about some new GPS receivers that look like they’re going to replace the venerable GPSMap 60 and 76 series models. Garmin has so far confirmed a 78, the replacement for the 76. As of now, there are only just rumors about a replacement to the 60, a supposed 62. GPSFix has some informative posts worth reading if you’re interested in this sort of thing. There’s a post for the 78, and one for the expected 62. [...]