The GPS Map 60CSx is Garmin's flagship recreational GPS model, and the industry standard and a top seller for many years. There is a reason that Garmin sells more recreational GPS receivers than any other company, and that is that the machines are reliable, durable and functional. The GPSMap 60CSx is an evoluion of the GPSMap series. The GPSMap 60 was the original monochrome version, and was followed by the 60C, the first color model. Faster processors and increased memory led to the 60CS and the 60Cx, and then to the 60CSx.

The GPSMap 60CSx has a 1.5" x 2.2" color display, with 160 x 240 pixel resolution, and micro-SD memory. It comes with a 64-MB chip installed, and is expandable by replacement with a higher-capacity chip. It connects to a computer by serial and USB. It can store 1000 user waypoints, and up to 20 tracks of 10,000 points each. In addition, it has street routing, electronic compass and barometric altimeter, and sun and moon information.

It also has a selection of outdoor GPS games, and can be used for geocaching. It does not support some of the features which geocachers are becoming used to, like wireless data exchange or field-note editing on the device.

The unit is operated by an icon-based menu system, leading to hierarchical text-based menus that then access the available features and functions. The placement of the buttons on the outside of the unit is sometimes illogical, and can lead to extra presses to back up a level and then find the right button. This is a common drawback to common button-driven GPS controls that cycle through a series of screens that each contain a different set of data. The number of buttons on this device is more than actually needed for its operation, and their relative placement could be improved.

The Garmin GPSMap has all of the essential features of outdoor GPS receivers, and has good battery life. It is rugged and durable, and is the one of the most popular mapping GPS receivers on the market. However, it is somewhat outdated, in that the technology is advancing significantly, leaving the 60CSx behind, making it a good unit to buy as used. Nerds in the Wood gives it 3.5 beenies for being adequate and time-tested, but at a 399 dollar suggested retail price, there are better alternatives.