Recommend GPS: Garmin 60csx or Delorme PN-40?

I'm looking to purchase my first (yes, that's right, FIRST) GPS and am wondering your thoughts on the Garmin 60csx vs. Delorme PN-40 (or another model I may want to consider). I often hike/backpack solo and use a map/compass, but want a GPS to track and map waypoints, and I also do most of my hikes at night, so want something that I can follow to pre-determined coordinates in the dark and find my way back. I want something fairly user friendly for a beginner, but also one that has advanced options that I can "grow into" such as geotagging the metadata of photos, making my own maps, removable memory, good reception in dense forest and canyons, long battery life, altimeter etc. I've also heard that the Garmin model has a significant number of free maps available for download, so something with a relatively low cost for accurate and detailed map software is a plus. Any favorites out there and why? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

I have the DeLorme PN-40. I wouldn't exactly call it user friendly but it does work well. I like that it maps my way in so that I can find my way back out if I get off trail. Also, I feel the battery life is not as long as I would like.

I also have SPOT and I highly recommend that if you are hiking alone. That device is more of an emergency locater, not a mapping GPS.

Can't speak to the Delorme but I've never known anyone who owned the Garmin 60csx to say anything negative about it. The UI isn't as intuitive as some of the newer Garmin's but it is one of the most accurate units on the consumer market.

On another, somewhat unrelated note, Delorme and SPOT have combined forces to produce a GPS unit w/ an integrated SPOT messenger that will even allow you to customize the text messages you send on the fly. Due out this summer though I can't endorse it as I've never used it. Just saw it at OR and thought it was kinda neat.

I used the Garmin 60csx for about a year. I liked it quite a bit. Great battery life and satellite reach in bad weather. Never read the manual - found it to be pretty intuitive. I'm not a heavy GPS user though - in fact, I sold mine recently because I hardly ever used it. (I only carry a SPOT now, and use it to occasionally mark locations.)

I've had the Garmin 60csx for a couple years now (after my old GPS bit the dust off my motorcycle). I really like it and would definitely recommend it. I use it just as you describe and geotag all my images with it and Lightroom. I get 18-20 hours from 2 AAs. That's leaving it on pretty much sunrise to sunset. So you do need to plan for extra batteries on longer backpacking trips. I also use Garmin's Topo US 2008 as well as the free 24K topo maps available for CO, UT, NM and some of the other Rocky Mountain states. Drop me a note if you can't find these online.

Thanks guys. So looks like the Delorme PN-60W w/ SPOT technology will be released "Spring 2010" w/ Amazon giving a tentative release date of "May 01." http://blog.delorme.com/2010/01/06/delorme-and-spot-handheld-gps-meets-satellite-communication/ (Thanks for the heads-up Bret). I was a little wary of the SPOT's reliability and coverage in comparison to ACR's PLBs (not to mention the annual subscription to their service), but looks like a great all in one package to maybe hold out a few months if possible. Maybe by that point Garmin will hook up with ACR and make the ultimate all-in-one GPS/PLB. I guess I'm faced with that age-old question: settle and buy what's on the market now, or keep holding out for what's coming around the corner...Thanks again for the info

I've used a 60Csx a bit and like it. I got an Oregon 400T last year. Its UI is nice, but I think there is something wrong with my Oregon. When driving, I'll look at the device and find I'm suddenly in the middle of the forest. Have to reboot the thing to reset the position and it works again.

Hello,

I use a Garmin Vista HCX which has the same capabilities as the 60Csx but comes in a smaller package (and is cheaper with better battery life). I use it for, cycling, hiking, geo-tagging, geo-caching, auto-routing, etc. The Topo maps are great for off road hiking. Battery life is around 24 hours (or greater with litium AA's) and sensitivity seem excellent. I travel all around the world with it and it has been a very good device. I have a 4GB microSD card in it which holds nearly the entire USA 2008 Topo.

You can compare the devices here:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=145&compareProduct=8703&compareProduct=310

The Garmin 60Csx is on sale at Amazon for $295 shipped...not a bad price. Let me know what you decide to get and how you like it Jared. I have been thinking of purchasing one for a bit now.