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I recently purchased the GPS Maps 64sx.

Racer X
over 1 year ago

I recently purchased the GPS Maps 64sx. Posting here because this is the closest thing I could find to it here.
In the description of the product it said the device was supposed to come with topo maps preinstalled. While there is a VERY rudimentary map there is no topo graphic lines or detail to speak of. Is this normal?

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    Are you talking about TopoActive maps? Perhaps you have just to enable them in the device settings. 

    Map>configure maps

    There you see the availability maps on your device.

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    All GPSMAP 64x models included TopoActive maps preloaded. These maps are based primarily on OSM map data. TopoActive maps do not include the high resolution topographic map elevation detail found in Garmin topo 24k maps.

    Garmin TopoActive North America overview:

    Take on North America with this multiuse map, optimized for outdoor activities and compiled from the community-generated OpenStreetMap (OSM) database.

    • Includes summits; national and local parks; coastlines, lakes and rivers; natural features and more
    • Displays thousands of points of interest, including geographic labels; shops; restaurants and bars; parking; schools and community features, and accommodations
    • Does not have the ability to navigate to an address

    As others have indicated, make sure you have the TopoActive map enabled, and your map detail settings configured properly.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Volker

    Its enabled it just sucks.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to atlas_cached

    Thanks. Figures I'll have to pay extra for usable maps. My phone is far more capable than this device and I paid less for it then this was at non sale price. And it does a million other things that this cant. Really was expecting more from this 90s tech device.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Racer X

    What is missing on the installed TA map on your device? Have you a screenshot? For my 66i with TA Europe map, I have installed some additional layer maps: contour lines, biyicling paths, hiking paths. Or you have to look and install a free osm topo map.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Racer X
    Racer X said:
    My phone is far more capable than this device

    Common misconception repeated frequently by many 'first time' GPSr users, and even a few legacy users. Most phones run into serious limitations when off grid away from cell tower signals. Most phones displays can not be read in direct sunlight. Most phones can not handle the harsh environment this GPSr can. Most phones will stop working after being submerged under water for a length of time that will have zero affect on the Garmin. Most phones screens will shatter if impacted much easier than the display on the GPSr. Most phones can not swap in a new fresh battery when the current battery dies. Most, no, all phones could not possible run for 16+ hours on a single set of 'AA' batteries.

    Racer X said:
    and I paid less for it then this was at non sale price. And it does a million other things that this cant.

    Like what? Make Phone Calls? Well, geez, the GPSr was never intended to make phone calls. It was never intended to post what you had for breakfast on social media. It was never intended to watch cute kitten videos on your favorite streaming service. The Garmin device was built to be a tough as nails rugged outdoor navigation device, and that is what it does, very well. Much better so than your phone.

    Racer X said:
    Really was expecting more from this 90s tech device.

    Who's fault is that? Who set your expectations so high?

    Oh, and you should find something similar from the 90's and compare them. The 90's tech devices can not begin to compare to the GPSMAP 64sx, which is superior is every respect.

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 1 year ago in reply to atlas_cached
    atlas_cached said:
    Most phones run into serious limitations when off grid away from cell tower signals.

    My phone works very well far-far away from any cell towers. It's called GPS.

    atlas_cached said:
    Most phones displays can not be read in direct sunlight.

    My iPhone screen looks great in direct sunlight.

    atlas_cached said:
    Most phones will stop working after being submerged under water for a length of time that will have zero affect on the Garmin.

    My iPhone has an IP68 rating, better than the GPSMAP 66i’s IPX7.

    I usually do not use my Garmin or phone for diving.

    atlas_cached said:
    Most phones screens will shatter if impacted much easier than the display on the GPSr.

    My inReach Mini 2 screen gets scratches easily and feels much more fragile than my iPhone.

    atlas_cached said:
    Most phones can not handle the harsh environment this GPSr can

    Not sure what you are referring to here, perhaps temperature or buttons. There be cases and pouches for phones.

    atlas_cached said:
    Most phones can not swap in a new fresh battery when the current battery dies.

    Someone invented the Power Bank. It's a brilliant little thing that can recharge your device.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Former Member
    My phone works very well far-far away from any cell towers. It's called GPS.

    Many phones rely heavily on Cell Tower signals to get an initial position fix (A-GPS) before using satellite signals, but not all.

    Of course, there are many things your phone can not do out of cell tower range that a Garmin GPSr can. Your phone is not designed or engineered with off-grid use as a primary consideration, like a Garmin GPSr is.

    My iPhone screen looks great in direct sunlight.

    Which model iPhone? I want to verify your statement.

    A very small percentage of all mobile phones produced use transflective LCD displays which have much larger gaps between each pixel to allow more of the available sunlight to illuminate the display from behind without using any battery power. In fact, most phones are built with displays that allow very little if any sunlight penetration and will appear completely washed out in direct sunlight unless the internal backlight is turned all the way up, and even then frequently they are difficult to read without shading the screen from the sun.

    I see below your iPhone has an IP68 rating, and the only iPhones I see with that rating are the model 11 and newer.

    The iPhone 11 is equipped with a 'Liquid Retina HD' LCD display that has 326 pixels per inch.

    The iPhone 12, 13 and 14 are all equipped with a 'Super Retina XDR' OLED display at 460 pixels per inch.

    Since OLED displays are not capable of transflective operation, for you to have any chance of seeing the screen clearly in direct sunlight on your IP68 iPhone would be if it was an iPhone 11, which has a display pixel density of 326 ppi.

    Let's compare that to the display on the GPSMAP 64sx (the model referenced in the original post), which is equipped with a transflective LCD display at 110 ppi.

    That's 88% more pixels per square inch on the iPhone vs the GPSMAP 64sx. 

    The iPhone display is not transflective and, due to the pixel density, it is physically impossible for it to perform as well as the GPSMAP 64sc display under direct sunlight conditions. The iPhone display will be washed out and full of glare and the GPSMAP 64sx display will be crystal clear and brilliant, under the same direct sunlight conditions.

    My iPhone has an IP68 rating, better than the GPSMAP 66i’s IPX7.

    This help narrow down which iPhone you have, as only iPhones 11 and newer have this rating.

    The GPSMAP 64sx IPX7 rating indicates it can be submerged at a depth of one meter (3ft) for 30 minutes without issue.

    The iPhone 11 IPX8 rating allows for submerging at a depth of two meters (6ft) for 30 minutes without incident.

    So, yes, the iPhone rating is 'better'.

    But, the most likely water immersion scenario for a hiking GPSr like the GPSMAP 64sx would be an accidental drop while crossing a stream or even intentional immersion during a brief river traversing. 

    In most likely scenarios, both of these devices will come out OK, but it is important to remember a majority of modern mobile phones do not have this level of water protection.

    I usually do not use my Garmin or phone for diving.

    Very wise.

    Garmin actually produces dedicated diving equipment for those who do, while I am pretty sure apple does not.

    My inReach Mini 2 screen gets scratches easily and feels much more fragile than my iPhone.

    I suspect you do not carry them both in the same manner.

    In fact, I would be willing to bet you carry the MINI 2 in such a way that it is constantly subjected to potential scratch inducing obstacles while the iPhone is likely carefully tucked away and safe from external sources of potential danger.

    If you want to test that whole 'feels more fragile' theory, drive over each of them with a car tire on asphalt and see which one still works after.

    Someone invented the Power Bank. It's a brilliant little ting that can recharge your device.

    An excellent option if you carry one. Of course, as so many others have frequently stated here and elsewhere, swapping a pair of 'AA' batteries is a far more convenient option. But what do you do when the power bank is empty, or it has an unforeseen failure? If the same happens with a set of 'AA' batteries, another pair are easy to come by.

    Hey @edvard, thanks for playing!

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 1 year ago in reply to atlas_cached
    atlas_cached said:
    Of course, there are many things your phone can not do out of cell tower range that a Garmin GPSr can.

    Please mention a few things. Let's take the Garmin GPSMAP 64sx vs latest iPhone with a good hiking app.

    I think we all appreciate a purpose-built GPS unit’s ruggedness, operating temp range, battery life, and physical buttons for use in rough weather.

    At the same time, mobile apps today have become truly excellent on some features like mapping and tracking.

    I have more than one mobile phone, but for the purpose of GPS logging out in nature, checking map details, calculations, elevation profiles, and waypoints – I use an iPhone 13 Pro with OsmAnd.

    The way you figure out how a display works in direct sunlight, is by taking it outside and looking at it in direct sunlight – not by Googling pixel densities or specs.

    Moderated for personal insults.