Garmin GPSMAP 62: Successor to the 60CSx?

We have just received some information about a new Garmin outdoor GPS. The rumours are getting stronger that a successor to the 60CSx really is about to appear. In terms of design and operating concept, the new Garmin GPSMAP 62 differs clearly from the current Garmin Oregon and Garmin Dakota units. Unlike these devices, it has no touchscreen. It is operated “conventionally” with buttons. Without the “weak point” of a touchscreen, it would be possible to build the device considerably more ruggedly. Update on 05.09.2010: Click here for the review of the Garmin GPSMAP 62s / st

The first pictures show clear similarities to the ageing Garmin 60CSx, which is still very popular with many outdoor fans precisely because of its reliability and ruggedness.

Garmin GPSMAP 62 available soon on the US market in different versions and colours!

More information and pictures are available. The device had apparently already been listed on the website of the US outdoor retailer Bass Pro. The page has since gone offline again (someone apparently went public with the information a little early). But the pictures and information have of course spread widely on the internet by now. The devices will probably have the following names

Update on 15.06.2010: Today Garmin Germany published the official press release, which confirms the information in this article so far:

The three new GPSmap 62 models are suitable for an extremely wide range of uses, from hiking, biking, mountaineering and geocaching to professional applications. They will go on sale in Germany this summer. The recommended retail prices are 299 euros (GPSmap 62), 399 euros (GPSmap 62s) and 479 euros (GPSmap 62st). More information at www.garmin.de

Garmin GPSMAP 62st and Garmin GPSMAP 62s

Here is the description that could briefly be found at Bass Pro:

Incredibly sensitive and easy to use
Preloaded Worldwide DEM basemap plus Topo 100K
Brilliant 65K color TFT display
Crisp 160×240-pixel resolution
1 GB internal usable memory
Includes a variety of essential outdoor apps, including compass, altimeter, and wireless
High-speed USB serial interface
External GPS output
MicroSD card slot (card not included)
Runs 18 hours on two AA batteries (not included)
$499.99 US

GPSMAP 62 62s (no “t”) are related to that model’s lack of preinstalled 100k topos:

Preloaded Worldwide DEM basemap
1.8 GB internal memory
$399.99 US

Devices:	GPSMAP® 62	GPSMAP® 62s	GPSMAP® 62st
B x H x T:	6,1 x 16 x 3,6 cm (2,4 x 6,3 x 1,4 Zoll)	6,1 x 16 x 3,6 cm (2,4 x 6,3 x 1,4 Zoll)	6,1 x 16 x 3,6 cm (2,4 x 6,3 x 1,4 Zoll)
Display size, W x H:	4,1 x 5,6 cm (1,6 x 2,2 Zoll); 2,6 Zoll (6,6 cm) Diagonale	4,1 x 5,6 cm (1,6 x 2,2 Zoll); 2,6 Zoll (6,6 cm) Diagonale	4,1 x 5,6 cm (1,6 x 2,2 Zoll); 2,6 Zoll (6,6 cm) Diagonale
Display resolution, W x H:	160 x 240 Pixel	160 x 240 Pixel	160 x 240 Pixel
Display type:	Transflektiv, 65.000 Farben, TFT	Transflektiv, 65.000 Farben, TFT	Transflektiv, 65.000 Farben, TFT
Weight:	260,1 g (9,2 Unzen) inkl. Batterien	260,1 g (9,2 Unzen) inkl. Batterien	260,1 g (9,2 Unzen) inkl. Batterien
Battery:	2 AA batteries (not included); NiMH rechargeables or lithium batteries recommended	2 AA batteries (not included); NiMH rechargeables or lithium batteries recommended	2 AA batteries (not included); NiMH rechargeables or lithium batteries recommended
Battery life:	20 Stunden	20 Stunden	20 Stunden
Waterproof:	yes (IPX7)	yes (IPX7)	yes (IPX7)
Floats:	no	no	no
High-sensitivity GPS receiver:	yes	yes	yes
PC interface:	USB and NMEA 0183 compatible	high-speed USB and NMEA 0183 compatible	high-speed USB and NMEA 0183 compatible
RoHS version available:	yes	yes	yes
Basemap:	yes	yes	yes
Preloaded maps:	no	no	yes
Ability to add maps:	yes	yes	yes
Internal memory:	1,7 GB	1,7 GB	500 MB
Accepts memory cards:	no	microSD™ card (not included)	microSD™ card (not included)
Waypoints:	2000	2000	2000
Routes:	200	200	200
Track log:	10.000 Punkte, 200 gespeicherte Tracks	10.000 Punkte, 200 gespeicherte Tracks	10.000 Punkte, 200 gespeicherte Tracks
Automatic routing (turn-by-turn directions on roads):	Yes (with optional maps for detailed roads)	Yes (with optional maps for detailed roads)	Yes (with optional maps for detailed roads)
Touchscreen:	no	no	no
Electronic compass:	no	yes (tilt-compensated, 3-axis)	yes (tilt-compensated, 3-axis)
Barometric altimeter:	no	yes	yes
Camera:	no	no	no
PhotoNavigation:	yes	yes	yes
Picture viewer:	no	no	no
Custom maps compatible:	yes	yes	yes
Geocaching mode:	Yes (paperless)	Yes (paperless)	Yes (paperless)
Outdoor GPS games:	no	no	no
Hunt/fish calendar:	yes	yes	yes
Sun and moon information:	yes	yes	yes
Tide tables	yes	yes	yes
Area calculation:	yes	yes	yes
Custom POIs	yes	yes	yes
Unit-to-unit transfer	no	yes	yes
Garmin Connect™ kompatibel	yes	yes	yes