See if you can find something like Atomic Web Page Size Calculator - Web page size and download speed calculator. to check how fast your site loads to others on the net.

Think about using a javascript plugin like "Lightbox" so you only load a thumbnail... those interested can click to enlarge
Example: BikerBytes: Alternators and Things

John

I would absolutely stay away from any site that did that. The site has to be seen the way it is, no clicking this to look at a photo, if it is not there, it I won't go looking for it. Just my personal opinion of course :)

Back to the subject - If you want a routable GPS, make sure you can read the screen from where it sits on the dash, handlebar or whatever to where you are sitting in a normal riding position. The last thing you need or want to do is to stop and read it, it has to be useful on the move when riding through traffic, if that is what you are using it for. If it is just to record the days tracks, then put it in the tank bag out of sight and it will still work.

Thanks for these links! I'll check these out! As far as the images on the web are concerned I'm using Lightbox but the images you see as thumbnails on our website are actually the images you're seeing in lightbox although just shown as smaller (they're not resized or resampled in anyway). This way as TS mentioned what you see is what you get. Each image is about 100-200 Kb so it shouldn't be too much of a problem to view it.

The first continent ahead of us is SA. To buy routable maps to cover SA might be quite a lot of money I think. I'm thinking about the GPS more for figuring out where I am and if my heading is roughly right to get me where I want to be rather than travelling through City Centre on a turn by turn basis.

What I need the GPS to do is to show me a map of where I am, give me my coordinates, have a compas and a capability to use routable maps if I need it to. Does GPSmap 60CSx do that? I know it says it does that on their website but is that actually the case?

Andy

I doubt very much if Garmin could get away with claiming something that their units cant do and why would they. Every one that post on the 60csx all seem to think they are a top bit of kit. When my 276c dies, that type of unit will be on my list, but a unit with a bigger screen will probably tempt me:thumbup1:

Just a question... why show your location in the degrees/mins/seconds format rather than the the more common decimal degrees?

Regarding a mount for your chosen unit GPS unit, explore all the RAM mount options before you stump up for the overpriced TouraTech unit. After crashing on the KKH my mount was as much use cheese and ended up securing it with a couple of rubber bands cut from and old innertube.
I now use a ball that is U clamped to the bars and a stubby RAM joint attached to the plastic cradle with another ball on it. I think it will be more "flexible" when you drop the bike.

John

The degrees/mins/seconds format probably shows that I haven't used a lot of GPS in my time - and I would say it is true. As you can see the website is stylized for old times (with some success I guess - I wanted a little more design but we had no time or tools to do that - we'll get there as I'm reviewing the website design as we speak) so we wanted to give the coorodinates the only way we know them from our sailing days on tallships which always was degrees/min/seconds. :)

I will definitely explore the mount idea for the unit. For me going to Touratech is always the last resort :)

Thanks for the advice!

Yes - providing the maps you install on it are routable.

Just one note (if you didn't already know) the 60CSx does NOT have a voice function - it will not speak to tell you where to turn, just indicate on screen.

That's absolutely fine. To be honest using the GPS systems that talk to you I found that they're speaking either too late or too early :)

All I need is to know roughly in which direction I'm going and let the GPS guide me for the last mile or two really just to get to the right street I guess.

Since the 60CSx does that I'm quite confident it's the best gear for overlanding when it comes to the abilities and price.

Will it work with Ulrichs POIs?
 

Hi again all!

Just wanted to ask one question. You all know the points provided by Ulrich - campgrounds and embassys etc. Is it possible to transfer these onto the GPSmap 60CSx? I know somebody said if you get MApSource software to do it it will work...Is there a specific file extension that can be used with these? Or any will do? Also some of them come with Europeas Base Map. Should I get a World Base Map?

If you can get them in .gdb format, thats for Garmin.
You can get a copy of POIConverter for anything you get in TT or other formats.

Go for the world basemap... at least any POI's will show where they are on the outline.

You will get a copy of MapSource when you buy your unit.
You may also get a copy of Garmins Trip & Waypoint Manager with it. If not, it costs about £20 or check fleabay. I got a copy with the 276c.

John

Thanks a lot!

I think I got everything I need to make the decision :)

Thanks a lot for all your advice guys!

Andy