Garmin 60csx not suitable for motorbikes?

[TheBaldReverend]

Hi,

I've had a bit of problem with two Garmin 60csx units - they have both let water in that appears as numerous large drops behind the screen.

Today I've spoken with Garmin and arranged for it to be replaced under warranty and the guy on the phone said he has spoken with his supervisor and that the 60csx is not suitable for use on motorbikes. He blamed vibration and said that they are waterproof 'but not designed to have water hit them at high speed'.

Has anyone else had problems with the 60csx letting in water or have I just been unlucky?

Thanks

[Yossarian™]

I've never had water get into mine; I'd say you are particularly unlucky with this particular unit.

[TheBaldReverend]

The thing is, I've had two units and they've both had the same problem. That's some bad luck!

[Yossarian™]

Well, the question I would pose to garmin, is "what is the definition of waterproof?"

[Garp]

Originally Posted by Yossarian™

Well, the question I would pose to garmin, is "what is the definition of waterproof?"

They define that pretty well already. IPX7 is the spec they normally list, which is accidental immersion for up to 30 minutes. Immersion is very different to hitting water drops at 40+ MPH.

[wbbnm]

My 60 cx has survived many bad rainstorms over the past 4 years without getting any water in it. I don't think the screen has even fogged up.

It is pretty easy to take the unit apart. There about 6 small screws. The water seal seems to be a thin gasket that goes between the two case parts. If it were me I would smear some silicone grease on that gasket and put the cases back together and make sure the screws were tight.

[Hair]

A large thumper will take any 60 out. It take some time, but within a few rides the effects are there. If you want to use a 60 on a bike that shakes you need to isolate it.

[BKMLWR]

Originally Posted by Hair

A large thumper will take any 60 out. It take some time, but within a few rides the effects are there. If you want to use a 60 on a bike that shakes you need to isolate it.

how large does the thumper need to be, I have thousands of miles on dirt roads with a 60 csx , ram mount KLR even in a rain storm so bad the noise of the rain on my helmet drowned out the sound of the bike....the gps did fine...

[Countdown]

Originally Posted by Hair

A large thumper will take any 60 out. It take some time, but within a few rides the effects are there. If you want to use a 60 on a bike that shakes you need to isolate it.

What is this statement based on?

Garmin 60 is BY FAR the most popular GPS at Dual Sport rides (50 to 500 riders) and there are very few reported problems. I like the 76 better but they both are quite reliable.

[BlueLghtning]

BryceB has also had 1 or 2 60csx models fail because of rain too. He's the only one I know personally that has had issues.

I've got one myself, and it certainly gets wet. Its rated as IPX7 so I surely expect it to stay dry inside.

I wonder in any of these cases was the USB port being used for power instead of the 4 prong plug? Also were the rubber covers over these ports closed if they weren't being used?

[H14]

I've had my 60csx for a couple of years and no problems. I just got back from riding the Continental Divide where we got caught in a rain/hail storm. the next morning there was condensation on the inside of the screen and it was unable to get a satellite fix. I put it in a bag of rice and after three days it finally started working and everything seems fine now. I was fortunate I was in a group and not doing a solo trip. I'll look into putting some silicone around the gasket like was mentioned but I'll never trust it again in the rain.

[BryceB]

Originally Posted by BlueLghtning

BryceB has also had 1 or 2 60csx models fail because of rain too. He's the only one I know personally that has had issues.

I've got one myself, and it certainly gets wet. Its rated as IPX7 so I surely expect it to stay dry inside.

I wonder in any of these cases was the USB port being used for power instead of the 4 prong plug? Also were the rubber covers over these ports closed if they weren't being used?

Mine have only been powered by the round 4prong connector. It jst seems like tht seal drys up or te bike rattles it lose enough and water gets in. One of mine revived moslty (a button ir 2 didnt work right) and they replaced it under warranty The 2nd time, i did an out of warranty replacement, but I'm not sure it's going to hold up.

I tried to replace it with an Oregon 400t, but it sucks for bikes. We use it for geocaching and boyscout stuff.

Maybe a I'll ask for a new one for my birthday.

[TheBaldReverend]

I had them mounted on a Touratech mount which has rubber mountings to help reduce the vibration. The thing is both units got wet behind the screen as soon as it rained.

[TheBaldReverend]

I just had a quick look on the Garmin website and their motorbike specific Zumo models have the same IPX7 waterproof rating so I think what I was told on the phone is a load of crap.

[9Dave]

Originally Posted by TheBaldReverend

so I think what I was told on the phone is a load of crap.

You got some telemarketer who only thinks there Zumo models are for motorcycles.

You should have asked how the 276/376/478 models would work on a moto.