About a year ago, an addition happened in the Garmin family - the line was replenished with "sixties". These are quite serious devices that are deservedly popular with many travelers who value autonomy, functionality, high-quality display and gadget survivability. In difficult situations, all these qualities come to the fore, and for domestic use, a margin of safety along with functionality will always come in handy.
So, the hero of today's review is the Garmin GPSMAP 64ST navigator. Let's try to identify all the advantages of the model along with the disadvantages, taking into account the opinions of experts and reviews of geocaching enthusiasts with simple "treasure seekers".
Package
The gadget is packed in a nice and small box of glossy cardboard. There are colorful illustrations along with a lot of interesting information.
Inside are:
- Garmin GPSMAP 64ST itself;
- instruction manual in Russian
- Warranty card with an annual subscription to the BirdsEye service;
- mini-USB cable for connecting to a personalcomputer;
- relatively strong carabiner for attaching to a belt or backpack strap.
No batteries, accumulators, SD cards included. By default, the set "Roads of Russia - TOPO 6. X" from the supplier "Navicom" is loaded into the navigator. If the brief manual seems too brief to you, then you can always download detailed instructions from the official website in PDF format.
Introduction
GPS Garmin GPSMAP 64ST inherited the same body from the previous generation of gadgets, with no visible differences. The plastic edging, made in gray style, is fully consistent with the traditions of the Garmin brand: serious models are packaged in black and gray, medium ones in brownish, and younger ones have a predominant yellow color.
The key parts of the exterior remain the same: a massive antenna, a set of function buttons on the front panel, a lanyard eyelet, corrugated sides of the case, a micro-USB port and a connector for connecting an additional antenna. A nice inscription flaunts above the screen: Garmin GPSMAP 64ST. This is probably the only exterior difference from the previous 62nd line.
Assembly
After several days of use, it is clear that the gadget is assembled with love: nothing creaks, all details fit very carefully, there are no backlashes. The device gives the owner a certain touch of solidity due to its heftiness, solidity, but at the same time ease of use of such a seemingly sophisticated navigator as the Garmin GPSMAP 64ST.
Reviews of travelers about the gadget are mostly positive, the only thing that is sometimes noted as a minus is the rare creaking of the case, but this is really a rare case. Otherwise, as evidenced by numerous reviews, the device has gained respect and enjoys enviable popularity.
Display
Garmin GPSMAP 64ST is equipped with a color transreflective TFT-matrix display (similar to the 62nd line). Some competing devices boast high-quality screen resolution (Garmin has 160x240), but in favor of the respondent, we can say that with such a resolution, the battery life is much higher than that of similar devices from other brands. Moreover, the ability to survive as long as possible in harsh field conditions is extremely important for a real navigator.
Due to the low resolution, graininess can be seen with the naked eye, but it does not interfere with the full operation of the device, and the balanced contrast and behavior in the sun will surely please the owners of the gadget.
Owner reviews note one interesting detail that was not indicated in the instruction manual - this is the automatic backlighting of the buttons in the dark (according to the internal clock of the device). In addition, the camera was removed, which often became clogged and caused some discomfort.
GLONASS
Support for the Russian analogue of GPS is a tangible plus of the new Garmin GPSMAP 64ST (RUS GLONASS),thus adding a second constellation of satellites to the program, which affects the "cold start", allowing you not to lose the signal in difficult and confusing conditions.
The only thing that users complain about in their reviews is the increased power consumption of the device when using this feature. But it can always be turned off as unnecessary in the menu. Otherwise, navigation has become more convenient and accessible to the domestic user.
Performance
Even subjectively, the new Garmin GPSMAP 64ST began to work noticeably faster. For example, the "Roads of Russia" maps are rendered almost without freezes and any delays (provided that the battery charge is more than 30%).
The overall impression of working with the device is pleasant, especially when compared with previous generations of gadgets. What confuses is the lack of specifications for processors and chipsets, that is, it is not clear who to thank for such a fast device.
Built-in memory (8 GB) is enough to keep maps of "Roads of Russia" in the navigator (approximately 3-4 GB) and, in addition, to acquire information about geocaches, tracks and other interesting points. But if the built-in memory is not enough, then you can always expand the volume using a micro SD card.
Communication
You can pair your Garmin GPSMAP 64ST with other mobile devices, but with certain restrictions. Applications easily synergize with the Android platform (up to version 4.3) and with part of the Applegadgets. User feedback notes excellent synchronization with iPads of the third version.
Travellers will certainly be interested in the specially developed Basecamp Mobile program for Garmin GPSMAP 64ST (a software review can be found on the developer's website), which works great with points and tracks and, moreover, is synchronized with most devices via the Bluetooth protocol.
Work offline
According to Garmin, the device is able to work at full capacity for no more than 16 hours on a single charge. This is slightly less than the indicators of the previous, 62nd line, but it is quite acceptable, given that the device is seriously loaded with the GLONASS system.
Both ordinary AA batteries and rechargeable batteries are suitable for operation. Numerous user reviews advise taking high-quality power, like Sony or expensive Digital, otherwise the charge will melt before our eyes.
Testing the device in the field showed that after 12 hours of intensive use, the device strongly recommends that the backlight be turned off. After 13.5 hours friezes began in scrolling and scaling maps, and after 15.5 hours the device turned off.
Summing up
64 series turned out to be quite reliable, versatile and quite portable, and with a number of interesting points and ideas. The device is perfect for demanding travelers who appreciated all the advantages of previous Garmin models.
Picky critics would probably say that the device is wheredevelop, pointing to a small screen resolution and push-button control, but the rest of the functionality and capabilities of the device are very impressive. The model is convenient in all basic operations, firmly and conscientiously assembled, there is protection from external influences such as dust, dirt, accidental shocks. Even negative temperatures and immersion in water are unaffected by the device. The design was tested not just on the stands, but by experienced tourists who just, for the sake of beauty, will not buy the device. The verdict is clear - recommended for purchase.
