The Best Case for your Garmin 60 Series, Better with Modifications

After getting my new Garmin 60CSx, I started looking for a good form-fitting case to protect it against impact and scratches. I was looking for a case that would provide access to the power connector and that would be easy enough to remove when changing batteries. I also wanted the case to have a hole for access to the belt clip stud.

I looked at several manufacturers, including Garmin, Gilsson, Cartom, and BE-130. None of the cases had an access hole for the power connector. By checking GPS user forums, I found that users of all the cases complained of how difficult it was to get their GPS into and out of their case. They also complained that the clear plastic over the buttons made them hard to push. It was hard to tell from the pictures, but it appeared that only the Garmin case had an access hole for the belt clip.

I decided on the Garmin case. Just like the forums users had said, it was hard to get it onto and off of the GPS. It took some stretching to get it over the belt clip mounting stud. I had applied an Invisible Shield (clear plastic screen protector) over my screen and the clear plastic began sticking to it. And, indeed, the buttons were hard to push through the clear plastic.

So, since the Garmin case was not serving me well in its original form, I decided to modify it to make it work better for me. I cut out the clear plastic with a pair of sharp scissors. I made my cut along the perimeter of the opening so that the portion of the plastic that was stitched into the case could remain in place. I then cut a hole in the black spandex material over the power connector jack. With these modifications, the Garmin case worked substantially better for me. It was now easy get it on and off the GPS receiver. I could leave it on and still connect the power connector. I didn’t cut a hole for the USB connector because I do not need USB access that frequently, but it would be easy to cut such a hole.

A user had told me that he tried cutting out the clear plastic on his Gilsson case and the case deformed and became useless. After six weeks of use, I can report that my modifications have not caused any issues with my Garmin case. It still fits fine and retains its shape. I see no evidence of tearing in the spandex where I cut my hole for the power connector. Of course, my modifications certainly voided any Garmin warranty.

In conclusion, I would recommend the Garmin case and the best choice for the 60CSx, but recommend that you consider the modifications I made should you find the buttons hard to push and/or need access to the power connector.