I'm about ready to buy a handheld GPS for my daysailor and am researching the Garmin product line. Has anyone used the built-in compass on the map76CS or map76CSx? Is it any good? The map76CSx is suppose to have a more sensitive reciever. Does this really matter on the water or is that reception advantage really only important when hiking in a canyon or something? I like the battery life on the map76C the best. 30Hrs compared to on 18Hrs for the map76CSx. Any opinions are welcome...
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Garmin 76CS Olus
We have the Garmin 7CS Plus(West Marine version) on our boat and like the system. THe screen is small but it is a handheld unit. Trouble is determining which screen to look review and scrolling through the screen selections. We used the boat speed and blus charts. The benefit about the unit is you can use it off the boat with Mapsource in the car or add the Topo for hiking in the woods. It really is a nice little unit. Get an extra set of rechargeable Nimh batteries from Batteries Plus and you'll be fine.
We have the Garmin 7CS Plus(West Marine version) on our boat and like the system. THe screen is small but it is a handheld unit. Trouble is determining which screen to look review and scrolling through the screen selections. We used the boat speed and blus charts. The benefit about the unit is you can use it off the boat with Mapsource in the car or add the Topo for hiking in the woods. It really is a nice little unit. Get an extra set of rechargeable Nimh batteries from Batteries Plus and you'll be fine.
Map76C
I think the additional memory and sensors are unnecessary for a lot of people, plus the unit needs to be held relatively horizontal for the compass to work, if its like the Map76S. The compass functions from GPS tracking are mostly what you would be using, not the electronic compass. I can get the whole Chesapeake on about 12MB, so you are trading alot of battery time and money for features you probably won't use. Unless you actually need the extra features, my vote is for the cost-effective and efficient Map76C. You will still need to buy the Bluecharts, but the advantage of the system is that you have charts on both your computer and GPS, so chartplotting and downloading is easier from the big screen. In this price range, its also worth searching the net for a good price on a 276C, and then perhaps making WM pricematch for additional points rebate. The semi-portable 276C may not look much bigger, but the screen size makes a huge difference; handhelds are portable but are hard to use when bouncing along. A Bluechart chip is additional, and you will not have the computer version unless you get a CD. For a fixed mount, the 192 is unbeatable. All North America preloaded, so no software costs, plus a large screen. Unit is already superceded after a year so the price has dropped uder $700.
I think the additional memory and sensors are unnecessary for a lot of people, plus the unit needs to be held relatively horizontal for the compass to work, if its like the Map76S. The compass functions from GPS tracking are mostly what you would be using, not the electronic compass. I can get the whole Chesapeake on about 12MB, so you are trading alot of battery time and money for features you probably won't use. Unless you actually need the extra features, my vote is for the cost-effective and efficient Map76C. You will still need to buy the Bluecharts, but the advantage of the system is that you have charts on both your computer and GPS, so chartplotting and downloading is easier from the big screen. In this price range, its also worth searching the net for a good price on a 276C, and then perhaps making WM pricematch for additional points rebate. The semi-portable 276C may not look much bigger, but the screen size makes a huge difference; handhelds are portable but are hard to use when bouncing along. A Bluechart chip is additional, and you will not have the computer version unless you get a CD. For a fixed mount, the 192 is unbeatable. All North America preloaded, so no software costs, plus a large screen. Unit is already superceded after a year so the price has dropped uder $700.
Garmin 76CS Plus
The 76CS Plus does have to be held horizontal for the electronic compass to work. Spin two times slowly and the compass is calibrated. Use your binnicle our bulkhead compass and count on the GPS for the charts. The big advantage od the 76CS model is it is portable. If you will be using the GPS only on the boat, check out Garmin.com for the new models w/ larger screens coming out in March/April timeframe for the B2 options - very slick maps/pictures. Either system can be interfaced into your autohelm via NEMA 0183.
The 76CS Plus does have to be held horizontal for the electronic compass to work. Spin two times slowly and the compass is calibrated. Use your binnicle our bulkhead compass and count on the GPS for the charts. The big advantage od the 76CS model is it is portable. If you will be using the GPS only on the boat, check out Garmin.com for the new models w/ larger screens coming out in March/April timeframe for the B2 options - very slick maps/pictures. Either system can be interfaced into your autohelm via NEMA 0183.
76csx
THE TRUTH ABOUT THIS UNIT (76CSX) IS THAT NO ONE HAS SEEN IT YET (I HAVE). YOU HAVE TO WAIT TILL NEXT SATURDAY (3-25) TO VIEW IT. GARMIN DAYS AT ALL WM, GO, IT WILL BE WORTH YOUR TIME, GIVE-AWAYS TO ALL.
THE TRUTH ABOUT THIS UNIT (76CSX) IS THAT NO ONE HAS SEEN IT YET (I HAVE). YOU HAVE TO WAIT TILL NEXT SATURDAY (3-25) TO VIEW IT. GARMIN DAYS AT ALL WM, GO, IT WILL BE WORTH YOUR TIME, GIVE-AWAYS TO ALL.
GPS
Jeff, I asked about the same question (go to archive/ 2/28),you should have a look at the Magellan Explo.500,it cost less and has the charts included at no extra cost.So far the best prices I've seen for GPS were at tigergps.com .For reviews go to tigergps or thegpsstore.com Good luck Phil
Jeff, I asked about the same question (go to archive/ 2/28),you should have a look at the Magellan Explo.500,it cost less and has the charts included at no extra cost.So far the best prices I've seen for GPS were at tigergps.com .For reviews go to tigergps or thegpsstore.com Good luck Phil
so many options
Since i have a daysailor, I don't have a good place to mount a GPS. So I need a hand-held. The Garmin gpsmap 276C looks nice with its larger screen, but I fear its really too big to conveniently hand-hold or put in your pocket (or storage pouch on my boat). Can anyone comment? Advice seems to point to the Garmin gpsmap 76C. Is it worth paying a bit more and getting the WestMarine "plus" firmware version? I'm also starting to research the Magellan product line. They are lower cost than the Garmins.
Since i have a daysailor, I don't have a good place to mount a GPS. So I need a hand-held. The Garmin gpsmap 276C looks nice with its larger screen, but I fear its really too big to conveniently hand-hold or put in your pocket (or storage pouch on my boat). Can anyone comment? Advice seems to point to the Garmin gpsmap 76C. Is it worth paying a bit more and getting the WestMarine "plus" firmware version? I'm also starting to research the Magellan product line. They are lower cost than the Garmins.
No plus
The plus unit has a few menues streamlined, and has some specific features for sail, power, car and offroad. These were attempts by WM to have a 'special' unit with their name on it. Otherwise there isn't much difference, in fact so little that its being phased out as unnecessary, so I have heard.
The plus unit has a few menues streamlined, and has some specific features for sail, power, car and offroad. These were attempts by WM to have a 'special' unit with their name on it. Otherwise there isn't much difference, in fact so little that its being phased out as unnecessary, so I have heard.
I bought a garmin 72 and have played with
it to the point that I am pleased with its abilities. I have had it in a moving car and it does a good job of showing speed and direction. The conpass is not calibrated in single degreesin the analog display. But it will be far superior to the Loran "C" that is presently installed on Bietzpadlin.
it to the point that I am pleased with its abilities. I have had it in a moving car and it does a good job of showing speed and direction. The conpass is not calibrated in single degreesin the analog display. But it will be far superior to the Loran "C" that is presently installed on Bietzpadlin.
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