I am looking to purchase a handheld GPS unit. I have my sights set on a Garmin GPSMAP 76S. I mostly do coastal cruising, any suggestions good and bad. It runs around $300 and about $130 more when I add the BlueChart
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I have one
I have one (mine's a GPS Map 76, no "S") and swear by it. If you look around some, you can probably beat the price you've listed a little. We bought ours so we could use it going down the ICW about a year and half ago, and it was great. I couldn't believe the detail the Blue Chart gave us, and the accuracy of the unit. They're a little hard on batteries. Take extra, or better yet, wire it in to your house battery.
I have one (mine's a GPS Map 76, no "S") and swear by it. If you look around some, you can probably beat the price you've listed a little. We bought ours so we could use it going down the ICW about a year and half ago, and it was great. I couldn't believe the detail the Blue Chart gave us, and the accuracy of the unit. They're a little hard on batteries. Take extra, or better yet, wire it in to your house battery.
Garmin GPSMAP 76S
Ron, I have a 76MAP S unit and love it. I use it with Blue Charts for Florida and Southern California. It's great. I also use Maptech Offshore Navigator for planning then send the route to the Garmin via serial cable. I also use and recommend rechargeable batteries so you only buy them once. I keep two in the charger and a set in the GPS. You can get 12V chargers or 120V units. I also wire a regular Garmin 76 into the boat wiring to feed the laptop with NMEA. The GPS gets power from the boat that way. Great unit. No worries. I would buy the color one but the display is smaller than the 76MAP S and now that I'm 50, I don't need smaller things to read. The compass feature on the S model is cool but I don't use it much at all. It's great for taking bearings if you do that sort of thing much. David Hoch S/V Abundance H260
Ron, I have a 76MAP S unit and love it. I use it with Blue Charts for Florida and Southern California. It's great. I also use Maptech Offshore Navigator for planning then send the route to the Garmin via serial cable. I also use and recommend rechargeable batteries so you only buy them once. I keep two in the charger and a set in the GPS. You can get 12V chargers or 120V units. I also wire a regular Garmin 76 into the boat wiring to feed the laptop with NMEA. The GPS gets power from the boat that way. Great unit. No worries. I would buy the color one but the display is smaller than the 76MAP S and now that I'm 50, I don't need smaller things to read. The compass feature on the S model is cool but I don't use it much at all. It's great for taking bearings if you do that sort of thing much. David Hoch S/V Abundance H260
Etrex Legend
Hello, I have an E Trex Legend, which costs about $150. It's pretty similar to the 76. It's a little smaller, but has a higher resolution display. I'm happy with mine, but for '05 I am upgrading to a combination mapping GPS / fishfinder. For $400 I bought the Lowrance M68 S Map. Compared to the Garmin GPSMAP it has a color screen, larger display, high res map with all nav aids built in, AND a fishfinder / depthfinder that will display water temp, battery voltage, and a host of other features. The Garmin units are nice because they are portable, but the screens are very small but they're OK for boat use. Barry
Hello, I have an E Trex Legend, which costs about $150. It's pretty similar to the 76. It's a little smaller, but has a higher resolution display. I'm happy with mine, but for '05 I am upgrading to a combination mapping GPS / fishfinder. For $400 I bought the Lowrance M68 S Map. Compared to the Garmin GPSMAP it has a color screen, larger display, high res map with all nav aids built in, AND a fishfinder / depthfinder that will display water temp, battery voltage, and a host of other features. The Garmin units are nice because they are portable, but the screens are very small but they're OK for boat use. Barry
I bought one two years ago
as a spare in case of emergencies. It was well worth the money, but the color ones are easier to look at. Very easy to use. I kept the charts that came with it because we had a GPS chartplotter at the helm. We liked the compass feature and barometer although we turn the compass off to save batteries. I would prefer that this unit has rechargable batteries though...do the new ones?
as a spare in case of emergencies. It was well worth the money, but the color ones are easier to look at. Very easy to use. I kept the charts that came with it because we had a GPS chartplotter at the helm. We liked the compass feature and barometer although we turn the compass off to save batteries. I would prefer that this unit has rechargable batteries though...do the new ones?
?
Does the Garmin, any one of them, have a simple button that says GO TO? Or do you have to scroll through menus to simply ask it "How'd I get to Waypoint X?" Stu
Does the Garmin, any one of them, have a simple button that says GO TO? Or do you have to scroll through menus to simply ask it "How'd I get to Waypoint X?" Stu
etrex legend
I find the Legend to be more than adequate - I love the size and find it very easy to use. When I want color, or to do some plotting, I hook it up to an old laptop, work on the laptop, and download the route and waypoints into the Legend and I'm good to go. I bought the Legend because of the incredible low price. Dont know if its the best value, but I've been very happy with it.
I find the Legend to be more than adequate - I love the size and find it very easy to use. When I want color, or to do some plotting, I hook it up to an old laptop, work on the laptop, and download the route and waypoints into the Legend and I'm good to go. I bought the Legend because of the incredible low price. Dont know if its the best value, but I've been very happy with it.
Garmin 76
I purchased a color garmin 76 and used it last season. It is a great unit. For trips I can download a route from the computer. An at the end of a long trip I can upload the places I have been. I purchased a mounting bracket and attached it to the top of piece of 3 in. pvc pipe. It just fits into the cup holder at the wheel and is easy to see and operate. As far as battery life, It lasts about a day and 1/2 of traveling. Batteries are cheap and I keep a box of spares.
I purchased a color garmin 76 and used it last season. It is a great unit. For trips I can download a route from the computer. An at the end of a long trip I can upload the places I have been. I purchased a mounting bracket and attached it to the top of piece of 3 in. pvc pipe. It just fits into the cup holder at the wheel and is easy to see and operate. As far as battery life, It lasts about a day and 1/2 of traveling. Batteries are cheap and I keep a box of spares.
GPS
I own a 76CS and have used both the Legend and Legend C. I would opt for the 76C or 76CS. That model floats and has 115 Meg of memory - enough to stick a lot of maps in. The color screen is larger than the others I mention here and is easy to see in nearly all light conditions. The battery life is better than many units. The Legend (black and white) has little memory for maps and it is difficult to see the detail on the screen. The Legend/Vista C has a great little color screen that is much easier to see and much more memory of the Legend. That means you can load up more map. Whatever you go with, consider the color option seriously. Color makes it much easier to decipher the information. I do like the feel, size and controls of the Legend. It just feels right in the hand. I believe the larger viewing screen on the 76 makes up for the larger size and actually like tobe able to see the labels on the various buttons. I can't seem to remember which is which on the Legend units. The Legend comes with a lanyard that fits around the neck - a good place to have the unit - while the lanyard that comes with the 76C and CS is smaller and would not fit over the head. I bought a Legend lanyard for my 76CS. Don't forget the maps. The models discussed use a proprietary vector map format. That means you will probably have to purchase garmin bluechart and other maps for use. They are not cheap and some require purchase by "region." I have found no way to bring the free NOAA ENC charts into a garmin mapping unit in a way that that provides a very useful map. The "base map" on all of these models is really basic and not very detailed. I learned that all of these models can be found on the internet at prices well below the sales price at marine stores, sports shops, Walmart, etc. It pays well to shop around where GPS units ar concerned. You will probably want a 12v adapter. A company named Gilsson Technologies makes adapters and cases (and other things)for about half the Garmin askingprice and I have had very good experiences with purchases from them.
I own a 76CS and have used both the Legend and Legend C. I would opt for the 76C or 76CS. That model floats and has 115 Meg of memory - enough to stick a lot of maps in. The color screen is larger than the others I mention here and is easy to see in nearly all light conditions. The battery life is better than many units. The Legend (black and white) has little memory for maps and it is difficult to see the detail on the screen. The Legend/Vista C has a great little color screen that is much easier to see and much more memory of the Legend. That means you can load up more map. Whatever you go with, consider the color option seriously. Color makes it much easier to decipher the information. I do like the feel, size and controls of the Legend. It just feels right in the hand. I believe the larger viewing screen on the 76 makes up for the larger size and actually like tobe able to see the labels on the various buttons. I can't seem to remember which is which on the Legend units. The Legend comes with a lanyard that fits around the neck - a good place to have the unit - while the lanyard that comes with the 76C and CS is smaller and would not fit over the head. I bought a Legend lanyard for my 76CS. Don't forget the maps. The models discussed use a proprietary vector map format. That means you will probably have to purchase garmin bluechart and other maps for use. They are not cheap and some require purchase by "region." I have found no way to bring the free NOAA ENC charts into a garmin mapping unit in a way that that provides a very useful map. The "base map" on all of these models is really basic and not very detailed. I learned that all of these models can be found on the internet at prices well below the sales price at marine stores, sports shops, Walmart, etc. It pays well to shop around where GPS units ar concerned. You will probably want a 12v adapter. A company named Gilsson Technologies makes adapters and cases (and other things)for about half the Garmin askingprice and I have had very good experiences with purchases from them.
GPS Handheld
Can't add much more other than I have the Garmin 76SMap and the BlueChart Software. Can't imagine a better combination. Work out your routes and waypoints on the computer, download them to the GPS and you are set. Also, Practical Sailor did a review of 8 handhelds in the October 15, 2004 issue and gave the 76S the thumbs up. http://www.practical-sailor.com
Can't add much more other than I have the Garmin 76SMap and the BlueChart Software. Can't imagine a better combination. Work out your routes and waypoints on the computer, download them to the GPS and you are set. Also, Practical Sailor did a review of 8 handhelds in the October 15, 2004 issue and gave the 76S the thumbs up. http://www.practical-sailor.com
Wow! 10 replies in under 2 hours!
That's got to almost be some sort of record. 10 replies in under 2 hours. Hot topic I guess. Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
That's got to almost be some sort of record. 10 replies in under 2 hours. Hot topic I guess. Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
You got to see this
I know you are talking about Garmin 76S, but I bought a Garmin 276 hand held chart plotter. I bought it on EBAY as a "buy now" item for $595 and the bluechart cd also on ebay for $108 (both of these are brand new and factory guaranteed). So you are talking a little over $700, but just look at the unit on a starboard (marine polymar) base I made that mounts on the pedestal guard. It is portable meaning you just depress the release on the left side and put it in your pocket (of course after you unplug it). The battery lasts about 15 to 17 hours and is rechargable in about 3 hours. I have mine wired to the NMEA connections at my Autohelm 4000 and it is house battery driven. I just set up a route and the autopilot does the rest (well almost). It is also wired (usb) to connect to my laptop to upload/download waypoints/routes/tracks, etc. We have a 1991 Hunter 30T and it is the perfect size for the boat and does not disrupt the view form the helm seat. If you want to view it off to the port or starboard you just turn it on it's swival base. It's mounting location has no effect on the compass readings. I am extremly impressed with the "readability" in the direct sunlight. Believe me, it doees not get any better than this for about $700. You've got the advantage of the portabilty (hand held) as well as the luxury of a fixed mount readable screen at the helm. As you might have detected, we really love the 276. By the way the map on the screen is of the San Diego bay into the Pacific about 10 miles from Mexico. Rich
I know you are talking about Garmin 76S, but I bought a Garmin 276 hand held chart plotter. I bought it on EBAY as a "buy now" item for $595 and the bluechart cd also on ebay for $108 (both of these are brand new and factory guaranteed). So you are talking a little over $700, but just look at the unit on a starboard (marine polymar) base I made that mounts on the pedestal guard. It is portable meaning you just depress the release on the left side and put it in your pocket (of course after you unplug it). The battery lasts about 15 to 17 hours and is rechargable in about 3 hours. I have mine wired to the NMEA connections at my Autohelm 4000 and it is house battery driven. I just set up a route and the autopilot does the rest (well almost). It is also wired (usb) to connect to my laptop to upload/download waypoints/routes/tracks, etc. We have a 1991 Hunter 30T and it is the perfect size for the boat and does not disrupt the view form the helm seat. If you want to view it off to the port or starboard you just turn it on it's swival base. It's mounting location has no effect on the compass readings. I am extremly impressed with the "readability" in the direct sunlight. Believe me, it doees not get any better than this for about $700. You've got the advantage of the portabilty (hand held) as well as the luxury of a fixed mount readable screen at the helm. As you might have detected, we really love the 276. By the way the map on the screen is of the San Diego bay into the Pacific about 10 miles from Mexico. Rich
get the color
I have the garmin 76s gpsmap (grey screen). the screen is small, and my eyes are old, so its a little hard to read. A friend has the color model, its much much easier to see. got both the gps and bluechart on ebay for about half price... new in box. Had I to do over, I'd look for a larger screen.
I have the garmin 76s gpsmap (grey screen). the screen is small, and my eyes are old, so its a little hard to read. A friend has the color model, its much much easier to see. got both the gps and bluechart on ebay for about half price... new in box. Had I to do over, I'd look for a larger screen.
Great Info
I guess it is a hot topic. Thanks all for youe input. I think I will go with the color screen just a little price difference thru Amazon.com. Thanks again, just goes to show this is a great site and no questions to simple. Thanks again..__/) ~~
I guess it is a hot topic. Thanks all for youe input. I think I will go with the color screen just a little price difference thru Amazon.com. Thanks again, just goes to show this is a great site and no questions to simple. Thanks again..__/) ~~
Try www.gpsdiscount.com
They seem to have very low prices on certain models http://www.gpsdiscount.com
They seem to have very low prices on certain models http://www.gpsdiscount.com
George is wrong about Practical Sailor endorsement
Practcal Sailor gave the thumbs up to the garmin gps 76, an older non-mapping b&w model, not the 76s. In fact all the units tested did not use "cartography on a card" specifically because Pratical Sailor thought the combination of small sceens, small amount of memory, slow processors and chart software lacking detail, did not provide enough useable information in handheld units. I am not endorsing what they said. I am also in the market for a gps. I read this thread with interest because the opinions expressed were different from what they reported in the article about mapping. On the other hand if you believe what P.S. says you can save a considerable amount by going non-mapping.
Practcal Sailor gave the thumbs up to the garmin gps 76, an older non-mapping b&w model, not the 76s. In fact all the units tested did not use "cartography on a card" specifically because Pratical Sailor thought the combination of small sceens, small amount of memory, slow processors and chart software lacking detail, did not provide enough useable information in handheld units. I am not endorsing what they said. I am also in the market for a gps. I read this thread with interest because the opinions expressed were different from what they reported in the article about mapping. On the other hand if you believe what P.S. says you can save a considerable amount by going non-mapping.
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