We want to purchase a handheld GPS system for my sailboat. We plan to use it mostly for waypoints, tracking, as an anchor alarm and for added piece of mind. (Our Loran is a bit out of date.) I have looked at the Garmin 76 and the Garmin 176 and do not think I need all the additional features the 176/176c offers. Any suggestions about other brands/models would be helpful. Thank you
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
A
Alan Douglass
Get the 176C
Get the 176C. You may not need everything offered, but as you get to know its capabilities, you'll be glad you got it. I have the 176C and it is so awesome. It has saved us many times. Add a blue chart for your area and you'll get all channels and markers which can be very helpful. Water deapths are a big plus for a sailer. This is where the color screen of the 176C really helps see the deapth contours.
Get the 176C. You may not need everything offered, but as you get to know its capabilities, you'll be glad you got it. I have the 176C and it is so awesome. It has saved us many times. Add a blue chart for your area and you'll get all channels and markers which can be very helpful. Water deapths are a big plus for a sailer. This is where the color screen of the 176C really helps see the deapth contours.
B
Bob Camarena
Size
You mention two model types that are different in size. The 76 is a true handheld, while the 176 series is somewhat larger, although portable in that it can be moved from car to boat. I have an older Garmin handheld that I use on my boat. The larger type would be easier to read under a variety of conditions, but you don't have the option of carrying it around in your pocket. Being able to do so would be important if you wanted to use it for hiking, biking, backpacking, skiing, etc.
You mention two model types that are different in size. The 76 is a true handheld, while the 176 series is somewhat larger, although portable in that it can be moved from car to boat. I have an older Garmin handheld that I use on my boat. The larger type would be easier to read under a variety of conditions, but you don't have the option of carrying it around in your pocket. Being able to do so would be important if you wanted to use it for hiking, biking, backpacking, skiing, etc.
D
Dakota Jim Russell
Garmin GPSMAP76 S !!
I have both the Garmin 160 (fixed) and the Garmin GPSMAP76. I love the latter while my wife loves the former. I find a fixed unit hard to see, except at night. Hence, during the day, I use the handheld in the cockpit where I can change the angle for the best viewing. The new 76S has 24 megs of internal memory, far more than is necessary for most sailing, though a laptop helps to download additinal maps later. I also use the Topo maps as there are not other charts/maps available for our area. However, I can see that the navigational aids on these charts for the ICW, Great Lakes, and the coasts appear to be complete. I would like to get someone's reaction about that statement. Anyhow for one, for a handheld its the 76S. Having said that, I think you can probably assume Garmin will bring out a color model sometime in the next two years. It probably will take more batteries, or the life of the batteries will be shorter. Again, would enjoy any comments by any others.
I have both the Garmin 160 (fixed) and the Garmin GPSMAP76. I love the latter while my wife loves the former. I find a fixed unit hard to see, except at night. Hence, during the day, I use the handheld in the cockpit where I can change the angle for the best viewing. The new 76S has 24 megs of internal memory, far more than is necessary for most sailing, though a laptop helps to download additinal maps later. I also use the Topo maps as there are not other charts/maps available for our area. However, I can see that the navigational aids on these charts for the ICW, Great Lakes, and the coasts appear to be complete. I would like to get someone's reaction about that statement. Anyhow for one, for a handheld its the 76S. Having said that, I think you can probably assume Garmin will bring out a color model sometime in the next two years. It probably will take more batteries, or the life of the batteries will be shorter. Again, would enjoy any comments by any others.
D
Dale I
Black-out on a hot screen?
Just purchased a 176c for the cockpit as recommended by a friend....not yet installed and so don't know squat about the performance or other...but the only 'negative' that the local marine electronics store guy would say, (he reps Raymarine), was that if the 176c's LED screen was overheated due to direct sunlight that the screen may fade to black....dunno, we'll see this summer....and may have to waste some cool libation on the screen if it gets that hot under the bimmini.
Just purchased a 176c for the cockpit as recommended by a friend....not yet installed and so don't know squat about the performance or other...but the only 'negative' that the local marine electronics store guy would say, (he reps Raymarine), was that if the 176c's LED screen was overheated due to direct sunlight that the screen may fade to black....dunno, we'll see this summer....and may have to waste some cool libation on the screen if it gets that hot under the bimmini.
B
Brad Dennis
Go for the 176C
We use the Garmin 176 as a backup to our on board Raytheon. The only regret we have is we purchased the 176 about one month before Garmin came out with the color version. As previously noted, the 176 may seem like overkill, but it is one great machine and you will really love the bells and whistles when you get used to it. Besides the Blue Chart chip for our area, we purchased a land chip and take the 176 from boat to car. Just wish Garmin would let us trade up to the 176C. Take care, Brad
We use the Garmin 176 as a backup to our on board Raytheon. The only regret we have is we purchased the 176 about one month before Garmin came out with the color version. As previously noted, the 176 may seem like overkill, but it is one great machine and you will really love the bells and whistles when you get used to it. Besides the Blue Chart chip for our area, we purchased a land chip and take the 176 from boat to car. Just wish Garmin would let us trade up to the 176C. Take care, Brad
M
Mary Lou Hunt
Handheld GPS
I have found the Garmin 76 to be excellent. Have used a Magellan handheld but bought the Garmin as an update and think it is great. Has lots of useful features and is easy to use.
I have found the Garmin 76 to be excellent. Have used a Magellan handheld but bought the Garmin as an update and think it is great. Has lots of useful features and is easy to use.
B
Bob Todd
B
Brad A.
Almost the same price
If you want to mount the Map76 and have DC power, the cost adds up to be almost the same as the 176 but with a smaller screen. If you don't need the extra portability, you might want to go with the 176. Brad A. O22 NYC
If you want to mount the Map76 and have DC power, the cost adds up to be almost the same as the 176 but with a smaller screen. If you don't need the extra portability, you might want to go with the 176. Brad A. O22 NYC
C
Chuck Faraci
Magellan Sportrak Pro
I got a Sportrak Pro in Dec. So far I have only used it for hikes in the woods. (it is currently 6 degrees outside. A little too cold for my sailing tastes!) From everything I read, this is the most accurate of the true handhelds. From my very limited experience, it seems very accurate with the Topo map package. I opted for the Pro with more base memory and more uploadable memory. I thought the additional money was worth it. Magellan is due out with Bluewater charts for North America this spring. No indication of cost yet. The built in map has some nav aids, but not all and no depths. I expect that I will be buying the chart package as soon as it is available. The street maps are very detailed. I could find streets with only 1 or 2 houses on them. The other thing I liked about it is that it floats. A key feature in anything handheld on board.
I got a Sportrak Pro in Dec. So far I have only used it for hikes in the woods. (it is currently 6 degrees outside. A little too cold for my sailing tastes!) From everything I read, this is the most accurate of the true handhelds. From my very limited experience, it seems very accurate with the Topo map package. I opted for the Pro with more base memory and more uploadable memory. I thought the additional money was worth it. Magellan is due out with Bluewater charts for North America this spring. No indication of cost yet. The built in map has some nav aids, but not all and no depths. I expect that I will be buying the chart package as soon as it is available. The street maps are very detailed. I could find streets with only 1 or 2 houses on them. The other thing I liked about it is that it floats. A key feature in anything handheld on board.
P
Paul Bednarzyk
Choices
The other thing to consider is after sales service and support in the unusual instance that something goes wrong or breaks. Garmin far and away is among the best that I have dealt with and they get my vote when it comes time for my next GPS. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
The other thing to consider is after sales service and support in the unusual instance that something goes wrong or breaks. Garmin far and away is among the best that I have dealt with and they get my vote when it comes time for my next GPS. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
- Status
- Not open for further replies.