Re: Garmin 76

N

Nathan Wagner

.
Oct 30, 2019
124
Hi Peter,

This is helpful. I got the Garmin GPSmap 76 (not "cx") for Christmas
(clearance at Westmarine), but I'm having trouble learning how to really
use it. I'm a new sailor, and this is my first GPS device. The
flip-manual that comes with it is not very "user-friendly". Is there a
"dummies" manual or third-party tutorial out there?

Also, how do you connect to your laptop--from where/to where? Do you have
an external antenna mounted on your boat, or does the unit itself work
well from inside the cabin?

Thanks,
Nathan
Dusk Trudger

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T

txsailcouple

.
Sep 9, 2006
45
Hi Peter,
GPS receivers don't work well unless they have a clear view of the sky so that lets out using it inside the cabin. If the 76 model has a NMEA output it can be configured to be read on a laptop with a suitable maping program. You might need a special cable or a junction box to convert it to a serial port or a USB input. A previous post mentioned some freeware and NOAA maps that can be downloaded so I'm going to give them a try when I get the chance.
Unfortunately the handhelds are not very 'intuitative' in their functions. It'll take some time and deep concentration to master most of the functions. If you run into any specific functional problems I'll see what I can do to coach you along.
John & Carol
Southern Comfort Too
Kemah, TX
 
P

pjacobs55

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Oct 30, 2019
1,459
Hmmmm ... that's interesting. My GPS never leaves the cabin and works
fine, with no external antenna. It even works all the way home in my
bag on the back seat of the car, when I forget to turn it off and
discover my top speed of the day is 50 knots! However, my backup GPS,
a little $24 puck that plugs into a USB port, needs to be tossed out
on the dodger top to get a good signal.

As far as ease of use, I find the 76 very user friendly ... certainly
less complicated than the GPS Total Station survey instruments we
used at work! For people new to the units it's best to just play
around with it a lot and don't be shy about pressing buttons ... you
can't hurt it. I'm still discovering features on mine I didn't know I
needed ;-) The main thing is that it does what one wants it to do.
The Garmin displays are very easy to set up so a window, or 'page',
will show the data you want to see.

For example, on my 'GoTo' page, the one with the arrow showing you
what course to follow, I have speed, distance to waypoint, time to
waypoint, and time of day on the display. There are dozens of other
options, including larger text for guys like me who's eyes aren't
what they used to be.

Cables are available on eBay to connect to both a 9 pin serial port
and a power suppy; here is an example: http://tinyurl.com/2byp6l
This cable works with the 76. There are others available that are USB
instead of 9-pin.

With the cheap price of used laptops, free charts and free chart
software, and resonably priced GPS units, one's safety on the high
seas is greatly enhanced.

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
 
O

osmyrrah49

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Mar 28, 2003
27
There is a Yellow and Black paperback Dummy Book and it is wionderfully applicable to the Garmin.
I bought it and it was something better than the manual for me.? The thing is frustrating...especially if you were not born in the era of intuitive software being truly second nature to life itself.
 
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