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Best Buy Garmin GPSMAP 76 Waterproof Handheld GPS Review



Amazon.com Review

The key to success in life is knowing where you are, where you've been, and where you're going. Garmin's full-featured GPSMAP 76 puts all of that information in the palm of your hand, mapping your movements off-road or on--and even afloat. Plus, its extensive features, PC connectivity, and extensive add-on map options make it powerful enough for practically any need.

About the size of a small paperback book and weighing less than 8 ounces, the GPSMAP 76 fits comfortable in the palm of your hand, but is a bit big to carry in a shirt pocket. Using the unit requires almost no setup. Just put in two AA batteries, turn it on, go outside, and wait. In about a minute or so it will determine your location. It's accurate to about three meters, thanks to the unit's support of WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System), which augments GPS signals for even greater accuracy.

Knowing your longitude, latitude, and altitude doesn't mean much without a little context. That's where GPSMAP 76's backlit LCD display comes in, displaying your location on detailed maps. The unit comes with a built-in basemap that includes major roads, railroads, rivers, and lakes for the U.S. and Canada, as well as a high-level worldwide map. The unit also has 8 MB memory for storing maps from optional CD-ROMS; available maps include topographical maps, BlueChart marine cartography maps, as well as city maps with detailed information on city streets and points of interest.

The eight buttons, directional rocker thumbpad, and menu-based interface made it simple to access all of the unit's features and customize the display. For instance, it's a simple matter to use the buttons to set and name waypoints and build planned routes. Extra features include information on tides, sunrise and sunset, and a trip computer for seeing how far you've traveled and your average speed.

To test the GPSMAP 76, we used the included serial cable, connected it to our PC, and loaded it up with topographical maps using the optional United States topographical map disc. We then hit the road and headed for Muir Beach north of San Francisco. It tracked our progress along Highway 1, and once we reached our destination, we found it very simple to use. It showed both the elevation of the hills as well as the paths we could take. The zoom-in and zoom-out function made it simple to plan out and automatically measure the distance of our intended route.

After walking for a while and enjoying the scenery, we used the TracBack mode to guide us back to our car. The unit automatically stores waypoints as you walk along, letting you display the way home clearly on the map. We even used the TracBack capability to guide us on the roads back to the freeway.

The GPSMAP 76 comes in handy almost anywhere, whether you're hiking, driving, boating, or wandering around a city as a tourist. Its easy-to-use interface makes it immediately useful to novices, and as you learn to exploit its programmability and features, it can become an extremely powerful navigation tool. --Ken Feinstein

Pros:

  • Large backlit LCD
  • WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) support
  • Automatic TracBack shows you the way back to your start location
  • PC connectivity with wide variety of uploadable maps available
Cons:
  • 8 MB built-in memory can't be expanded
  • Too large to fit comfortably in a shirt pocket

Amazon.com Product Description

The GPSMAP 76 adds an Americas basemap and 8 megabytes (MB) of map storage space to the other outstanding features of the mariner-friendly 76-series navigators.

GPSMAP 76
The GPSMAP 76 adds an Americas basemap and 8 megabytes (MB) of map storage space to the other outstanding features of the mariner-friendly 76-series navigators.
GPSMAP 76
Preloaded with a basemap of principle cities, interstates, highways, roads, and marine navigation aids.
GPSMAP 76
Whether on water or land, the GPSMAP 76 can save up to 1000 of your favorite places in memory and takes you directly to your destination.

Rugged Handheld Navigation for Your Land and Sea Adventures

Ultra-Portable

About the size of a small, flat calculator, the Garmin GPSMAP 76 is a 12-parallel-channel, WAAS-enabled global positioning system GPS receiver that will go anywhere. Even with its compact style, this GPS unit boasts an extra-large display for showing more map data and the same power you've come to expect from Garmin handhelds--even while operating for up to 16 hours on two AA batteries.

Use on Land or Water

Don't worry about losing this GPS device in the drink. The GPSMAP 76 floats in water, and it's IPX7 waterproof to withstand the accidental dunk or splash in the lake. Whether on water or land, the GPSMAP 76 can save up to 1000 of your favorite places in memory and takes you directly to your destination.

The GPSMAP 76 features 500 waypoints (10 nearest, 10 proximity), 50 reversible routes with up to 50 points each, an automatic track log, and alarms for anchor drag, approach and arrival, off course, proximity waypoint, shallow water, and deep water.

Store More Data

The GPSMAP 76 is preloaded with a basemap of principle cities, interstates (including exits), highways and roads as well as marine navigation aids, including lights, buoys, sound signals and day beacons. It also has 8 MB of internal memory, so you can load detailed maps from a variety of optional MapSource products. If you're into boating, hunting or fishing, you can use the 76's built-in celestial data, which includes tide information, sunrise/sunset times and a hunting and fishing calendar.

Easy to Use

The eight buttons, directional rocker thumbpad, and menu-based interface made it simple to access all of the unit's features and customize the display. For instance, it's a simple matter to use the buttons to set and name waypoints and build planned routes. Extra features include information on tides, sunrise and sunset, and a trip computer for seeing how far you've traveled and your average speed.

What's in the Box

GPSMAP 76, Basemap, Marine Point Database, Serial PC Interface Cable, Wrist Strap, Owner's Manual, Quick Start Guide

  • Marine-friendly handheld GPS with 8MB Memory floats in water and is IPX7 waterproof
  • Basemap of principle cities, interstates, highways, roads, and marine navigation aids
  • WAAS enabled Global positioning system (GPS) receiver continuously tracks and uses up to 12 satellites
  • 8 MB memory for downloading data from optional Garmin MapSource CD-ROMs
  • Trip computer with current/average speed, timer, and trip distance


Garmin GPSMAP 76 Waterproof Handheld GPS
Garmin GPSMAP 76 Waterproof Handheld GPS



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Garmin GPSMAP 76 Waterproof Handheld GPS Reviews


Amazon.com
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
43 Reviews
5 star:
 (16)
4 star:
 (20)
3 star:
 (4)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:
 (2)
 
 
 

140 of 142 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Sea Kayaking Companion, October 12, 2003
By 
Darren (Jersey Shore, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Garmin GPSMAP 76 Waterproof Handheld GPS (Electronics)
Before my GPS purchase, I considered a number of Magellan units in addition to some in the Garmin E Trex series. I finally decided on the Garmin Map76.

In addition to being relatively easy to use, I preferred the slightly larger screen of the Map76 over the other units. Since I was purchasing the unit to use while sea kayaking, I found the screen on the Map76 was much easier to read in the sunlight than the smaller screens on the E-Trex models. In addition, you can upload map data into this unit. (Although the unit includes a basemap, Garmin also manufactures a number of optional mapping products which cover roads, waterways and topographical features in more detail). For kayaking, I use the optional BlueCharts which is essentially like having Nautical maps at your fingertips. (These are sold by regions and tend to be a bit expensive however).

The tide station/prediction feature on the Map76 was also an important deciding factor. With this unit, you have the ability to get... Read more

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81 of 83 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Hits the sweet spot for GPS price/performance..., December 6, 2001
By 
G. Lawrence "gplawrence" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Garmin GPSMAP 76 Waterproof Handheld GPS (Electronics)
So I finally got around to upgrading my trusty 3 year old Garmin 12XL to a new GPSMAP 76. I played with one of the Magellan 330s at the local store for comparison but found that once again I simply prefer the Garmin user interfaces. I also picked up the MetroGuide CD. I figured if I was going to upgrade to a mapping GPS, I'd really want richly detailed maps. Surprisingly, I've experienced no buyer's remorse whatsoever. The GPSMAP 76 is nothing short of miraculous! Garmin is to be commended for the improvements they've made to their product line over the years.

The internal quad-helix antenna is excellent. Position accuracy is superb, screen resolution is vastly improved, and the extras such as tidal and celestial info are a really nice touch. The optimal fishing/hunting time predictor seems like overkill but I'll bet there are users who swear by it. The routing and tracking functions are well thought out and much improved since the 12XL was released. WAAS is sort of a... Read more

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77 of 79 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars I'd buy it again, but gosh how about a little more RAM?, December 8, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: Garmin GPSMAP 76 Waterproof Handheld GPS (Electronics)
I love the screen, compared to the others. That is the most compelling feathure. The Mapsource info was more detailed than I expected. Tracked correctly on an old Georgia logging road I hunt from. I didn't expect it to be there. I did find some signal loss in deep woods though, the Lorance seems to have a better antenna if that is a problem for you. My dropouts were more momentary than extended though.
Battery life was as advertised about 12 hrs, bonus that's using ONLY 2 AA batteries. I used the light on screen as little as possible though.
Has all the features most could want. My understanding is WAAS is very limited at this time, DOD will shoot some more birds up in the future, but don't count on it for now. I used this in FLA, GA, Wash state, Lower Alberta and BC provinces and was satisfied overall w/ basemaps and reception... but never got WAAS. P.S. I would not trust basemap to navigate by (e.g. boat in fog). Resolution not enuf; happily it erred in my favor, said I... Read more
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