Garmin 010-00249-03 Christmas Sales!
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Before my GPS engage, 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 spend, I preferred the slightly larger conceal of the Map76 over the other units. Since I was purchasing the unit to exercise while sea kayaking, I found the veil on the Map76 was grand easier to read in the sunlight than the smaller screens on the E-Trex models. In addition, you can upload way data into this unit. (Although the unit includes a basemap, Garmin also manufactures a number of optional mapping products which cloak roads, waterways and topographical features in more detail) . For kayaking, I consume 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 essential deciding factor. With this unit, you have the ability to salvage tidal predictions for virtually anywhere in the US at your fingertips.
The Map76 often receives criticism on the improper amount of memory for uploading plot data. The tradeoff however is that it also drains the battery power at a slower rate than those that boast more memory. (I also considered the GPS Map76S which has an added electronic compass and more memory, however after a trial employ from a friend's, I found the Map76S unit to drain battery power far too speedily for my intended utilize. The Map76S was also about $100 more in cost) . Although the Map76S was a slightly upgraded Map76, I didn't feel the extra features of the 76S were worth the added cost, especially with the faster rate of the battery drain.
I've logged over 500 miles of sea kayaking with this unit and am very jubilant with its performance. I collect the memory capability in the Map76 is adequate for uploading maps for day trips and the balance with the battery drain is also sufficient.
Although it is waterproof, I highly suggest a transparent waterproof bag for using while kayaking to avoid salt water condensation corroding the battery leads.
Garmin also offers toll free phone and email technical encourage for their units and software.
This unit makes a stout paddling partner.
So I finally got around to upgrading my precise 3 year archaic Garmin 12XL to a current GPSMAP 76. I played with one of the Magellan 330s at the local store for comparison but found that once again I simply steal 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 pleasant. Space accuracy is salubrious, hide 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 pronounce by it. The routing and tracking functions are well belief out and remarkable improved since the 12XL was released. WAAS is sort of a mixed bag. I gain that that whenever I lock onto WAAS signals, the estimated accuracy gets a few feet worse. It's never reads more than 20-25 feet off total but it's mild the opposite of what I'd inquire of. Regardless of what the estimated error reading is, the accuracy always seems remarkable better than it lets on. I've been using it a lot for geocaching lately and it invariably puts me within 5-6 feet of the caches.
The MetroGuide CD is quite nicely designed for a Windows product (I'm a Mac fan!) It contains vast improvements over Delormes Street Atlas 4 Mac which was the last CD based mapping product I owned. It's snappy and honest (I understand that they unbiased updated all their maps) and the integration with the GPSMAP is salubrious. You can easily transfer all waypoints, routes, tracks, or maps abet and forth between the GPS and your PC (or VirtualPC for Mac fans) . You can also connect your GPS to the serial port and dynamically track your whereabouts on your laptop conceal but I rep this map a bit cumbersome. There are unbiased too many wires and batteries to deal with. For me having an easily readable, high-resolution, zoomable method on the GPS is the only plan to go.
The only complaint I expected to effect was with regard to the dinky 8 MB arrangement storage station. It turns out that 8 MB will own glowing noteworthy the entire San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA Bay Set. If I were driving across the country and wanted to investigate every nook and cranny I might be concerned. Otherwise it's perfectly sparkling for now.
Great product, spacious heed. Satisfied navigating!
I appreciate the shroud, compared to the others. That is the most compelling feathure. The Mapsource info was more detailed than I expected. Tracked correctly on an veteran Georgia logging road I hunt from. I didn't demand it to be there. I did procure some signal loss in deep woods though, the Lorance seems to have a better antenna if that is a pickle 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 musty the light on cloak as slight as possible though.
Has all the features most could want. My notion is WAAS is very petite at this time, DOD will shoot some more birds up in the future, but don't count on it for now. I old-fashioned this in FLA, GA, Wash location, Lower Alberta and BC provinces and was jubilant 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 was on land long before I could hit the rocks. Have to consume addin Topo USA (Canada) maps. Mapping/topo gps is astounding, compared to nonmapping. I old the grids to bag a way that deer would likely employ.
Interestingly, Garmin calls this a maritime unit, but depending what maps you download, it's not an mumble if you are a landlubber. I downloaded a four county dwelling approach Tampa, and great of N. Georgia to the unit before running out of memory. I wanted to do Tenn. and NC appalacian Mtns, but not enuf room.
The floating fragment and general light weight is large feature. I reflect it is easier than some competitors.
Be distinct to go to Garmin website and download: Firmware upgrade, Maritime diagram database (if u spend downloadable maps, it can wipe out the irascible maritime maps, but u can upload again w/ this file) and finally, if u rob topousa or other plot, fetch any updates there too.
