Garmin GPSMap 76S Waterproof Hiking GPS by Garmin
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Our Price: $1,168.00 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: GPS or Navigation System See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Garmin GPSMap 76S Waterproof Hiking GPS
Digital camera Review: For urban use? Not a good choice.
Summary: 2 Stars
I've owned this for about two years now. I don't drive, but I still have the same "navigational issues" that everyone else has. I just wanted a convenient electronic replacement for a bulky paper map and magnetic compass.
The 76s isn't the most sensitive GPS I've used by a longshot, and it frequently loses lock in areas with tall buildings. It also takes a long time to get initially locked up (2-3 minutes). This can be very frustrating at times, because I keep having to find large open areas and that can be tough in a downtown area...
My biggest gripe is that it's painfully slow. Entering addresses and street names takes forever; while the lack of a real keyboard doesn't help, and using maps for a dense urban area (SF Bay area) is a contributing factor, the overall slowness of the unit is as least as much to blame. Screen redraws are excruciatingly slow as well; in some cases it can take up to ten seconds to completely redraw. Sometimes it's faster to just get out an old-fashioned paper map instead of trying to struggle with this receiver.
The user interface is awkward, and despite having used it for two years I still have trouble remembering how to do certain things such as creating new named waypoints. The unit uses multiple nested sets of menus and modes, and it can be a challenge keeping track of which modes do what.
The magnetic compass is inaccurate. Each time I use the unit I have to recalibrate it, and even then it seems as if it slowly drifts during use.
It seems to use battery power even when it's turned off. I just plan on replacing the batteries (I use rechargeables) each time I want to use it.
Maybe it's OK for rural use, I can't say. But I'd never recommend this one for use in an urban area; you're much better off getting a paper map instead. Fortunately there are faster units on the market, though I'm surprised at how high the price still is on this one.
Digital camera Review: Garmin 76S Handheld
Summary: 5 Stars
I use the instrument primarily for bareboat sailing. Previously I used a Garmin 76, but went to the 76S for more memory. The 76 couldn't store enough track points for more than several days sailing. The 76S memory and its flexibility to program distance between track points allowd me to easily record track points for a two week cruise, all within the device itself. The 76S has added features such as compass, altimeter, and maps which I don't use, but some might. Good product.Digital camera Review: Get the external antenna & adapter for use in vehicle
Summary: 4 Stars
I like this GPS and bought mine from Amazon. As with all GPS, the unit has to be able to "see" the satellites - e.g. GPS cannot see the satellites through the metal roof of your car. We get so use to AM/FM radio, we take this for granted. The GA 27 C Garmin antenna works with the GPS 76s and comes with an included suction mount that can be attached to the inside of your windshield in car or aircraft. This is my first GPS - the Garmin controls are intuitive to me. Construction is high quality, great ergonomics -- and great vibes, if you consider that : )
To previous reviewer, Van:
Van - get the antenna for your truck and put on your inside front window - you dont need a roof mount!
GPS units use batteries fast. I dont know how you could use this on a backpacking trip, unless you had a solar charger. You would need a pack mule just to haul your AA batteries. Maybe get a position and turn if off immediately? I used a set of new Duracells on an ~10-hour trip with some backlight use. Im getting the 12V car adapter for use in my car.
Despite that typical GPS stuff that you will find with any/all GPS units, I love the 76s. 4 stars - make it more power efficient & it will be 5, Garmin. Highly recommended!
-E Tak
Digital camera Review: Going VERY off-road? This unit is a dream!
Summary: 5 Stars
I work as an archaeologist outside the united states, where WAAS technology and most of the hi-res map CD's don't apply. Even so, right out of the box, this GPS unit filled nearly all of my needs.The antenna/receiver was clearly more than adequate. Accuracy was within 3 to 7 meters (enough to plot the locations of relatively small archaeological features, or generally map the outlines of larger features such as major structures), even under dense tree cover and without WAAS. [Use of this unit in the United States should be even more accurate than this, due to WAAS coverage]. I was occasionally surprised when it would temporarily loose satellite reception when my shirt-tails covered the unit (which I stored on my belt with an optional neoprene case w/belt clip). But the audible alarm would alert me to this, and reception was always restored within seconds after I tucked in my shirt.
Searching for archaeological sites in areas without trails, I relied upon the GPS unit to bring me back to my vehicle at the end of the day. The mapping screen was simply amazing in this respect: large, hi-res, easy to read in bright or dark conditions, the ability to "overzoom" to sub-meter scales (great if you are only five steps off your trail but can't find it in all the thorns), and with the built-in electronic compass you are always pointing in the right direction.
Some have complained about the positioning of the buttons, and I was skeptical myself. But after an entire season of use, I've found that it is actually more ergonomic than previous units I've owned. By placing the buttons on top, you grab the entire GPS unit in you palm, rather than precariously grabbing just the bottom.
The instruction manuals are almost worthless, which is fine since the keys and menus of the unit itself are so intuitive that most users will be able to setup and use the 76-S within minutes of unpacking it, with or without the manuals.
Digital camera Review: Good to Go
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this unit primarily for backpacking but have found it useful for many other uses. On a recent trip it was invaluable. Trying to find a trail head in the middle of the night on the West-Virginia/Virginia Border, it was invaluable. It also kept us from getting lost on major high-ways as well. It doesn't come with super detail road info (I think you can download it with optional software) but it had plenty of info to keep us on the right track. During our excursion it proved invaluable in finding water, deciding where and when to camp and just plain figuring out where we were. I was easily able to load routes from my Delorme Topo 4.0 software (unfortunatly no additional map detail though) and always knew where I was and how far I had to go. Critical information when the sun was going down and we needed a place to camp and find water. My only complaint was that it would lose signal when in its case so the only way to track my route was to hold it (I use 2 trekking poles so this wasn't a good option). Luckily this unit can use an external antena which is next on the list. Incidently we also had a Garmin Etrex (the yellow one) with us. It also did well but it required much more up front planning to be as useful (we just fed information from my unit to get around this) but it did have good bang for the buck as well.