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: Good value for the $$$
Summary: 5 Stars
The QuickStart is very easy to follow and walks you through a brief tutorial using the Simulation mode of the GPSMAP 76S. I'm already somewhat familiar with use of a handheld GPS, but by no means an expert. I took the GPS out for a spin and did a bit of geocaching. Most of the sites were in open areas with little to no tree cover, though one site was in a wooded area with snow on the ground. The unit worked very well. The screen resolution is crisp and easy to read, though a bit small for my aging eyes. The interface is very easy to learn. A bit more intuitive than other units I've used. I wasn't sure I'd like the buttons being above the display but it didn't bother me once I started to use the GPS. The screen is large enough that it's not covered by my hand when punching buttons. I was able to use it one-handed with no problem, using my thumb to press buttons. I didn't find this to be as easy when using an etrex Vista. Couldn't see the screen when hitting the buttons.
I've used the GPS with Mapsource and data acquired from EasyGPS and geocaching.com. I used EasyMPS to convert data to work with the mapping software. I purchased a serial-to-USB adaptor since my laptop has no serial port. All work together flawlessly.
Finally, I had a few questions about the unit and reception so I fired off an email to customer support at Garmin. The next day I received an email that was over one page in length, answering all of my questions, explaining a few things about GPS performance that I was not aware of, and then some. Very impressive customer service.
I bought this unit to hold me over till Garmin releases the GPSMAP 60CS. I may end up hanging on the GPSMAP 76S, too.
Digital camera Review: Great GPS unit
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently became a yaker and needed a GPS. Not only to know where I was going but to provide the ability to return to the place I started. A friend recommended Garmin and after reviewing the different products I decided on the GPAMAP 76S. The unit is everything that Garmin says it is. My next purchase will be mappng software so that I can plot Yak trips easily and more effectively.Digital camera Review: Great Product
Summary: 5 Stars
Garmin gpsmap 76s, bought for my husband. He is loving it. Plenty of memory and very easy to use. he even can look up when deer move and when sun amd moon rises and sets. have not used fishing yet, but he is excited about this item.Digital camera Review: Great Value
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this product primarily for use in my work. I wanted a unit with an electronic compass, altimeter capabilities, and the ability to measure area. After much research, I found that the 76S provides all of those capabilities at a very reasonable cost. Although other units have more bells and whistles, such as color display and memory cards, they are much more expensive. The 76S provides excellent capabilities for my uses at a mid-range cost. The user manual could be somewhat more user-friendly, but this is a minor problem, since the unit is fairly intuitive to use.Digital camera Review: Has been very helpful so far
Summary: 5 Stars
In late July of 2001 I attempted to do the classic mountain bike ride known as the Reno Divide-Bear Creek-Flag Creek route, located near Crested Butte, Colo. The route ascends to about 11,300 feet above sea level, and it's isolated and challenging. Unfortunately, although equipped with a map, I became lost in a valley while descending from a ridge. At 10,880 feet I was at an unmarked intersection in a bowl and could not see or discern the way out. Nor could I turn around, because an ominous-looking electrical storm was approaching from the west and to return to the high ridge with a metal mountain bike was too dangerous. It took several false starts, but I did eventually find my way out with an altimeter and the map. I got back down to my car, miles away at about the 9,500-foot level, just as the storm rolled in. It turned cold and rained all that night and into the next day, possibly snowing where I had been lost.That scary situation persuaded me to buy a Garmin GPSMap 76S last month as I prepare to return to Colorado this summer. Last weekend I used it to navigate an obscure mountain bike route in Henry Willard Coe State Park near Gilroy, Calif. It performed excellently. It made easier a long, difficult ride in remote and rugged terrain by accurately showing where we were and alerting me to the approach of tiny overgrown trails that were barely visible by the side of wider fire roads. Without the Garmin, following the route would have been much harder, even though I had a high-quality map and an odometer.
I have a few comments and quibbles. (1) The alkaline batteries I've used have lasted only a few hours even on battery saver mode. (2) It would be nice to be able to download the route altitude profile from the plot page. Currently this cannot be done. And (3) be sure the software installed in your unit is the latest version -- visit the Garmin website to ensure that it is.
And be prepared to spend hours familiarizing yourself with the unit. There are so many menus, submenus, and possible data fields that it takes a long time to become well acquainted with the unit's functions. If you shirk this task, you won't get full use of it.
I also purchased Garmin's Mapsource topographical mapping software and have reviewed it on Amazon.
I had a couple of technical questions and Garmin's technical support department responded to them promptly and helpfully.
In sum, highly recommended.