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: Hike, Hunt, Fish & Drive Way Too Much
Summary: 5 Stars
This unit has so many features I'm still amazed. Have not found this versatility on any competing handheld I've researched. Owned it since May '03.Documentation is vague but menues are intuative.
Find good route maping functionality with the Garman MetroGuide software upgrade. The base mapping software isn't all that bad but the upgrade is worth the money.
The unit has a better antenna that the patch antenna found in its siblings. I have little problem staying locked 3D incl WAAS traveling the Turnpike. Map detail is excellent & is selectible when a mapset is transferred from your computer.
One downside is that transfer speed is slow and the desktop software will tie up your PC for the duration, 30Min to 1Hr+ (not to mention battery life). Consider a USB adapter to replace of the Serial adapter that's included . Even better, get one of the combination Power + PC adaptor cords offered by Garmen.
I purchased the cigarette lighter power cord. It works great. The GPS unit fits securely wedged between the dashboard & windshield (Garmen does make a disclaimer).
My real passion is fishing and the unit excells here as well. Barometer, electronic compass, solar tables, best fishing & hunting times, tide chart information from any where.
One last tip, I was able to convert the cigarette lighter adapter to use on the water by buying a female adaptor (with fuse) and two alligator test clips from Radio Shack for $5. I can now run it off the battery for my trolling motor.
Good luck.
Digital camera Review: It's Not What it Used to Be
Summary: 1 Stars
For years I used a Garmin 48 GPS on my boat, but, as it happens it was stolen and I needed to replace it. While the 48 did not have soundings or coast lines it did have all aids to navigation with full descriptions. You could tell which blinking light was which. Place the cursor on the mark and it would tell you it was a FL R 10s (flashing red every 10 seconds). And this data was part of the base unit. Beware the "basemap" that comes with all Garmin units has almost no aids to navigation at all. And the "Blue Charts", while providing so much data as too make using a 20 mile view almost useless, DOES NOT CONTAIN LIGHT DESCIPTIONS AT ALL. A channel marker is only "2" or "3". So, buyer beware, the new Garmin products have less practical navigation value than the older units have.Digital camera Review: Nice Unit - Lots of Features- Steep Learning Curve
Summary: 3 Stars
I have had my GPSMAP 76S for about three weeks. I purchased it because it seemd to be the most versatile of the hand held units I looked at. It is larger than some hand helds but will still fit in a shirt pocket and is easy enough to carry. I wanted portability but also wanted as large and sharp a viewing screen as possible. I wear glasses and some information displayed on the screen is very difficult to read. I would not want a display screen any smaller or less sharp than this one.The unit has an almost overwhelming array of options. I'm sure it will do everying that I will ever ask a GPS to do. However the versatility and capabilities of this unit come with a Steep Learning Curve. This is the reason that I gave this unit only a three star rating. If you are new to GPS you will have to be willing to spend a lot of time learning to use this unit proficiently. The documentation that comes with the unit is very through and covers very item in every menu. However, the coverage of an item is often very meager. For example the instruction manual will say something like. This menu item allows you to turn this feature on or off, and that's it! Nothing as to why you might want it on or off. I have called the Garmin HelpLine and they were helpful. I looked on the Garmin web site and it has very little to offer a new user.
So in conclusion - Technically a Great Product. New users Beware of a very steep learning curve.
Digital camera Review: Poor maps without additional software
Summary: 3 Stars
Need additional map software for anything but MAIN highways. Lots of software available, but a bit of a disappointment. Replacing an older Garmin, expected better map built in.Digital camera Review: Poor usabiltiy - GPS 76S
Summary: 2 Stars
I've used this unit for well over a year now. I do a lot of mountaineering, sea kayaking, and sailing, and the GPS 76S seemed ideal for my needs. I invested $399 in the unit, about a hundred dollars on a the US Topo MapSource CD, and over a hundred dollars on a single set of marine charts. So I've sunk a ton of dollars into the unit. I would have to say I am definitely not satisfied with the unit, mostly because the display is unreadable under most lighting conditions.Some specific comments:
- MapSource software, for interfacing with Garming topo and marine data, is extremely primitive
- Very difficult to tailor the display to show relevant marine data
- Magnetic compass is not usable, first because it is almost impossible to hold it "level" to its standard, second because its directions are always wildly off
- Screen is very hard to see due to low contrast, partly because Garmin insists on adding a grey background to the images in the display
- Screen is very reflective, in many lighting situations all you can see is your nose and sunglasses!
- Screen surface is very soft and very sratchable
Overall impression: In demanding outdoor use, with real lighting conditions and the need to get a real answer fast (mountaineering, or looking for a navigation buoy at sunset in high winds) this unit is worthless. I'm really sorry I bought it. I've owned four other Garmin GPS units, as well as a Lowrance, and this is the least usable in my experience.