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: Rubber waterproof covering too thin
Summary: 3 Stars
I wanted the best for my first GPS, so I chose Garmin GPS MAP76S based on possitive reviews I read about it. Except for the one, but very important, flaw I will mention below GPS MAP 76S would have been the best choice.The flaw refers to the rubber sheet used as waterproof covering of the unit which is just too thin and, thus, easily tears off. To those not familiar with GPS MAP 76S, in order that water will not seep through the opening for the keys, Garmin covered the keys with a rubber sheet which is sticky to the feel. In the unit I bought, one of the keys popped out just after a day's use because the rubber sheet ruptured at the base of that key. I found out that the rubber sheet was too thin and easily tears off.
I hope Garmin would come up with stronger waterproof covering to make the unit withstand rough handling in the outdoors.
Digital camera Review: Solid, but it's large and lacks ease-of features
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this unit to do some Geocaching with my daughter. When I opened the box, I was surprised by how large this unit was. I didn't pay attention to the size specifications listed on the purchase page. The graphics used to advertise made this unit appear to be about the size of the smaller eTrex Navigator units and their ilk. If you don't mind carrying around something about the size of a Fluke digital multimeter, this would suit your purposes. As for ease-of, the interface for the computer is 9-pin serial which is incovenient. The internal software doesn't allow you to save or show much text for Geocaching. (Some receivers allow you to put in comments and hints.) This unit is very solid, does what it does very well, but lacks a few things that would make it an excellent system for Geocaching. On the positive side, the screen is large and easy to read. The internal altimeter gives you vertical profile capabilities.Digital camera Review: The Garmin GPSMAP76S is better than the Vista
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had my Garmin GPSMAP 76S for about a week, and I've owned an eTrex Vista for over a year. These units have several features in common: barometric altimeter, digital compass, and 24 MB of memory for storing detailed map data (which must be downloaded from optional MapSource CD ROMS). Both units have backlighted displays and come with serial PC interface cables.The software is well organized on both units, although somewhat different. Navigating through the 76S pages and menus is similar to other Garmin receivers like the GPS III. Both the Vista and the 76S can look up sun/moon rise/set time data for any date and location, as well as indications of fair, good or best times for hunting and fishing. Admittedly, the Vista has a few software features not found on the 76S. However, Garmin periodically issues software updates for their GPS recievers, which you can download for free from the Garmin web site. I'm hoping that a couple of my favorite features of the Vista may yet appear in a future software release for the 76S.
The Vista is certainly smaller and a bit lighter than the 76S. However, in all other respects I would have to say that the 76S is a better unit. The larger display is easier to see and use. Also, the illuminated buttons on the front of the unit are easier to operate than the side-mounted buttons and 'click-stick' of the Vista. The map display is more customizable. Unlike the Vista, the 76S has an audible alarm, which I use to alert me to approaching turns along my route of travel (a useful feature on long, boring Interstate trips).
What really impressed me about the 76S is its speed of operation. Satellite acquisition seems faster (it has a different kind of antenna than the Vista). Looking up data (waypoints, routes, points of interest, etc.) seems quicker, and generally navigating through the software (pages, menus, etc.) works almost as quickly as you can press the buttons. In particular, screen redraws are much quicker. You may still have to wait a few seconds for a highly detailed map to redraw, but it seems to be 2 or 3 times quicker then the Vista. Generally, I have found that mid- to low-detail maps redraw in 2 seconds or less, making the 76S a pleasure to use!
If you operate a boat, you may be pleased to know that the 76S comes preloaded with Navaid information (optional MapSource data can be obtained for fishing hot spots and 'BlueChart' detailed Navaid info - see the Garmin web site for more details). Audible alarms can also be set for anchor drag, approach and arrival, off-course, proximity waypoint, shallow water and deep water. There are also tide tables for the U.S., western Canada and the Caribbean, and the unit floats in water (like the Vista, it will withstand submersion to a depth of one meter). There's also an interface for connecting a separate differential receiver, although you may not need the extra accuracy since the Dept. of Defense has turned off 'selective availability' for the GPS satellites (which allows civilian GPS receivers to be more accurate).
I use my Vista while bicycling, and I think that it has suffered some damage from vibration. I'll probably continue to use it on my bike, since smaller and lighter requires less effort. My new 76S, however, will accompany my other travels, and will ride proudly on top of my dashboard (with optional auto mount, and for long trips with optional power adapter plugged in). The Vista is excellent, but as far as I'm concerned, the GPSMAP 76S is better!
Digital camera Review: The best multipurpose GPS around
Summary: 5 Stars
I labored long and hard over a piece of gear that I use on my boat, in my truck, and on the trail. This unit isn't perfect for each one, but its the best if you do all 3. The somewhat small display compared to other marine units is not a problem. If you need a huge color display to look cool that's up to you. The fact that it floats is a huge safety feature incase the unthinkable happens. I don't think your hard mounted 5 lbs chart plotter that needs 12volt power is going to be joining you on the life raft if it comes to that. The bluechart software is incredible and a great buy considering what it would cost to buy all the paper charts. The screen resolution is much crisper than older units though it is B&W so don't expect too much. However some of the color units you can't see at all in sunlight so I think B&W is just fine. One of my concerns was switching between road maps and charts. I was glad to find out that it took only a few menu choices to do this. In other words you can load all kinds of information in and just select which one you want to see. You don't have to look at every road in the US while on the boat and you won't have depth contours while driving. Other good boating features are the anchor alarm and Tide charts!
In the car this unit will not auto route to an address however they are releasing software soon that will let you easily route on the computer and download to the GPS. You will also be able to search for an address on the GPS. Right now I own a previous version from an old GPS and have to select the turns myself. I really wanted auto routing , but the units that do offer this had real problems on the boat or trail or both and they cost even more than this one. I also had to be realistic. How lost can you be if you can see every road and know exactly where you are.
On the trail this thing is great. Its light, has a compass, altitude measurement (Alt is better than with normal altimeter because it uses GPS to calibrate itself) and you can get topo maps if you think you need them. It's a little bigger than other trail models but try looking at one of those units while driving 80mph...I mean 65. Remember to bring extra batteries for the trail if you plan to leave it on all the time.
Over all the killer features are its easy to use, will hold every map, chart or trail you can think of and it works everywhere well. The only thing I can say bad about it is with all the software, mounting bracket, and power cord its expensive, but its a lot cheaper than buying 4 different GPS for the car, boat, lifeboat, and trail. If your thinking about just getting the MAP 76 and saving [money] you'll regret not having the memory for all the maps your going to want to load into it.
Digital camera Review: Versitile --
Summary: 5 Stars
From a slightly different perspective, I use the 76S primarily for interstate driving, where it has thus largely been versatile, rugged (or as rugged as the road can be), and quite usable. I have only used the preloaded 'basemap' that Garmin provides, reluctantly moving to the MapSource Software because of the price and the limited nature in which I use my GPS unit (which is usually on the highway). The 'basemap' is reliable, providing most major roadways in the U.S., and I find the information accompanying the general road info to be satisfactory (exits, rest areas, airports).
As a novice to the uses of GPS, I decided to splurge and get the best GPS unit on the market (at the time), and dive into the GPS 76S. I found the basic functions, such as Speed, Elevation, Accuracy, Coordinates, Date and Time to be very useful. With the speed and waypoints (a collection of thousands of cities), the 76S can tell you the estimated time of arrival at your predetermined, city destination. I've found the elevation useful while hiking in Colorado, although I have no real use for it otherwise -- and consider it merely a novelty for my novice tastes. The accuracy is good to know for error correction/possibility purposes. The coordinates speak for themselves - and the date and time are super-accurate, although the unit fails to adjust for different time zones (you must manually adjust it in the setup menu). The compass is handy, as well.
I do have a few issues, however. I find the 76S taking between 2 and 3 minutes to find a 3 satellite, 2D GPS signal and 4 minutes to find a 4+, 3D GPS Signal with elevation. Because the 76S eats batteries faster than the machines in "The Matrix" - I must turn the unit off and then 'reboot' it when I need information - which usually takes time, as described above - and when you're driving, you want/need the information as fast as you can get it, especially when navigating turns, intersections, etc... The 'zoom redraw' on the unit is slow, making it dangerous to drive and navigate at the same time without the proper car adapter/dock (which I don't have). Once locked on the satellites, however, the unit works flawlessly. The quad-helix antenna is powerful, and for the most part, the unit will stay locked onto a signal from well inside the car (to get a satellite connection quicker, I usually initially place the unit on my dash, though). I find the typical accuracy is between 30 and 150 feet, and I usually do not get a WAAS or differential signal (which makes the accuracy gravitate towards the 30 feet radius). The tide information is rarely used - and the celestial information is handy, but not static unless your location does not change (i.e. while driving, the sunset time must be adjusted for your current location, which changes as you travel, thus changing the time of the sunset).
There are also many features that I did not discuss, which are native to the fishing/boating/hunting industry. I cannot comment on these personally, but friends who have used my unit who fish and hunt find the celestial information, barometric pressure, and 'best hunting/fishing times' to be very useful. They also mentioned that the NAV AID function being useful, but I can't elaborate for lack of, again, personal knowledge.
Overall, I feel completely confident with the 76S while driving and hiking as far as accuracy of information. The timeliness of the information might be the 76S' only mildly problematic pitfall. Still, for someone who HATES getting lost, the 76S is perfect - if not a little overkill. I also wish I could get better use of the WAAS system, but this has little to do with Garmin. All-in-all, the 76S is great. Timing in getting a signal, redraw, and battery life are the only issues at this point. Again, I am a novice - so my inherent knowledge of the system and its full attributes is limited.