Any opinions of the Garmin GPSMAP 76S

[rickdb1boat]

I need to get a new GPS cause some thief broke into the wifes car at work and my GPS was in the glovebox. Needless to say, it's gone. I'm considering the GPSMAP76S. Anyone have any thoughts on it??

Thanks,

 

[JB]

Re: Any opinions of the Garmin GPSMAP 76S

I have the 276C, Rick, and believe that the 76S is similar in performance except for the auto travel capability.

I am very happy with it in marine and portable applications and with the Mapsource firmware available.

Were I to want a purely portable GPS without auto navigation I think the 76S or other portable in the Garmin 76 family would be high on my list.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Any opinions of the Garmin GPSMAP 76S

Thanks JB. That's what I was hoping to hear. It seems like it would fit my needs well. My main usage would be mapping unfamiliar lakes and finding my way back to the dock when boating at night on new waters. That along with waypoints for fishing, is always a priority.... The one that I had before was a Garmin, so I do have some CD's that should work with the new one...

 

[Boatist]

Re: Any opinions of the Garmin GPSMAP 76S

I have a Garmin GPSMAP 76 and while it works good I hate it for in the car. Even on the boat it is very hard to see the screen. The GPSMAP 76C is better in dim light but still very hard to see in bright light. My GPSMAP 76 works perfect but while driving in the car you will find the screen is so hard to see can not take you eyes off the road long enough to see where your are. If your not driving then you can find a light where it is eaiser to read and adjust the brightness and constrast. also you have the time look at it close and see the map.

My GPSMAP 76 has a decent base map as it has all the navigation buoys on the base map but they down graded the base map a few years after I bought mine and the new units have no navigation buoys. I think they want to force you to buy the detailed maps.

I looked at the 76 CS and it is better in dim light but in bright light hard to see.

I suggest before you buy go and compare to the Lowrance Ifinder H2O, or the H2O C, or Expedition C.
The screens are so much brighter, they have a better base map and the detailed maps are cheaper. I am likely to buy The Ifinder H2O C or Expedition C very soon to replace my Garmin GPSMAP 76

If You compare I do not think you will even consider the Garmin anymore.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Any opinions of the Garmin GPSMAP 76S

Thanks Boatist. Will look at the Lowrance before I buy...

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: Any opinions of the Garmin GPSMAP 76S

I wonder if a Garmin E-TREX would do the job. It is the cheapest GPS.

 

[troypolla]

Re: Any opinions of the Garmin GPSMAP 76S

are you looking for only portable units?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Any opinions of the Garmin GPSMAP 76S

Since I already had Garmin maps from my previous GPS, I went with the GPSMAP76S....Thanks for the replies and advice...I'm gonna hook it up to my Fishfinder for better viewing on the water...

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: Any opinions of the Garmin GPSMAP 76S

What fishfinder do you have? Just curious to know which one hooks up to a gps unit....thanks!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Any opinions of the Garmin GPSMAP 76S

I have the Humminbird 717, but many of the Bird units will hook up. Matrix 12, 17 and others.......I wish my Eagle that I have on my runabout would, but it's not new enough..

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: Any opinions of the Garmin GPSMAP 76S

I always thought that the best sonar/depth finders were Furuno, followed by Lowrance, followed by Eagle, and then Hummingbird. Maybe I have been wrong. Is hummingbird a good brand?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Any opinions of the Garmin GPSMAP 76S

That's probably true. I've used both Eagle/Lowrance products and Humminbirds over the years, both with good results. For the money, the Humminbird has the features that I want and will do what I need. Recently I've had the Humminbird Wide eye, then the 200 DX. Neither gave me any problems and worked fine. Same with the Eagle. Used them for years(Still do on my runabout) with no problems...Just a matter of choice and money....

 

[OhioLowell]

Re: Any opinions of the Garmin GPSMAP 76S

While I do not have a 76S, I did just get a GPSMAP 60CSX. In one word AWSOME!!!!!! I couldn;t be happier with the unit. The 60 series and the 76 series are the same unit except for the case.

I geocache alot and the unit is great for that. I don't really seem to notice the daylight difficulties as was mentioned earlier in this post. You can set the back ground to about 20 different colors and change contrast etc. etc. to get it where you want it. I don't have any of garmins software "YET" but I will be getting inland lakes after I get the boat put back together.

I've not needed it yet but I hear that Garmin's customer service is second to none in the GPS industry. HOpe this helps.


Lowell

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Any opinions of the Garmin GPSMAP 76S

I've never had anything but Garmin GPS products and have been very happy with them so far. One of the reasons I decided to go with another one was that I am familiar with their operation and had some maps for them (Mapsource MetroGuide). I am currently thinking of getting the fishing hot spots map. Looks like it would be nice to have on the water, even if it doesn't help with the fishing....