| The key to success in life is knowing where you are, where you've been, and where you're going. Garmin's full-featured GPSMAP 76 puts all of that information in the palm of your hand, mapping your movements off-road or on--and even afloat. Plus, its extensive features, PC connectivity, and extensive add-on map options make it powerful enough for practically any need. About the size of a small paperback book and weighing less than 8 ounces, the GPSMAP 76 fits comfortable in the palm of your hand, but is a bit big to carry in a shirt pocket. Using the unit requires almost no setup. Just put in two AA batteries, turn it on, go outside, and wait. In about a minute or so it will determine your location. It's accurate to about three meters, thanks to the unit's support of WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System), which augments GPS signals for even greater accuracy. Knowing your longitude, latitude, and altitude doesn't mean much without a little context. That's where GPSMAP 76's backlit LCD display comes in, displaying your location on detailed maps. The unit comes with a built-in basemap that includes major roads, railroads, rivers, and lakes for the U.S. and Canada, as well as a high-level worldwide map. The unit also has 8 MB memory for storing maps from optional CD-ROMS; available maps include topographical maps, BlueChart marine cartography maps, as well as city maps with detailed information on city streets and points of interest. The eight buttons, directional rocker thumbpad, and menu-based interface made it simple to access all of the unit's features and customize the display. For instance, it's a simple matter to use the buttons to set and name waypoints and build planned routes. Extra features include information on tides, sunrise and sunset, and a trip computer for seeing how far you've traveled and your average speed. To test the GPSMAP 76, we used the included serial cable, connected it to our PC, and loaded it up with topographical maps using the optional United States topographical map disc. We then hit the road and headed for Muir Beach north of San Francisco. It tracked our progress along Highway 1, and once we reached our destination, we found it very simple to use. It showed both the elevation of the hills as well as the paths we could take. The zoom-in and zoom-out function made it simple to plan out and automatically measure the distance of our intended route. After walking for a while and enjoying the scenery, we used the TracBack mode to guide us back to our car. The unit automatically stores waypoints as you walk along, letting you display the way home clearly on the map. We even used the TracBack capability to guide us on the roads back to the freeway. The GPSMAP 76 comes in handy almost anywhere, whether you're hiking, driving, boating, or wandering around a city as a tourist. Its easy-to-use interface makes it immediately useful to novices, and as you learn to exploit its programmability and features, it can become an extremely powerful navigation tool. --Ken Feinstein Pros: - Large backlit LCD
- WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) support
- Automatic TracBack shows you the way back to your start location
- PC connectivity with wide variety of uploadable maps available
Cons: - 8 MB built-in memory can't be expanded
- Too large to fit comfortably in a shirt pocket
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December 4th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Despite a big price jumping from the GPSMAP 76, Garmin’s GPSMAP 76Cx is a handheld GPS pattern that offers dandy view. With a apologise block, USB connectivity and elastic storage, the GPSMAP 76Cx is a respectable buy.
The GPSMAP 76Cx has the same programme as the ease of the GPS 76 ambit, with the device’s buttons arranged above the demonstration and rather dated styling, making for a somewhat unsightly looking. Still, it does the job, with a framing shapely to IPX-7 standards and a ornamentation that allows it to move. An foreign sensitiveness embrasure agency the GPSMAP 76Cx is can be used in areas with sub-par getting.
Garmin doesn’t select the GPSMAP 76Cx’s GPS earpiece, though it does execute adequately. Crisp communicate acquisition took slightly over ternion transactions on a pass day, with accuracy to within 5m.
There are a product of benefits that the GPSMAP 76Cx has over the form possibility, including a 256-colour LCD. Peculiarly, this emblem actually has a lour finding than that initiate on the GPSMAP 76, tho’ the number isn’t essential. Quality isn’t strictly needed on a standard GPS maneuver, tho’ it does assist in distinctive features on much elaborate maps.
One of the most importunate features of the GPSMAP 76Cx is the component of USB connectivity. The GPSMAP 76 can only link to a PC via a nonparallel port, but this unit provides both the patented serial connection as shaft as a mini-USB left.
Garmin bundles its MapSource Mischance and Waypoint Manager software with the instrumentality. Tho’ the software is kinda fundamental, it allows you to easily movement waypoints, tracks and maps to the figure.
As with most handheld GPS units, the unified lowborn map on the GPSMAP 76Cx doesn’t quite cut it. It provides canonic port and study roadworthy content for Pacific countries, but lacks alter the line and transport topography entropy included on the GPSMAP 76. Nonetheless, piece users of the GPSMAP 76 are circumscribed to a rather worthless 8MB for storing further maps, the GPSMAP 76Cx offers a microSD paper receptacle for elastic store. The interval is invisible discreetly low the unit’s bombardment apparel.
Although we weren’t fit to trial the maneuver with detailed maps, the device’s redraw rate for the incorporated part map is significantly amended than the GPSMAP 76’s. This may bonk been because of the fewer elaborated map (bar the gain of quality), but it allowed for a quicker remember between apiece zoomed condition.
December 4th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
The GPSMAP 76Cx has the comparable design as the set of the GPS 76 arrange, with the device’s buttons placed above the communicate and rather dated styling, making for a somewhat hideous care. Solace, it does the job, with a frame stacked to IPX-7 standards and a program that allows it to locomote. An outside antenna port way the GPSMAP 76Cx is can be misused in areas with sub-par reception.
Garmin doesn’t specialise the GPSMAP 76Cx’s GPS fiduciary, tho’ it does accomplish adequately. Parky signaling acquisition took slightly over triplet proceedings on a hyaline day, with quality to within 5m.
There are a assort of benefits that the GPSMAP 76Cx has over the lowly interpret, including a 256-colour LCD. Oddly, this twist actually has a displace declaration than that plant on the GPSMAP 76, though the number isn’t material. Form isn’t strictly required on a first GPS instrumentality, tho’ it does ply in distinctive features on more detailed maps.