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Too bad, I would really like to like this product, but who needs this irritation.I've wasted three hours installing and updating software on my PC and the GPS today and now I've got to deal with a failed download that won't restart. The flexibility to set the screens up with information you want on them is very handy for marine navigation where you might be using multiple devices.My #1 gripe with Garmin is there lousy practice of providing a worthless map on their devices. One shortfall is that if you use the device for multiple types of outings there isn't an easy way to set up different screen layouts. For example: while navigating a sail boat on open water I want very different data on the trip screen than while hiking in the mountains. Next time I'll look at other brands. Moral of the story: for a worldwide leader in navigation technology they sure are missing the target on the map/chart technology.
UPDATE: The more I use this device the more I like it. After spending an hour on the phone with their tech support I learned that their new g2 BlueCharts have been recalled due to problems with data accuracy and their legacy BlueCharts have been discontinued (you can still buy them, but they're not being updated). It's hard to assess accuracy without lots of cross references, but Garmin has a great history in this business so no reason to doubt that they have that figured out. Ridiculous.The #2 gripe is the incredibly bad job they do with managing maps and map purchases. Especially on the road. The inland lake charts that I purchased and tried to download failed due to a known problem with their download application but they said the download option wasn't supposed to be available on the website, although some users are still getting access to it (like me). The screen is the best I've seen on any device in all lighting conditions. Very impressive.
I'm paying Cadillac prices for this product but getting Yugo support. You need to build into your purchase decision the cost of their expensive maps. The interface is quite intuitive and general navigation is fine. Their website is confusing and self-contradictory. It is very bright and clear in direct sunlight or in night mode.
Now I'm getting error messages on the device and they have no customer support on the weekend. I'll provide updates when this is worked out. In attempting to download a map I purchased from their site the download failed. The options for setting up screens and other customization is really great. You cannot do any navigation on land or sea with the garbage map they provide.
The 76csx is pretty hefty compared to the eTrex. Each time the screen needs to be modified manually, taking a few minutes of pushing buttons and remembering the layout I liked last time.The down side of Garmin's terrible map management is even worse than I originally thought. You'll need to wait until the end of the year to get good charts for your new device.ORIGINAL REVIEW:This is a great device and the screen is a huge improvement over the old eTrex Legend I had.
I can do the required changes with my older model with one or two keystrokes, while hers requires 3-4 times as many (no exaggeration). We use our GPSs to geocache, so being able to make changes to the display and the data presented there on the fly is important. I bought a Garmin S76 a number of years ago, and recently bought another for my girlfriend's birthday. The new one is a lot more complicated to operate, even considering the increase in features.
Garmin GPSMAP 76CSX Handheld GPS with Barometric Altimeter and Electronic CompassThis jewel can do everything but make the coffee, but it is difficult to remember which of the 8 buttons and 4 rocker switch positions to push in what order and for how long when the wind is blowing big time and the boat wants to broach.
It is rugged, waterproof and has numerous features for people with various outdoor interests.I had a GPSMAP 76 for several years and gave it to my son which he uses daily as a speedometer on his motorcycle. This GPS is being used for hiking as well as mounted on a motorcycle.
Take a compass with you and know how to use it. One can also type in a specific address anywhere in the US and much of Canada and show the precise location on the map screen and a Go To option for specific turn by turn instructions.I get about 16 hrs from a set of AAs. I purchased two 2Gig microSD chips later. I also purchased TOPO US 2008 and loaded ALL of the topo maps for all of Alaska on it. Electronics do fail sometimes and when they do, you need to have basic map/chart reading and navigation when skills ready. I have found that the detail on the BlueChart marine charts are more detailed than those that came with the more expensive electronic charts used with the chartplotter onboard many of the boats here.The sensitivity of the GPS receiver in the 76CSx is incredible.
I have lived in Alaska more than 30 years and I am an avid boater, hunter, snowmobiler that travels in very remote parts of the state. Both of these were loaded on a single 2 Gig chip. I have not needed a remote antenna.I have found the City Navigator to be a real assett when driving through areas of the midwest and southeast last fall. Once charts and maps are loaded onto the micro SD chip and the chip in the 76CSx, one can choose which of the charts or maps to show on the screen.As with most GPS Units, the manual covers the basics but there is a much more capability in this unit than the manual could possibly cover without the manual getting too large.I would recommend this unit without hesitation. That was easily fixed by simply unselecting or "turning off" the specific chart from showing on the GPS. On the second chip, I loaded City Navigator North America 2009.Depending weather I am boating, flying, hunting or driving I easily swap chips as needed so that I have the charts or maps I need. I also participate in two search and rescue organizations. I purchased the 76CSx July 2007.
When we missed a turn because we were not paying attention to the GPS, it quickly rerouted us and got us to where we needed to go every time.One closing comment here: Don't get too dependent on ANY GPS when traveling in the backcountry or when boating in marine waters and large lakes. For use in a rental car, I purchased an auxiliary power cord that plugs into the car's 12V power supply ("cigarette lighter").Loading the charts/maps from the DVDs to the 76CSx was easy to do after I got familiar with the process. Especially helpful were the features that let one select various options, such as Food, Lodging, etc close to where you are or anywhere you want to look, and then provide you the address and phone numbers so you can call ahead if need be. It has saved me from possible disaster when boating, has provided additional confidence when out on the water and back country and has been equally helpful when driving through large cities and across the country in a rental car. When snowmachining or hunting, I can leave the GPS in the Garmin case, inside the top pocket of my daypack and it will stay locked on to the satellites and create track as I travel without having to worry about it.
Sure made our 10 day road trip much more pleasant. I give this unit 5 stars. No more bickering with my wife for driving directions. Since that time I have used it when flying in rural Alaska, boating in Southcentral Alaska's Cook Inlet and Kachemak Bay as well as the Yukon River, and when motoring the Midwest and Southeastern US.The 76CSx GPS came with MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager and a 128Mbt micro SD memory chip. One thing I noted is that in areas where the marine chart data overlaps the topo map data, the marine chart info takes priority and does not allow the specific topo date in that specific area to show.
In a vehicle and aircraft, the built-in receiver has always worked fine. I also purchased BlueChart Americas v9 and loaded all of the marine charts for the area from Juneau north to and including Kodiak and Anchorage area waters (more than 100 specific charts). I can turn it on and set it on the living room floor 5 feet from a window and it will lock onto three or more satellites and give me a fix.
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