Garmin map76 or map60

fireman181 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-01-2007

any of you use one of the above gps units and thoughts about them. Sail primarily on lake thurmond, Ga/SC border, but am planning a trip to the Gulf this summer.thanks

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 04-01-2007

I would recommend getting the 76 rather than the 60. The ergonomics are better...as you can use it one-handed more easily, and it has one serious advantage over the 60 series... the 76 series FLOAT... being water-resistant to IPX7, as both units are, doesn't mean jack, if the unit sinks...

If you're going to get one, and can afford it, get the Garmin GPSMap 76CSx...since it has the ability to take optional memory cards, so if you want to load the BlueChart Navigation or CityStreets Auto Navigation charts/maps into it, it can hold more. I believe the 76CSx uses miniSD cards, but I'm not 100% sure.

pmoyer · #3 (**permalink**) 04-01-2007

I second Sailingdog's comments! I have a 76S and love it to death. I've used it for three years backpacking, traveling around the world, doing security work, geocaching, and sea kayaking. It's a fabulous device (reminds me - I need to get a mount for the new boat).

I took it out kayaking one day, and it baked in the sun for a while, so I dunked it overboard. Water intruded, and it stopped working. Garmin replaced it, no questions asked, no charge (other than shipping), even though it was out of warranty. I will not hesitate to buy or recommend Garmin equipment.

In fact, I fully intend to drop the 450 on a 76CSx, for the exact reasons Sailingdog mentioned - namely, I can load the BlueChart maps, plus my geocaches, and it's easier to read the color charts.

Cheers....

sailingdog · #4 (**permalink**) 04-01-2007

One thing that is nice about the 76 series is that it has an NMEA 0183 serial port. Get the right cable, and you can power it off the boat's DC system and use the GPS for the DSC location data on the VHF...

Phil... what probably happened is that the unit was hot enough and dunking it in the water caused it to cool off rapidly enough to suck water in through a tiny leak... and fry the unit.

By way of full disclosure, I use three Garmins, I have a 76CS, that I got for hiking through the woods, geocaching, etc... I use a 192C on the boat, and have a 276C for the car, that is a secondary for the boat.

Faster · #5 (**permalink**) 04-01-2007

Definitely second the idea of getting at least the colour screen option. We have a 3 yr old Map76 and it works great, gets the job done but on a bright day the screen can be difficult to read.

We run it off ships power, and can (and will some day) interface it with our radar and a laptop. But for now, it's mounted at the helm in easy view and it's fine - if only I'd gotten the colour.......