Garmin gpsmap 78sc

n7cjv · #1 (**permalink**) 02-13-2011

Been playing around with my new one and trying to read the manaual. How does one establish (and name) a waypoint without physically being there. And call it back up. Garmin's manuals really suck and my trial and error methods drove me to the wind jug.. Tnx

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 02-13-2011

If you have a lot of waypoints to enter, setting them up on the computer and then transferring them is the way to go. It is far easier to data entry on a computer...and you can check the location using a navigation program to see that you're at least in the ballpark of where you want to be.

If you have to do it on the GPS, you can enter the lat/lon using the rocker pad, but this is really slow and painful.

Be careful when approaching a newly entered waypoint for the first time to make sure that it doesn't lead you into danger. If your waypoint is a navigation aid or other landmark, offset the waypoint a short distance on the deep water side of the landmark.

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 02-13-2011

BTW, the directions for doing so are pretty simple and on page 6 of the manual, where it says:

Creating a Waypoint

1 From any page press and hold MARK
2 Select Done

Now, this creates a waypoint at your current location IIRC. To put the waypoint where you want it, you will generally have to edit it, but need to know the lat/lon of the desired location.

n7cjv · #4 (**permalink**) 02-13-2011

Thanks... I was under the impression I could put the cursor at a position on the chart within the gps and mark it as a waypoint. This is no better than my old Garmin 45.......(I've been out of sailing for 15 yrs). Looks like the only thing different this does is show a position on a chart.....I need a computer to input waypoints conveniently? I would need a computer to set up routes? Are chart plotters the same? Looks like I need some education.. Tnx

sailingdog · #5 (**permalink**) 02-13-2011

No, you can setup routes on a larger chartplotter pretty easily, but using a computer is often far more convenient a way to do it, especially if you do route planning on a PC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by n7cjv

Thanks... I was under the impression I could put the cursor at a position on the chart within the gps and mark it as a waypoint. This is no better than my old Garmin 45.......(I've been out of sailing for 15 yrs). Looks like the only thing different this does is show a position on a chart.....I need a computer to input waypoints conveniently? I would need a computer to set up routes? Are chart plotters the same? Looks like I need some education.. Tnx

n7cjv · #6 (**permalink**) 02-13-2011

I don't plan on having a PC on board. Sailing is a way to get away from them. I choose way points on the fly i.e the night before or possibly the same day. Still looking like the paper chart and dividers with manual lat/long input.... ?

sailingdog · #7 (**permalink**) 02-13-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by n7cjv

I don't plan on having a PC on board. Sailing is a way to get away from them. I choose way points on the fly i.e the night before or possibly the same day. Still looking like the paper chart and dividers with manual lat/long input.... ?

Well, if you're plotting them on the chart, you can also make up a written waypoint list and add them to the GPS unit fairly easily. You just have to create and then edit the waypoints, but it is a bit tedious.

Faster · #8 (**permalink**) 02-13-2011

I believe you can enter a waypoint from a cursor position.. at least I could with the MAP76 - it picks up a generic name or '30ft depth' or some such, which required editing but you'll get a waypoint for the cursor position - just rename it to what you want.

Using a PC to preload waypoints and routes at home is not a bad idea, you can also upload tracks at the end of a cruise to have a record of where you've been. No need to take the PC with you.

n7cjv · #9 (**permalink**) 02-13-2011

so is that a software pkg that has to be purchased that can talk to the Garmin?

Faster · #10 (**permalink**) 02-13-2011

With the Map76 you had to buy 'Blue Charts' which used a program called Mapsource to show charts. You bought the CD and then 'bought' region unlock codes as you needed them. You could load Mapsource onto your PC/laptop and use that to download the charts and waypoints etc you needed/wanted onto the GPS.

I'm sure Garmin is using a different system now... we've just gone over to "C-map MAX" with a different plotter.