Garmin GPSMap 76S Waterproof Hiking GPS
by Garmin

Our Price: $1,168.00
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: GPS or Navigation System
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Digital Photo Product Details

• GPS receiver with integrated barometric altimeter and electronic compass for precise location, elevation, and bearing information
• Basemap of North and South America, including major highways, thoroughfares, rivers, lakes, and borders
• 500 waypoints with name and symbol; 50 reversible routs
• Rugged design and large screen for improved readability
• 24 MB memory for downloading data from optional Garmin MapSource CD-ROMs

• Memorex High Performance AA Alkaline Batteries, 12 Pack
• Memorex High Performance AA Alkaline Batteries, 50 Pack
• Memorex High Performance AA Alkaline Battery 8 Pack
• Case Logic GPSS-4 Professional GPS Travel Kit (Dark Blue)
• Neoprene 3.5"

Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin GPSMap 76S Waterproof Hiking GPS

Customer Review: Versitile --
Summary: 5 Stars

I have only used the preloaded 'basemap' that Garmin provides, reluctantly moving to the MapSource Software because of the price and the limited nature in which I use my GPS unit (which is usually on the highway). The 'basemap' is reliable, providing most major roadways in the U.S., and I find the information accompanying the general road info to be satisfactory (exits, rest areas, airports).

As a novice to the uses of GPS, I decided to splurge and get the best GPS unit on the market (at the time), and dive into the GPS 76S. I found the basic functions, such as Speed, Elevation, Accuracy, Coordinates, Date and Time to be very useful. With the speed and waypoints (a collection of thousands of cities), the 76S can tell you the estimated time of arrival at your predetermined, city destination. I've found the elevation useful while hiking in Colorado, although I have no real use for it otherwise -- and consider it merely a novelty for my novice tastes. The accuracy is good to know for error correction/possibility purposes. The coordinates speak for themselves - and the date and time are super-accurate, although the unit fails to adjust for different time zones (you must manually adjust it in the setup menu). The compass is handy, as well.

I do have a few issues, however. I find the 76S taking between 2 and 3 minutes to find a 3 satellite, 2D GPS signal and 4 minutes to find a 4+, 3D GPS Signal with elevation. Because the 76S eats batteries faster than the machines in "The Matrix" - I must turn the unit off and then 'reboot' it when I need information - which usually takes time, as described above - and when you're driving, you want/need the information as fast as you can get it, especially when navigating turns, intersections, etc... The 'zoom redraw' on the unit is slow, making it dangerous to drive and navigate at the same time without the proper car adapter/dock (which I don't have). Once locked on the satellites, however, the unit works flawlessly. The quad-helix antenna is powerful, and for the most part, the unit will stay locked onto a signal from well inside the car (to get a satellite connection quicker, I usually initially place the unit on my dash, though). I find the typical accuracy is between 30 and 150 feet, and I usually do not get a WAAS or differential signal (which makes the accuracy gravitate towards the 30 feet radius). The tide information is rarely used - and the celestial information is handy, but not static unless your location does not change (i.e. while driving, the sunset time must be adjusted for your current location, which changes as you travel, thus changing the time of the sunset).

There are also many features that I did not discuss, which are native to the fishing/boating/hunting industry. I cannot comment on these personally, but friends who have used my unit who fish and hunt find the celestial information, barometric pressure, and 'best hunting/fishing times' to be very useful. They also mentioned that the NAV AID function being useful, but I can't elaborate for lack of, again, personal knowledge.

Overall, I feel completely confident with the 76S while driving and hiking as far as accuracy of information. The timeliness of the information might be the 76S' only mildly problematic pitfall. Still, for someone who HATES getting lost, the 76S is perfect - if not a little overkill. I also wish I could get better use of the WAAS system, but this has little to do with Garmin. All-in-all, the 76S is great. Timing in getting a signal, redraw, and battery life are the only issues at this point. Again, I am a novice - so my inherent knowledge of the system and its full attributes is limited.

Description of Garmin GPSMap 76S Waterproof Hiking GPS