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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Garmin 176C GPS

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Metoac
Deckhand

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23 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/27/2002 : 21:16:37

Has anyone purchased this GPS? I have been considering purchasing a GPS Chartplotter and was interested in this unit. I have read there may be some concerns with the color screen that even the back lighing can not help. If anyone has this unit or the 176 (the B+W Version) I would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks,
Ted

Edited by - on

cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2002 : 08:51:56

I've got the 176c (a wonderful Christmas present) - and I love it. The color is very visible even in bright sunlight. I would definitely get the color model over the black & white model - I'd hate to have to distinguish the coutours from the shoreline from your backtrack route in shades of grey. You will need to buy the chart pak to go with it.

If you have any more specific questions please ask away.

Cathy
"Blown Away"
'97 C250WK #253

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Metoac
Deckhand

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23 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2002 : 12:38:56

Hi Cathy, thanks for the info, and that sure was a great Christmas present. I do have two more questions about the Garmin 176C. 1.I have heard that the screen cannot be seen unless it is in direct sunligt. I have also heard that even when the unit has the backligt on it may be hard to see the screen and that sometimes it fades out.
2. How long do the batteries last.

I am not overly concerned with the battery life but I am concerned with any problems with viewing the screen

Thanks,
Ted

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kurt
1st Mate

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27 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2002 : 13:44:16

I also have the 176c here is my 2 cents. My plan was to sell my GPS III and get 176c, as it would give me boat bucks credit. I wanted to use the 176c as a portable since I use it wile hiking and driving. I have since decided to keep the GPS III as a back up, the battery life is 36 hours.

1. I would recommend the color screen I think that’s its slightly more difficult to see then the black and white but the benefits of the chart color is worth it. The size of the screen forces you to be close to the unit anyway. I run my backlight even in the sunlight and find it helps.
2. Battery life, forget it 4 to 6 hours. I carry some for backups and to use it for Geocaching.
Kurt
86’ c25
sr/fk
South Bristol, Maine

Edited by - kurt on 05/28/2002 13:45:01

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2002 : 13:52:16

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I would definitely get the color model over the black & white model - I'd hate to have to distinguish the coutours from the shoreline from your backtrack route in shades of grey.

Cathy
"Blown Away"
'97 C250WK #253
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

My, hasn't navigation terminology gone high tech? Wouldn't it be a hoot if Shackleton came back to life in some form or another and read the above. I can here him saying "what the bloody hell are these lubbers talking about?"

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cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2002 : 16:34:03

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
1.I have heard that the screen cannot be seen unless it is in direct sunligt. I have also heard that even when the unit has the backligt on it may be hard to see the screen and that sometimes it fades out.
2. How long do the batteries last.

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

1. We have not used the GPS at night yet so I'm not sure how it would be in the dark, but on both sunny and cloudy days the visibility is good. The screen is small so you do need to be fairly close to read the fine print, but from afar you can see the contour lines, route, etc. We have it set to be backlit at all times

2. Battery life - 6+ hours. It comes with a DC power cord that we attached to a cigaratte lighter adapter so we run it off our boat battery. As with all GPS - carry extra batteries and have a chartbook on board just in case it goes awry. Actually, I prefer my chartbook sometimes to get an overview of an entire day's route.

Cathy
"Blown Away"
'97 C250WK #253

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Metoac
Deckhand

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23 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2002 : 16:58:19

Cathy,

Thanks alot for all the info on the 176C. I think Im ready to hand my money over to the people at West Marine. It was nice to be able to get info from someone who has the unit.
Ted

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cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2002 : 08:03:44

Ted,

Where do you sail?

Cathy
"Blown Away"
'97 C250WK #253

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Metoac
Deckhand

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23 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2002 : 08:40:32

Cathy,

I am sail on the south shore of Long Island. Most of the time I sail in the Great South Bay. I sail out of West Sayville. This is my second year with the sail boat and the Great South Bay seems to be a good place to get sailing experience.

Ted

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.