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GPS on sale at WM

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/24/2010 : 10:24:22

Anyone use one of these?

Garmin GPSMAP® 76Cx Color Mapping GPS

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=11151&partNumber=7793078&langId=-1&icid=RR_7793078

Looks like a good deal, $150 off. I'm tempted. Can anyone tell me if it's any good?

Peter Powers
1979 TR/FK #1390
~Stephanos~
Bayview Marina,
Lake Ray Hubbard
Dallas, TX

Edited by - on

windsong
Captain

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USA
318 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2010 : 11:37:13

I've used a friend's. The screen is TINY, but it does give instant location on a chart, which can be very useful in tight waters. It does not have tide info, which just infuriated me as it would be such an easy feature to include. But all in all, it looks like a pretty good deal to me.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2010 : 12:15:42

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by windsong
 I've used a friend's. The screen is TINY, but it does give instant location on a chart, which can be very useful in tight waters. It does not have tide info, which just infuriated me as it would be such an easy feature to include. But all in all, it looks like a pretty good deal to me.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks, I really want a GPS and this seems like a really good deal.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2010 : 12:19:36

Get a new IPhone 4. There are several navigational software programs to download under $20. I have older version and love it.
Steve A

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2010 : 12:21:56

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 Get a new IPhone 4. There are several navigational software programs to download under $20. I have older version and love it.
Steve A
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Just got a new 9700 BOLD. Plus I'm t-mobile.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2010 : 12:53:46

If you want charts, you'll have to buy them separately and copy them to an SD card.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2010 : 13:11:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 If you want charts, you'll have to buy them separately and copy them to an SD card.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

So the charts would be at the Garmin site?

That's fine as I typically only sail in one lake.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2010 : 14:42:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PCP777
 That's fine as I typically only sail in one lake.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Either you sail on a really big lake or you're a gadget freak!

Edited by - OJ on 06/24/2010 14:43:21

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2010 : 14:44:52

Yes, and they're not cheap. That said, I've got a C-276 which has a much larger screen, and really like it, but I've spent an easy $500 in maps & charts for it, so it's initial cost wasn't the big burden, the maps were. I bought it mostly for my boat, but used it in my car & truck all the time as well. Until I got my iPhone, and now I don't really use it all that much, but it'll still go out on the boat with us, we have charts for all of Puget Sound, plus the Inside & Outside Passages.

Steve's suggestion about an iPhone isn't without merit, and since you're on T-Mobile you might be able to pick up a gently used 3GS for cheap since everyone wants the new 4. T-Mobile supports GSM (only they & AT&T do in the US), so you'd be able to just put a SIM card in it and go. I'll bet it's a buyer's market on Ebay right now for "old" iPhones.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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1225 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2010 : 14:51:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PCP777
 That's fine as I typically only sail in one lake.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Either you sail on a really big lake or you're a gadget freak!

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

LOL, I'm mostly interested in using it for accurate speed, loading up the racing marks as way points, being able to see my track etc. I already know my way around the lake pretty much.

Seriously, the marks that we race around are tiny and we've lost a race before by hitting the wrong heading. I'm also really interested in true speed.

Yeah, I'm kind of a gadget freak too.

Good points on the I phone but I really like my Blackberry and I use it for work AND I just got this phone less than two weeks ago....

So after looking at all the reviews etc I went ahead and bought it on WM on line. They have a free shipping thing going on to so my total price after tax was $200. Not bad. $179 is a good savings over everything I saw on line.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2010 : 15:09:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PCP777
 [quote]. . . $179 is a good savings over everything I saw on line. . . <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Indeed, there are some really deep discounts being offered this season. I recently purchased a RayMarine VHF at 25% off - picked it up at the local WM.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2010 : 15:21:41

I was going to suggest pawn shops as well. I found a pristine Garmin GPS 12XL a while back for $55, and it sounds like for what you want, it'd do quite nicely. I have two Garmin 12s that I keep as backups.

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2010 : 17:21:57

Great unit, You'll like it. While it doesn't matter to you, it DOES have tidal information. The charts require the CD and you need to buy unlock codes. Your lake may be on the inland lakes chart.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 06/25/2010 : 05:36:35

I saw that in my WM flier too Peter and think you made a good choice. I need to replace my head and also noticed a [url="http://content.westmarine.com/images/catalog/large/9532748.jpg"]Jabsco head[/url] for $159 with a $20 mail in rebate. All of that makes it a little cheaper than Defender!

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2010 : 08:54:26

We have the Garmin 76Cx as our handheld backup. Had it for a few years. I think the new version is the 78Cx (mo bucks)

Just did an upgrade of the software and new G2 maps SD card and Homeport PC software.

We have the software installed on our Laptop, PC and Netbook and we can connect the 76Cx to any of them via a USB link.

This is pretty cool software, although some of the features do not translate from the PC to the handheld (some of the markers in homeport do not seem to be available on the 76Cx, Route and Waypoint names are truncated on the 76Cx)
It's easy to download the tracks sailed into Homeport.

It eats batteries! So we have the 12v power connector.

Paul

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2010 : 16:51:24

My kids got me a Garmin GPSMap76CSx for Father's Day when they saw the special pricing.

I have a GPS72 already and use it for supplying the Lat/Long on my VHF Radio. It doesn't have a very detailed built-in chart, however it came preprogrammed with all the major Aids to Navigation (ATONs) on US waterways, as well as a few major cities. No highways, no charts, no water depths, no hazards and a poor representation of the coastline. Just ATONs. I guess along with a paper chart, this combination would be fine.

So when I got the 76, I thought - ok, this unit costs a lot more - so it must come with awesome maps. Boy was I wrong!!!!!!

It comes with NOTHING! as far as I can reckon. It does have a USB connector and my wife picked up a piece of software called "Homeport". This SW allows you to build waypoints and routes on your computer, then transfer them into the GPS. Unfortunately, the Homeport software comes as a pretty blank slate. No depths, no ATONs - a few highways, blue stuff (water) and green stuff (land).

I have over the years built up my own database of 100s of waypoints on my old Magellan handheld (a third GPS). These were mostly collected as I travelled in the kayak, the boat, in the car, on vacations and on business trips.

So, I plan to roll out my paper charts, turn on my Magellan (using rechargeable batteries), crank up my GPS 72 and try to confirm all my waypoints against the 72's ATON's. I will mark a new waypoint right on top of each ATON. Once I do that, I can then copy each of these points into the Homeport software. This approach will be very tedious, but it might work.

But before I get too carried away, I will try it with a handful of points.

If successful, I will complete all the waypoints, then then connect my GPSMap76CSx to the USB and transfer the waypoints from Homeport into the new 76.

I wonder whether, in practice, this will work for my purposes???? I'd hate to ask my kids for the receipt and return the unit......

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2010 : 17:11:05

There are several small programs that let you download tracks and waypoints to your computer and export them to other devices. I use Load My Tracks on my Macs, and I imagine that there are several Windows varieties. I think my last Garmin chart CD cost just a bit over $100 and it was worth it.

Edited by - on

farrison
Navigator

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USA
166 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2010 : 13:05:21

I have a CSx model, I'm not sure of the the difference between it an the Cx. But I really like mine. I got mine at Cabella's, it came with the Garmin MapSource software for your home computer (like the Homeport mentioned above). You can load in waypoints in the Mapsource, save tracks from your travels, create routes, and calculate distances. Garmin does sell a lot of different software for this unit, for marine use, road navigation, topographic maps, etc., but they charge about $100-$125 for about everything. The 'x' on the model number signifies that it accepts a Microdisc, which you can buy from garmin pre-loaded with navigation software. But I surfed the web, found a site with free topos and dumped them into the Mapsource on my computer and then into my GPS. I used it when I ran the Grand Canyon last year, I use it on the lake where I sail, and i even on the road sometimes. I just got back from moving a 38' Island Packet from the Bahamas to Brunswick, GA, about 500 odd miles and used the 76CSx constantly. I created waypoints and preloaded routes for the trip beforehand from Noaa charts and dumped them into the GPS. I gave us tidal information, sun/moon rise and set, and constant distance traveled, distance to go, distance off course and lots of other great information. It was invaluable. I've had it for three years and am till learning all the things it can do. Great unit, go buy one.

Paul

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2010 : 15:21:59

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by farrison
 I have a CSx model, I'm not sure of the the difference between it an the Cx. But I really like mine. I got mine at Cabella's, it came with the Garmin MapSource software for your home computer (like the Homeport mentioned above). You can load in waypoints in the Mapsource, save tracks from your travels, create routes, and calculate distances. Garmin does sell a lot of different software for this unit, for marine use, road navigation, topographic maps, etc., but they charge about $100-$125 for about everything. The 'x' on the model number signifies that it accepts a Microdisc, which you can buy from garmin pre-loaded with navigation software. But I surfed the web, found a site with free topos and dumped them into the Mapsource on my computer and then into my GPS. I used it when I ran the Grand Canyon last year, I use it on the lake where I sail, and i even on the road sometimes. I just got back from moving a 38' Island Packet from the Bahamas to Brunswick, GA, about 500 odd miles and used the 76CSx constantly. I created waypoints and preloaded routes for the trip beforehand from Noaa charts and dumped them into the GPS. I gave us tidal information, sun/moon rise and set, and constant distance traveled, distance to go, distance off course and lots of other great information. It was invaluable. I've had it for three years and am till learning all the things it can do. Great unit, go buy one.

Paul
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Awesome, I did, it's sitting here on my desk.

What is the URL for that site with the free topos or maps. I only sail in a small lake typically (Unless I take the Hobie somewhere)

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2010 : 18:48:35

How universal are these programs for the GPS units?

My GPS started acting up on the weekend, and I may need to replace it. The cheap electronics place I've posted here before (Deal Extreme) has "blank" GPS units - basically a receiver and a screen, no maps nothing, for super cheap (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.39243 - actually this one comes with street mapping for Brazil) but I wonder what level of expertise it would take to get them running with marine maps for North America.

Anyone ever tried to flash a GPS??

Edited by - Prospector on 06/30/2010 18:56:21

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2010 : 19:01:30

Do I understand that you can run NOAA ENC's on a CSx? Link to NOAA ENC's http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/index.htm

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Voyager
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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2010 : 19:11:34

I'm all ears on this. I loaded my Homeport and typed in my GPS waypoints and transferred them to the GPS. Now I have a blank slate with a few points in it. I sure would love some background maps to corroborate features like rocks and hazards!

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2010 : 20:56:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 ...I sure would love some background maps to corroborate features like rocks and hazards!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Too bad my 276C didn't go along with Passage!

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Voyager
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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 07/01/2010 : 19:42:13

Dave
I'm building a huge list of waypoints, I've got chart books, NOAA's GeoGarage, and picked up a cool Maptech PC chart program as a closeout at WM that connects to my old Garmin GPS72. It gives me live positions on a reasonably accurate chart on my PC. I just don't think the laptop will last very long in the salt spray!

Edited by - on

farrison
Navigator

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USA
166 Posts

Response Posted - 07/01/2010 : 21:32:40

Peter;

Congrats on your new purchase. The website that had the topos is called miscjunk.com (mabey it's .org). it has topos for several, but not all, the states. it also gives information for loading it onto your Mapsource software that you should have received with your GPS. Send me an e-mail if you have more questions, i'd be happy to answer what I can.

The garmin mapsource software has a rudimentary map, but the topos are MUCH better(intentionally, I'm sure). The Maptech software that Bruce talkes abut above is very much like a free chartplotter software called Seaclear that you can download, then import the Noaa marine maps, and get Lats and longs from anywhere arround the Us coastline.

Paul

Edited by - on

sbell52859
1st Mate

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USA
30 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2010 : 11:26:37

I bought mine the beginning of the month ... takes allot of guess work and chart fumbling while under way ... screen is small but bright enough to compensate

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