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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Garmin 76

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Phredde
Navigator

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125 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/02/2003 : 20:27:35

Got a nice birthday gift this year, a handheld GPS; Garmin model 76. Its nice to finally have Phredde in the digital age, being able to see our speed and distance to things. It's only a basic entry level model, but it came with all of the local navaids loaded, that was pretty cool. Was wondering about getting the optional software and loading that in. The disks are pretty expensive and I'm pretty sure the standard memory won't hold much. Has anyone done this? Or have any other GPS tips to share?

By the way, a warm spell last weekend made for some great SF bay sailing when the wind finally picked up. Mid/high 70's on the thermometer, 10-20 knots on my wind guestimator. Great day!! Made me almost think I was a southern californian or one of your other warm weather sailors.

Cheers -

Phredde
Catalina 25
San Francisco

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/02/2003 : 21:03:50

Phredde: I have an "old" (2 years) Garmin 48, which makes your 76 look like a Boeing 777 guidance system. It doesn't show me shorelines and such, but it does wonderful things as-is. It took me at a couple of seasons to fully exploit its capabilities--including taking it on airplanes and watching the speed, altitude, course, ETA, and towns passing underneath.

Enjoy your 76, and maybe after a few years you'll want to upgrade it--or more likely buy the unimaginably more amazing unit that is available then.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 04/02/2003 : 21:43:54

That, Sir, is a non approved electronic device, and as such cannot be used in flight in the cabin <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>.
Actually I'm surprised you got it to work. I have the 76 and have tried to "calibrate" it against the Honeywells in the 737, and it would not cooperate. The heated cokpit windows have a metallic film on it, and I suspect that has something to do with it.....
I did not buy the gigabyte's worth of the nearest amusement parks.Neither do I use the myriad of features. All I do is plug in some waypoints for course info, and then underway get a lat/long once in a while and put a blob on a chart in case the thing goes Tango Uniform. I spend my whole day at work beating up the flight management computer, when I go sailing I want to punch as little buttons as possible.
One feature I do appreciate and use a lot is the tidal info....
Good luck with it, but remember never put your eggs in one basket. Bring a chart, and plot a position once in a while, so you have something to fall back on.

Captain (no really) Oscar.

<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/LKforumshot.jpg" border=0>
Lady Kay 250 WB #618
In the driveway in Behtlehem, PA ready to go anytime.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/02/2003 : 22:18:25

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
That, Sir, is a non approved electronic device, and as such cannot be used in flight in the cabin...
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Well, Oscar, the captains of a couple of flights thought it was pretty cool! They wished they could see the names of little towns like I could! I did get busted once for watching the acceleration down the runway. <img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 04/02/2003 : 22:23:53

I was kidding, I have let people use it in the cabin. I don't believe there is a radiation field around the antenna the way FM radios or cell phones have. (Ever have your cell phone ring sitting on top of your clock radio?)

Oscar
<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/LKforumshot.jpg" border=0>
Lady Kay 250 WB #618
In the driveway in Behtlehem, PA ready to go anytime.

Edited by - on

Todd Frye
Navigator

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USA
222 Posts

Response Posted - 04/03/2003 : 12:49:52

I have really enjoyed using my Garmin III + with my auto pilot (just installed last year). When I come in late, no moon out, the shore line is difficult to read. So I select my "harbor" way point and lock on with the auto pilot, start the iron genny and go forward to drop sail, put out fenders, crank up the keel, etc. Cheers. Todd Frye

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 04/04/2003 : 01:38:32

Hey Phredde
Now that you have a GPS are you considering any trips out the gate? A friend of mine with a cal 34 suggested I join him part way down the coast. I can't go when he wants to, but another guy with a Mac 26 )old one) would like to do it. We are thinking of heading to half moon bay and have a car waiting there to drive back and pick up truck and trailer. Haven't got the logistics down all the way yet, still kicking the idea around. My buddy said I could use his spare GPS. The admrial said go, but that was in a fit of kindness that may fade as our house remodle continues.

Matt/Brigitte Loeffler
E.C. Rider
Cat 25 86'
FK/SR _/)

Edited by - on

JesseSmith
1st Mate

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USA
37 Posts

Response Posted - 04/07/2003 : 10:19:27

I loaded Garmin's Blue chart into my GPSMap76S. The maps are exactly like the paper charts I used to carry. Garmin just updated the BlueChart Americas, so they are more up to date than my paper charts. IMO, adding the maps makes the GPS truely amazing. Spend another boat unit and get the maps. you can specifically load the area of interest to you depending on the amount of memory you have.
JS

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/07/2003 : 22:01:56

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Spend another boat unit and get the maps. you can specifically load the area of interest to you depending on the amount of memory you have.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Can you do that with the 76, or do you need the 76Map? It sounds like Phredde has the regular 76.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - on

Phredde
Navigator

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125 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2003 : 20:21:52

Dave - good question, I'd be interested if anyone has loaded the maps with the 76. Maybe I can find a used disk on ebay or something.

Matt - good luck with the half moon bay expedition. We venture out the gate a little, but never all of the way past the headlands. I need a new bottom job before I can travel too far in one day (that's my excuse this week). But one day I'll head out the gate and turn left, the only question is whether I'll just keep going. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> Probably need abigger boat for that though....

Cheers -

Phredde
Catalina 25
San Francisco

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2003 : 20:37:01

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Maybe I can find a used disk on ebay or something.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
If somebody sold one on eBay, it's probably be a license violation, and Garmin would probably catch it.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2003 : 11:11:01

According to Garmin, the GPS 76 has one megabyte of memory for downloading "points of interest" while the GPSMAP 76 has 8 megs for storing Mapsource and other mapping data.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - dave bristle on 04/10/2003 11:23:21

Edited by - on

jandrus
1st Mate

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USA
79 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2003 : 15:19:10

I have a GPS 76Map - with or without the maps the unit is amazing. And it floats. Which is good in my world.

As far as buying used software - Garmin generates its unlock codes with an algorythm that uses the GPS's embedded serial number and the embedded hardware serial number from a component of your computer. I don't know which one. The result is a code that only works on one GPS and one computer. So - either you get a disk and an unlock code that won't work on your system, or you get a disk and call Garmin to get the license code you've "lost" and get a code that doesn't work on your system.

So while the legality issue would be enough to dissuade many people, even if you weren't dissuaded you'd be disappointed.

Justin

c25 #1942 s/v tako kichi

Edited by - on

bren737
Captain

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291 Posts

Response Posted - 04/11/2003 : 22:05:05

I've been following this thread with interest, as I 've been in the market for a handheld GPS. I just found a great deal at West Marine. It seems West is discontinuing the Garmin 'eTrex' line of GPS units. Garmin is still making them, West is just replacing them with a different line in their stores.

I bought an 'eTrex Legend' (the blue one) for $225; regularly $250. I also got the 'Blue Chart' package for $89; after a $50 rebate. It works GREAT, even in the jet. It's got more features than I'll ever truly use. The only differences I can pick out from a comparison to the mapping 76 is that the eTrex cannot attach to an external antenna (not a factor for me) and the number of routes is can store (again, not a factor for me).

Bren Peterson
C250WB, #642, "Ruah"
San Antonio, TX

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/11/2003 : 22:42:17

Bren,

Right now Garmin has a $50.00 mail-in rebate for the eTrex Legend. Click on the link to take you to the Current Promotions page at Garmin.

http://www.garmin.com/whatsNew/currentpromotions/

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

Edited by - on

bren737
Captain

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291 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2003 : 23:33:54

Don,

That, my friend, is why you are the Grand Poobah, Supreme Sultan, All-Knowing 'Master Marine Consultant'!! Another $50 off! I suppose that means I owe you a beer sometime. Thanks for the info!!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

You da' man. . .

Bren Peterson
C250WB, #642, "Ruah"
San Antonio, TX

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2003 : 01:22:36

Your quite welcome. <img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

Edited by - on

Steve Shetter
1st Mate

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USA
60 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2003 : 22:21:23

Phredde,

I bought myself a Garmin Map 76S for Christmas last year and I love it. I carry it whenever I travel around the Midwest. Initially, I carried it to get acquainted with it, then realized that I wasn't getting lost as often as before. (Correction--- I have never been lost, just severely misplaced quite often). I bought the "Fishing" software for it, because it shows water depths. Seriously, I won't go anywhere without. It makes for a very cool way to remember how to get places that I don't visit often enough to remember the directions. Although I bought this thing in anticipation of using it on the water, I use it on the road all of the time.... it's great.

Steve Shetter
"At Last"
#2381

Steve Shetter
"At Last"
#2381

Edited by - on

bren737
Captain

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291 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2003 : 11:28:08

Oscar,

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I have the 76 and have tried to "calibrate" it against the Honeywells in the 737, and it would not cooperate. The heated cokpit windows have a metallic film on it, and I suspect that has something to do with it.....

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

You must be flying a 7/8/900 series. I can get my eTrex to work fine on a 3/500 series from any window in the cockpit. However, in a 700 it will not track any satellites from the L1 or L2 windows, but if I hold it behind me in the L3 it tracks just fine. I think you're right about it (7/8/900) having something to do with the windshield heat or the "hydorphobic" coating for the rain shedding.

Bren Peterson
C250WB, #642, "Ruah"
San Antonio, TX

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