Garmin GPSMap 76 Handheld GPS Navigator

The internal quad-helix antenna is excellent. Position accuracy is superb, screen resolution is vastly improved, and the extras such as tidal and celestial info are a really nice touch. The optimal fishing/hunting time predictor seems like overkill but I'll bet there are users who swear by it. The routing and tracking functions are well thought out and much improved since the 12XL was released. WAAS is sort of a mixed bag. I find that that whenever I lock onto WAAS signals, the estimated accuracy gets a few feet worse. It's never reads more than 20-25 feet off total but it's still the opposite of what I'd expect. Regardless of what the estimated error reading is, the accuracy always seems much better than it lets on. I've been using it a lot for geocaching lately and it invariably puts me within 5-6 feet of the caches.

The MetroGuide CD is quite nicely designed for a Windows product (I'm a Mac fan!) It contains substantial improvements over Delormes Street Atlas 4 Mac which was the last CD based mapping product I owned. It's fast and accurate (I understand that they just updated all their maps) and the integration with the GPSMAP is excellent. You can easily transfer all waypoints, routes, tracks, or maps back and forth between the GPS and your PC (or VirtualPC for Mac fans). You can also connect your GPS to the serial port and dynamically track your whereabouts on your laptop screen but I find this arrangement a bit cumbersome. There are just too many wires and batteries to deal with. For me having an easily readable, high-resolution, zoomable map on the GPS is the only way to go.

The only complaint I expected to make was with regard to the limited 8 MB map storage space. It turns out that 8 MB will hold pretty much the entire San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA Bay Area. If I were driving across the country and wanted to investigate every nook and cranny I might be concerned. Otherwise it's perfectly fine for now.

Great product, great price. Happy navigating!


An excellent product...   October 11, 2001
 20 out of 21 found this review helpful

The MAP76 is a well-designed and well-made unit with a lot of useful features. In particular, the external antenna, WAAS and DGPS capability, and wide input voltage range make this a great GPS for doing consumer-level mapping.

This unit has Garmin's new quadrifiler antenna which really improves the ability of the GPS to lock onto satellites under heavy brush and in rugged terrain. There really is little comparison to the etrex units on all the testing I have performed in real-world conditions.

The user interface is typical Garmin and it won't take you long to figure out how to use the GPS. The unit is fully water-tight (well, except for the battery compartment itself) and I have yet to see any complaints about leakage. It also floats which is definitely a useful feature for those thinking about using it for canoe tripping.

The accuracy is rather astounding, again in comparison to older etrex units I have used. The unit consistently and quickly locks onto satellites and often receives the WAAS info even in northern Ontario; accuracy is remarkable when WAAS is recieved.

I have used this product extensively for doing trail mapping and design. With an external battery and antenna such as the Mighty Mouse II you get very accurate data and the tracks are extremely detailed compared to previous products. The MapSource information leaves a lot to be desired but with GPS Utility and a bit of time you can do whatever you want. The only thing I would like to see on this unit is some form of pluggable memory such as SmartMedia; hopefully that will be available on future products.


Best Antenna & Features of current units   October 10, 2001
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

With the internal quad-helix antenna (as opposed to a simple patch antenna)and the external antenna port for an optional active antenna, you can get great signal, even in the worst circumstances. After reading all the comments [...] I chose this unit and have been extremely satisfied. I have been able to get reception while driving in a valley under tree cover. I have even gotten reception holding it up next to a window on an airplane (way cool!). The 8MB of memory is enough to hold the map of the entire Bay Area. The compass is sensitive enough, so that a few steps in any direction will give you an accurate heading. The altimiter is accurate to within 10-20 feet when it has a 3D lock with good signal. It's acquisition times are short and the darn thing even FLOATS! I had to choose between this unit and the Vista (the other top of the line Garmin) and chose this unit for its reception sensitivity. The only other unit with "better sensitivity" was the feature-poor Garmin III+.
I have not been dissapointed with the Map76. One thing, be sure to hold it vertically for the best reception (as opposed to the patch antenna units which must be held horizontally).
Also: I have found that this, and other Garmin units, interface well with the MapSource and the TOPO! software for dynamite route and waypoint planning. Great Toy!


I Love This New Toy   September 5, 2001
 12 out of 12 found this review helpful

I upgraded to this device from a Magellan 310.

This device is far superior in its accuracy, its reception and its features. The screen is fantastic, the graphics are crisp and sharp.

I have been using the device for GeoCaching, see geocaching.com. It is great for this purpose.

I have played with Garmin's maps that are downloadable into the unit. This feature is great, although the cost of these maps is prohibitive.

My friend has a Magellan 330 which he is quite happy with. We have used the GPSMAP 76 and the Magellan 330 together. Both of us are happy with the choices we made. I would say that the GPSMAP 76 has a far superior screen, graphics and interface and concede that the Magellan 330 may be a hair more accurate (at least when we used them together). If I could choose again I would still buy the GPSMAP 76.


The best yet...   June 29, 2001
 16 out of 18 found this review helpful

Having owned over 6 Garmin GPS products, and now having the 76 that provides accuracy beyond belief, makes this product a real winner. Read all of the options, the WAAS is clearly next generation. I have used it on land and sea, in both cases there was no comparison to previous models. It is all here, you need look no longer.