Garmin GPSMap 76S Handheld GPS Navigator

Other than that, this is a really great GPS unit. I use one at work. It gets intialized REALLY quick and the map functions quite well. I used to have a '97 Magellan, and this really shows how well these types of GPS units have improved in 5 years.

I use them boating often, and I would be interested to see how a magellan with similar features stacks up. I couldn't find one screen that showed everything that I wanted for boating.

Why are the buttons on top again?


Rubber waterproof covering too thin   June 16, 2003
 17 out of 17 found this review helpful

I wanted the best for my first GPS, so I chose Garmin GPS MAP76S based on possitive reviews I read about it. Except for the one, but very important, flaw I will mention below GPS MAP 76S would have been the best choice.
The flaw refers to the rubber sheet used as waterproof covering of the unit which is just too thin and, thus, easily tears off. To those not familiar with GPS MAP 76S, in order that water will not seep through the opening for the keys, Garmin covered the keys with a rubber sheet which is sticky to the feel. In the unit I bought, one of the keys popped out just after a day's use because the rubber sheet ruptured at the base of that key. I found out that the rubber sheet was too thin and easily tears off.
I hope Garmin would come up with stronger waterproof covering to make the unit withstand rough handling in the outdoors.


Hike, Hunt, Fish & Drive Way Too Much   June 5, 2003
 38 out of 38 found this review helpful

This unit has so many features I'm still amazed. Have not found this versatility on any competing handheld I've researched. Owned it since May '03.

Documentation is vague but menues are intuative.

Find good route maping functionality with the Garman MetroGuide software upgrade. The base mapping software isn't all that bad but the upgrade is worth the money.

The unit has a better antenna that the patch antenna found in its siblings. I have little problem staying locked 3D incl WAAS traveling the Turnpike. Map detail is excellent & is selectible when a mapset is transferred from your computer.

One downside is that transfer speed is slow and the desktop software will tie up your PC for the duration, 30Min to 1Hr+ (not to mention battery life). Consider a USB adapter to replace of the Serial adapter that's included . Even better, get one of the combination Power + PC adaptor cords offered by Garmen.

I purchased the cigarette lighter power cord. It works great. The GPS unit fits securely wedged between the dashboard & windshield (Garmen does make a disclaimer).

My real passion is fishing and the unit excells here as well. Barometer, electronic compass, solar tables, best fishing & hunting times, tide chart information from any where.

One last tip, I was able to convert the cigarette lighter adapter to use on the water by buying a female adaptor (with fuse) and two alligator test clips from Radio Shack for $5. I can now run it off the battery for my trolling motor.

Good luck.


Has been very helpful so far   May 15, 2003
 20 out of 20 found this review helpful

In late July of 2001 I attempted to do the classic mountain bike ride known as the Reno Divide-Bear Creek-Flag Creek route, located near Crested Butte, Colo. The route ascends to about 11,300 feet above sea level, and it's isolated and challenging. Unfortunately, although equipped with a map, I became lost in a valley while descending from a ridge. At 10,880 feet I was at an unmarked intersection in a bowl and could not see or discern the way out. Nor could I turn around, because an ominous-looking electrical storm was approaching from the west and to return to the high ridge with a metal mountain bike was too dangerous. It took several false starts, but I did eventually find my way out with an altimeter and the map. I got back down to my car, miles away at about the 9,500-foot level, just as the storm rolled in. It turned cold and rained all that night and into the next day, possibly snowing where I had been lost.

That scary situation persuaded me to buy a Garmin GPSMap 76S last month as I prepare to return to Colorado this summer. Last weekend I used it to navigate an obscure mountain bike route in Henry Willard Coe State Park near Gilroy, Calif. It performed excellently. It made easier a long, difficult ride in remote and rugged terrain by accurately showing where we were and alerting me to the approach of tiny overgrown trails that were barely visible by the side of wider fire roads. Without the Garmin, following the route would have been much harder, even though I had a high-quality map and an odometer.

I have a few comments and quibbles. (1) The alkaline batteries I've used have lasted only a few hours even on battery saver mode. (2) It would be nice to be able to download the route altitude profile from the plot page. Currently this cannot be done. And (3) be sure the software installed in your unit is the latest version -- visit the Garmin website to ensure that it is.

And be prepared to spend hours familiarizing yourself with the unit. There are so many menus, submenus, and possible data fields that it takes a long time to become well acquainted with the unit's functions. If you shirk this task, you won't get full use of it.

I also purchased Garmin's Mapsource topographical mapping software and have reviewed it on Amazon.

I had a couple of technical questions and Garmin's technical support department responded to them promptly and helpfully.

In sum, highly recommended.


The best multipurpose GPS around   April 24, 2003
 31 out of 31 found this review helpful

I labored long and hard over a piece of gear that I use on my boat, in my truck, and on the trail. This unit isn't perfect for each one, but its the best if you do all 3.

The somewhat small display compared to other marine units is not a problem. If you need a huge color display to look cool that's up to you. The fact that it floats is a huge safety feature incase the unthinkable happens. I don't think your hard mounted 5 lbs chart plotter that needs 12volt power is going to be joining you on the life raft if it comes to that. The bluechart software is incredible and a great buy considering what it would cost to buy all the paper charts. The screen resolution is much crisper than older units though it is B&W so don't expect too much. However some of the color units you can't see at all in sunlight so I think B&W is just fine. One of my concerns was switching between road maps and charts. I was glad to find out that it took only a few menu choices to do this. In other words you can load all kinds of information in and just select which one you want to see. You don't have to look at every road in the US while on the boat and you won't have depth contours while driving. Other good boating features are the anchor alarm and Tide charts!

In the car this unit will not auto route to an address however they are releasing software soon that will let you easily route on the computer and download to the GPS. You will also be able to search for an address on the GPS. Right now I own a previous version from an old GPS and have to select the turns myself. I really wanted auto routing , but the units that do offer this had real problems on the boat or trail or both and they cost even more than this one. I also had to be realistic. How lost can you be if you can see every road and know exactly where you are.

On the trail this thing is great. Its light, has a compass, altitude measurement (Alt is better than with normal altimeter because it uses GPS to calibrate itself) and you can get topo maps if you think you need them. It's a little bigger than other trail models but try looking at one of those units while driving 80mph...I mean 65. Remember to bring extra batteries for the trail if you plan to leave it on all the time.

Over all the killer features are its easy to use, will hold every map, chart or trail you can think of and it works everywhere well. The only thing I can say bad about it is with all the software, mounting bracket, and power cord its expensive, but its a lot cheaper than buying 4 different GPS for the car, boat, lifeboat, and trail. If your thinking about just getting the MAP 76 and saving [money] you'll regret not having the memory for all the maps your going to want to load into it.