User Review: Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx

Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx
Above: The current GPSMAP 76CSx, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed September 24, 2007 by pjw

Rating:
Price Paid: $365

This GPS unit is supposedly made for marine use but it makes more sense for it to be used for roughly mapping an area or mapping waypoints and such. It's great for using on the road and the color display really helps to distinguish features. The map it comes with is darn near useless so get ready to fork over another $150 for a new set of maps (typical Garmin). If you have the money and get more than one set of maps the removable card ability is great additional memory. It's really easy to use as my technologically dysfunctional Mother picked up the basics in a few minutes tops.

A friend of mine has the 60CS and we compared accuracies as we drove out to Idaho this past summer. He had better accuracy by about a meter on the plains in Montana, but once we got into the mountains and canyons, my unit had his beat by as much as 5 meters. In some areas his unit wouldn't even detect satellites when mine would have four or five registered- might be attributed to the Sirf receiver this has.

I received this as a gift for Graduation and have loved it, however it does have some shortcomings. It says it accepts rechargeable batteries but when I put my Energizer ones in, the case closed but was really tight. The little latch on the back actually ground out some of the plastic due to the pressure and consequently I don't think my unit is very waterproof anymore. I've been too scared to try it out, however.

Also there is no way to put it on a belt other than with the lanyard they provide. So if you're mapping or hiking you have to carry it out all the time or deal with it being in your bag. Not very useful/convenient if you want to track/trace the trail with it.

This unit it good for me since I spend more time using it in canyons and areas with crappy reception. Other than that, you can spend a lot less and get pretty much the same thing.