Garmin GPS 76CSX Handheld GPS with Barometric Altimeter and Electronic Compass

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 1.2 x 2.7 inches ; 7.7 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000CSQRYS
• Item model number: 010-00469-00
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required.
  

By : Garmin
List Price : $589.99
Price : $219.98
You Save : $370.01 (63%)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description Aimed squarely at boaters and marine users, the Garmin GPSMap 76CSx ispacked with features that seasoned mariners crave. The 7.6-ounce 76CSx now features an insanely accurate, high-sensitivity GPS receiver by SiRF that tracks your position even in tree cover and canyons. Plus, you get a bright, sunlight-readable color TFT display and an included a 128 MB microSD card for storage of optional map detail. Add all that to the 76CSx's integrated barometric altimeter and electronic compass, and you've got a highly capable unit. Simply put, the 76CSx is ready to take you anywhere on the water. Landlubbers will find much to like about this unit, too, as it packs great GPS mapping capabilities into a compact device.

The 76CSx features a removable microSD card for detailed mapping memory and a waterproof, rugged housing. .
The GPSMap 76CSx features the powerful SiRF GPS navigation chip, as well as an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter.
The trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more. You can use the 76CSx's memory card slot with preprogrammed microSD cards from Garmin (sold separately) that provide topographic maps, city streets, and nautical charts. In fact, the unit is compatible with most Garmin MapSource products, including BlueChart, City Navigator, U.S. Topo 24K, and U.S. Topo and Recreational Lakes with Fishing Hot Spots. The unit comes preloaded with an Americas autoroute basemap that provides automatic routing capabilities including highways, exits, and tide data. There's also a preloaded marine point database. You can even get turn-by-turn directions when you're driving, and an integrated trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more.
The 76CSx's 2.6-inch, 256-color TFT color display is designed to present mapping and trip information clearly and accurately in any lighting conditions. Plus, the case is lightweight, rugged, and water resistant to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards (can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes). Marine users will also like the fact that the 76CSx floats. When using two AA alkaline batteries, you'll get up to 20 hours of battery life from the unit.
Another key feature of the 76CSx is the 10,000 point automatic track log; 20 saved tracks (500 points each) let you retrace your path in both directions. Meanwhile, there's a large numbers option for easy viewing, as well as a dual-position display mode. The unit also includes built-in celestial tables for best times to fish and hunt, plus sun and moon calculations. You also get audible alarms for anchor drag, arrival, off-course, proximity waypoint, and clock. The unit's barometric altimeter system features automatic pressure trend recording while providing current elevation, ascent/descent rate, minimum/maximum elevation, total ascent and descent, and average and maximum ascent and descent rate. Meanwhile, the electronic compass allows you to get accurate headings while standing still.
The 76CSx's trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more. Meanwhile, a fast processor allows the 60Cx to provide quick auto-routing, turn-by-turn directions, and audio alerts when you use the optional MapSource software, which can be stored on the unit's included 128 MB microSD card. Downloading information is quick with the USB or serial port interfaces. Using the dedicated serial port, the 76CSx can share navigation instructions with repeaters, plotters, and autopilots.
If you like the features of the 76CSx but don't need an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter, check out the Garmin GPSMap 76Cx.
What's in the BoxGPSMAP 76CSx, Americas Recreational Basemap, 128 MB microSD card, USB cable, MapSource Trip ; Waypoint Manager, Wrist strap, Owner's manual, Quick reference guide
Garmin GPS MAP 76 CSx. The Garmin GPS MAP 76 CSx is ideal for marine use! It features a removable microSD card for detailed mapping memory. The microSD card slot is located inside the waterproof battery compartment. You can load map data and transfer routes and waypoints through the unit's fast USB connection. This GPS unit also has a new, highly sensitive GPS receiver that acquires satellites faster and lets you track your location in challenging conditions, such as heavy foliage or deep canyons. Built-in barometric altimeter provides extremely accurate elevation data and an electronic compass that displays an accurate heading while standing still. Get the specs: New high-sensitivity WAAS-cable GPS receiver by SiRF; Built-in quad-helix receiving antenna with remote antenna capability; Electronic compass displays accurate heading while standing still; Barometric altimeter with automatic pressure rend recording; MicroSD card slot allows for storage of optimal MapSource data (128 MB microSD included); LED back lit display and keyboard; Approx. 18 hours of battery life using 2 AA alkaline batteries; Includes a built-in Americas autoroute basemap with automatic routing capabilities, including highways, exits and tide data; Internal memory is preloaded with marine point database... so you're ready to hit the water right after you take this GPS out of the box; Stores 1,000 user waypoints with name and graphic symbol and 50 reversible routes; Position formats include latit

 

Garmin GPS 76CSX Handheld GPS with Barometric Altimeter and Electronic Compass

 

Technical Details

• High-Sensitivity GPS Receiver
• Color-Handheld Mapping Ideal For Both Marine ; Outdoor Use
• Bright, Sunlight-Readable Color Tft Display
• 128 Mb Micro Secure Digital Card For Storage Of Optional Map Detail
• Fast Usb Connectivity Makes Loading Charts ; Maps Quick ; Easy

Customer Reviews

UPDATE: June 30, 2010 - This GPS is still great! Waiting on whether to update it to 2010.
UPDATE: September 4, 2008 - Still very impressed with the 76CSx unit. It has come in real handy recently shopping for a house. All my opinions stated previously are still current. One very handy feature the unit doesn't have that I wish it did was the ability to choose an alternate route while your are traveling. This can come in handy in the event there is a detour or you want to calculate a route around a traffic jam. This would create a by-pass route on-the-fly. Many street specific GPS units can do this. Although, this unit can re-route if you go off course which is something different.
The '2008 City Navigator Map Update' is not much to be desired. I have not noticed any significant improvement in calculated routes or updated points of interest (POI) data over the 2007 maps release. The same errors that I have encounter initially are still there in the 2008 release(PA, NJ, NY areas). I am hesitant to purchase the 2009 update. I will probably wait until the 2010 Update.
The Foarm(R) case is the best protection out there still.
I am completely satisfied with this unit I have purchased ; recommended other similar units by Garmin. Overall, the 76CSx is still a great unit.
UPDATE: August 23, 2007 - After reading reviews about the 2008 release of the Maps I decided to get. One special note: If you buy the update DVD make sure you get the correct release. For instance, if you have previously installed City Navigator North America v8 you need City Navigator North America 2008 UPDATE. If you own City Navigator North America v8 NT you need City Navigator North America 2008 NT. Get it? I found out the hard way but Garmin came through!
UPDATE: August 21, 2007 - A year has gone by and I still very much like my GPSmap 76CSx. Top notch! Garmin support has been great too. It's been great on on the road, on the trails and even on a plane! Whether I am walking, driving or riding my bike. Actually, there isn't much I would change on this GPS unit. The button placement you get accustomed to very quickly and the menu-page layout is genius. It's been so easy to use this GPS. Once you read what each feature does the book really isn't required anymore. Using the menus to get around to all the features and functions is easy and self-explanatory. Since my initial purchase, I have upgraded the expandable memory to 2GB (SanDisk microSD $22 on Amazon) and managed to fit the 48-states and some parts of Canada.
I see that there is a 2008 version of the North American maps replacing version 8. I am reluctant to purchasing this newer version since I have found quite a few out of date points-of-interests in the v8 maps. On a positive note, using the maps I have had many successful finds.
Battery life using Duracell alkaline batteries while the GPS is set to "Alkaline" will last about 12 hours. I have tried 2500mAh Energizer rechargable batteries with the GPS unit set to "NiMH" but I only seem to get about 3 hours of use out of them.
Recently, I have purchased a Garmin Nuvi 350 for my father from Amazon (price was great) and he really likes it but that unit is primarily for the road. Just what he wanted. The GPSmap 76CSx is loaded with so much more for so many other uses.
ORIGINAL review July 29, 2006 -
Having the Foarm rubber protective case has kept the GPS looking and functioning as new. It's dropped a few times.
I highly recommend Garmin GPSmap76CSx unit to anyone looking for a GPS unit for the road, hiking and/or boating. The numerous menus and features are very intuitive and easy to use. The hi-res color screen may be small compared to in-car GPSs but is very clear. The time for the satellite lock is relatively quick. Even while indoors, I can get a lock on at least 3 or 4 satellites. Buildings with metal roofs or concrete floors above may not get any reception. This is expected of any unit.
For the road, I would highly suggest purchasing the City Navigator North American v8 Maps ($112). The map extends the features of the GPS with turn-by-turn directions, millions of points-of-interests (POI) such as fuel stations, garages, attractions, restaurants and shopping venues. You can even upload your own POIs to the unit as well. Don't be surprised if some of the route calculations it comes up with seem a bit odd. It will get you there though. If you miss your turn it re-calculates a new route very quickly. There are numerous websites that provide POI files that you can upload to your unit. You will notice that some of the pre-installed POIs may not be up to date.
Unlike other handheld GPS units, the memory is expandable. I installed a 1GB microSD card ($45) in order to store vast amounts of map data or tracking that you may have done. The entire US is about 1.5GB of information. The unit comes with a blank 128MB microSD memory card that I moved to my cell phone (bonus).
The sensors included are the electronic compass and barometer. Having an electronic compass allows one to determine ones (N,S,E,W) direction without moving. Many GPS units determine direction by changes in position coordinates. Therefore you must be moving. Optional sensors such has for water temperature may be plugged into the back of the unit.
To protect your unit I recommend the Foarm textured, rubberized (~$20) case. The case comes with a few transparent protectors for the screen. If you don't get this case go out and at least buy some PDA screen protectors. If the protected screen gets scratched you can peel off the overlay and stick on a new one. Since the screen is a bit small and with hi-resolution you want to keep it clear. The GPS unit floats with or without the case. That can come in handy while hiking or boating.
Based on all of this I would highly recommend any other Garmin unit as well.

Do not let the suggestion that this device is intended for marine use deter you from considering it for highway and recreational use on land. In fact, the waterproof and floating qualities of this device simply enhance its already impressive capabitities for hikers, bikers and motorized recreationists. It uses all varieties of MapSource software, providing the ability to use highway, topographic and marine maps.
The removable memory allows the user to increase memory or to create memory cards with chosen mapsets preloaded. I installed a 2 GB card and have every available MapSource map east of the Mississippi loaded, including parts of the Canada, Mexican isthmus, and Carribean World Maps! No longer do I have to sit and select maps corresponding to my next trip, load them to the device. Nor do I have to load map segments on my long trips during my trip (which required I bring my PC). It's in there! It's nearly as good as the DVD method found on today's built in vehicle systems in terms of map storage.
It's far better than vehicle systems in terms of features, portability, flexibility, and so on. There are no in-motion restrictions; all data can be uploaded and download with a computer; if the road is on a map, this GPS will take you there - no "road not verified mumbo-jumbo).
This marks the third Garmin GPS I have purchased. It has several capabilities that take it beyond the GPS V that I own, and puts the GPS12 (though a very fine device for it's time) to shame. This unit has expandable memory, double the storage for waypoints, and over three times the track log memory. Tracks uploaded can be twice as large as the GPS V and three times as many total points.
The satellite reception is astonishing - it often receives enough satellites to give me coverage even sitting at my desk in my home office!
The addition of electronic compass and altimeter improve the usability and accuracy of an already impressive device. You will not regret owning one! If you already have a lesser Garmin mapping GPSr, take a look at this!