Garmin GPS opinions

WaterDog · 01-28-2004, 06:30 AM

I've decided to upgrade to a mapping GPS. I've decided on either a Garmin 176 or a 76S. These are similar but different. Both can use the Bluechart chip. Both are hand held although the 176 is rather large.

For those that own each of these, how easy are they to use? Looking at the owner's manuals they both look complicated. [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

My primary use will be in the boat so is it worth the extra bucks for the 176? What about a color screen (176C)? Can anyone comment on the bluechart maps?

Surfing the net I found I can get the 76S for $310. The 176 I found for $425 and $515 for the 176C. There is a $100 rebate on the 176C! :grin:

So I'm asking the salty dog's advice. What do y'all think?

Rich

Bait O' Eggs · 01-28-2004, 07:41 AM

Rich - you have mail :grin:

There is no substitute for testing a model out for a few days. Why dont you use mine for a few days and see if you like it, the GPS76SMap is pretty sweet. Lots of good models out there, we all decide different items are important to us.

jet · 01-28-2004, 08:06 AM

When I was looking I was looking at both of those as my final choices because of ease of use. You may remember I have a Garmin E-Trek and found that Garmin was really easy to use. I went with the 76s due to the fact that I could use it for hunting as well as on the boat. The screen is smaller on the 76s but I felt the advantages tipped the scale on the 76s side.

I bought mine online and got the link from one of those Geocashing-sp? sites.

Roy did you sell the Chickenworth? What are you looking at buying?

Scott

jet · 01-29-2004, 01:08 PM

ttt for Rich

Jet~~~

Bait O' Eggs · 01-29-2004, 01:24 PM

Scott
Dont worry about Rich, his wife will tell him soon enough what to buy and where to get it

Still got the boat, :depressed: but had a guy looking it over top to bottom last night, :grin: I think he will be coming back soon

it was kind of wet and rainy last night and not nice weather to be looking over a boat in to much detail.

edsr · 01-29-2004, 01:51 PM

Roy shine that puppy up and unload it. Remember there is always a seat on Team Pilsbury if it doesn't work out.
edsr

WaterDog · 01-29-2004, 02:00 PM

Roy, is that "new" boat coming next week?

:tongue:

Scott, thanks. I got on geocaching.com and got some feed back. I still don't know which to get but since I don't hunt anymore, the 176C has the lead by a nose.

[ 01-29-2004, 03:01 PM: Message edited by: WaterDog ]

Nofish · 01-29-2004, 02:29 PM

WaterDog, I have used a 176C for over a year and I really like it - except it can be kind of hard to see in bright sunlight. It has way more features than I will ever know how to use. I like the fact that it's portable - I have smaller 16 foot Bayrunner as well as my larger Bayliner and with two mounting brackets, it's a piece of cake to switch between the two. Good luck with this. Bob

CAPT KUJO · 01-29-2004, 06:51 PM

Hey WD Let me tell you about GARMIN products. If you have a problem with them you can call GARMIN direct. FOr me, they have either replaced, repaired or upgrades my equipment when I damaged it at NO CHARGE! Absolutly the best customer service of any of the big electronics manufacturers.

CAPT KUJO

fishwhenican · 01-29-2004, 08:07 PM

While I have been generally happy with Garmin products, since I just upgraded from a GPS12 to the 176C, they haven't fixed problems at no charge. When I let the factory smoke out of the GPS12, by supplying 12 volts to it, it cost $50.00 to fix/replace,I also asked for a cause which wasn't answered. Following that up it took 2 e-mails to get the answer, that I "fried" it. My second e-mail was very pointed and very direct as to why the heck they didn't answer ALL the quetions in my first e-mail. I didn't feel that I should have had to dig that hard to find out the voltage supply range was only 5-8 volts, there was nothing in the manual on it.

That said the manual for the 176C is very clear on voltage range 12 volts is just fine.