Garmin Gps 76 Handheld Navigator

The Garmin nüvi 3790T 4.3-inch portable GPS navigator is one of three new GPS gimmicks that Garmin's going to be freeing later this summer. It's too bad they're not freeing it now, because it looks like it's going to be the most advanced, coolest GPS around. The nüvi 3790T is part of a trio of new GPS gimmicks that Garmin's bringing to market.

There's been a lot of talk lately when it comes to whether the stand alone GPS market is dying. The idea is that everyone is just going to get GPS capability on their iPhones. Sure, that's surely an issue, but Garmin doesn't seem to be throwing in the towel. As a matter of fact, they have a lot of interesting technical improvements in their new 3700 series that evidently shows they've got the iPhone app market in mind.

For instance, you may use the Garmin nüvi 3790T 4.3-inch portable GPS navigator (as well as the other two appliances in the 3700 series) either horizontally or vertically. Horizontally, makes the device look and feel like the dashboard GPS we've all come to know and love. Vertically... well, that makes me think iPhone. Part of the raison d'etre of the vertical capability is this. The device fits into the palm of your hand better vertically than horizontally.

About a year ago, Garmin came out with a heap of exciting, public transportation and pedestrian software for their newer GPS devices. Obviously, Garmin is continuing this trend. The 3700 series is designed not only for vehicle use, but for handheld use while either commuting on public transportation or while walking.

Going along with this "iPhone" conception is this. The width of the Garmin nüvi 3790T 4.3-inch portable GPS navigator is only 9 millimeters. That's less than a pencil! This device is going to work, look, and feel much like a state of the art cellular phone!

Other capablenesses that the Garmin nüvi 3790T 4.3-inch portable GPS navigator has are this: voice recognition. The nüvi 3790t may learn to recognize your voice. Not only that, but it "learns" your every day route, and even "learns" reoccurring traffic patterns in and around your every day commute, such as Friday's two hour early rush hour.

The Garmin nüvi 3790T 4.3-inch portable GPS navigator comes with maps of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It likewise have a 3d map capability, which makes it requiring little effort to use in unfamiliar territory. Of course, the Garmin nüvi 3790T 4.3-inch portable GPS navigator has the bells and whistles we've all come to suppose in a Garmin GPS device.

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 anyplace on the water. Landlubbers will find much to like when it comes to this unit, too, as it packs outstanding GPS mapping capablenesses into a compact device.

The 76CSx features a removable microSD card for elaborate mapping memory and a waterproof, rugged housing. View larger.

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 may 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 capablenesses including highways, exits, and tide data. There's likewise a preloaded marine point database. You may 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 data without doubt or question and accurately in any lighting conditions. Plus, the case is lightweight, rugged, and water immune to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards (can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes). Marine users will likewise 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 huge 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 likewise 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 assent and descent, and intermediate and greatest or most complete or best possible assent and dissent rate. Meanwhile, the electronic compass allows you to get precise 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 may be stored on the unit's included 128 MB microSD card. Downloading info is quick with the USB or serial port interfaces. Using the committed serial port, the 76CSx may percentage 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 Box
GPSMAP 76CSx, Americas Recreational Basemap, 128 MB microSD card, USB cable, MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager, Wrist strap, Owner's manual, Quick reference guide

Garmin Gps 76 Handheld Navigator Photo

Garmin Gps 76 Handheld Navigator Pic

Garmin Gps 76 Handheld Navigator Picture

Garmin Gps 76 Handheld Navigator Image

Garmin Gps 76 Handheld Navigator Picture

Garmin GPSmap 76CSx, Great GPS!
UPDATE: June 30, 2010 - This GPS is still great! Waiting on whether to update it to 2010.

The Cadillac of handheld GPS units
There are times when "pretty good" isn't good enough. For me, purchasing a GPS unit represented one of those times. I wanted a handheld GPS unit that was best-in-class. My exploration led me to the GPSMap 76CSx. Factors that led to the decision: frankly, the reviews here; Garmin's reputation; powerful satellite locking; outstanding potpourri of base- and add-on maps; expandable storage by way of microSD card; altimeter; compass; battery life; transreflective LCD screen. Don't underestimate the importance of the transreflective screen: one of the biggest buyers of battery power is the LCD: with the backlight on frequently, battery life drops significantly. The transreflective LCD enables you to turn off backlighting for use outdoors for the duration of the day, which significantly reduces battery draw.

I like to play with a unit before reading the manual, and in playing around I have figured out the major functions/features. It's not the *most* intuitive unit, but I give it 4/5 stars on intuitiveness. The manual is not huge, but is a several-evening reading project, and that's on my soon-to-do list.

Initial satellite locking is beauteous quick (3-4), then acquisition of another 3-4 satellites occurs over the next various minutes. This is *indoors*, where I routinely lock 9 satellites in a townhouse. Out in the woods while hiking, I also lock and hold at least 9 satellites. The more satellites your unit may lock, the more precise your coordinates are.

I started with using just the built-in basemap, which is ... basic. The initial map I added was Topo 2008 USA. While the solution is only 100k, it adds a reasonable level of topographical detail for my uses (general light hiking), as well as non-routable local roads. (The roads appear and are labelled, but the unit cannot calculate turn-by-turn routing directions using the Topo map. For this, you will have to add one of the Navigator maps.)

The unit is light, and battery life so far seems as promised (15-20 hours). I have not tried rechargeable batteries, but plan to do so. If they work well, fine, and if not, fine too. Alkalines are inexpensive sufficient purchased in bulk.

Downloading maps from the computer is rather a slow process, so I'm going to guess the USB is 1.1 not 2.0. I downloaded the mid-Atlantic and New England region, approximately 700k of data, which took over 45 minutes. I can't imagine loading the whole country. The Navigator maps may be smaller, since I don't believe they comprise elevation data.

All in all, I am very pleased with this unit. The main things a potential buyer will have to be conscious of is the need to add: 1) a more spectacular microSD card to store further and added map data; 2) the need to buy better topographical maps for severe outdoor use; 3) the understanding that while Topo maps show roads, they do not calculate driving routes on these roads; 4) for routable driving maps, you have to add a Navigator type map.

The Next Generation...
Do not let the suggestion that this device is intended for marine use deter you from giving careful consideration to it for highway and recreational use on land. In fact, the waterproof and drifting calibers of this device merely heighten it is already impressive capabitities for hikers, bikers and motorized recreationists. It uses all varieties of MapSource software, providing the capacity to use highway, topographic and marine maps.

The removable memory allows the user to increase memory or to develop memory cards with chosen mapsets preloaded. I installed a 2 GB card and have each 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 for the duration of my trip (which required I fetch my PC). It's in there! It's almost as good as the DVD method found on today's built in vehicle schemes 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 info may 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 various capablenesses 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 may be twice as big as the GPS V and three times as some total points.

The satellite reception is astonishing - it often times receives sufficient 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!

Garmin Gps 76 Handheld Navigator

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