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Garmin Gpsmap Barometric Altimeter Compass

GPS units are getting very usual with hunters these days, but it may be mixing up choosing the right unit for your hunting needs. Many people may be looking at the most recent designs thinking they are the best GPS they may buy but it may not be right for them.

Let's compare two of the most recent Garmin GPS models the Dakota 10 and the Oregon 400T to three of the best Garmin Hunting GPS units; the eTrex Vista HCx, the GPSMap 60 CSx, and the Rino 530 HCx.

New Touch Screen Models

· Garmin Dakota 10 GPS - This is the most recent model from Garmin. It is more compact than the Oregon 400T. It is waterproof and impact-resistant which are two features some hunters look for in a GPS unit. It also is equipped with Hotfix engineering science which calculates the user's position faster.

· Garmin Oregon 400T - This is likewise a somewhat recent model from Garmin. It is a little more prominent than the Dakota 10 but it is likewise a touch screen model. It allows users to percentage data with other GPS users, wirelessly, which is a nice feature to track other hunters in your party. It comes pre-loaded with topographical maps and has both a barometric altimeter and electronic compass. Hunters in truth be grateful for these three features.

The new engineering science of these two GPS units is likeable at primary galore persons are reporting that the screens are difficult to read in the sunlight and they are more difficult to use because of all their features. This is why the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx, the GPSMap 60 CSx, and the Rino 530 HCx are still the best hunting GPS units available.

Best Hunting GPS Units

· Garmin eTrex Vista HCx - This one is great if you are looking for a compact unit. It fits in your shirt pocket, has a clear color screen, and is waterproof. It has a barometric altimeter and an electronic compass which allows hunters to position themselves even when standing or sitting still.

· Garmin GPSMap 60 CSx - This GPS is a little more spectacular but is the most frequent amongst hunters. They like the larger, color screen makes it having little impact to view topo maps in the field. It likewise gets great satellite reception in heavy cover and deep canyons.

· Garmin Rino 530 HCx - The Rino has a radio build in to it so you may contact fellow hunters who also have a Rino or have a FRS/GMRS radio. It also has a color screen making it easy to view maps and has the capacity to pinpoint your emplacement while sitting or standing still because of it is electronic compass and barometric altimeter.

So, as you may see, numerous persons may think that the new engineering of the touch screen models would make the best hunting GPS units but after you consider the poor screen visibility and the difficultness in use you may want to consider either the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx, the GPSMap 60 CSx, and the Rino 530 HCx for your hunting GPS needs.

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 competent unit. Simply put, the 76CSx is ready to take you anyplace on the water. Landlubbers will find much to like regarding 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 distinctly 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 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 huge numbers option for easy viewing, as well as a dual-position display mode. The unit likewise 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 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 devoted serial port, the 76CSx may part 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 Gpsmap Barometric Altimeter Compass

Garmin Gpsmap Barometric Altimeter Compass Pic

Garmin Gpsmap Barometric Altimeter Compass

Garmin Gpsmap Barometric Altimeter Compass Image

Garmin Gpsmap Barometric Altimeter Compass

Garmin Gpsmap Barometric Altimeter Compass Photo

Garmin Gpsmap Barometric Altimeter Compass

Garmin Gpsmap Barometric Altimeter Compass Image

Garmin Gpsmap Barometric Altimeter Compass

Garmin Gpsmap Barometric Altimeter Compass Pic

Garmin Gpsmap Barometric Altimeter Compass

Garmin Gpsmap Barometric Altimeter Compass Photo


Most helpful client reviews

144 of 145 people found the following review helpful.
5Garmin GPSmap 76CSx, Great GPS!
By J. Young
UPDATE: June 30, 2010 - This GPS is still great! Waiting on whether to update it to 2010.

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful.
5The Cadillac of handheld GPS units
By L. Kirk
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; great assortment 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 pretty 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 likewise 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 basi 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 can not 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 incorporate elevation data.

All in all, I am very pleased with this unit. The main things a potential buyer ought to be conscious of is the need to add: 1) a larger 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.

47 of 48 humans found the following review helpful.
5The Next Generation...
By Paul Mark Provencher
Do not let the suggestion that this device is intended for marine use deter you from taking into account 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 closely 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 schemes in terms of features, portability, flexibility, and so on. There are no in-motion restrictions; all selective information 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 huge as the GPS V and three times as a heap of total points.

The satellite reception is astonishing - it ofttimes 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!

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