Garmin GPSMAP 76CSX

I was sailing on the Canadian Westcoast (Vancouver - Gulf Islands, Sunshine coast) and bought a Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx plus the Bluechart for the area.

I was slightly aprehensive before the purchase about the screen size and level of detail on the maps, but after a little getting used to, I was really VERY impressed.

Having been used to large paper charts (expensive) this is a great deal.

You can plan before a rough course, and have a good "large scale view) and easily zoom down to great detail, and be certain as to where you are, down to a few meters. The rocks and shallow areas are clearly marked, dropping anchor is make easy in places one have never been to before.

It's really cost effective as the paper charts to cover the area would have been easily the double the cost, and finally the ease of use makes the old charts nearly obsolete.
I still would keep some trace on paper in theory, but by the end of the 2-3 weeks sailing, I was quite happy with just the hand held GPS as sole mapping and positioning. So maybe a 2nd GPS as a back up would be wise !!

I also have the city navigator USA, and it works well in a car, complete with warnings as to the next turning etc.

The only bit I am unhappy with Garmin, is that you cant transfer the software from one GPS to another, so if you loose the GPS, tough, you loose all the software as well. Unfair in my view.

I liked the 76S that I bought several years ago so much that I wanted another in the same series when I upgraded. This is so much quicker, and it has so many new features, especially greatly increased memory, and it cost considerably less than the 76S. The one thing I've found lacking is that the tide feature the 76S had only comes with another $120+ of marine software for the 76CSX. We live near salt water and it adds to the usefulness when we're camping if we know what the tides are doing. Is there anyway I can download this into my new GPS?

This was my first hand held GPS. I have used only one time for fishing. I entered coordinates for under water structures and it took me right to them. Fishing wasn't that good but I can't blame the GPS for this.

Great overall product.

Very rugged, good battery life, great support.

Small complaints: small screen, slow processor at times, button interface is slow entering input.

No surprises really though. I love it.

I was looking for a water proof GPS unit to take both tour kayaking & backpacking. Looked around for at least a year then bought this one. Having logged over 100 mi. paddled this season I can say that it works well in water. I typically mount it under the forward deck lines & secure it with a clip. No water problems so far, it's been pounded by many waves. -I'm more worried about heat from sun than the water. Having the compass navigate a course on water has come in handy, I sometimes paddle in fog or bad weather. Match my heading to the bearing of the next way point & I'm going the right way. It can tell me distance left to go, time remaining at current speed, etc. I have found that for the compass to work well when traveling at low speeds some settings need adjustment but after that compass is reliable and self adjusts for magnetic variance.
I save all my tracks to an SD card in the unit. When I get home I upload the tracks to the computer, where on the larger screen I can see everything. Calling up the track with google earth and having them overlaid on 3D Sat. images is jaw dropping, this capability is standard with the included "Map source" software. Often I choose not to look at the GPS while out & find out where I've been after I get home. I have a minor gripe with the altimeter, the reading fluctuates while standing still & the profile view in "map source" is not as dynamic as I'd like. Still it is better than no altimeter, and can give a rough idea of peaks troughs, etc. I just wouldn't jump from a plane with it. I really like observing the profile on the unit then moving the cross hairs over a particular peek and pressing [enter] it brings up the map page and the pointer shows that particular point on my journey, this often makes peek elevations & identifications quick and easy. Note: while on the trail, bug spray eats away at the screen, one small corner of mine got some bug spray on it & now it is slightly cloudy.
Hard key pad buttons make navigating the screens easy but only after you get the hang of where things are. Battery life is excellent, exceeding my expectations. Screen is small for Topo reading, but this unit should NEVER replace a paper map on the hiking trail, or even kayaking. I use the statistics page more than the map page anyway. It can give me my moving average, total time on trail & total moving time as well as distance, altitude gained, etc. All a much better use for the device than as a map. Maps that come with the device ON THE COMPUTER are detailed enough for interesting uploads, but the devices base map is like a blank canvas. So if you are strictly using it to track where you have gone & upload to the "map source" program on the computer additional maps may not be necessary. However if you plan to plot courses or use the device for road navigation you will probably need additional map software. I have also used this device for car travel but this it is not it's strong suit. It will not impress but might satisfy.
-Topo 2008 maps improves terrain maps on the unit (including coastal outlines) and improves road maps greatly. Initially I had expected to need road map software as well for any road info at all but the topo 2008 software had plenty of small roads, points of interest, direction computation, etc. So far I have no need for additional maps. The only time I have lost a sat. signal is in a cave or a tunnel so far.
Overall a great unit. Technologically the best civilians can get for outdoor use at this time -so 5 stars.