Okay you talked me into it! In fact more than that, after looking around
I really like the 76C. So I think I might try to steal one somewhere, so
..35 boat buck there for a new one, another .10 for the Bluechart,
awesome navigation and charting for less than half a boat buck! Not bad,
it seems.

Stephen

wrote:

On Fri, 02 Jul 2004 19:53:49 -0700, Stephen Trapani
wrote:


Isn't there some cheaper way, like a cheaper gps from ebay that can
interface with maybe some $150 Mac software? Grand total: $250 maybe?

Stephen



In this case, you will get what you paid for. One of the prime reasons for
buying a Garmin GPS is so you can use their proprietary Blue Chart software. I
have yet to see a review anywhere that it wasn't rated superior to all of the
other GPS charts. This is something that you will be using a lot. Not a good
place to save a few bucks. Your idea of a cheap GPS with Mac software will get
you something less worthwhile than the Garmin with just the included basemap.
Borrow a PC for an hour and download the Blue Charts to a GPSMAP76. You won't be
able to use the computer for plotting courses and stuff to upload to the GPS
without a PC, but you will have the infinitely better electronic charts on your
handheld.

BB


wrote:


On Fri, 2 Jul 2004 16:42:01 -0400, "Charlie Cassidy"
wrote:



The basemap of the GPSmap 76 includes navaids and major highways. You can
download Blue Charts for depths and other marine detail and maps from Topo
or MetroGuide for additional land detail.



The navaids on the basemap are not numbered or identified in any way. I have a
GPSMAP76s and the extra $130 for the bluechart CD was worth every penny in added
features, detail, and usability. The difference is night and day. The base map
is really just far too basic by comparison.

BB



"Mike Wagenbach" wrote in message
le.com...


Trying to chose between these units, primarily for sailing.

I have only Macs, but can borrow a PC, so the software is somewhat
inconvenient but can be updated occasionally. So, the built-in
database is an issue. The Garmin website specifically mentions
nautical navaids in the GPS 76, but not in the basemap for the GPSMAP
76. Does the GPSMAP really lack bouys, etc, in the basemap?

Mike Wagenbach
Seattle