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

(Mike Wagenbach) writes:

Trying to chose between these units, primarily for sailing.

Other question: If mounted right against the boat's window (about 6"
high x 2 feet long) will the unit be able to aquire satellites well enough
to use the anchor drag alarm, or will an external antenna be needed?

Mike

--
"Watch out, those monkeys bite!"

"M. Wagenbach" schrieb:

Other question: If mounted right against the boat's window (about 6"
high x 2 feet long) will the unit be able to aquire satellites well enough
to use the anchor drag alarm, or will an external antenna be needed?

In that case it's more a question of the material from which the cabin
is constructed. If it's not metal or metal shielded, it should do fine
through the cabin.

A 6" * 2 feet window is quite small - too small for reliable operation,
I'd say - even on the water.

- Carsten


--
Audio Visual Systems fon: +49 (0)2234 601886
Carsten Kurz fax: +49 (0)2234 601887
Von-Werth-Straße 111 email:
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M. Wagenbach wrote:

(Mike Wagenbach) writes:


Trying to chose between these units, primarily for sailing.


Other question: If mounted right against the boat's window (about 6"
high x 2 feet long) will the unit be able to aquire satellites well enough
to use the anchor drag alarm, or will an external antenna be needed?

Hard to say, but I'd expect that it would usually get decent reception
(I've never had problems getting reception when placing my GPS near an
airplane window). It also depends on what the boat construction is -
metal will totally block the signals but they'll penetrate a fair amount
of fiberglass, plastic, and dry wood.

But why risk it? Murphy's Law will conspire to have your anchor drag
just when the satellite constellation is particularly bad on the window
side of the boat. You can get a good external antenna from Gilsson for
$20 that can be mounted where it has a good skyview and you'll have a
much more reliable signal lock.

BTW, unless you already have another GPS receiver with mapping
capability I'd recommend the Map76 over the 76, especially if you'll
load the detailed map software such as MetroGuide.

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.

"Mike Wagenbach" wrote in message
om...
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

Mike Wagenbach wrote:

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?

Neither has them in the basemap but they do have them in the map memory.
The map memory will be replaced with whatever maps you download so the
detailed maps you use must have the marine aids present. You can
redownload the marine database from the web site.

Dale


Mike Wagenbach
Seattle

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_ _ Dale DePriest
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o/_/ (_(_X_(` For GPS and GPS/PDAs