Not impressed: Garmin GPSmap76
 

A few months ago I bought a Garmin GPSmap76s instead of the old GPS76
because it was able to interface with my computer to load chart
software. I'd never done this before but thought it migh be useful
enough to make me change my Luddite ways. Well, it won't happen cuz I
am totally unimpressed.
First, the Bluechart plots on my PC are crappy with really badly drawn
outlines of the land. If real charts were that bad we wouldn't buy
them. Then, buying charts for more regions are really expensive.
Next, the download onto my GPS is almost useless with tiny things I
need a magnifier to see and an awful interface to change the level of
detail. It does not display water depth and if it did the display
would be too crowded to read.
Quite frankly, I see no reason for the chartplotting feature of this
small GPS.

Now, some consideration of how i use GPS: basically as a knotmeter
and rarely using the coordinates, I tend to know where I am without
using the GPS because I always have a chart beside me and my hand
compass around my neck and constantly take bearings. Out of sight of
land I do use GPS but still find DR to be more useful.
Many people like waypoints on GPS but I do not because i find them to
be too cumbersome. After all, from the GPS (or compass bearings) I
know where I am and where i want to go so why use waypoints?
One thing I do like about GPS is the use of what I call "danger lines"
meaning, "If my longitude exceeds such and such there is a possibility
I am getting too close to that shoal". Of course, prior to GPS we did
that with our hand compass but GPS does make it easier but you do not
need waypoints or chartplotters for that.
I do not see GPS plotters replacing paper charts anytime soon.

Not impressed: Garmin GPSmap76
 

On 10/28/09 10:20 AM, Frogwatch wrote:
A few months ago I bought a Garmin GPSmap76s instead of the old GPS76
because it was able to interface with my computer to load chart
software. I'd never done this before but thought it migh be useful
enough to make me change my Luddite ways. Well, it won't happen cuz I
am totally unimpressed.
First, the Bluechart plots on my PC are crappy with really badly drawn
outlines of the land. If real charts were that bad we wouldn't buy
them. Then, buying charts for more regions are really expensive.
Next, the download onto my GPS is almost useless with tiny things I
need a magnifier to see and an awful interface to change the level of
detail. It does not display water depth and if it did the display
would be too crowded to read.
Quite frankly, I see no reason for the chartplotting feature of this
small GPS.

Now, some consideration of how i use GPS: basically as a knotmeter
and rarely using the coordinates, I tend to know where I am without
using the GPS because I always have a chart beside me and my hand
compass around my neck and constantly take bearings. Out of sight of
land I do use GPS but still find DR to be more useful.
Many people like waypoints on GPS but I do not because i find them to
be too cumbersome. After all, from the GPS (or compass bearings) I
know where I am and where i want to go so why use waypoints?
One thing I do like about GPS is the use of what I call "danger lines"
meaning, "If my longitude exceeds such and such there is a possibility
I am getting too close to that shoal". Of course, prior to GPS we did
that with our hand compass but GPS does make it easier but you do not
need waypoints or chartplotters for that.
I do not see GPS plotters replacing paper charts anytime soon.



So, what you are saying is that you were too lazy to spend a little time
investigating various GPS units before you bought one that was "right"
for you.

Is that about it?

I use bluechart software. It has water depths.

Not impressed: Garmin GPSmap76
 

Frogwatch wrote:
A few months ago I bought a Garmin GPSmap76s instead of the old GPS76
because it was able to interface with my computer to load chart
software. I'd never done this before but thought it migh be useful
enough to make me change my Luddite ways. Well, it won't happen cuz I
am totally unimpressed.
First, the Bluechart plots on my PC are crappy with really badly drawn
outlines of the land. If real charts were that bad we wouldn't buy
them. Then, buying charts for more regions are really expensive.
Next, the download onto my GPS is almost useless with tiny things I
need a magnifier to see and an awful interface to change the level of
detail. It does not display water depth and if it did the display
would be too crowded to read.
Quite frankly, I see no reason for the chartplotting feature of this
small GPS.

Now, some consideration of how i use GPS: basically as a knotmeter
and rarely using the coordinates, I tend to know where I am without
using the GPS because I always have a chart beside me and my hand
compass around my neck and constantly take bearings. Out of sight of
land I do use GPS but still find DR to be more useful.
Many people like waypoints on GPS but I do not because i find them to
be too cumbersome. After all, from the GPS (or compass bearings) I
know where I am and where i want to go so why use waypoints?
One thing I do like about GPS is the use of what I call "danger lines"
meaning, "If my longitude exceeds such and such there is a possibility
I am getting too close to that shoal". Of course, prior to GPS we did
that with our hand compass but GPS does make it easier but you do not
need waypoints or chartplotters for that.
I do not see GPS plotters replacing paper charts anytime soon.

I have used Garmin Mapsource with various Garmin GPS units for the past
10 years or so. By itself, Mapsource isn't a wonderful mapping program.
But you can use it to save waypoints, tracks and maps. Also you can
download custom sets of waypoints off the WEB. Updates of the program
have always been free. And you might even be able to find sets of marine
data to download to Mapsource and then to your GPS.

Not impressed: Garmin GPSmap76
 

On Oct 28, 12:17*pm, Jim wrote:
Frogwatch wrote:
A few months ago I bought a Garmin GPSmap76s instead of the old GPS76
because it was able to interface with my computer to load chart
software. *I'd never done this before but thought it migh be useful
enough to make me change my Luddite ways. *Well, it won't happen cuz I
am totally unimpressed.
First, the Bluechart plots on my PC are crappy with really badly drawn
outlines of the land. *If real charts were that bad we wouldn't buy
them. *Then, buying charts for more regions are really expensive.
Next, the download onto my GPS is almost useless with tiny things I
need a magnifier to see and an awful interface to change the level of
detail. *It does not display water depth and if it did the display
would be too crowded to read.
Quite frankly, I see no reason for the chartplotting feature of this
small GPS.

Now, some consideration of how i use GPS: *basically as a knotmeter
and rarely using the coordinates, I tend to know where I am without
using the GPS because I always have a chart beside me and my hand
compass around my neck and constantly take bearings. *Out of sight of
land I do use GPS but still find DR to be more useful.
Many people like waypoints on GPS but I do not because i find them to
be too cumbersome. *After all, from the GPS (or compass bearings) I
know where I am and where i want to go so why use waypoints?
One thing I do like about GPS is the use of what I call "danger lines"
meaning, "If my longitude exceeds such and such there is a possibility
I am getting too close to that shoal". *Of course, prior to GPS we did
that with our hand compass but GPS does make it easier but you do not
need waypoints or chartplotters for that.
I do not see GPS plotters replacing paper charts anytime soon.

I have used Garmin Mapsource with various Garmin GPS units for the past
10 years or so. By itself, Mapsource isn't a wonderful mapping program.
But you can use it to save waypoints, tracks and maps. Also you can
download custom sets of waypoints off the WEB. Updates of the program
have always been free. And you might even be able to find sets of marine
data to download to Mapsource and then to your GPS.

It might make sense for a larger display but not for the tiny one on
the 76.

Not impressed: Garmin GPSmap76
 

On 10/28/09 12:27 PM, Frogwatch wrote:
On Oct 28, 12:17 pm, wrote:
Frogwatch wrote:
A few months ago I bought a Garmin GPSmap76s instead of the old GPS76
because it was able to interface with my computer to load chart
software. I'd never done this before but thought it migh be useful
enough to make me change my Luddite ways. Well, it won't happen cuz I
am totally unimpressed.
First, the Bluechart plots on my PC are crappy with really badly drawn
outlines of the land. If real charts were that bad we wouldn't buy
them. Then, buying charts for more regions are really expensive.
Next, the download onto my GPS is almost useless with tiny things I
need a magnifier to see and an awful interface to change the level of
detail. It does not display water depth and if it did the display
would be too crowded to read.
Quite frankly, I see no reason for the chartplotting feature of this
small GPS.

Now, some consideration of how i use GPS: basically as a knotmeter
and rarely using the coordinates, I tend to know where I am without
using the GPS because I always have a chart beside me and my hand
compass around my neck and constantly take bearings. Out of sight of
land I do use GPS but still find DR to be more useful.
Many people like waypoints on GPS but I do not because i find them to
be too cumbersome. After all, from the GPS (or compass bearings) I
know where I am and where i want to go so why use waypoints?
One thing I do like about GPS is the use of what I call "danger lines"
meaning, "If my longitude exceeds such and such there is a possibility
I am getting too close to that shoal". Of course, prior to GPS we did
that with our hand compass but GPS does make it easier but you do not
need waypoints or chartplotters for that.
I do not see GPS plotters replacing paper charts anytime soon.

I have used Garmin Mapsource with various Garmin GPS units for the past
10 years or so. By itself, Mapsource isn't a wonderful mapping program.
But you can use it to save waypoints, tracks and maps. Also you can
download custom sets of waypoints off the WEB. Updates of the program
have always been free. And you might even be able to find sets of marine
data to download to Mapsource and then to your GPS.

It might make sense for a larger display but not for the tiny one on
the 76.


And you were not aware of the small display when you bought the unit,
right?

Not impressed: Garmin GPSmap76
 

On Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:20:27 -0700 (PDT), Frogwatch
wrote:

I do not see GPS plotters replacing paper charts anytime soon.

It has already happened for many people, about 10 years for us and
many others. I carry some paper charts, mostly in booklet form, but
rarely if ever use them. The small hand held Garmin's however are
mostly useful for small boats, dinghys and emergency backup however.
The level of detail available on a laptop computer (free NOAA charts),
or on a full sized GPS/plotter (10 inch screen or larger), is more
than adequate for serious navigation.

If you'd like to see the latest and greatest in handheld plotters,
take a look at the Garmin Colorado 400C. It comes pre-loaded with
all coastal charts for the US and Bahamas, has good detail, and nice
bright color display. A relative bargain at a bit over $400.

Not impressed: Garmin GPSmap76
 

On Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:05:17 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

I do not see GPS plotters replacing paper charts anytime soon.

If you want to get a feel for what can be done with electronic
navigation and no paper charts, download and install the latest
release of OpenCPN. It's free, easy to install and easy to use.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/opencpn/

It comes with some sample charts but you can download free charts for
your area directly from NOAA or I can EMAIL a few of them to you. In
an hour or two you can download all of the charts for the entire east
coast.

http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/download_agreement.htm

If you want to use it on your boat for actual navigation you can get
an inexpensive USB "hockey puck" GPS for less than $60.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S2C7TG

I have one of the MR-350s for backup and it's a decent unit.

Assuming you already own a laptop you can be on the air with
state-of-the-art electronic nav for about the price of 3 or 4 paper
charts.

Not impressed: Garmin GPSmap76
 

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:05:17 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

I do not see GPS plotters replacing paper charts anytime soon.

If you want to get a feel for what can be done with electronic
navigation and no paper charts, download and install the latest
release of OpenCPN. It's free, easy to install and easy to use.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/opencpn/

It comes with some sample charts but you can download free charts for
your area directly from NOAA or I can EMAIL a few of them to you. In
an hour or two you can download all of the charts for the entire east
coast.

http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/download_agreement.htm

If you want to use it on your boat for actual navigation you can get
an inexpensive USB "hockey puck" GPS for less than $60.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S2C7TG

I have one of the MR-350s for backup and it's a decent unit.

Assuming you already own a laptop you can be on the air with
state-of-the-art electronic nav for about the price of 3 or 4 paper
charts.




Wondering if one of the tablet PC's would be a better choice than some of
the new expensive GPS units. A lot cheaper than paying for the same NOAA
maps in propriatary format.

Not impressed: Garmin GPSmap76
 

On Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:46:59 -0700, "Bill McKee"
wrote:

Wondering if one of the tablet PC's would be a better choice than some of
the new expensive GPS units. A lot cheaper than paying for the same NOAA
maps in propriatary format.

It is now possible to buy a brand new laptop for well under $500, some
with a built in GPS. With free software and charts it really doesn't
get much better than that. I did several Newport-Bermuda sailboat
races a few years back with a laptop wrapped in Saran wrap. It
worked just fine.

Not impressed: Garmin GPSmap76
 

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:46:59 -0700, "Bill McKee"
wrote:

Wondering if one of the tablet PC's would be a better choice than some of
the new expensive GPS units. A lot cheaper than paying for the same NOAA
maps in propriatary format.

It is now possible to buy a brand new laptop for well under $500, some
with a built in GPS. With free software and charts it really doesn't
get much better than that. I did several Newport-Bermuda sailboat
races a few years back with a laptop wrapped in Saran wrap. It
worked just fine.


Wouldn't that cause an over-heating problem?

--
Nom=de=Plume