Just ordered a Garmin GPS Map 76Cx

[Siskiyou]

Some gps people are going to question why I bought a 76Cx and not a 60Cx.  Because they are basically the same unit.  They share the same guts and operating system, and the 60Cx looks cooler.

1.  Currently Garmin is offering a $100 rebate.
2.  The internet vendor I am purchasing it from price is $399.00
3.  $399 Minus $100 = $299.  Vendors price on 60Cx is good at $359.99 and that is the direction I would take except for the $60.00 saved because of the Garmin rebate.

I do like the fact the 76Cx is designed to float.  I do a lot of fishing from a boat.  I am normally operating the small motor from the back.  While I see fish on the fishfinder it is out of reach to mark the location.  With my handheld gps I mark schools of fish I see on the fishfinder and locations I get fish.  

While the 76Cx comes with a 128mb chip, and the 60Cx with a 64mb chip that is not a factor in my decision.  I can buy a larger chip for either unit at a low price.  

A few popular Garmin Gps units have been discontinued.  Of course we could see it coming with the introduction of the "x" models.  Recently discontinue models are the 60C, 76C, and the 76CS.  Garmin produced a number of 76C variants for different Marine Outlets.  I do not know if they will be dropped.  I suppect they will go.

The units that were dropped are very good, and popular units.  But with the new SiRF Recievers, and the micro chip memory their time has gone.  My 76C has been a very good unit.  And I put about 16 hours on it last week.  I plan on hanging on to it.  The tough choice I have is which family member do I give my Garmin Legend too.  The twelve year old granddaughter who took it to Hawaii this week, or the son who spends a lot of time snow boarding in the winter and out camping with the grandson during the summer.  At the time I purchased the Garmin Legend the price was over $200, now it can be had on the Net for around $129.00.  The Legend is a great little map gps with 8mb of memory.  I highly recommend the Legend.

At times I wonder about myself in this electronic society that we live in.  The Legend took me up and down the Rockies and the Serria's and did everything I asked of it.  But now I am going to pass it on to another. Just two years I purchased a 76C which is a great unit.  I pack each unit on different hunts last fall.

I plan on some follow-up post using the 76Cx and the 76C in heavy oak and pine canopy.  The kind of area where man normally keeps out because the mosquitoes rule the evening and the ticks the day time.  It should be a true test of the SiRf reciever in the forest.

I am looking forward to storing more maps on the 76Cx and purchasing additional mapping software.

[Siskiyou]

The 76Cx arrived from the vendor in less then 48 hours.  I had down loaded the manual ahead of time from the Garmin Website.  So I was ready to install batteries and fire it up.  I expected the unit to take a few minutes to initialize and find itself in California like my other units had.  That was not the case.  It immediately received satellites and found my location.  This happen faster then it had with my Garmin Legend and Garmin 76C.  But out of habit I let it set on the deck rail for 30 minutes to receive and downloaded Satellite data that it would need.

The new unit came with an usb pc cord, and usb software.  I loaded topo Maps from my Garmin Topo USA software.  The base map is okay, but I prefer additional mapping software.  The mapping software is stored in a micro SD card.  The 76Cx comes with a 128MB micro SD card installed in the bottom inside lip of the battery compartment.  I was able to load “all” the topo maps for California, parts of Arizona, Oregon, Nevada, Washington, Idaho, and Montana with a little bit of room left over.  

I plan on purchasing City Navigator North America v.8 when released.  This is detailed street level auto routing software.  It seems I have found myself traveling to different cities as older family members start to fail.  This software will eat up a lot of memory.  I plan on purchasing a 1G-mirco SD card.  I understand that I can load both topo and city navigator on the same card, and select which map set I want to use.  Garmin recommends that a SD cardholder be used with the micro card for downloading map sets directly from a pc.  This is a faster process then downloading map sets from the pc to the gps unit with the micro SD card installed.  Downloading 1G of maps at once is a massive download for a gps.  Even with an usb connection it will take sometime.

So how does the unit receive under heavy cover?  It just took the unit seven seconds after I started it to receive enough satellites to display a Lat/Long while seated at my dinning room table.  Earlier I did a field side-by-side test with my 76C and the 76Cx.  This was out on my back deck with the house on one side and oak canopy overhead.  I had approximately 10-15 percent sky.  The 76Cx was far faster then the 76C in obtaining and locking up satellites.  The 76Cx was also receiving twice the number of satellites.    I then moved in to a tight grove of oaks and pine.  Again both units were receiving strong enough signals to provide a Lat/Long.  The advantage was to the 76Cx, which continued to receive twice the number of satellites.  The 76C display the 2D status while the 76Cx showed 3D status.

This unit maybe the answer for those who hunt in heavy canopy.  But I need to test it out in some true jungles some distance from here.

The other function that shows great improvement is the Re-drawing of the maps.  This happens many times faster then it does on my Garmin Legend or my Garmin 76C.

[victorcharlie]

Have you read the post by rtvrav?  I'd like to demo one of the magellan units with their mapping software........

How many channels does the 76cx have?  Are the new sats in orbit that would allow for more than 12 channels?

Any idea what the battery life is going to be?

Does this mean the accuray has improved substantially?

[Siskiyou]

My neighbor bought an Explorist for his son. It has 14 channels, while Garmin Legend, and 76C have 12 channels. I believe there are some 16 channel and maybe 18 channel gps units on the market. My understanding is that some of the manufactures are going for more channels to obtain faster lock times. In the case of Garmin and possible Lowrance who is using a SiRf chipset to enhance reception and increase the processor speed. SiRf makes a number of chipsets and it is unknown if they are the same model. Are better processors, better then 14 or 16 channels, I do not know the answer.  

My neighbor and I went out on a ridge with about 1/10 of an acre opening with no canopy overhead. We compared the 76C, Legend, and the eXplorist 100. Satellite lock time between the Legend and the eXplorist 100 appeared to be about the same. The 76C was slightly faster. Following the same 2.5 mile course all three units received the same satellites. The number received varied between 5 and 6 satellites. So neither unit received 12 or 14 channels.

I agree I would also like a demo with the updated Magellan 3D Topo software. One review of it says that it has brought it up to the same standard as the Garmin Topo software. I also have the DeLorme Topo software which I can view 3D maps on the pc or print 3D maps. It is a nice feature. I have worked with Topo maps most of my life. To the point the when I see one laying flat on a hood or table I visualize it in the 3D. No I am not on drugs. The Garmin 24K National Park series provides more detail. The problem is that I cannot go elk hunting in National Parks so the software is not worth the investment. Garmin needs to upgrade its standard Topo product to 24K.  Most Federal agencies have their own Topo graphic maps.  These are more current then the older USGS Topo maps.  The software vendors would provide a better product if they copied the agency maps in many cases.

There are more satellites in the works. Both the US and Europe plan on more launches. But most of the US plans are the back burner because of budget constraints. I believe the WAAS/EGNOS satellites broadcast on the same frequency. In the United States there are 25 ground reference stations and a master station on each coast that support that correct the data from the WAAS satellite. So WAAS/EGNOS will function in the US and Europe, but not in Africa or other areas that do not have the ground stations. WAAS/EGNOS satellites are normally in a fixed orbit so there maybe limited or no benefit of an EGNOS satellite to US users unless you make a trip to Europe.

Within the last few months I have received 12 satellites at once with my Garmin units. On that given day could I have received 14 or 16 satellites, I do not know. I have returned to that same spot and number of times and received up to 10 satellites. I do not think we well see more satellites for a while. The current system is aging and new satellites will replace older units. There maybe some short term overlap. Military requirements may also alter the orbit of the satellites.

Accuracy? With limited use the 76Cx has given me 3.5 meters of accuracy without WAAS.  When I went to town I started the 76Cx up.  Obtain a satellite lock, and then place the unit in the back seat of my pickup.  I covered the unit with a jacket.  I had it in track mode.  When I returned home it shows the track on the map.  It showed a full track.

The Garmin 60CX,60CSX, 76CX, 76CSX all have the SiRF StarIII chip.
http://www.sirf.com/products-ss3.html  Will the next garmin gps have 20-channels and the SiRF StarIII chip?

[Siskiyou]

I did not test the less then $100 GPSr.  But I did another side-by-side test of my Garmin 76C and the Garmin 76Cx.  While they look alike and operate in a similar manner there is a very big difference in reception and speed of map drawing.

I started both units upstairs and let them obtain a signal and display location lock.  I then started down the stairs into an enclosed garage.  The 76C immediately beeped and the message came-up that it had lost the satellite signal.  The 76Cx continued to hold its lock on the satellites.  Both units were place on top of a freezer in the closed garage.  The 76Cx continued to hold a location of +22 feet.  The 76C could not locate a satellite.

When taken outside  to the street and some open sky the 76Cx received 8 satellites, WAAS, and accuracy was at +8 feet.  The 76C received 8 satellites, WAAS, and accuracy of +17 feet.  The thing that I do not under stand is while they received the same number of satellites; the listed satellites were not identical.

I should be getting my Garmin Legend back next week and I will conduct the same test with it and the 76Cx.  I think the Legend is a good mapping gps.  When I bought mine the price was over $200, not it can be had for $129.

[victorcharlie]

My Legend is still working fine.  I never get 10 satellites, usually around 6 or 7........I usually leave WAAS disabled.

So the big advantage with the 76 series is faster lock time, and better coverage under a canopy?

More memory and the ability to load more maps is a very good thing.......

Do you know if the USB interface is USB-II (12mbit per second vs 480 mbit per second)?  I would think it would have to be USB-2........

[Siskiyou]

The big advantage is with the 76Cx/60Cx because of the faster lock time and better reception under canopy and city cement canyons.  The older units in the 76 and 60 series do not have the same advantage.  They do not have the SiRFstarIII chip.  Nor do the new Legend Cx/Vista Cx because they do not have the SiRFstarIII chip.  The"x"  denotes the unit can auto route when loaded with the correct software.

I believe that Garmin uses the older USB 1.1, but they continue to update the drivers.  Both my tower and the laptop have USB 2.0, which works backward at USB 1.1 speeds.  I think the following works best when down loading a lot of data, be it maps or waypoints.  Fastest is the Micro SD card in a SD holder to take advantage of the SD slot on my tower or in my laptop.  Next is using the USB cable, and last is the slower method using a cable with a serial port connection on my tower or with an adapter to the laptop. (My laptop does not have a serial port.)  A software disk came with the adapter when I purchased it.  I now own a maze of wire and adapters.  The new 76Cx can be powered from a computer when hooked up to a USB connection.

I must have a software conflict within my laptop.  I can transfer data using the USB adapter, to the round serial communications port on the unit, but I cannot do it Mini USB to the USB connector.  My computer says Garmin is connected but data is not transferred by the gps in powered from the unit.  Too many old brain cells.  I may have to uninstall MapSource, and then re-install it.  Or the easy way is to buy a 1Gig micro SD card with holder.  That will be in the future.  For those who have not handled 76C/Cx/CSx and 60 series gps units they have a mini USB connector and a round 4-pin Serial Communications port on the back of the unit.

One vendor has a 1 Gig micro SD card around $20.00 after rebate.  I believe this card comes with the adapter/holder so it can be used in the standard SD slot.  Garmin latest software update lets the 76Cx processor handle around 2500 maps.  The work around is to use more then one memory card.  Reports say that the unit handles 1 Gig micro SD cards.  Down the line somebody will be trying it with a 2 Gig micro SD card.

While this sounds complicated, there is little need to change map sets once you have them loaded.  But if you are going to tour Europe, Mexico, or make that Africa safari you can purchase MapSource Software for those and load it on one or more chips and be ready to navigate.

I currently have 543 Topo maps loaded on my 76Cx and it is using 120 MB of the 128 MB chip.  So I have room for another 35-38 Topo maps.  I also have 258 waypoints what I moved over from waypoints that I had downloaded from the Legend and 76C to my laptop.  I then transferred them to the 76Cx.    

  

[Siskiyou]

I continue to learn a little bit more about my gps units.  During yesterdays hike I established a new Waypoint.  I choose this location because I have approximately 70 percent open sky.  I can receive ten or more satellites at the location and if I want I can enable WAAS and receive it at that Waypoint.  I have not seen a big improvement in accuracy at that location.  Accuracy varies plus or minus 8 to 20 feet.  I name it Stan1 waypoint.

Both my 76C and my 76Cx have a Waypoint Averaging option.  I chose to use the option.  While averaging is not essential it may put a visiting hunter closer to a stand at Zero Dark Thirty in the morning.

This morning I returned to Stan1 waypoint.

The Satellite Page showed that I was Plus or Minus 17 feet of my location.  

I have the following defaults set on my Compass Page.  The Compass Needle is setup as a Pointer.  I have chosen to have four Data Fields.  I selected the following fields, Distance to Destination, Odometer, Waypoint at Dest, and Time of day.  There are options to fit most hunters, and fishermenÂ’s needs.

I was little disappointed looking at the Satellite Page showing Plus or Minus 17-feet and receiving ten Satellites.  But I was presently surprised when I switched to the Compass Page.  It showed the Dist –To-Dest (Distance to Destination) as being 4-feet.   That was correct for the location I created Waypoint Stan1.  I slipped over to the exact location I was seated when I created Stan1 the day before.  I held the 76Cx in front of me with the top tilted upward as recommend by Garmin for the 60& 76 series gps units for best reception.  I then watch the Dist-To-Dest option.  The distance varied from two to zero feet.  

Conclusion:  I need a little time to digest this discovery.  It is difficult to duplicate Satellites, time of day, and reception from different gps units and skill level when seeking out a location.  But it is done daily when geocaching.  And hunters have done this for years in providing instructions to a hunting partner.  It started with my Dad telling me to hike across a meadow, hunt the Fir stand, proceed up to the ridge top and meet him on the rock out cropping around noon.  I was able to do that.  But things got a little more complicated when I hiked into an area a month before the season.  I found a nasty thicket and hung a burlap bag with a gallon of water, and a few C-Rats in it high into a tree.  

Because of work I was unable to make the hunt.  I described the location over the phone to a hunting partner.  He was not able to find the cache.  A month later I was able to find it.  That was over twenty years ago.  At that time I had not heard of a gps.  Today I would send my partner an e-mail with the lat/long so he could plug it into his gps.  I would also send him a map with the Waypoint on it.  

I recommend a gps for fathers taking their sons and daughters out on a hunt.

[Siskiyou]

   Yesterday #3 granddaughter who can program Lat/Longs into a Garmin gps at the speed of light, a friend who has spent his life working in the outdoors, and I went for a hike.  When we got into heavy timber and deep shadows it was time to compare Satellite reception between my three gps units.  I was carrying my Garmin Legend.  As soon as we entered the heavy cover it lost satellite reception.  My friend was carrying my Garmin 76C.  It dropped down to two satellites and lost its fix.  Granddaughter had the Garmin 76Cx.  It was receiving eight satellites and maintained it's fix all day.

Earlier in the morning we had used the 76Cx to auto route us to the friendsÂ’ home.  It was using the City Navigator V8 software in town.  Out in the woods in was using the Topo software.  All loaded on the 1GB card.  The one thing it did not do was protect us from the poison oak.

While hiking back out on the trail I observed a couple large piles of bear scat.  I had not noticed them going down the trail.  I did not create a waypoint for future reference.     I asked the granddaughter what it was.  She said that it appeared to be rather fresh bear poop.  It seems she watches this nature guy on TV all the time.  I asked her if she wanted to test it, but she decline.  A smart twelve year old.

But the 76Cx failed in one way.  One of the battery connectors broke.  I was able to continue operating by getting it in place between the positive on the battery, and the gps connection.  I am not a happy boy over this happening.  I now need to send the unit to Garmin for repair or replacement.  I will write more on this problem.   I have seen this happen before with other brand AA battery boxes.  A quick field fix can be made from a shim cut from a store bought pie plate.  Enjoy the pie and get you toy operating in the same blow.


At the end of the day and four geocaches later my friend was convinced that the Garmin Gps 76Cx is the best of the three models tested.  It is likely he will by the 76Cx or the 60Cx.

[daddywpb]

Siskiyou,
Congrats on the new 76csx. I was droolin' over them at BPS in Dania, FL. Gonna have to keep the cs I have for a while - divorce is expensive - but well worth it. I really don't need the cards anyway. I don't travel and have not changed my map set since I've had it. I would like to try the new antenna though. Have fun with it!
Steve.

[Siskiyou]

If I recall correctly your 60CS has 56 MB of memory, which covers a lot of dirt.  It was a good investment.  I continue to use my 76C because my 76Cx is out with the broken battery connector.  After waiting ten days for a reply from Garmin’s’ Internet site I called them.  I explain the problem and the gal says can you pullout the old connector.

The broken part came out and now it does not work at all.  She said she was going to send me a replacement part.  Hopefully it gets here soon.  I rated their internet support low, the error may have been on my part.  Some how my e-mail went to their European address, and it then was re-route to their US address.  Phone support was good if I get the part and it works.  I feel that I should have received the part by now.

A few days ago my wife called furniture manufacture because a handle on a dresser drawer broke.  Within 24-hours we received 8-handles by UPS.  I call that AA++ Service.  It does not get any better.

Last week I past my Garmin Legend on to my adult son.  He has been using Microsoft Streets and Trips software.  He plans on marrying the Legend and the software and getting some good use out of the unit.

I miss the unit because of it's outstanding reception.

[Siskiyou]

I am happy with how Garmin handled the broken unit.  They sent me a new unit.  I recieved the replacement unit within the time frame listed on the Garmin website.