Garmin GPSMAP 76C - Map CD's?

[cjcocn]

Well, it is getting close to ice break-up around here so I ordered myself the above unit from GPS Central.  I ordered it on Friday and it was here before lunch today - is that fast or what?  :shock:

I am going to track down some topo maps that I can download onto my PC and then onto my GPS unit and was wondering what your thoughts were as to the best types or sources of topo maps.

So far I am leaning towards the Garmin Topo Canada V 4.0 (there is a 2.0 ... what are the differences? ... map detail?  coverage area?  other?).

I know that there are online sources where I can download certain areas that are of interest to me, but figure that if I get the Garmin set of CD's then I will have them all instead of piece-mealing as I need them.

What are your thoughts on this?

PS  ..... I will use the unit mostly for marking my secret hunting routes and honey hole spots.  :wink:

[victorcharlie]

I'm not a hundred % on this, but I believe the Garmin product will only download their maps ( software)..........I have map source, but not the topo product that I use on my e-trex legend.........well worth the money......I've heard that microsoft maps is GPS aware, but haven't tried it on a laptop......maybe Siskoui knows more about this.....he's the GPS geek......

[Siskiyou]

Victorcharlie is correct.  You can only "download" Garmin Map Source products to Garmin gps units.((I think there is a new Garmin PDA that will take other software.)  The word is that the Garmin code has been "Hacked" and somebody has been able to load other maps.  I would recommend that you only use Garmin software.  If you use hacked code and mess up your gps unit, it will cost you out of pocket to get it repaired.  If it is repairable.

I have used my Garmin 76C using the serial port connector to my laptop serial port.  This has successfully worked with Microsoft Streets & Trips 2005 and the 2003 versions.  I have used my Garmin Legend to download waypoints and routes to De Lorme USA topo v3.0, and the USGS California Series Topo.  I cannot load these maps on to my Garmin gps units.

I do not know what the difference in the different versions of software you are looking at.  Normally the higher the version number the more up to date the software is.
cjcocn:  Be sure and put in for your $50 rebate.  It took about eight weeks to receive my last Garmin rebate.

[LongShadow]

That's correct, the only maps you can currently upload to Garmin GPSs are the ones from Garmin (Mapsource).
 
However, I've used Topo! software from National Geographic and another product called Oziexplorer.  Both of these products allow you to view USGS topographic maps on your computer and allow you to upload and download waypoints, routes etc..
 
The National geographic program is the best I've used to date.  I have not checked if Ozi has made any significant changes to their software in the past few years.
 
I recommend you get the Garmin software first so you can use it on both your PC and GPS.  Then, if you can afford it buy one of the software programs that allow you view real USGS topographic maps.

[Siskiyou]

cjcocn:  I got a little off track with my earlier post.  Having re-read your post I must assume that you live in Canada.  Based on that assumption I can only recommend the Garmin Topo Canada for your use.  The base map in the 76C is good.  I checked and it shows the major highways up in the Alberta, Peace River Country.  But for detail you will want the Garmin Topo Canada.  A very quick check of the internet did not come up with other brands of Canadian Topo software you can work with.  I did note that GPS Central does offer a Canadian street mapping software that you can load on to a laptop, and connect you gps unit for tracking.

Should you run across mapping software that would benefit the Canadian or the visiting Yank let us know.  I know that if I was heading for Canada I would get the latest version of Garmin's Topo Canada and load the area's of interest into my 76C and my Garmin Legend.  The advantage of the 76C being the 115MB of map storage.  

Please keep us up todate on your units performance in the bush, and should buy mapping software for it, how helpful it is.

[cjcocn]

Hi fellas

Thanks for the responses.  I did not get any email notifications that I had a response, so will have to check my settings.

I ended up getting the Topo Canada Software.  The detail is excellent, and is a large improvement over the basic maps that came with the unit.

I loaded 157 topo maps onto my unit, and only used about 22 MB of the 115 MB that are available.  :shock:   I may never need to load another map as this covers a large area that stretches south to Winnipeg, Manitoba (getting near the US border) and west to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

I am still on my first set of batteries, so am already impressed with how little this unit needs (GPSMAP 76C).

There are no leaves on the trees here yet, so have not run into reception problems (and am not sure that I will).  Once there is more greenery I will have a better idea as to what my reception will be like.

If any of you want to travel Canada or even have a look around from where you are with your Garmin, then I would recommend the Garmin Mapsource Canada Topo maps.

Most of my routes will be over water, so I will have to wait until the ice is fully off the lakes, rivers, and creeks before my unit sees some really heavy use (measured in days now!:grin:).  From the amount that I have used it already though, it is everything that I need and more.

Overall, the biggest surprise has been the amount of map info that 115MB can handle.  Huge!  :shock:

Thanks again fellas!

[Siskiyou]

Appreciate your report on the Canadian Topo software from Garmin.  Keep your reports coming.

I just received a notice from Garmin today that there is a software update for the 76C.  I will download it in the next couple of days.

I assume that the Canadian software works like the US software.  I have created a number of waypoints on my software while on the computer then uploaded them to my gps.  I found that I need to download my existing waypoints and add the new waypoints to the PC list before reloading them on to the gps.  Otherwise you gain the new ones on the gps, but lose the old ones.

The other feature that is nice is the option of clicking on geographic features.  This will find nearby features on your Topo Software.  It will start on the nearest and go out from there.  Last fall I encountered a couple of fishermen looking for a Mt. Lake.  I went to the nearest geographic item.  To use this function click the FIND Button>and then select GEOGRAPHIC OR TRY ALL POINTS OF INTEREST.