Garmin GPS 76CSX Handheld GPS with Barometric Altimeter and Electronic Compass
by Garmin
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin GPS 76CSX Handheld GPS with Barometric Altimeter and Electronic Compass
Customer Review: Worth trading your 76CS in for
Summary: 5 Stars
If, like me a few months ago, you have a 76CS and are wondering whether to replace it with the 76CSx, I recommend doing so.
The 76CSx is surprisingly improved over the 76CS. I noticed that . . . .
1. The antenna is much stronger. The 76CSx pulls in satellite signals inside my house.
2. The annoying "hold level" warning on the compass page no longer appears. I guess Garmin has solved that issue.
3. The batteries stay in place even with severe use (in my case, on the handlebar of my mountain bike as I traverse rough terrain). With the 76CS and 76S, I had to install bubble wrap inside the battery cover to get the batteries to stay in contact. On the 76CSx, the batteries have not dislodged. To extract them, I've found it's better to roll them out than to try to pull them out.
4. The unit will draw power from your computer via the USB cable.
In sum, I am very glad that I bought the 76CSx and sold my 76CS. I have one suggestion. The screen could easily be scratched on my prior Garmin GPS receivers. This time, before venturing out of the house with the 76CSx, I overlaid a clear plastic InvisibleShield film that I had bought from a company called Zagg. On my very first outing, I crashed my bike, flying through some sharp branches and twigs. The screen was unblemished.
Customer Review: Happy with perfomance
Summary: 4 Stars
I needed a portable GPS unit that could be moved between several boats, as well as have the capability to be used in the car. This was the only unit I found that gave me what I needed.
What is good:
-The Blue Chart maps are great for navigation on the water. This is the primary reason I bought this unit.
-The City Navigator maps & database provide fairly accurate and up to date information
What is bad:
-The supplied base map is insufficient. (I knew this going in.)
-The City Navigator maps & database costs ~$120 (and you need to buy a 2GB memory card if you want to load all of the US map data on the unit.
-The Blue Chart map CD "contains" all the charts for the US, but you only get an unlock code for one area with your purchase. The cost of additional unlock codes add up quickly.
Performance:
Positioning, usually within 20 feet, sometimes down to 5 feet.
Route recalculation, less than 30 secs.
Route selection, doesn't replace local knowledge
What it needs (but doesn't have)
Larger screen
Suction cup mounting bracket
Speed sensitive turn notification (Current notification "beeps" are OK when you are doing 40MPH, a bit late when you are doing 80MPH)
Customer Review: Garmin refuses to stand behind defective battery contacts
Summary: 1 Stars
GPSMap 76CSX: The two battery contacts on the right side broke within three weeks of purchase (almost $500 in 2007), but when I contacted Garmin they wanted over $100 for the repair, even though it was still under warranty. They tried to tell me I must have damaged them installing batteries. BS ! I have been installing batteries in stuff since my first transistor radio in the 1950s and have never broken off a contact, - let alone two in the same unit within a few days. These contacts are obviously poorly designed or manufactured parts.
December 2010: Having recently come across this expensive unit, still unused these three years, I decided to contact Garmin again, this time certain that others would have confirmed the battery contact problem. I first ran an online search and did find numerous forum postings regarding this broken contacts problem.
It made no difference to the Garmin guy when I called. He still wanted $110 plus shipping for the repair; and ignoring my repeated explanations about their lying to me when it was still under warranty in 2007 - now confirmed by others' online complaints, he merely kept responding that it is out of warranty now, so I have to pay. I hate these Garmin jerks !
Customer Review: Awesome and Highly Accurate!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought the 76CSx to use on my boat along with some BlueChart software for my local areas. The unit is tough, very accurate and provides an awesome set of features that make it one of the best, if not the best, handheld GPS on the market today in this price range. Battery life is good and the unit is definitely water resistant. It gets hammered by salt water on the boat quite often and its still going strong. It can pinpoint my position accurately, even in overcast and rainy conditions inside my house. The BlueChart marine maps are also good quality and have kept me safe and positioned accurately whenever I am out on the boat, in all weather conditions.
I have also used it for Geocaching and it has some great features for that activity too, being able to interface directly to geocaching.com to download geocache locations/co-ordinates.
The color screen is bright and has enough resolution for accurate reference. It also can provide street by street directions with appropriate auto maps installed, but doesn't provide voice alerts for turns etc. Nonetheless, this GPS is far more versatile than car navigation systems as it is portable and can handle many different activities very well. Highly recommended!
Customer Review: Excellent piece of equipment
Summary: 5 Stars
My etrex vista was nice and compact and worked fine at sea. But it was useless in the forest, just couldn't receive satellite signals, even in light tree cover.
I read about the new 'chip' in the newer models, and wanted a unit with an external antennae.
I got my map76csx and promptly took it on a serious hike. Performed better than I hoped for. It worked perfectly. I did use an external antennae from Gillson, and had multiple signals even in very heavy tree cover.
At home, I can take the unit outside and get the signal, then come inside (I live in the tropics in a concrete house) and still retain my signals.
BEST OF ALL..... my garmin was in a backpack along with other gear for an overnight camp, the backpack took a 230 foot fall to a rocky floor. The backpack was destroyed, my video camera, stainless steel coffe mug, tins of tuna and sardines were all mangled -literally- into balls of crumpled metal. Everything was completely destroyed....except my garmin!!
I was delighted and shocked that it came out unscathed and turned right on.
It's tougher than nails!
I highly recommend the unit.
Extreme adventurer