If you are a devoted mariner or serious outdoor enthusiast, new GPSMAP 76S is the GPS/mapping unit for you. The ''S '' in the product name stands for ''sensors'', because the GPSMAP 76S incorporates a GPS receiver, barometric altimeter, and an electronic compass that deliver precise location, elevation, and bearing information to take adventurers as high or as far as they want to go. The unit also contains a basemap of North and South America, with plenty of memory (24 MB) for downloading MapSource data. It''s also waterproof and floats in water and its larger screen, increased readability, bigger buttons, and rugged design make this unit at home in even the harshest conditions.

GPS receiver with integrated barometric altimeter and electronic compass for precise location, elevation, and bearing information

Basemap of North and South America, including major highways, thoroughfares, rivers, lakes, and borders

500 waypoints with name and symbol; 50 reversible routs

Rugged design and large screen for improved readability

24 MB memory for downloading data from optional Garmin MapSource CD-ROMs

Average Customer Review: ( 35 customer reviews )
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It was on a Canada fishing trip when I first realized that I had to have one of these units. My friend and I missed a chance to go on a fly in fishing trip with some friends. However, being so determined, using a Garmin Map 76, we drove to Canada, then the Map 76 pointed us to an old logging road which we drove for about an hour. Once we got to the end of the logging road, we had to paddle a canoe for about 45 minutes across a lake. When we got across the lake we had to hike about four miles over a mountainous ridge to reach the edge of another lake where our friends radioed us and picked us up. The fishing was ever so great! But we really could have never done the trip without a GPS.

Anyway, back to the review. I narrowed it down to three units to purchase: the Garmin Map 76, the Garmin V, and the Garmin Map 76S. Consider the price. True, the Map 76 is cheaper but it does not have all the features of the 76S (the "S" stands for sensors like electronic compass and barometric pressure I think). Not to say these extra features are much greater than the MAP 76, but it is nice to have them just for the extra "fluff".

Secondly, the MAP 76 is only capable of downloading 8MB of information compared to the whopping 24MB of of the MAP 76S. This means that it would take three MAP 76 to equal the memory of one MAP 76S. To give you an idea of how much 8MB of information is, my friend could only load half the state of Colorado onto his MAP 76. As far as the GPS V goes, it holds 19 MB of information. If your are planning a trip by auto and you have only one destination, then the MAP 76 should suffice. But if you are planning a trip and have several destinations, you may find the extra memory in the MAP 76S to be helpful.

Finally, consider the durability. The MAP 76 and 76S are very durable. They both float! The GPS V is waterproof but only up to about 3.3 feet of water. This is fine if you just plan on wading. But mostly what I did not like about the GPS V was the crazy looking antenna that sticks out perpendicular to the unit. I just knew in my clumsy and reckless ways that the antenna would only last so long before I would break it off somehow on a mountain bike flip or something else.

So take into consideration the best value for your money, available memory, and durability and just plain common sense and purchase a MAP 76S. I hope this review will help you "find" the right choice!

61 of 64 found the following review helpful:

Excellent GPS UnitJul 16, 2002
By Ben Smukler
This is my third GPS unit, and it is by far the best. I tried the Garmin eTrex Vista and had problems with sensitivity to tree cover. I live near Sequoia National Park and routinely use the GPS units around "large" trees. I found that the eTrex Vista would lose the signal, or not acquire a signal to begin with, even in fairly large clearings.

In comparison, the antenna in the GPSMAP 76S is much less affected by tree cover. The unit and its software are also much more sophisticated than the eTrex. Also, the function keys on the face of the 76S are easier to use in the field than the ClickStick on the Vista. The latter works o.k. when you are sitting at home, learning to use the machine. However, I found it frustrating to try to use the ClickStick while hiking: The darn thing often wouldn't "go" where I wanted it to on the screen, and the screen areas are fairly small and hard to see in sunlight.

Again, the screen and accessibility are much better on the 76S. The memory (24MB) is the same for both units. In summary, the eTrex wins the "cute" award, but the GPSMAP 76S is a much better piece of equipment and it is easily worth the higher initial cost.

32 of 32 found the following review helpful:

The best multipurpose GPS aroundApr 24, 2003
By Bob
I labored long and hard over a piece of gear that I use on my boat, in my truck, and on the trail. This unit isn't perfect for each one, but its the best if you do all 3.

The somewhat small display compared to other marine units is not a problem. If you need a huge color display to look cool that's up to you. The fact that it floats is a huge safety feature incase the unthinkable happens. I don't think your hard mounted 5 lbs chart plotter that needs 12volt power is going to be joining you on the life raft if it comes to that. The bluechart software is incredible and a great buy considering what it would cost to buy all the paper charts. The screen resolution is much crisper than older units though it is B&W so don't expect too much. However some of the color units you can't see at all in sunlight so I think B&W is just fine. One of my concerns was switching between road maps and charts. I was glad to find out that it took only a few menu choices to do this. In other words you can load all kinds of information in and just select which one you want to see. You don't have to look at every road in the US while on the boat and you won't have depth contours while driving. Other good boating features are the anchor alarm and Tide charts!

In the car this unit will not auto route to an address however they are releasing software soon that will let you easily route on the computer and download to the GPS. You will also be able to search for an address on the GPS. Right now I own a previous version from an old GPS and have to select the turns myself. I really wanted auto routing , but the units that do offer this had real problems on the boat or trail or both and they cost even more than this one. I also had to be realistic. How lost can you be if you can see every road and know exactly where you are.

On the trail this thing is great. Its light, has a compass, altitude measurement (Alt is better than with normal altimeter because it uses GPS to calibrate itself) and you can get topo maps if you think you need them. It's a little bigger than other trail models but try looking at one of those units while driving 80mph...I mean 65. Remember to bring extra batteries for the trail if you plan to leave it on all the time.

Over all the killer features are its easy to use, will hold every map, chart or trail you can think of and it works everywhere well. The only thing I can say bad about it is with all the software, mounting bracket, and power cord its expensive, but its a lot cheaper than buying 4 different GPS for the car, boat, lifeboat, and trail. If your thinking about just getting the MAP 76 and saving [money] you'll regret not having the memory for all the maps your going to want to load into it.

22 of 22 found the following review helpful:

Rubber waterproof covering too thinJun 16, 2003

I wanted the best for my first GPS, so I chose Garmin GPS MAP76S based on possitive reviews I read about it. Except for the one, but very important, flaw I will mention below GPS MAP 76S would have been the best choice.
The flaw refers to the rubber sheet used as waterproof covering of the unit which is just too thin and, thus, easily tears off. To those not familiar with GPS MAP 76S, in order that water will not seep through the opening for the keys, Garmin covered the keys with a rubber sheet which is sticky to the feel. In the unit I bought, one of the keys popped out just after a day's use because the rubber sheet ruptured at the base of that key. I found out that the rubber sheet was too thin and easily tears off.
I hope Garmin would come up with stronger waterproof covering to make the unit withstand rough handling in the outdoors.

42 of 46 found the following review helpful:

Good to GoNov 11, 2002

I bought this unit primarily for backpacking but have found it useful for many other uses. On a recent trip it was invaluable. Trying to find a trail head in the middle of the night on the West-Virginia/Virginia Border, it was invaluable. It also kept us from getting lost on major high-ways as well. It doesn't come with super detail road info (I think you can download it with optional software) but it had plenty of info to keep us on the right track. During our excursion it proved invaluable in finding water, deciding where and when to camp and just plain figuring out where we were. I was easily able to load routes from my Delorme Topo 4.0 software (unfortunatly no additional map detail though) and always knew where I was and how far I had to go. Critical information when the sun was going down and we needed a place to camp and find water. My only complaint was that it would lose signal when in its case so the only way to track my route was to hold it (I use 2 trekking poles so this wasn't a good option). Luckily this unit can use an external antena which is next on the list. Incidently we also had a Garmin Etrex (the yellow one) with us. It also did well but it required much more up front planning to be as useful (we just fed information from my unit to get around this) but it did have good bang for the buck as well.

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