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Author Topic:   GPS for 130 Sport

Royboy posted 02-07-2005 03:57 PM ET (US)
After cruising all over Saginaw Bay this weekend (on a Quad, not my Whaler unfortunately) using a Garmin 72 for navigation, I'm on the cusp of purchasing a GPS, primarily for my 130 Sport for navigating near-shore on the Great Lakes, but also for travelling on land. By the way, the ice was 20 inches thick out 7 miles from shore. The sunrise was reminiscent of the Arctic!
I found the interface on the Garmin 72 friendly, and the screen was readable without my reading glasses, but I like the idea of having the small islands, rocks, and such show up right on the screen, so I'm looking at the Garmin GPSMap76 or GPSMap7C. I've reviewed much of what there is on this site pertaining to these units, but I'm wondering if there is any fresh experience with the the 76 and the 76C that I should consider before I lay down the happy cabbage. My question is this: does the color display make enough of a difference in the out-of-doors to warrant the extra $160?
Thanks,
Roy
130 Sport
"Ichthus"
JustinAndersen posted 02-07-2005 04:19 PM ET (US)
I splurged back in December and bought the 76CS. The color screen provides (IMHO anyways) much more detail and the display is more "crisp" as well. In either case I felt it was worth it to move up to the "S" version. For $50 more or so, you get an altimeter (which is pretty cool) and an electronic compass which is VERY cool. You don't need to be moving to get a compass fix.
As I too live where the water is hard this time of year (Ontario) I haven't used the GPS much. I intend to load the MapSource software this weekend and play around on the roads. I can give you an update once I've done so. The basic road software is pretty good and I'm told it's even better in the U.S..
Marlin posted 02-07-2005 06:13 PM ET (US)
In daylight, the GPSMap76/76S screen is decent. The 60C, which I presume has the same screen as the 76C/76CS, is excellent. In the dark, the 76/76S screen is very marginal. The 60C is excellent.
If I were buying now, there's no question that I'd get the color screen.
Royboy posted 02-07-2005 07:21 PM ET (US)
I did notice that on the 72, I'd loose the screen in the sunlight quite easily, and I'd have to tilt it (so the sun wasn't hitting it directly) in order to read it. As long as it was in a shadow, however, it was pretty easy to read. I'm not so sure how well a map would show up on it though, since it's basically light and dark areas with information is displayed on each. I would guess that the color display would make the details stand out a bit better. I'll have to wait for a sunny day (it can take a while in these parts)and go check out a local dealer. I hate to do that since I'm planning to mail order this unit to keep the cost down. I know it's not good for my local marine store, but I have plenty of other stuff to buy from them yet.
Roy
130 SPort
"Ichthus"
jimh posted 02-07-2005 11:42 PM ET (US)
[Moved]
Royboy posted 02-09-2005 12:21 PM ET (US)
Thanks for all the advice. I just ordered a Garmin GPSMap 76CS with the Blue Chart CD. Now I'll have to make up a new excuse when I'm late getting home!!
Roy
130 Sport
"Ichthus"

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Author	Topic: GPS for 130 Sport
Royboy	posted 02-07-2005 03:57 PM ET (US) After cruising all over Saginaw Bay this weekend (on a Quad, not my Whaler unfortunately) using a Garmin 72 for navigation, I'm on the cusp of purchasing a GPS, primarily for my 130 Sport for navigating near-shore on the Great Lakes, but also for travelling on land. By the way, the ice was 20 inches thick out 7 miles from shore. The sunrise was reminiscent of the Arctic! I found the interface on the Garmin 72 friendly, and the screen was readable without my reading glasses, but I like the idea of having the small islands, rocks, and such show up right on the screen, so I'm looking at the Garmin GPSMap76 or GPSMap7C. I've reviewed much of what there is on this site pertaining to these units, but I'm wondering if there is any fresh experience with the the 76 and the 76C that I should consider before I lay down the happy cabbage. My question is this: does the color display make enough of a difference in the out-of-doors to warrant the extra $160? Thanks, Roy 130 Sport "Ichthus"
JustinAndersen	posted 02-07-2005 04:19 PM ET (US) I splurged back in December and bought the 76CS. The color screen provides (IMHO anyways) much more detail and the display is more "crisp" as well. In either case I felt it was worth it to move up to the "S" version. For $50 more or so, you get an altimeter (which is pretty cool) and an electronic compass which is VERY cool. You don't need to be moving to get a compass fix. As I too live where the water is hard this time of year (Ontario) I haven't used the GPS much. I intend to load the MapSource software this weekend and play around on the roads. I can give you an update once I've done so. The basic road software is pretty good and I'm told it's even better in the U.S..
Marlin	posted 02-07-2005 06:13 PM ET (US) In daylight, the GPSMap76/76S screen is decent. The 60C, which I presume has the same screen as the 76C/76CS, is excellent. In the dark, the 76/76S screen is very marginal. The 60C is excellent. If I were buying now, there's no question that I'd get the color screen.
Royboy	posted 02-07-2005 07:21 PM ET (US) I did notice that on the 72, I'd loose the screen in the sunlight quite easily, and I'd have to tilt it (so the sun wasn't hitting it directly) in order to read it. As long as it was in a shadow, however, it was pretty easy to read. I'm not so sure how well a map would show up on it though, since it's basically light and dark areas with information is displayed on each. I would guess that the color display would make the details stand out a bit better. I'll have to wait for a sunny day (it can take a while in these parts)and go check out a local dealer. I hate to do that since I'm planning to mail order this unit to keep the cost down. I know it's not good for my local marine store, but I have plenty of other stuff to buy from them yet. Roy 130 SPort "Ichthus"
jimh	posted 02-07-2005 11:42 PM ET (US) [Moved]
Royboy	posted 02-09-2005 12:21 PM ET (US) Thanks for all the advice. I just ordered a Garmin GPSMap 76CS with the Blue Chart CD. Now I'll have to make up a new excuse when I'm late getting home!! Roy 130 Sport "Ichthus"