Garmin GPSMap 76/76S Review
Garmin for several years have had the GPSMap 76 and 76S available. These are very rugged Marine style GPS which can be used on land with MapSource maps and give you everything you would conceivably want in a GPS with lots of memory to install Garmin Cartography, to Electronic and Barometric Altimeter's in the 76S.
These are not small GPS Receivers like the Garmin eTrex or Geko range, they are large, but do allow you a much larger and better screen compared with other Garmin GPS Receivers.
In The Box
The Garmin GPSMap 76 / 76S comes complete with the following items:-
- GPSMap 76 / 76S Handheld GPS
- European Basemap
- PC Interface cable (Serial) for Garmin GPSMap 76 / 76S
- Wrist Strap
- Manual
- Quick Start Guide
Mapping Software
The GPSMap 76 / 76S does not come with any mapping software out of the box, so if you do need maps on the handheld then you will need to purchase one of the many Garmin MapSource CD's. These range from Topo to Street Maps from North America, to Europe. In-fact maps are available for Western Europe and North America and also for some non Pan European or North American countries too!
Screen Technology
The new Garmin 76 / 76S screen is a grayscale screen. If you are looking for a bright vibrant colour TFT screen then you may want to check out the GPSMap 76C / 76CS review.
Battery Usage
- 16 hours (GPSMap 76)
- 10 Hours (GPSMap 76S)
You don't have to have the backlit screen on all the time, when you are out on a bright and sunny day as the screen is trans reflective it makes more sense turning off the backlit screen and allowing natural light to light up the screen.
Memory
Unfortunately memory is not expandable in any of these GPS Receivers, but you do get a fair amount of memory for what you would need in most cases.
- 8mb (GPSMap 76)
- 24mb (GPSMap 76S)
Basemap
The basemap installed in UK versions cover Europe and is not changeable and cannot be modified in any way. US based versions will come with a USA basemap. Basemap's are not that accurate so if you want to see streets it is better to add a MapSource CD to your collection.
GPSMap 76 / 76S Main Features
The GPSMap 76 / 76S comes with the following major features:-
- Backlit grayscale screen (1.6" x 2.2")
- 8mb Internal Memory for storing map detail (GPSMap 76)
- 24mb Internal Memory for storing map detail (GPSMap 76S)
- Electronic Compass (GPSMap 76S)
- Barometric Altimeter (GPSMap 76S)
- 1000 Waypoints
- 50 Routes
- 125 Waypoints Per Route
- WAAS Support
- Waterproof
Differences between 76 / 76S
The main and only differences are as follows:-
| GPSMAP 76 | GPSMAP 76S | |
| Built in Memory | 8 MB | 24 MB |
| # of Routes / # of waypoints per route | 50/125 | 50/125 |
| Battery Life | 16 HR (2 AA) | 10 HR (2 AA) |
| Display Size | 2.2 x 1.6 | 2.2 x 1.6 |
| Display type | 4 level Gray LCD | 4 level Gray LCD |
| Pixels (H x W) | 240 x 180 | 240 x 180 |
| Audible Alarms | Anchor: Yes Arrival: Yes Clock: No Off Course: Yes |
Anchor: Yes Arrival: Yes Clock: No Off Course: Yes |
| Separate Serial & USB interfaces | N/A | N/A |
| Backlit Display | Single level | Single level |
| Glide Ratio, Glide Ratio to Destination, and Vertical Speed to Destination | N/A | Yes |
| Built-In Electronic Compass | N/A | Yes |
| Built-In Barometric Altimeter | N/A | Yes |
| Voltage Range | 10-40 | 10-40 |
So in a nutshell if you are looking for an accurate compass which does not require line of sight to the GPS Satellites and for you to be moving, and/or you would prefer a proper barometric altimeter than the Garmin GPSMap 76S is the better choice of the two. If an Electronic Compass and Barometric Altimeter are not really in your wish list then a GPSMap 76 will more than supply the features you need.
GPSMap 76 / 76S Screenshot's
Below you will find a large selection of screenshot's from the GPSMap 76 / 76S.
Technical Specification
| GPSMAP 76 | GPSMAP 76S | |
| Receiver | 12 channel | 12 channel |
| Number of Waypoints | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Built in Memory | 8 MB | 24 MB |
| # of Routes / # of waypoints per route | 50/125 | 50/125 |
| Database or Basemap | Americas Highway or Atlantic Highway or Pacific Highway |
Americas Highway or Atlantic Highway or Pacific Highway |
| Additional map options | MapSource CD ROM uploadable information | MapSource CD ROM uploadable information |
| Battery Life | 16 HR (2 AA) | 10 HR (2 AA) |
| Display Size | 2.2 x 1.6 | 2.2 x 1.6 |
| Display type | 4 level Gray LCD | 4 level Gray LCD |
| Area Calculation | Yes | Yes |
| Pixels (H x W) | 240 x 180 | 240 x 180 |
| Standard GPS Antenna | Built in quad helix | Built in quad helix |
| TracBack Mode | Yes | Yes |
| # of Tracklog Points | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Unit Weight | 7.7 oz. | 7.7 oz. |
| Audible Alarms | Anchor: Yes Arrival: Yes Clock: No Off Course: Yes |
Anchor: Yes Arrival: Yes Clock: No Off Course: Yes |
| Waterproof Standard | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Unit Size (H x W x D) | 6.2 x 2.7 x 1.4 | 6.2 x 2.7 x 1.4 |
| Separate Serial & USB interfaces | N/A | N/A |
| Map Storage | Internal Memory | Internal Memory |
| Backlit Display | Single level | Single level |
| Ext. Ant. Hookup | Yes | Yes |
| Internal Differential | N/A | N/A |
| WAAS capability | Yes | Yes |
| Loran TD position format | Yes | Yes |
| MGRS position format | Yes | Yes |
| Glide Ratio, Glide Ratio to Destination, and Vertical Speed to Destination | N/A | Yes |
| Built-In Electronic Compass | N/A | Yes |
| Built-In Barometric Altimeter | N/A | Yes |
| Hunting/Fishing calculator | Yes | Yes |
| Celestial Information Page | Yes | Yes |
| Proximity Waypoints | Yes | Yes |
| Tide Prediction | Yes | Yes |
| Voltage Range | 10-40 | 10-40 |
| Waypoint Icons | Yes | Yes |
Comparison
For a complete comparison of features between the entire GPSMap 76 range, click here.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a Handheld GPS but do not require one of the new colour TFT screens, then you really cannot go wrong with the GPSMap 76 / 76S. It's an ideal companion and will fit every need from topographical, hiking, adding waypoints and Street Navigation. It's an ideal partner and a solid and reliable GPS Receiver!
