Garmin GPSMap 76C/76CS 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.
Now Garmin have enhanced both of these versions and brought out a colour version for each. This now adds the GPSMap 76C and 76CS to this beautiful range of Handheld GPS Receivers.
These are not small GPS Receivers like the Garmin eTrex or Geko range, they are large, but do allow for a much larger and better screen compared with other Garmin GPS Receivers.
In The Box
The Garmin GPSMap 76C / 76CS comes complete with the following items:-
- GPSMap 76 / 76S / 76C / 76CS Handheld GPS
- European Basemap
- PC Interface cable (USB)
- Garmin MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager
- Wrist Strap
- Manual
- Quick Start Guide
Mapping Software
The GPSMap 76C / 76CS 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! A good addition if you are looking for Street Navigation or Routing is to go for Garmin MapSource City Select. This will allow you to plot routes from one address to another, and also be directed en-route. This basically gives you the same quality of maps and direction information as a Garmin Street Pilot, the only thing you are really missing is audible navigation prompts which is not available on the GPSMap 76C / 76CS.
Screen Technology
The new Garmin 76C / 76CS screen is a new kind of screen from Garmin. For one it's no longer grayscale, it now has a vibrant colour display supporting up to 256 colours on a trans reflective TFT Screen which is a first for GPS handheld's of this type. Garmin have also worked hard because usually in the addition of a colour screen, battery life tails off quite substantially. Not with the 76C / 76CS, Garmin say that on a normal set of AA alkaline batteries you should expect up to 30 hours use.
- 30 Hours (GPSMap 76C)
- 20 Hours (GPSMap 76CS)
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. This is a break through for Garmin and you should expect to see this on more GPS's in the near future!
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.
- 115mb (GPSMap 76C)
- 115mb (GPSMap 76CS)
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 you have to add a MapSource CD to your collection. Unlike the GPSMap 60C/60CS where the basemap isn't as detailed as a Garmin Street Pilot's basemap, the basemap supplied on the GPSMap 76C/76CS are identical to the Street Pilot basemap in terms of coverage, detail and quality.
GPSMap 76C / 76CS Main Features
The GPSMap 76C / 76CS comes with all that the 76 / 76S comes with and the additional features shown below:-
- Sunlight readable trans reflective 256 colour TFT Screen (1.5" x 2.2")
- Fast processor to support Auto Routing, turn-by-turn directions, audio alerts along city streets or trails when using MapSource City Select or 24K Topo (optional)
- 115mb Internal Memory for storing map detail
- Permanent User Data Storage
- Geolocation games:-
- Virtual Maze
- Nibbons
- Geko Smak
- Memory Race
- Gekoids
- Fast map transfer with USB support (slower transfer with Serial)
- 1000 Waypoints
- 50 Routes
- 250 Waypoints Per Route
- WAAS Support
- Waterproof
- Built-in Alarm Clock!
Differences between 76C / 76CS
The main and only differences are as follows:-
| GPSMAP 76C | GPSMAP 76CS | |
| Battery Life | 30 HR (2 AA) | 20 HR (2 AA) |
| 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 |
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 76CS is the better choice of the two. If an Electronic Compass and Barometric Altimeter are not really in your wish list then a GPSMap 76C will more than supply the features you need.
Using the GPSMap 76C / 76CS
The 76C / 76CS contains very similar menus to what you would expect on a Street Pilot, so if you have seen or even used a Street Pilot then you will be at home with a 76C / 76CS.
GPSMap 76C / 76CS Screenshot's
Below you will find a large selection of screenshot's from the GPSMap 76C / 76CS.
Technical Specification
| GPSMAP 76C | GPSMAP 76CS | |
| Receiver | 12 channel | 12 channel |
| Number of Waypoints | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Built in Memory | 115 MB | 115 MB |
| # of Routes / # of waypoints per route | 50/250 | 50/250 |
| Database or Basemap | Americas Autoroute or Atlantic Autoroute |
Americas Autoroute or Atlantic Autoroute |
| Additional map options | MapSource CD ROM uploadable information | MapSource CD ROM uploadable information |
| Battery Life | 30 HR (2 AA) | 20 HR (2 AA) |
| Display Size | 2.2 x 1.5 | 2.2 x 1.5 |
| Display type | 256 Color TFT | 256 Color TFT |
| Area Calculation | Yes | Yes |
| Pixels (H x W) | 240 x 160 | 240 x 160 |
| Standard GPS Antenna | Built in quad helix | Built in quad helix |
| TracBack Mode | Yes | Yes |
| # of Tracklog Points | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Unit Weight | 7.6 oz. w/ batteries | 7.6 oz. w/ batteries |
| Audible Alarms | Anchor: Yes Arrival: Yes Clock: Yes Off Course: Yes |
Anchor: Yes Arrival: Yes Clock: Yes 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Map Storage | Internal Memory | Internal Memory |
| Backlit Display | Multi-level adjustable | Multi-level adjustable |
| 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 | 8-36 | 8-36 |
| 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 new Handheld GPS with a vibrant trans reflective colour TFT screen, then you really cannot go wrong with the GPSMap 76C / 76CS. 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!
