Trying to chose between these units, primarily for sailing.

I have only Macs, but can borrow a PC, so the software is somewhat
inconvenient but can be updated occasionally. So, the built-in
database is an issue. The Garmin website specifically mentions
nautical navaids in the GPS 76, but not in the basemap for the GPSMAP
76. Does the GPSMAP really lack bouys, etc, in the basemap?

Mike Wagenbach
Seattle

(Mike Wagenbach) writes:

Trying to chose between these units, primarily for sailing.

Other question: If mounted right against the boat's window (about 6"
high x 2 feet long) will the unit be able to aquire satellites well enough
to use the anchor drag alarm, or will an external antenna be needed?

Mike

--
"Watch out, those monkeys bite!"

"M. Wagenbach" schrieb:

Other question: If mounted right against the boat's window (about 6"
high x 2 feet long) will the unit be able to aquire satellites well enough
to use the anchor drag alarm, or will an external antenna be needed?

In that case it's more a question of the material from which the cabin
is constructed. If it's not metal or metal shielded, it should do fine
through the cabin.

A 6" * 2 feet window is quite small - too small for reliable operation,
I'd say - even on the water.

- Carsten


--
Audio Visual Systems fon: +49 (0)2234 601886
Carsten Kurz fax: +49 (0)2234 601887
Von-Werth-Straße 111 email:
50259 Pulheim / Germany WGS84:N50°57'50.2" E06°47'28.5"

M. Wagenbach wrote:

(Mike Wagenbach) writes:


Trying to chose between these units, primarily for sailing.


Other question: If mounted right against the boat's window (about 6"
high x 2 feet long) will the unit be able to aquire satellites well enough
to use the anchor drag alarm, or will an external antenna be needed?

Hard to say, but I'd expect that it would usually get decent reception
(I've never had problems getting reception when placing my GPS near an
airplane window). It also depends on what the boat construction is -
metal will totally block the signals but they'll penetrate a fair amount
of fiberglass, plastic, and dry wood.

But why risk it? Murphy's Law will conspire to have your anchor drag
just when the satellite constellation is particularly bad on the window
side of the boat. You can get a good external antenna from Gilsson for
$20 that can be mounted where it has a good skyview and you'll have a
much more reliable signal lock.

BTW, unless you already have another GPS receiver with mapping
capability I'd recommend the Map76 over the 76, especially if you'll
load the detailed map software such as MetroGuide.

The basemap of the GPSmap 76 includes navaids and major highways. You can
download Blue Charts for depths and other marine detail and maps from Topo
or MetroGuide for additional land detail.

"Mike Wagenbach" wrote in message
om...
Trying to chose between these units, primarily for sailing.

I have only Macs, but can borrow a PC, so the software is somewhat
inconvenient but can be updated occasionally. So, the built-in
database is an issue. The Garmin website specifically mentions
nautical navaids in the GPS 76, but not in the basemap for the GPSMAP
76. Does the GPSMAP really lack bouys, etc, in the basemap?

Mike Wagenbach
Seattle

Isn't there some cheaper way, like a cheaper gps from ebay that can
interface with maybe some $150 Mac software? Grand total: $250 maybe?

Stephen

wrote:

On Fri, 2 Jul 2004 16:42:01 -0400, "Charlie Cassidy"
wrote:


The basemap of the GPSmap 76 includes navaids and major highways. You can
download Blue Charts for depths and other marine detail and maps from Topo
or MetroGuide for additional land detail.



The navaids on the basemap are not numbered or identified in any way. I have a
GPSMAP76s and the extra $130 for the bluechart CD was worth every penny in added
features, detail, and usability. The difference is night and day. The base map
is really just far too basic by comparison.

BB


"Mike Wagenbach" wrote in message
.com...

Trying to chose between these units, primarily for sailing.

I have only Macs, but can borrow a PC, so the software is somewhat
inconvenient but can be updated occasionally. So, the built-in
database is an issue. The Garmin website specifically mentions
nautical navaids in the GPS 76, but not in the basemap for the GPSMAP
76. Does the GPSMAP really lack bouys, etc, in the basemap?

Mike Wagenbach
Seattle

Stephen Trapani schrieb:

Isn't there some cheaper way, like a cheaper gps from ebay that can
interface with maybe some $150 Mac software? Grand total: $250 maybe?

Of course, but you need to get the maps/navaid data. Usually it doesn't
come with the software.

Check http://www.gpsnavx.com/

- Carsten


--
Audio Visual Systems fon: +49 (0)2234 601886
Carsten Kurz fax: +49 (0)2234 601887
Von-Werth-Straße 111 email:
50259 Pulheim / Germany WGS84:N50°57'50.2" E06°47'28.5"

Mike Wagenbach wrote:

Trying to chose between these units, primarily for sailing.

I have only Macs, but can borrow a PC, so the software is somewhat
inconvenient but can be updated occasionally. So, the built-in
database is an issue. The Garmin website specifically mentions
nautical navaids in the GPS 76, but not in the basemap for the GPSMAP
76. Does the GPSMAP really lack bouys, etc, in the basemap?

Neither has them in the basemap but they do have them in the map memory.
The map memory will be replaced with whatever maps you download so the
detailed maps you use must have the marine aids present. You can
redownload the marine database from the web site.

Dale


Mike Wagenbach
Seattle

--
_ _ Dale DePriest
/`) _ // http://users.cwnet.com/dalede
o/_/ (_(_X_(` For GPS and GPS/PDAs

Okay you talked me into it! In fact more than that, after looking around
I really like the 76C. So I think I might try to steal one somewhere, so
..35 boat buck there for a new one, another .10 for the Bluechart,
awesome navigation and charting for less than half a boat buck! Not bad,
it seems.

Stephen

wrote:

On Fri, 02 Jul 2004 19:53:49 -0700, Stephen Trapani
wrote:


Isn't there some cheaper way, like a cheaper gps from ebay that can
interface with maybe some $150 Mac software? Grand total: $250 maybe?

Stephen



In this case, you will get what you paid for. One of the prime reasons for
buying a Garmin GPS is so you can use their proprietary Blue Chart software. I
have yet to see a review anywhere that it wasn't rated superior to all of the
other GPS charts. This is something that you will be using a lot. Not a good
place to save a few bucks. Your idea of a cheap GPS with Mac software will get
you something less worthwhile than the Garmin with just the included basemap.
Borrow a PC for an hour and download the Blue Charts to a GPSMAP76. You won't be
able to use the computer for plotting courses and stuff to upload to the GPS
without a PC, but you will have the infinitely better electronic charts on your
handheld.

BB


wrote:


On Fri, 2 Jul 2004 16:42:01 -0400, "Charlie Cassidy"
wrote:



The basemap of the GPSmap 76 includes navaids and major highways. You can
download Blue Charts for depths and other marine detail and maps from Topo
or MetroGuide for additional land detail.



The navaids on the basemap are not numbered or identified in any way. I have a
GPSMAP76s and the extra $130 for the bluechart CD was worth every penny in added
features, detail, and usability. The difference is night and day. The base map
is really just far too basic by comparison.

BB



"Mike Wagenbach" wrote in message
le.com...


Trying to chose between these units, primarily for sailing.

I have only Macs, but can borrow a PC, so the software is somewhat
inconvenient but can be updated occasionally. So, the built-in
database is an issue. The Garmin website specifically mentions
nautical navaids in the GPS 76, but not in the basemap for the GPSMAP
76. Does the GPSMAP really lack bouys, etc, in the basemap?

Mike Wagenbach
Seattle

Is the display on the GPSMAP76 good enough for nav chart display?

On Sat, 03 Jul 2004 20:06:19 -0700, Stephen Trapani =

wrote:

Okay you talked me into it! In fact more than that, after looking around=
=20
I really like the 76C. So I think I might try to steal one somewhere, so=
=20
.35 boat buck there for a new one, another .10 for the Bluechart,=20
awesome navigation and charting for less than half a boat buck! Not bad,=
=20
it seems.

Stephen

wrote:

On Fri, 02 Jul 2004 19:53:49 -0700, Stephen Trapani =

wrote:
=20
=20
Isn't there some cheaper way, like a cheaper gps from ebay that can=20
interface with maybe some $150 Mac software? Grand total: $250 maybe?

Stephen

=20
=20
In this case, you will get what you paid for. One of the prime reasons=
for
buying a Garmin GPS is so you can use their proprietary Blue Chart =
software. I
have yet to see a review anywhere that it wasn't rated superior to all=
of the
other GPS charts. This is something that you will be using a lot. Not =
a good
place to save a few bucks. Your idea of a cheap GPS with Mac software =
will get
you something less worthwhile than the Garmin with just the included =
basemap.
Borrow a PC for an hour and download the Blue Charts to a GPSMAP76. =
You won't be
able to use the computer for plotting courses and stuff to upload to =
the GPS
without a PC, but you will have the infinitely better electronic =
charts on your
handheld.=20
=20
BB
=20
=20
wrote:


On Fri, 2 Jul 2004 16:42:01 -0400, "Charlie Cassidy" =

wrote:



The basemap of the GPSmap 76 includes navaids and major highways. =
You can=20
download Blue Charts for depths and other marine detail and maps =
from Topo=20
or MetroGuide for additional land detail.



The navaids on the basemap are not numbered or identified in any way.=
I have a
GPSMAP76s and the extra $130 for the bluechart CD was worth every =
penny in added
features, detail, and usability. The difference is night and day. The=
base map
is really just far too basic by comparison.=20

BB



"Mike Wagenbach" wrote in message=20
gle.com...


Trying to chose between these units, primarily for sailing.

I have only Macs, but can borrow a PC, so the software is somewhat
inconvenient but can be updated occasionally. So, the built-in
database is an issue. The Garmin website specifically mentions
nautical navaids in the GPS 76, but not in the basemap for the =
GPSMAP
76. Does the GPSMAP really lack bouys, etc, in the basemap?

Mike Wagenbach
Seattle=20

=20