WM has these on sale until the 24th dec.06 has anyone here have one or know about them I'm thinking of buying one
Thx John
WM 76CS Plus Handheld GPS by Garmin
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Highlander
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Retcoastie
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GPS
Highlander,
The November Practical Sailor rated the WM 76CS units as "Best Buy". Don't know what the plus is but the 76CSx was only "Recommended".
The only thing they hit the 76CS for was not having an expandable memory. It does have 115MB and they thought that was adequate for a bunch of Blue Charts.
Looking at the WM website home page shows a WM 76 on the right side of the row. That one is a WM 76, a different unit than the 76CS. The 76 is monochrome, not color. PS rates it a "Budget Buy". There comment is, "The Gramin 76 is a proven entity that offers straight forward at-sea functions, but the very basic cartography is archaic by today's standards. Still, for $230, it provides reliables GPS information for the budget-minded sailor."
Good Luck with your decision.
Ken
The November Practical Sailor rated the WM 76CS units as "Best Buy". Don't know what the plus is but the 76CSx was only "Recommended".
The only thing they hit the 76CS for was not having an expandable memory. It does have 115MB and they thought that was adequate for a bunch of Blue Charts.
Looking at the WM website home page shows a WM 76 on the right side of the row. That one is a WM 76, a different unit than the 76CS. The 76 is monochrome, not color. PS rates it a "Budget Buy". There comment is, "The Gramin 76 is a proven entity that offers straight forward at-sea functions, but the very basic cartography is archaic by today's standards. Still, for $230, it provides reliables GPS information for the budget-minded sailor."
Good Luck with your decision.
Ken
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Terry
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GPS
I also have the GPS Map 76CS and only use 22mb of the 115 available for the PNW, it is likely more than most folks requirements.
It only uses two AA batteries and they last quite a while, the screen is color but somewhat small, but you can plug it into your sunlight readable display laptop with the USB port and have live tracking - cool. With 115 MB you can have charts, Topos and streets & maps all loaded with room to spare. The new upgrade is merely a memory improvement, nothing to write home about. If you can get a deal on it, do so but be forwarned, that display is small so I like to plug into a laptop. You may also wish to plug into your DSP VHF too as I did, makes you easily found when in distress. I bought mine for it's portability but in hindsight I wish I opted for a larger display. If the price is right then the display compromise may be worth it. Good luck.
It only uses two AA batteries and they last quite a while, the screen is color but somewhat small, but you can plug it into your sunlight readable display laptop with the USB port and have live tracking - cool. With 115 MB you can have charts, Topos and streets & maps all loaded with room to spare. The new upgrade is merely a memory improvement, nothing to write home about. If you can get a deal on it, do so but be forwarned, that display is small so I like to plug into a laptop. You may also wish to plug into your DSP VHF too as I did, makes you easily found when in distress. I bought mine for it's portability but in hindsight I wish I opted for a larger display. If the price is right then the display compromise may be worth it. Good luck.
We have the Lake Erie BlueChart (Lower Lake Huron to mid Lake Ontario) AND the Tampa to New Orleans BlueChart in 18 MB on a 128MB card in our 178C. It's nice to have all that extra memory for tracks though.
I like having the larger screen of a 178C, but when conserving power, a handheld on a 12VDC charger uses a lot less battery power.
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Moe
I like having the larger screen of a 178C, but when conserving power, a handheld on a 12VDC charger uses a lot less battery power.
--
Moe
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James V
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I have the 76CX
WARNING - This device is NOT watertight. Even for a few seconds. Yes, it will float, yes it will work after being put in water, but not for long.
If you look at the back of it, the power connector is just protected by a little flap and the chip does not have even that protection. Just a loose flap and water DOES get into the inside from the chip opening. Also the battery compartment WILL get water into it.
I have to send mine back because of this. Warenty for 1 year only.
I must admit that it is a nice unit.
WARNING - This device is NOT watertight. Even for a few seconds. Yes, it will float, yes it will work after being put in water, but not for long.
If you look at the back of it, the power connector is just protected by a little flap and the chip does not have even that protection. Just a loose flap and water DOES get into the inside from the chip opening. Also the battery compartment WILL get water into it.
I have to send mine back because of this. Warenty for 1 year only.
I must admit that it is a nice unit.
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Highlander
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Beene
Had a fast look at them on my way to the airport on Sat from TO their on sale for $345.00 Can I beleive that was the price . They were $700.00 Can in their cat. then down to $650 somethhing in store now on sale But about $170 for the hardware & $45 for a swivel stand until 12/24/06 . But its 50/50 here on the board some love them some don't. So maybe I'll look into it more on Friday " I dont work Fridays so every wk-end is a long one "
. So I might wait for the Jan TO boat show 
Had a fast look at them on my way to the airport on Sat from TO their on sale for $345.00 Can I beleive that was the price . They were $700.00 Can in their cat. then down to $650 somethhing in store now on sale But about $170 for the hardware & $45 for a swivel stand until 12/24/06 . But its 50/50 here on the board some love them some don't. So maybe I'll look into it more on Friday " I dont work Fridays so every wk-end is a long one "
. So I might wait for the Jan TO boat show -
Rob Roy Macgregor
- Deckhand
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- Location: Canada 1998 26X, Nissan 18HP
Does anyone have experience with the Magellan Meridian Marine?
The cradle and connectors on my boat are for the Meridian. I have the older 2000XL model which I am using hand-held for now as the connector doesn't fit.
I was contemplating getting the Meridian Marine and using my 2000XL for a back-up.
Is it a goog buy? Is the Meridian Marine waterproof? Are there other GPS that are better for same cost?
The cradle and connectors on my boat are for the Meridian. I have the older 2000XL model which I am using hand-held for now as the connector doesn't fit.
I was contemplating getting the Meridian Marine and using my 2000XL for a back-up.
Is it a goog buy? Is the Meridian Marine waterproof? Are there other GPS that are better for same cost?
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Retcoastie
- Captain
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- Joined: Sat Sep 16, 2006 7:00 am
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- Location: Gray Hawk, Kentucky 2002 X "Last Flight"