I am interested in replacing a 60CSx with a 276c, primarily due the screen size, both in and outside of the vehicle. I like the 60, but the screen is just too small for ease of use, especially for those of us with fatter fingers. I am interested in using it as an "all around GPS" unit, both for city/country driving and wandering the woods. So, question, given the limitations of screen size, will this do what I need it to do, including being able to load detailed Topo maps supplied by Garmin? I am not enamored with the NUVI units and would like to keep to the older school technology and shape of the 200/300 series. Thanks for any help and input from those of you that have used this unit for a while.
Garmin 276C question
- Thread starter Spenser
- Start date
goodtimes
Expedition Poseur
I use a 276c on both my motorcycle, and in my jeep. It is a great unit. The only thing I have found that I find annoying, is that the navigation feature (letting the GPS tell me how to get somewhere) tends to put me on less than optimal routes. The routes work...I'll get there...but when I select the "fastest" route (it will prompt you for shortest, fastest, or off road), it takes me through the center of cities (miles of stop lights) instead of highways skirting cities. It also can't seem to find my house, unless I come in off of the main highway (AZ86). If coming in the back way (through Tucson Mountain Park & Saguaro NP), it will take me right past my house, have me do a u-turn at the highway, then go home...
So, if you intend on using the auto-route feature, I would think twice about it. But other than that, I am really happy with mine.
So, if you intend on using the auto-route feature, I would think twice about it. But other than that, I am really happy with mine.
UK4X4
Expedition Leader
I've just done the same "upgrade"
issues......my 60csx came with the full world map...the 276 has a very limited world map...basicly nothing.
It has zero user memory as standard....ie right now in Oman..
I have to buy memory
I have to buy the world base map
before its even worth turning on....the 60csx I still use
Then I have to add the local middle east map another $170 usd
so add another ***** bucks on the price...
and what sucks even more.......I e-mailed garmin as the middle east software comes with a code on the packaging with I put in the trash.....what manual?
I said I had two GPS....the 276 was the one I wanted to install it on but as I was in country already with the 60 they gave me a code for that..
then you install
Then you realise that the code is only good for 1 GPS and you have to pay another 170 dollars for the second unit.......I'm still using the 60 csx..
Just to use the other unit where I am I need to pay another 1/2 its purchase price just for a screen a little larger:box:
issues......my 60csx came with the full world map...the 276 has a very limited world map...basicly nothing.
It has zero user memory as standard....ie right now in Oman..
I have to buy memory
I have to buy the world base map
before its even worth turning on....the 60csx I still use
Then I have to add the local middle east map another $170 usd
so add another ***** bucks on the price...
and what sucks even more.......I e-mailed garmin as the middle east software comes with a code on the packaging with I put in the trash.....what manual?
I said I had two GPS....the 276 was the one I wanted to install it on but as I was in country already with the 60 they gave me a code for that..
then you install
Then you realise that the code is only good for 1 GPS and you have to pay another 170 dollars for the second unit.......I'm still using the 60 csx..
Just to use the other unit where I am I need to pay another 1/2 its purchase price just for a screen a little larger:box:
Photog
Explorer
I have a 276C, that I upgraded from a GPS-V. I do like it. I added the largest memory card available. I have the City maps and Topo maps loaded on it; and I can choose which ones I want to view, as necessary.
If you intend to use it for traveling the world, it will be much more expensive than its purchase price. My City and Topo maps are for the USA (maybe North America); so I am covered for any place I intend to go in the next few years. For long trips, you may need to take the laptop, to load the necessary maps, as you go.
The auto-routing can be problematic. It has a few settings that can help improve its function. If you set it for "only right-hand turns", you may be given some strange routes. You can set it to priortise the street level it uses to get you from point A to point B.
The battery seems to last all day. The antenna works very well, and you can use an external antenna. It has voice directions, if you like that sort of thing (I don't use that function). It is built to take a beating. It is a little heavy for "lightweight" backpacking, but definitely good for backpacking.
It is actually a Chart Plotter, and therefore designed for nautical navigation. It has an input for a depth sounder, water temperature, etc. If you do any navigation of waterways, you will find this unit to be that much more useful (with the purchase of the nautical charts).
I have not found anything I like better, since I don't have space in my rig for a 500 series Lowrance Baja.
If you intend to use it for traveling the world, it will be much more expensive than its purchase price. My City and Topo maps are for the USA (maybe North America); so I am covered for any place I intend to go in the next few years. For long trips, you may need to take the laptop, to load the necessary maps, as you go.
The auto-routing can be problematic. It has a few settings that can help improve its function. If you set it for "only right-hand turns", you may be given some strange routes. You can set it to priortise the street level it uses to get you from point A to point B.
The battery seems to last all day. The antenna works very well, and you can use an external antenna. It has voice directions, if you like that sort of thing (I don't use that function). It is built to take a beating. It is a little heavy for "lightweight" backpacking, but definitely good for backpacking.
It is actually a Chart Plotter, and therefore designed for nautical navigation. It has an input for a depth sounder, water temperature, etc. If you do any navigation of waterways, you will find this unit to be that much more useful (with the purchase of the nautical charts).
I have not found anything I like better, since I don't have space in my rig for a 500 series Lowrance Baja.
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Thank you all for the quick and usable responses. I think I will end up with one, even given the auto routing limitations, which I very rarely use anyway. The larger screen is the biggest seller, plus that it can work around the water, woods, wherever. Now, here is the next loaded question-anyone using one of these with an Apple computer, specifically with the new version of Topo shown on the Garmin site? I noticed in Roseann Hansons review this month that she is using an auxilary program (name escapes me) to manage maps and way points, I assume. Any need to go this route or purchase the Topo for Mac, and use SD cards like I did with the IBM version, which was infuriating to unlock for the 60 CSX. Thanks again for humoring my questions.