Features:

• High-Sensitivity GPS Receiver
• Color-Handheld Mapping Ideal For Both Marine & Outdoor Use
• Bright, Sunlight-Readable Color Tft Display
• 128 Mb Micro Secure Digital Card For Storage Of Optional Map Detail
• Fast Usb Connectivity Makes Loading Charts & Maps Quick & Easy

Editor Reviews:

Product Description:
The GPSMAP 76CSx is a refreshing upgrade of the GPSMAP 76CS, one of the most popular models for outdoor and marine use. This unit features a removable microSD card for detailed mapping memory and a waterproof, rugged housing. The microSD card slot is located inside the waterproof battery compartment. Users can load map data and transfer routes and waypoints through the unit's fast USB connection.In addition, this unit features a new, highly sensitive GPS receiver that acquires satellites faster and lets users track their location in challenging conditions, such as heavy foliage or deep canyons. The GPSMAP 76CSx also incorporates a barometric altimeter for extremely accurate elevation data and an electronic compass that displays an accurate heading while standing still.Considered the mainstay among serious outdoor enthusiasts, the GPSMAP 76CSx offers a large color TFT display and turn-by-turn routing capability. This unit also floats when dropped in the water.

Amazon.com Product Description:
Aimed squarely at boaters and marine users, the Garmin GPSMap 76CSx is packed with features that seasoned mariners crave. The 7.6-ounce 76CSx now features an insanely accurate, high-sensitivity GPS receiver by SiRF that tracks your position even in tree cover and canyons. Plus, you get a bright, sunlight-readable color TFT display and an included a 128 MB microSD card for storage of optional map detail. Add all that to the 76CSx's integrated barometric altimeter and electronic compass, and you've got a highly capable unit. Simply put, the 76CSx is ready to take you anywhere on the water. Landlubbers will find much to like about this unit, too, as it packs great GPS mapping capabilities into a compact device.

The 76CSx features a removable microSD card for detailed mapping memory and a waterproof, rugged housing. View larger.

The GPSMap 76CSx features the powerful SiRF GPS navigation chip, as well as an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter.

The trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more.

The 76CSx's 2.6-inch, 256-color TFT color display is designed to present mapping and trip information clearly and accurately in any lighting conditions. Plus, the case is lightweight, rugged, and water resistant to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards (can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes). Marine users will also like the fact that the 76CSx floats. When using two AA alkaline batteries, you'll get up to 20 hours of battery life from the unit.

Another key feature of the 76CSx is the 10,000 point automatic track log; 20 saved tracks (500 points each) let you retrace your path in both directions. Meanwhile, there's a large numbers option for easy viewing, as well as a dual-position display mode. The unit also includes built-in celestial tables for best times to fish and hunt, plus sun and moon calculations. You also get audible alarms for anchor drag, arrival, off-course, proximity waypoint, and clock. The unit's barometric altimeter system features automatic pressure trend recording while providing current elevation, ascent/descent rate, minimum/maximum elevation, total ascent and descent, and average and maximum ascent and descent rate. Meanwhile, the electronic compass allows you to get accurate headings while standing still.

The 76CSx's trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more. Meanwhile, a fast processor allows the 60Cx to provide quick auto-routing, turn-by-turn directions, and audio alerts when you use the optional MapSource software, which can be stored on the unit's included 128 MB microSD card. Downloading information is quick with the USB or serial port interfaces. Using the dedicated serial port, the 76CSx can share navigation instructions with repeaters, plotters, and autopilots.

If you like the features of the 76CSx but don't need an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter, check out the Garmin GPSMap 76Cx.

What's in the Box
GPSMAP 76CSx, Americas Recreational Basemap, 128 MB microSD card, USB cable, MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager, Wrist strap, Owner's manual, Quick reference guide

Rating : - Meets my GPS needs
I was looking for a water proof GPS unit to take both tour kayaking & backpacking. Looked around for at least a year then bought this one. Having logged over 100 mi. paddled this season I can say that it works well in water. I typically mount it under the forward deck lines & secure it with a clip. No water problems so far, it's been pounded by many waves. -I'm more worried about heat from sun than the water. Having the compass navigate a course on water has come in handy, I sometimes paddle in fog or bad weather. Match my heading to the bearing of the next way point & I'm going the right way. It can tell me distance left to go, time remaining at current speed, etc. I have found that for the compass to work well when traveling at low speeds some settings need adjustment but after that compass is reliable and self adjusts for magnetic variance.
I save all my tracks to an SD card in the unit. When I get home I upload the tracks to the computer, where on the larger screen I can see everything. Calling up the track with google earth and having them overlaid on 3D Sat. images is jaw dropping, this capability is standard with the included "Map source" software. Often I choose not to look at the GPS while out & find out where I've been after I get home. I have a minor gripe with the altimeter, the reading fluctuates while standing still & the profile view in "map source" is not as dynamic as I'd like. Still it is better than no altimeter, and can give a rough idea of peaks troughs, etc. I just wouldn't jump from a plane with it. I really like observing the profile on the unit then moving the cross hairs over a particular peek and pressing [enter] it brings up the map page and the pointer shows that particular point on my journey, this often makes peek elevations & identifications quick and easy. Note: while on the trail, bug spray eats away at the screen, one small corner of mine got some bug spray on it & now it is slightly cloudy.
Hard key pad buttons make navigating the screens easy but only after you get the hang of where things are. Battery life is excellent, exceeding my expectations. Screen is small for Topo reading, but this unit should NEVER replace a paper map on the hiking trail, or even kayaking. I use the statistics page more than the map page anyway. It can give me my moving average, total time on trail & total moving time as well as distance, altitude gained, etc. All a much better use for the device than as a map. Maps that come with the device ON THE COMPUTER are detailed enough for interesting uploads, but the devices base map is like a blank canvas. So if you are strictly using it to track where you have gone & upload to the "map source" program on the computer additional maps may not be necessary. However if you plan to plot courses or use the device for road navigation you will probably need additional map software. I have also used this device for car travel but this it is not it's strong suit. It will not impress but might satisfy.
-Topo 2008 maps improves terrain maps on the unit (including coastal outlines) and improves road maps greatly. Initially I had expected to need road map software as well for any road info at all but the topo 2008 software had plenty of small roads, points of interest, direction computation, etc. So far I have no need for additional maps. The only time I have lost a sat. signal is in a cave or a tunnel so far.
Overall a great unit. Technologically the best civilians can get for outdoor use at this time -so 5 stars.