Garmin eTrex Legend 8 MB GPS with PC Cable

Documentation is vague but menues are intuative.

Find good route maping functionality with the Garman MetroGuide software upgrade. The base mapping software isn't all that bad but the upgrade is worth the money.

The unit has a better antenna that the patch antenna found in its siblings. I have little problem staying locked 3D incl WAAS traveling the Turnpike. Map detail is excellent & is selectible when a mapset is transferred from your computer.

One downside is that transfer speed is slow and the desktop software will tie up your PC for the duration, 30Min to 1Hr+ (not to mention battery life). Consider a USB adapter to replace of the Serial adapter that's included . Even better, get one of the combination Power + PC adaptor cords offered by Garmen.

I purchased the cigarette lighter power cord. It works great. The GPS unit fits securely wedged between the dashboard & windshield (Garmen does make a disclaimer).

My real passion is fishing and the unit excells here as well. Barometer, electronic compass, solar tables, best fishing & hunting times, tide chart information from any where.

One last tip, I was able to convert the cigarette lighter adapter to use on the water by buying a female adaptor (with fuse) and two alligator test clips from Radio Shack for $5. I can now run it off the battery for my trolling motor.

Good luck.

Rating: 5 - Awesome
.
This is Garmin's latest GPS unit. A friend got the Garmin eTrex Vista at the same time I purchased the 76S. The main differences between the two: the 76S has a larger screen, has buttons on the front where they're easy to see and use, and has proximity alarms (to let you know audibly when you're offcourse or arriving at your destination). The eTrex Vista has buttons hidden along the edges of the unit and it has a smaller screen; it also has a calendar and a calculator.

I used to think that GPS's were nothing but expensive toys. However, when I had to use it to find a trailhead at night, it proved itself to me. This unit is great. Get the best...get the Garmin GPSMAP 76S.

While you're at it, buy the Garmin MapSource Topo software and a carrying case. Be sure to go to the Garmin website for software updates for the 76S as well as MapSource....

Rating: 5 - The Garmin GPSMAP76S is better than the Vista
I've had my Garmin GPSMAP 76S for about a week, and I've owned an eTrex Vista for over a year. These units have several features in common: barometric altimeter, digital compass, and 24 MB of memory for storing detailed map data (which must be downloaded from optional MapSource CD ROMS). Both units have backlighted displays and come with serial PC interface cables.

The software is well organized on both units, although somewhat different. Navigating through the 76S pages and menus is similar to other Garmin receivers like the GPS III. Both the Vista and the 76S can look up sun/moon rise/set time data for any date and location, as well as indications of fair, good or best times for hunting and fishing. Admittedly, the Vista has a few software features not found on the 76S. However, Garmin periodically issues software updates for their GPS recievers, which you can download for free from the Garmin web site. I'm hoping that a couple of my favorite features of the Vista may yet appear in a future software release for the 76S.

The Vista is certainly smaller and a bit lighter than the 76S. However, in all other respects I would have to say that the 76S is a better unit. The larger display is easier to see and use. Also, the illuminated buttons on the front of the unit are easier to operate than the side-mounted buttons and 'click-stick' of the Vista. The map display is more customizable. Unlike the Vista, the 76S has an audible alarm, which I use to alert me to approaching turns along my route of travel (a useful feature on long, boring Interstate trips).

What really impressed me about the 76S is its speed of operation. Satellite acquisition seems faster (it has a different kind of antenna than the Vista). Looking up data (waypoints, routes, points of interest, etc.) seems quicker, and generally navigating through the software (pages, menus, etc.) works almost as quickly as you can press the buttons. In particular, screen redraws are much quicker. You may still have to wait a few seconds for a highly detailed map to redraw, but it seems to be 2 or 3 times quicker then the Vista. Generally, I have found that mid- to low-detail maps redraw in 2 seconds or less, making the 76S a pleasure to use!

If you operate a boat, you may be pleased to know that the 76S comes preloaded with Navaid information (optional MapSource data can be obtained for fishing hot spots and 'BlueChart' detailed Navaid info - see the Garmin web site for more details). Audible alarms can also be set for anchor drag, approach and arrival, off-course, proximity waypoint, shallow water and deep water. There are also tide tables for the U.S., western Canada and the Caribbean, and the unit floats in water (like the Vista, it will withstand submersion to a depth of one meter). There's also an interface for connecting a separate differential receiver, although you may not need the extra accuracy since the Dept. of Defense has turned off 'selective availability' for the GPS satellites (which allows civilian GPS receivers to be more accurate).

I use my Vista while bicycling, and I think that it has suffered some damage from vibration. I'll probably continue to use it on my bike, since smaller and lighter requires less effort. My new 76S, however, will accompany my other travels, and will ride proudly on top of my dashboard (with optional auto mount, and for long trips with optional power adapter plugged in). The Vista is excellent, but as far as I'm concerned, the GPSMAP 76S is better!

For more details and to buy the Garmin eTrex Legend 8 MB GPS from Amazon, you might like to try:

Garmin eTrex Legend 8 MB GPS with PC Cable