GPS

The Inspector’s family are avid outdoor enthusiasts. This means frequent camping and hiking trips into the great outdoors. Lately the number of sad stories about people becoming forever lost has caused us to give strong consideration to a personal GPS system. The investment would be well worth it even if we never actually had to use it in my opinion. The unit I am considering is:

Garmin GPSMap 76CSx Handheld GPS Navigator

Product Features

* Bright, sunlight-readable color TFT display and an included a 128 MB microSD card
* Uses the powerful SiRF GPS navigation chip for supreme accuracy
* Includes barometric altimeter and electronic compass
* USB connectivity for sharing map and waypoint data with PC
* Preloaded with an Americas autoroute basemap

Technical Details

* Model number: 010-00469-00
* Receiver: SiRF high-sensitivity GPS receiver
* Antenna: Built-in quad helix receiving antenna with remote antenna capability
* Interface: USB
* Map storage: MicroSD card slot (128 MB microSD included)
* Basemap: Built-in Americas autoroute base map with automatic routing capabilities including highways, exits and tide data
* Waypoints: 1000 user waypoints with name and graphic symbol; 50 reversible routes
* Tracks: 10,000 point automatic track log; 20 saved tracks (500 points each) let you retrace your path in both directions
* Trip computer: Odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, maximum speed and more
* Position format: Lat/Lon, UTM, Loran TDs, Maidenhead, MGRS, user grid, and more
* Battery: 2 x AA batteries (not included)
* Battery life: Up to 20 hours with 2 AA alkaline batteries
* Display: 1.5 x 2.2 inches (WxH), 256-color, transflective TFT (160 x 240 pixels)
* Sensors: Electronic compass, barometric altimeter
* Water resistant: IEC 60529 IPX7 (submersible 1 meter at 30 minutes)
* Dimensions: 2.7 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches (WxHxD)
* Weight: 7.6 ounces with batteries
* In the Box: GPSMAP 76CSx GPS unit, 128 MB microSD, USB interface cable, MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager CD-ROM, lanyard, owner’s manual, quick start guide

Cost: $369.00

The advantage I see to this unit is that it is waterproof , it is very portable , and it can measure changes in pressure (hence, altitude), and it has a compass for when you are moving too slow for the GPS to tell which direction you are going. It is slightly bigger than other handhelds, but the extra area makes for easier button navigation I think. Other bonuses I see are that you can download topo and city street maps at the same time. If you have both types of maps downloaded, the Garmin will only show the city street maps unless you hide the city street maps, in which case it will show the topo maps. Finding the menu to hide the city street maps is not obvious, I had to call tech support to find out how to do it. With a map displayed, you have to press the menu button; select Setup Map; press the Enter button; at the top of the screen select the “i” (Information) icon; press the Enter button; finally select the Hide US NorthAmerica City Streets and press the Enter button.