Garmin GPSMap 276C Review:
The GPSMAP 276C is a compact but powerful portable GPS chartplotter. Perfect for the open cockpit of a center console boat the Garmin GPSMap 276C can quickly disconnect to move to your car or truck. In your boat the GPSMAP 276C is a color chartplotter with a 256-color TFT display and a built-in auto route basemap enhanced by Garmins marine cartography. It accepts pre-programmed or user-programmed MapSource data cards. On land the Garmin 276C features a built-in basemap and auto routing to provide turn-by-turn directions.

The GPSMAP 276C is a dependable color chartplotter with built-in basemap enhanced by Garmin’s marine cartography. For extra-precise navigation, the Garmin GPSMap 276C has a Course Deviation Indicator (CDI) - a feature normally found on aircraft, but equally practical for the marine environment. The CDI quickly indicates whether your boat has veered off-course and helps you get back on track quickly. The Garmin 276C also supports external NMEA sources for water depth, water temperature, and water speed through two serial interfaces. On land, the GPSMAP 276C’s autoroute basemap can route you on interstates and major highways. The Garmin 276C is compatible with BlueChart maps, which add extra detail when you’re out on the seas. It also accepts optional MapSource data cards, so you can add other types of map data easily.

The GPSMap 276C’s auto routing capability lets you select a destination and get turn-by-turn directions. There’s even voice prompt guidance; just hook up a 12-volt speaker cable (sold separately) and the GPSMAP 276C will audibly tell you when you need to turn and how much farther you have to go. the GPSMAP 276C accepts data from MapSource CD-ROMs, including BlueChart for offshore detail, Recreational Lakes with Fishing Hot Spots for detail of selected inland lakes, and City Select for street-level maps.

The Garmin GPSMAP 276C is a powerful GPS, with many features. It can do topo, sonar, car navigation, bluechart marine. It works well, although it is not as user friendly as some units. Be prepared to read the manual several times to be fully comfortable using this gps.

Pros and cons of the Garmin GPSMap 276C VS the 2610:

1) The display on the Garmin 276C is larger and much nicer looking than that of the Garmin 2610 - in MOST lighting conditions. The Garmin GPSMap 276C is a LOT easier to read with the sun behind you than the 2610, and looks nicer at night. Going toward the sun the reflective LCD loses out to the 2610.

2) The Garmin 276C includes a lithium ion battery - the 2610 has to have 12v to operate since it has no batteries or battery compartment. The Garmin 276C can last for HOURS on a charged battery. Combined with a lighter weight this makes the GPSMap 276C more versatile an can be used on a hike or for geocaching.

3) The 2610 costs less with the current $100 rebate and includes every thing you need to get on the road

4) The 2610 takes standard (and cheap) compact flash memory cards. The entire map set (USA,some Canada and Mexico) takes around 1.4gb so a 2gb could hold it all. Most folks could just get a 1gb CF card and get most of the US on it and be fine. The Garmin 276C takes the Garmin memory cards, the max is 256mb and is $125 and up. Even a 128mb card is $80 or more. A 128 card can take maybe 2-3 states. The base maps are in the GPS so you still navigate the “big roads” without re-loading maps, but the 2610 means load it once and forget it.

5) The 2610 has a touch screen and remote control. If you are going to use the GPS in a car the remote can be handy - let a passenger operate the GPS while you drive. The touch screen means greasy finger smears on the screen if you are not careful. For use on a motorcycle the real buttons of the Garmin GPSMap 276C are much preferred and the remote would be useless. The touch screen does make spelling a city name or point of interest a lot easier.

6) The Garmin 276C has more options for the way the data is displayed on the screen. You can have it show voltage, battery time remaining, heading, altitude - just about anything on the screen. The 2610 has some flexibility but the number and position of the fields is limited.

7) No detail maps with the Garmin GPSMap 276C. As I mentioned you have to buy the detailed maps plus a memory card to get street level detail. This GPS takes the same maps as the GPS V - and Garmin lets you unlock 2 GPS units with the same map CD set. So if you already have a GPS V (I do) then you can just unlock the maps for your new GPSMap 276C for free - just get a memory card. The number of POIs and amount of detail is said to be the same between the maps for the Garmin GPSMap 276C and the 2610, but the 2610 is said to have more route/calculation options so the resulting route MIGHT be a little better on the 2610.

The Garmin 276C has extra features - the whole marine set of stuff plus takes optional external sensors. The GPSMap 276C also shows sun/moon rise/set times for any location as well as tide and fishing info.

Both will do turn by turn with voice prompts (optional speaker needed for GPSMap 276C) and let you find the closest Burger King or gas station. The Garmin GPSMap 276C is more expensive but more flexible since it can be used outside of the car, on a boat, and more easily on a motorcycle. Some others to look at are the Tom Tom Go (has a battery, but has other flaws and is not designed to be used on a motorcycle) and the RoadMate series. Cobra has a new GPS out now as well - like the 2620 it has all the maps pre-loaded so no PC is needed.

By Dennis

Garmin GPSMap 276C Pros:
WAAS-ready GPS device accepts radio signals which can help increase accuracy of positioning data to within 3 meters.Serial computer interface makes it possible to add new programs and maps as well as store previous trips and data.Tracklog function automatically creates a record of the path traveled and stores it as a series of points for later use.Its removable memory allows for almost unlimited storage of routes and other data.Waterproof receiver stands up to the elements.System includes MapSource trip & waypoint manager.

Garmin GPSMap 276C Cons:
Uses a proprietary card to store routes and data which is less versatile than standard storage media.

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