Anyone have any experience with the Garmin GPS 76

[Zoran]

I have 76 Map with base map and I am happy with it. Mind you this is the only GPS unit I ever had. I did some trips with it when I was going places I never been before. Planning with paper charts, entering way points ahead including up to 6 waypoints for each passage helped a lot and even it was cloudy, low visibility, light rain and sometimes no shore on sight misserable day I have no problems whatsoever reaching destination, therefore it works. I will like to hear some opinions from those that upgraded how much, and how big is the difference when you go from small handheld with base map to chartploter. Would you put is as a first, second or whatever level of priority comparing with all other gadgets you have or are planning to install (autopilot, depth sounders, wind instuments etc.).
Zoran

[Moe]

If you're going to establish a set of waypoints, and not deviate from the track between them, which you've determined to be safe passage by plotting on the paper chart, then you don't need a base map, and even a non-charting GPS will do the job.

However, we're a lot more spontaneous than that, often deciding at the last moment to take a little side trip that isn't preplotted. Watching the boat's position moving on a chart is as easy as it gets.

If you've deviated from your plotted course, and just enter GO TO a certain waypoint, the non-charting GPS can't show you what's between your current position and that waypoint. You have to plot that course on the paper chart to ensure it's safe passage. And in this case, a charting GPS with only a basemap can lie to you. It can show water where's there's land and vice versa. Plotting on a paper chart is still necessary.

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Moe

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

Even if the coastline was completely accurate in the base map, which it isn't, you still can't rely on it for navigation as it has no depth info. Just because it's water doesn't mean it's safe to cross. If you think that following the base map will keep you out of trouble you best make sure your insurance is paid up.

Without a true electronic chart such as BlueCharts loaded you might as well just go back to the paper chart for all reference and only use the GPS for Lat/Lon locations. You'll be safer that way than you will ever be by using the notoriously inaccurate and incomplete base map.

[Moe]

In the overall scheme of things, I put the chartplotting GPS, with detailed cartography, and a good sounder, at equal priority. The sounder gives me confidence in the spot soundings displayed on the chart. If I see the sounder getting shallower than the spot soundings, that's a clue that I'm probably heading into shoaling that didn't exist when the chart was last updated.

That's one reason I bought a unit that does both. I can split the screen and show both a chart and fishfinder display, or choose to show the depth in numerals above a full screen chart display as one could by tying a separate sounder to some non-sounder GPS/chartplotters via NMEA. I also bought a combination unit because of the lack of console space on the Whaler, which has translated into pedestal space on the MacGregor.

It's all there... right at the helm... available instantly. I consider it an essential piece of safety gear.

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Moe

[Zoran]

Hey Guys,
I know that I cannot sail by base map, whatever you might think I am not that dumb, costal line is not accurate at all. But it is still way better than one Christopher had, and he came from far away. I set waypoints from the proper paper charts, and base map is handy just to confirm the position visualy.
You still have not answer my question, as a priority compared with the other gadgets, where will you put your chartplotter.
Zoran

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

It really depends on where you sail. If I spent my time on a lake or a river that I cruised over and over and knew well perhaps it wouldn't matter. But we rarely cover the same ground twice. Most everywhere we go is new turf.

Since you and I have the same cruising grounds, Puget Sound and the Inside BC passage, I would rank a GPS/Chartplotter with marine cartography as must have equipment. I'd put it right up there with a VHF radio and a Sounder. Three must items you have to have for safe operation.

Our cruising ground is so large and varied that it is really hard to have local knowledge everywhere you could cruise. Add to this the weather up here, fog, operating at night, and as far as I'm concerned it is essential gear for safe operation.

While Christopher may have gotten by, thousands of others over the centuries didn't because they had poor charts. The base map is simply that, a very poor chart. I think it is sad that the mfg of this gear sell these as 'marine' devices with such a poor built in chart. Every unit should include at least a real 'marine' chart if it's going to be marketed as a marine unit. They should raise the price to cover the cost of selling a complete unit. NOAA gives away perfectly servicable coastline accurate with depths electronic marine charts for free. To not include at least this isn't right.

These days there is no excuse for not having good charts and knowing where you are on them. The equipment is so cheap now it's must have gear. I assume you have a sounder and are not using a lead line like in Christopher's day, why fly blind as he had to.

[Moe]

You want the priority list?

Gotta haves (all the same - top priority):
- Required safety and basic equipment (ground tackle, fenders, docklines, boat hook, etc)
- First-aid/medical supplies/spare eyeglasses
- Tools, flashlights, and spare parts/prop/fuses
- Compass, Current Paper Charts, Plotting Tools
- Binoculars, preferably w/compass for taking bearings
- Radar reflector
- VHF Radio, handheld (and fixed depending on location)
- GPS/Chartplotter/Sounder combo w/detailed cartography
- Barrier and Bottom Paint (if mooring long-term)
- Anchor Light w/reverse polarity diodes & DPDT switch (if anchoring overnight)
- Second battery (if overnighting w/o shorepower)
- Some way to make coffee (if overnighting)
- Beer (especially if overnighting)

Wife's Gotta Haves (for overnighting):
- Window curtains
- Bug screens for hatches
- Interior Companionway Hatch Latch
- Custom-fitted sheets for the berths (she'll make 'em)
- Stereo System or at least amplified speakers for the iPod

Wants:
1. Ventilation Fan (got it)
2. Separate, easy-access drink cooler (got it)
3. Mainsail cover and jib UV protection (so we can leave sails up)
4. Slugs, jackline, reefing line, main halyard led aft
5. Vang
6. LED cabin lights to reduce battery use
7. LED anchor light to reduce battery use
8. Solar panel or two to charge batteries during the week (no shorepower)
9, Magma grill
10. Flags
...
99. Maybe one day, an autopilot (have a bungi cord around the GPS mount on top of pedestal for now)

100. Maybe one later day, some electronic wind instruments (have a windex for now)

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Moe

[Zoran]

Thanks for reply,
I got 76 Map since you can load stuff into it (yet to buy it) and what makes it marine from what I could see is the fact that it is waterproof and it float (tested by aciddent)
Zoran