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i like rice · 12-06-2008, 02:39 PM

Here's a cut/paste from the local Miata forum from 2007:
"The model I have is the Garmin GPSMAP 76CS which has been discontinued and replaced by the 76CSx (or 76Cx). You would also need the City Navigator map and software package. The S contains "sensors" which give you a magnetic compass and an altimeter which are not really needed for automotive use. This unit is listed on the Garmin site under On the Trail as Mapping Handhelds or On the Water as Handhelds. The x version of these units contains expandable memory and a high sensitivity receiver.

The key features to make it useful for Miata runs are:
- Routes: the ability to create routes with via points. They can be created on a PC using the full screen mapping and the keyboard. Creating one directly in the GPS unit can be done but is painful. The 76C series allows 50 routes of up to 50 via points.

- Track Log: the ability to record where you have been -- and backtrack or refollow the track. The tracks can be downloaded from the unit to the PC and viewed on tha map. The tracking frequency can be set. Currently, I am using every 5 seconds and it records date and time, position, altitude, leg length, leg time, leg speed, and leg course. It summarizes in the PC witht he total length, elapsed time, and average speed.

Most of the automotive units are missing one or both of these features as they are designed to get you from here to there easily. And add lots of other non-navigation bells and whistles at the high end. The closest units in the Automotive section seem to be the Quest and Quest2 units based upon what I have read.

The one caveat on the routing is that what is transferred from the PC to the unit is the via points for the route and not the actual roads used on the PC. The GPS recomputes the roads to use between each set of points transferred and may not compute the roads to use exactly the same as the PC software. This can usually be overcome by adjusting the via points.

The getting started price on this setup would be about $510 for the 76Cx, map software, 12v car adapter (useful for night driving so backlight stays on), and one of the RAM Mount mounting systems for the unit. Add $40 for 76CSx version. The pricing came from GPSCity who I have purchased from and received good service. They have the Quest unit for $365 and Quest 2 for $555; those should not require any accessories."

12-06-2008, 02:39 PM	#5
i like rice Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Mar 2007 Member #3858 iTrader: (0)	Here's a cut/paste from the local Miata forum from 2007: "The model I have is the Garmin GPSMAP 76CS which has been discontinued and replaced by the 76CSx (or 76Cx). You would also need the City Navigator map and software package. The S contains "sensors" which give you a magnetic compass and an altimeter which are not really needed for automotive use. This unit is listed on the Garmin site under On the Trail as Mapping Handhelds or On the Water as Handhelds. The x version of these units contains expandable memory and a high sensitivity receiver. The key features to make it useful for Miata runs are: - Routes: the ability to create routes with via points. They can be created on a PC using the full screen mapping and the keyboard. Creating one directly in the GPS unit can be done but is painful. The 76C series allows 50 routes of up to 50 via points. - Track Log: the ability to record where you have been -- and backtrack or refollow the track. The tracks can be downloaded from the unit to the PC and viewed on tha map. The tracking frequency can be set. Currently, I am using every 5 seconds and it records date and time, position, altitude, leg length, leg time, leg speed, and leg course. It summarizes in the PC witht he total length, elapsed time, and average speed. Most of the automotive units are missing one or both of these features as they are designed to get you from here to there easily. And add lots of other non-navigation bells and whistles at the high end. The closest units in the Automotive section seem to be the Quest and Quest2 units based upon what I have read. The one caveat on the routing is that what is transferred from the PC to the unit is the via points for the route and not the actual roads used on the PC. The GPS recomputes the roads to use between each set of points transferred and may not compute the roads to use exactly the same as the PC software. This can usually be overcome by adjusting the via points. The getting started price on this setup would be about $510 for the 76Cx, map software, 12v car adapter (useful for night driving so backlight stays on), and one of the RAM Mount mounting systems for the unit. Add $40 for 76CSx version. The pricing came from GPSCity who I have purchased from and received good service. They have the Quest unit for $365 and Quest 2 for $555; those should not require any accessories." __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.