No comments about Garmin GPSMAP 440x - GPS receiver - marine.

No comments about Raymarine E32042 Raystar 125 GPS Sensor.

5 comments about Lowrance iFinder H20 C Plus GPS (Blue).

1. Purchased this unit so I could find some streets on a trip to the South. This unit is better utilized in a camping or hiking mode. It does not plot a trail to an address using a street structure. It will plot a trail, but is as "the bird flies". It does have excellent battery life, and the power point adapter included is great. Buy the Plus unit because you get the mapping software and an MMC card which you will need. The built in map is only good down to 8 miles zoom in. Anything closer and you will need to have created a custom map. Quality is excellent, as is my experience with Lowrance. The mapping software is also excellent. This unit will work great in my boat as well. Mapping software is also excellent and easy to use with unit. Overall I am happy with it.



2. What started out as a positive experience quickly turned sour. This product has various software bugs that cause the unit to crash and reboot. In particular when "finding" an item such as a tide table. Sometimes it works but mostly it starts beeping then reboots after about 5 seconds. There are other software bugs as well which I've encountered. Now the good part....I've called Lowrance tech support three times and they have yet to help me with this problem. 1st time I waited about an hour on the phone before I was allowed to leave a message (go figure, I guess they hope you'll give up and go away). Someone called back and left a message when I wasn't standing in front of my phone and didn't bother to leave a direct phone# so....you guessed it...I had to call again and leave another message after another hour with my ear plastered to the phone. Since then I've sent 2 E-mails to them and called one last time and waited another 30 minutes to no avial. Clearly Lowrance has some serious technical and administrative issues. Is this a hot looking product with lots of features? ...sure...but trust me....its not worth the headaches and reboots when you're sailing up a narrow channel (as I was). Avoid this product and consider another brand until Lowrance decides to grow up.
   
   Very dissipointing.



3. Unit works very well in constant moisture of professional fishing,my only problems have been downloading detailed maps from computer to memory card. Really wish this unit had a barameter on it. All in all I would recomend this unit.



4. i have purchased a lowrance h2oc plus gps hand held system and i am still trying to obtain the plus package (memory card, mapping cd, and interface cable). i have not to this day recieved the proper help from amazon or fogdog where the unit was shipped from. i have recieved a complete run around on both ends. i have made numerous calls and have spoken to many reps and all for not. all i want is what i paid for nothing else. if this message is read and if there is anyone who can assist in resolving this situation please feel free to contact me at 5165741325 or hotrod63@optonline.net
   sincirely disapointed, frank tamboles



5. I purchased this item several weeks ago excited about the Plus Package with mapping software, memory card, and memory card reader. I had received the item quickly but had quickly found that I had received the standard model and got in contact with Amazon. After speaking with them for almost an hour, the lady had told me that she was sending me a replacement with the CORRECT items. This was made clear and I needed to then return the item I had received. FIVE DAYS LATER, I received the EXACT SAME THING I had received before. Standard item with no plus package. I had called again and after a long explanation of them confused about their own explanation on the website I asked for a refund. Now a few days before my fishing trip I am without a GPS with mapping software that I was needing. Terrible customer service, and she let me know that i wouldn't receive my money for probably a week. Never buying again.....

4 comments about Lowrance iFinder Go2 GPS - Red.

1. I just needed a GPS that could use UTM coordinates ..the Go2 and a competitor both were able to and the price was the same. The only real difference is that the Go2 had maps with cities, streets, exit signs, lakes included (hard coded into the system and no capability to add or change or update) and the other GPS unit did not.
   
   The Good: Use is easy. Works pretty good when going for a walk. Kept showing the direction in which I was walking and accurate. Can set a lot of waypoints and has a decent amount of memory. Great price.
   
   The Bad: While Go2 can access the satellites from inside my home, it can't through the thin sheet of metal that is the roof of my car. With street maps, highway exits, and other automobile-like features I was disappointed that it didn't work inside the car at all. Hold the Go2 out the window and we were back in business (can imagine a few tickets having to use it this way). The other negative thing I noticed is that it locked up on me a couple times. Both times while moving the cursor. The power button didn't even work at this point and had to remove a battery to reset the unit.
   
   Overall, I like the price and the features, but I'm not sure about it's usability, especially in the car.



2. This unit seemed to have the best standard lake shoreline maps compared to Garmin and Magellan units I've tried. It is great on batteries and meets nearly all our needs. I'd love to be able to upload waypoints, but none of the inexpensive handhelds allow that. For us older folk, the screen could be a lot bigger, but I guess that's what glasses are for. For our marine construction business, it is perfect. Accuracy of all the units is about the same, and operation is unique to the manufacturer you are looking at. Once you learn the screens, you are good to go.



3. Not bad for the price. This unit works as advertised and is a very useful tool. The main drawback for me is the size of the display but that would be the same for any hand held model. It would also be nice if the 12 volt power cord was included instead of having to be purchased separately.



4. This is my second Lowrance GPS. The iFINDER Go2 is a good gps for the money. It picked up the sattelites quickly including WAAS. Excellent battery life. Easy to use but the screen could be bigger. I would buy another GPS from Lowrance.

5 comments about Lowrance iFinder H20 C GPS (Blue).

1. Have used this only a couple of time and it works very well in the areas I have tried. Would buy this product again.



2. It is the most affordable color handheld GPS. Unfortunately that is it's only major plus. The world basemap has almost no streets [they should have just provided a more detailed North America]. It's supposed to be a marine-oriented unit, but the lack of nautical waypoints and features is upsetting [it has fewer than my non-chart Garmin 72]. Whole islands are missing here in the Florida Keys, an official channel that has been here for decades with markers is marked private with no details, wrecks are identified as "partially submerged" when they are 65 feet below. No tide computation feature [even the Garmin 72 has that]. Pluses are that it updates quickly, has decent battery life, and is relatively easy to use [although it should be simpler -- they took a land-based unit and slapped the "marine" title on it].



3. This Lowrance GPS receiver has all the features needed for geocaching. Aided by topo mapping software, this device will lead you to any spot you want. To get the same features in other brands, you would have to spend more money. Also, the car adapter comes with the device whereas it is a separate purchase in other brands. We have used it extensively and never had a problem. It acquires the satellites quickly and keeps the signal under adverse conditions such as tree cover. The only small problem is that the road map overlay may be off in some areas by several yards. This is not a big concern since it's the topographical accuracy that is important. This model doesn't have an electronic compass or altimeter; however, for just a little bit more money you can get these features in a Lowrance Expedition C. Not a big deal for most folks.



4. Hello I live in Costa Rica. I need the GPS. I would like these incluide de Map of Costa Rica and Latin American??



5. We purchased the Lowrance iFinder H2Oc GPS with some Navionics maps on an SD memory card. We used new Lithium AA batteries with the unit.
   
   Our purpose for purchasing the unit was for use in navigating waterways
   between Minnesota and Ontario, specifically the Rainy Lake region.
   
   The unit worked very well, and was very useful for navigating these rocky lakes, with many navigational hazards, such as numerous rock outcroppings, and hazards just below the surface of the lake.
   
   The only problem we encountered was a long delay in downloading/processing map information, if you chose to zoom in/out of your current display. It sometimes took 10 seconds or more for the new screen to load, and if you are using this device as an aid, and travelling across the lake at 30 or 40 knots, the delay was a little unnerving at times, specifically if the lake has a lot of rock pile hazards. And yes, the software states you should not use this device for navigation, it is only an aid.
   
   The batteries we started with lasted all week, and we used this unit extensively all week.
   
   When you arrive at your destination, you need to remember to load the specific map you will use. For the Navionics maps, you will also need to
   know the abbreviated file name for the area you want to view. The file names are not always obvious, so make sure you review the software to know what map to load, for the area you are using the GPS. This is a Navionics comment, so we did not add or detract from the GPS review score.
   
   That issue aside, we would probably rate this item overall at a 4.5.
   
   If you are heading to a large unknown lake, looking for navigation aids, and a depth chart, this is a great tool, and we doubt you will regret the purchase. If you are getting older, the screen is a little small, but it is hand-held, and small enough to put in your pocket or tacklebox.
   
   
   Good luck

5 comments about Garmin GPS 76 Handheld GPS Navigator.

1. You can't get the marine bracket any place right now and the unit is useless on a small boat with out one unless you have 3 hands.

   don't buy any hand held GPS that doesn't have a bracket, I learned the hard way!




2. Got this GPS for primarily geocaching...It works wonderfully! Best Unit I have owned yet... and I have owned quite a few. Garmin has done it again! If you plan to use it for driving get the MAP76.. but for navigation while hiking this one is everything you will ever need. Great Unit! Great Features and Great Price here at amazon...



3. The GPS 76 is the perfect portable GPS unit for connecting to a PocketPC based PDA or a laptop. I have tested it on an iPAQ 3835 with Pocket Streets 2002 and it works like a champ. I have also tested it with a friend's PDA using Anywhere Map (a moving map/EFIS type program for flying) and it worked great. If you are in an area that can get WAAS reception, the accuracy is even better. If you are looking for a great GPS that can be used stand-alone or attached to a PDA, this is it.



4. The GPS 76 is the perfect portable GPS unit for connecting to a PocketPC based PDA or a laptop. I have tested it on an iPAQ 3835 with Pocket Streets 2002 and it works like a champ. I have also tested it with a friend's PDA using Anywhere Map (a moving map/EFIS type program for flying) and it worked great. If you are in an area that can get WAAS reception, the accuracy is even better. If you are looking for a great GPS that can be used stand-alone or attached to a PDA, this is it.



5. It looks good and it is said that it does wonders, but I can't calibrate it. I have tried many times but it fails on me. And their tech support is hard to reach.

5 comments about Lowrance iFinder Expedition C GPS.

1. I bought the Garmin eTrex Legend Cx - about 250. I then bought a 1gb microSD card for 60. At this point the base maps are still useless. I wanted to use for driving to the lakes in MN and then use ON the lakes in MN. Garmin makes you buy Navigator NA and MN Lakemaster for about 100 each. HOWEVER, they can not be practically overlaid and necessitate use of either one or the other. That would have put my tab at 510 plus. Something else I learned - When you buy City Navigator North America - you don't get ALL of NA - you pick a state and marry it to your Garmin unit. If you want another state you need to call Garmin and pay them to unlock another state. What a racket. All learned after my eTrex purchase. I feel a bit dumb in not researching more. Fortunately, all was returnable. ENTER: the Lowrance Expedition c. 269 on sale elsewhere plus 69 for the Lakemaster Pro Maps MN, which include all the major lakes AND the road structure - exactly what I wanted. Total of 340 AND the display is larger, it's easier to use (wonderfully written manual), it has greater battery life, it floats with most lithium batteries, it has a compass... I could go on and on.
   
   I'm not a GPS fanatic and I'm sure the eTrex Legend Cx has it's advantages - but none that have surafaced or are likely to have much significance to me. The Garmin syncs through a USB cable and has some techno-geek features that I'd hasten to say few people actually utilize. The Lowrance also comes with a 12v power adaptor - very nice for car or boat. And with the 170 I saved I can get my Uniden Atlantis 250 Two-Way radio!



2. First I would like to say that this is my first GPS unit and that I have been researching several different GPS brands and models for about a year and a half. I travel quite frequently to South America and I wanted a unit that I could view (and navigate) major cities and roadways in SA. I also wanted a compass, color screen and overall, an easy to use unit. I was first interested in the Magellan eXplorist series 300 thru 600. The 600 had all of the features that I wanted but when I called for some pre-sales support, they told me that the unit will work in SA but there are just no maps available for the unit. So for $349.99 (MSRP) you can get a 600 with the North American base map installed. To get any sort of detailed maps add another 149.99 for Mapsend. And after reading the horrible reviews about eXplorist series on cnet and Amazon, I decided to check out other units. I then looked at the Garmin eTrex Vista Cx. However, the unit has a small screen and again, numerous reviews complaining about battery issues and accuracy. When I called Garmin for some pre-sales support, I was on hold for 43 minutes and when someone finally took my call, I was disconnected. So I decided to keep searching.
   
   Researching Consumer Reports, I came across Lowrance. The name sounded familiar since we used their equipment onboard naval vessels. After a few weeks, I settled on the iFinder Expedition C.
   
   THE UNIT: The color screen measures approx. 1.75 X 2.25 inches and the image is excellent. Good color, street names, roads, and boundaries show up very well. It is a solid unit and fits well in the hand and it's very easy to navigate thru the screens using just your thumb. Buttons are rubber and easy to push. Uses 2 AA batteries (unlike the eXplorist 600 that uses a special battery...you can get AAs all over the world) and so far my Energizer NiMH rechargeable batteries have been working just fine. It also has a slot for a standard SD memory card (1 GB Max). It is waterproof up to 1 meter in water for 30 minutes (IPX7 Standard). It comes with a 12 volt car adapter and a pretty good, easy to understand manual. It can track up to 16 satellites at one time but I have only seen as many as 9 on my unit at one time. The unit can play MP3s (only with a special adapter cable sold separately).
   
   THE MANUAL: I skimmed the PDF manual before I purchased my unit to be sure of certain features and ease of use (you can learn a lot about a product by reading the manual first!). It seemed fairly easy and basically self explanatory. Reading PDF page 28 gives you a quick and easy reference to get you on the road or trail fast. However, anything other than the basic features, it will take some time to memorize menu locations and options. So if you really want to utilize the full potential of the unit, you will need to read the manual with the unit on hand (If you don't want to utilize the units full potential, don't buy the Expedition). The manual is quite lengthy but well written and highly detailed. At this time, I have not found any typos or wrong information in the manual. It will just require patience reading page after page.
   
   THE SOFTWARE: The unit comes pre-loaded with a basic map of the entire world. What this means is that you can only see US state boundaries, major US freeways and roads, cities, major bodies of water, and country boundaries. Since I wanted some detailed maps of South America, I wanted to purchase the Freedom Map of the world but the service technician who I spoke with over the phone told me that it is not worth the $99.99 investment since the extra details are not quite there yet. I purchased the USA Topo Map Create Series 6 accessory package (includes an SD card, Card Reader, and 6 CD ROMs) for $95.00 from LEI. The SD card is 64MB (58.5 MB after formatting) and the CD ROMs are series 6.3. To my surprise, the USA Topo Map Create 6.3 does come with the entire world. However, only the 48 US states and Hawaii have the detail down to the street level (Alaska only shows major roads and cities). So for the rest of the world, cities, major lakes, major roadways and waterways are present...far better detail than what comes preloaded with the unit. So I am thinking that the Freedom map of the world would have been a waste of money because I am completely satisfied with the detail of South America. The Map Create is extremely easy to work with. I have yet to read the manual about the software and I have loaded quite a bit of maps to my GPS unit. I purchased 2 512 MB and a 1 Gig card and on one 512 MB card I loaded the entire South American continent, Central America, Wisconsin, Illinois, California, Washington, and Florida. Europe takes up only 4 MB of space (But remember, it's the details that take up the space). As far as the mapping software is concerned, you are able to select what details you want to load onto your GPS unit. For example, if you like railroading, you can choose to have all the railroads displayed. You can have all the restaurants or lodging facilities to show. It's up to you. But the more you want the more space it takes up. There are 21 categories (and numerous subcategories) you can select from (Highways, landmarks, elevation, structures, and hunting and marine navaids just to name a few). The state of Colorado takes up 125 MB with all 21 items selected. With 16 items selected it takes up 27 MB. South America takes up 3.86 MB (again, you're not loading all the roads and restaurants either). Map Create 6.3 comes with 6 CDs and you need to install all 6. After the installation, you will need to keep the first CD in the drive each time you open up the program. The LEI card reader was somewhat difficult to install (yes you need the special LEI card reader if you are going to download maps onto SD cards for your unit). My first two attempts trying to get the mapping software to recognize the reader failed. The third time I used the drivers off Lowrance web site and that didn't work either. I then extracted the drivers off of the CD ROM and finally I got it to work. You cannot save any maps from Map Create 6.3 without the card reader and SD card installed. But once the files are on the SD card you can transfer them to a folder on your PC for backup. Once you have downloaded your specialized maps from Map Create to an SD card, all you have to do is install the SD card into your unit, turn the unit on and it loads the maps, with all its details, automatically on boot up. You are only allowed to have a maximum of 5 SD cards. I don't know what you can do if an SD card gets stolen, lost, or destroyed since I have not had that happen to me yet.
   
   Before installing MapCreate, any running anti-virus programs need to be disabled. Even at that, when I installed Map Create, it totally corrupted Norton Anti-Virus. I had to re-install Norton and all its definitions.
   
   ACCURACY:
   
   The unit itself is very accurate. When I'm driving on a freeway, the MPH on my screen is dead on (probably a little more accurate than the cars speedometer). Also, with the zoom at 0.05 miles (the width of the freeway is around ¾") the unit detects when I am changing lanes. When I am walking in the street with the unit, it detects when I walk around parked cars. I am very impressed. However, the maps are not always that accurate. There is a park behind my house and the map shows it over and down two blocks. According to the map on my GPS, I live one street to the west of my actual location. The GPS signal is probably dead on but the map isn't. Sometimes when I am driving down side roads, it shows that I am about 2 or 3 blocks off (but other side roads it is very accurate). But on major highways and even major roads, it lines up well. Now realistically, being a few blocks off probably isn't that bad. It will get you where you need to go and back again.
   
   WHAT I LIKE:
   
   The unit finds satellites very quickly and the unit is very accurate.
   
   Hardware and software are easy to use
   
   Search feature allows you to search an address, a street, or a restaurant.
   
   Battery life is more than acceptable to me
   
   Screen is very crisp
   
   Unit is very sturdy and durable
   
   Lowrance customer service (and pre-sales support) is excellent
   
   WHAT I DON'T LIKE:
   
   I don't like the fact that I have to extract the batteries in order to remove the SD card. It is very annoying, especially during the experimental stage.
   
   The unit does not have a standard headphone jack
   
   There is a rubber flap on the back of the unit that covers the external antenna port. The rubber flap does not seat very well and keeps popping off (I'm sure the carrying case that you can buy separately will solve that problem but the case looks cheap).
   
   I wish that the manual came with a laminated card (or a PDF that you can download) with a brief description of the menu options. Sort of like a quick reference page that you can carry with you instead of bringing the entire manual along. I am in the process of making one but it is taking some time.
   
   You now have my ten cents worth. As far as I can tell, Lowrance is the way to go. Good Luck!
   
   Five Months Later:
   
   Now that I have had my unit for awhile, I would like to add and subtract a few things that I mentioned in my last review.
   
   The unit is still awesome and learning how to use it is fairly simple and I have no regrets about my purchase. There are just a few things I would like to mention that will hopefully help you determine if this is the unit for you.
   
   LEI
   
   LEI is a Lowrance subsidiary that provides software and accessories for products that Lowrance makes. Their web site can be accessed via the Lowrance home page or http://www.lei-extras.com/store/default.asp. Be careful when dealing with LEI. Not that they are shady but the customer service reps do not fully understand the products they sell. I only purchased the USA Topo Map Create Series 6 accessory package from LEI because the price was right and I wanted the latest software version (you can buy the plus package which includes the GPS unit, the software, and the card reader but none of the vendors on Amazon specified the version...and there are several versions). The serial data cable (sold separately) is only to transfer satellite data to a PC or laptop so that mapping software such as Streets and Trips, Delorme, and some National Geographic map software (be sure to check the software standards) can utilize the GPS signals. It will not let you transfer data to and from the MMC card. Also, the unit's faceplate cannot be changed on the Expedition (even though LEI says it can be). If you need more information about accessories, call the Lowrance customer service department (not LEI) since they know what's what.
   
   The unit can play MP3s but they recommend that songs are 128 kbps or less. Specifically, they say that 58 kbps is best. Read section 7 of the manual if you plan on playing a lot of MP3s on this unit. I didn't buy the unit to play MP3s so I am not disappointed.
   
   The annoying warning screen that displays every time the unit boots up cannot be turned off or deleted. This is something that is embedded in the software.
   
   A few nice things that I discovered that does not appear in the manual. The Expedition can display JPGs (not sure about BMPs). Transfer individual JPGs or a folder containing the images to the MMC card. Hit MENU|MENU| BROUSE MMC FILES and then select the image and ENT|VIEW. To view the entire image on the screen, it first must be resized; otherwise you will have to scroll up & down and left & right to see the image.
   
   
   Also, when on the map page, if you push the exit key 3 or 4 times in a row, an actual speedometer appears on the screen. To go back to the map, hit exit twice.
   
   If you are looking for a good car or bike mount go to www.ram-mount. They have a wide variety of products specifically for the ifinder and priced right.
   
   As far as the MMC cards go, they only allow you to have 5 cards and no more. What I found is that if you re-format or re-image your computer, you will have to re-register your existing SD cards. So, if you lose a card or two, it shouldn't be an issue. Just re-format your computer and your good to go. I did not try deleting MapCreate and re-installing it to see if that would do the trick (so I don't know if it makes a Windows registry entry or not).
   
   I also made a quick reference sheet that could easily be laminated. If you want it or if you have any further questions about the iFinder email me.



3. This is the first GPS I own and didn't know what to expect. I didn't realize I would need to spend another $100 to get the actual views that should be on these things from the start. Once I got the added software it was everything I hoped for. So basically I spent $350. Hmmmm, I could have bought a computer for that. Seems pricey. They'll probably be $75 in ten years with all the bells and whistles.



4. I have two friends that have the expedition c. This is why I bought mine. I use it for fishing and hunting. Puts me right on the spot I want to be. I would recommend this unit highly. I have been looking for this unit for a long time, and found the best price on Amazon.com.



5. This is my second Lowrance unit, this one specifically bought for Geocaching. I've had no issues with it. One thing I would recommend is some kind of screen protector, as it is a glossy plastic and any scratches show up, it's cheap insurance for keeping it looking new.
   
   Battery life is good, used it on a all day Kayaking trip keeping a tracklog, backlight off when I wasn't looking at it. Still has over 50% left after 6 hours of constant use.
   
   GPS signal acquisition is good, holds a lock well. The magnetic compass makes honing in on a location nice at close range where GPS derived heading gets jumpy at low speeds. Color screen is amazing with backlight on. Direct sunlight reading is good without it, but expect to use the backlight a lot if there isn't sunlight to illuminate the screen. It hasn't been a problem, but if your accustomed to B&W screens you'll need the backlight more than you used to.
   
   Overall very happy with it.

5 comments about Garmin GPS 72 Handheld GPS.

1. I purchased this GPS to use in the field on paleontological digs. I have found it to be easy to use and accurate. The size is appropriate both for visibility and for ease of carrying.



2. The gps offers an simple interface and features for the price. Somewhat difficult to cache points and replay the cache.



3. I got this mainly for boating and fishing. I wanted cheap and didn't have my heart set on a lot of features. That said, I was a little disappointed to see that I couldn't even upload basic geographical data, like lake outlines or major roads. Also, if the batteries get even slightly low, it locks up regularly. It can be very frustrating. Also, I would much rather have a USB or some other interface for transferring data because it can be difficult finding a computer that has a 15-pin serial port on it. I was aware of this when I bought it, but am regretting it now.
   
   On the good side, it works, it's very solid and has a nice interface. For what I use it for it does the job. If you're looking to buy a new one, I would recommend spending a little more and getting the next model up.



4. My boyfriend and I just started with geocaching and this is a great thing to move around with it and help you find your treasure....



5. I bought this for my husband. He hasn't put it down since he opened it and can't wait to get out in the boat. It was exactly what he was looking for.

5 comments about Garmin GPSMap 76 Handheld GPS Navigator.

1. My husband says the GPS works great, and it will serve his purposes. He likes to fish, hunt and ride horseback on trails. I tried to consider other people's reviews to get the best price on a model that would meet his needs.



2. Excellent quality / price relation. It has many useful features. Easy to use. The pc cable provided works great ( even with linux - gpsman software - ).



3. Loved it right out of the box. Well thought out, user freindly. Used it for geocaching and it took me within 6'. I could see other peoples tracks in the snow that missed the geocach and never found it. Very little bounce on most trips. Easy to download from the computer, I would recomend this one to anyone unsure about how to get started. This one is easy and true.



4. The GPSMap76 is a great unit! More functions than I'll ever be able to figure out how to use. Contrary to the what the writeup says, the unit does fit into my shirtpocket. So far, only two shortcomings. 1) Not rechargeable (2-AA batteries) and 2) the manual seems sparse on details of "how to". All-in-all 4 stars. A REALLY GOOD UNIT!!



5. This gps locked on to satillites even in remote Utah canyons, is intuitive and works well. I am very pleased.

5 comments about Garmin 010-00331-00 GPS Map 276C GPS Navigator and Chartplotter.

1. This is a superb product! I previously owned a Garmin CarPilot; the operational procedures of the 276C are similar and very convenient and easily understood. The voice feature of the 276C can be turned down (or off), however I found it to be preferable, especially for city driving as one does not have to look at the display at all. "Just follow the Lady's directions!"
   
   I bought an additional 256 mb memory card which allows detailed maps for about three Northwest States. I would recommend, instead, a 512 mb memory card (not available when I bought mine) so that more detailed data could be stored.



2. I've been using my 276C since they came out.
   
   I race and cruise sailboats from my home port in Southern California but have used also it many times in Mexico, the East Coast, the UK and The Netherlands. It is a remarkably functional and reliable unit. I've also used it occasionally for land based travel and though this is not my primary interest, I have been quite satisfied.
   
   I have a chip so I can navigate the ports of Baja and Southern Mexico and it works seamlessly and A-OK. I still have paper charts on board but rarely use them other than to see the big picture. (To be fair, I should add that I also have a bigger, fancier RayMarine chartplotter/radar display unit at the helm, but I prefer my 276C for all uses except autohelm.)
   
   Without question it is the best product out there for how I use it.
   
   Oh, about 3 years ago I lost the unit overboard in Catalina in about 20' of water. I could see it down there but it took me several dives to collect it. Naturally it was non functional but I sent it in to Garmin and they sent me a new one for the $250 "repair" fee (including shipping). Took about a week.



3. Another excellent product from Garmin. I only use it on the water so I cannot speak to its automotive prowess but I am a very satisfied customer.
   Great accuracy (to 10 feet without WAAS) in Bermuda and charts are good.
   Thanks Garmin.



4. Be careful when you see the name Optics Planet in the description. Item listed as Trijicon TA31RCM150 Trijicon ACOG Rifle Combat Optic Rifle Scope 4X 32 Red Chevron Matte BAC-M150
   List Price: $1,450.00
   Price: $34.99
   You Save: $1,415.01 (98%)
   I have seen deals on these scopes before (I also purchased them) and Optics Planet is not honoring the order, saying it is a case, not the scope and telling me that it is my problem and they will send me an "RMA" if I would like. Just be leary if you see a good deal from this company as it is probally not true. I personally don't feel that falsely advertising a sale is the customers problem. Other companies honor misadvertised prices on their products that were purchased prior to the correction. But you will not find that here. Here is a kicker they have modified the ad and now they want me to leave a review on it with the new price.



5. I use my 276C exclusively for boating, and it performs admirably. Once you figure out how to navigate the menu screens, you can take advantage of some very powerful options which you would only expect to see on higher end GPS models. Overall, I am very pleased - setup was a breeze, never a problem with position refresh, battery life is good, data is accurate, signal strength is fantastic in my boating area, and I really like the fact that nearly every screen is customizable.
   
   However, in order to take advantage of the 276C's many IMPORTANT features you should plan on spending (quite) a few more $$$. For starters, the marine base map is garbage for those who boat offshore or cruise the coast. I wasn't expecting much in the marine base map department going into the purchase, but for those that are expecting this, plan to pony up an additional $150 for a (proprietary) data card which gives you the detail you'll need to navigate the waters safely. Also, the absence of a 12v adaptor is a real miss. Given the unit is marketed as "portable", why Garmin opted to not include one is a mystery to me. So, plan on spending another $25 for that. If you plan on using this GPS for boating I would recommend the display cover... another $20.
   
   One of the more powerful feature I plan to utilize in the near future is the sonar function. To enable this feature, you'll need Garmins analog scanner (GSD-21) and a suitable transponder. One other feature I enjoy is the mapsource software that came with the unit. From this, you are able to upload your trips to the computer. From there you can analyze your trip - it even interfaces with google maps to provide a real-life view of your excursion. Pretty cool stuff.