Considering handheld GPS.

[Stephen]

I'm considering the Garmin 78SC. Not going into the many features, I'm looking at the overall cost and if it can be used on land. From what I can tell, the unit costs $500 give or take. From there you have to add the purchase of their road map system at $60 if you want to use it in your car. You can get the next lower model which doesn't include the coastal charts for $100 less, but the charts cost $160 separately. That makes the extra $100 well spent.

Does anyone have this model and can describe their experiences with it? Thanks.

 

[rduhon]

I bought a 76C when they first came out for $500. I got one mapping CD included with it for free.
Last time I looked, they were around $300, but not sure if that included the mapping CD.
My CD included all of the Texas and La., up to Morgan City, coastal, offshore and 50 miles inland.
It's waterproof and floats. That is one of the most important reasons I got it.

 

[abalmuth]

Look into the VZW Droid phone & the Navionics Marine software. the native system is great on land

 

[seabug]

I'm happy with my Garmin 76Map; you can transfer your input to/from laptop to the GPS. Good for land and water. Expandable with CD's.

 

[MrsRobinson]

We bought the Garmin 76C for the ditch bag..I change the batteries every year..never used it though!