To clarifyā¦
the Garmin 72 does not do mapping. It is a basic āblank mapā unit. It only shows your tracklog and any waypoints you have entered.
The Garmin 76c will accept the Garmin āBlueChartā nautical cartography, as well as āU S Recreational Lakesā - and, of course, āMapsource Topoā. Memory capacity on the 76c is 115 megs. But the 76c doesnāt give tides info, unless you load āBluechartā. The GPSMap 76, OTOH, has tide info built-in. But the 76 only holds 8 megs of map data.
The Garmin GPSMap 76 with itās B&W screen will do the job of mapping and charting, but I find the color screens much easier to view.
Couple other pointsā¦
Electronic compasses and barometric devices are battery suckers. One should always carry a conventional compass anyway as a backup. For some reason, Garmin lists the battery life on the color screen models as about 50% more than the B&W models - and I find that to prove out in the models I have had. I think itās just because they are more up-to-date technology.
I have been using Mapsource Topo on my 76c, and find the detail to be pretty good. You can adjust the detail somewhat in the settings, and you can also zoom in and out on the maps. So far, from what Iāve seen locally, all the significant islands seem to show up on Topo maps - but I am lead to understand that Rec. Lakes and BlueChart are better for that.
All of the Garmin mapping units come with a basemap that is only marginally useful. Map programs with the detailed data (which you will want - trust me) run about $116 for the CD versions that cover the US - but can be found for considerably less on ebay (only buy new in factory package to be safe).
just to repeat
iFinder lasts 48 hours on fresh batteries.
for $300.00? Please donāt play with my
ā¦ feelings, I feel āvulnerableā righ nowā¦ LOL.
$329.9999999999999999999999999999ā¦ Is the cheapest I have found it, How can get it lower? hmm? hmmmm?
Maybe so - butā¦
ā¦from an online test report at gpsinformation.netā¦
ā¦āThe Ifinder battery door is NOT waterproof and the electronics compartment is not sealed from the battery compartment as was the GM-100. However, an āaquabagā comes with iFinder and we recommend using it to keep water from harming the device.āā¦
and
ā¦āThe iFinder is rated IPX2 which means rain resistant. It is not waterproof and will leak if submerged. Note: The unit is NOT gasketed or sealed so it should be flushed and dried out immediately if the unit is submersedā¦ā
The Garmin units discussed above are all gasketed and ādunkableā.
It was popping up here on paddling.net
boards. I ran into it on the canoe classifieds board. It was an āAds by Googleā pop up ad. If you can not find it ask Brent.
>:^)
Mick
strange
My unit came with gaskets on battery doors. It is also waterproof - I field tested it 
Thanks for the tip - I will have to open the unit and apply silicon sealant to seal the battery compartment.
Garmin Etrex
You can get one for under $150. Work great.
Great info Steve, thanks
I am diggesting all this information
iFINDER, I am checking theM out tooā¦
http://shopping.msn.com/results/shp/?bcatID=4634,av=1441-5690177,ptnrid=169,ptnrdata=18767501,SortBy=PRICE,Order=A
Look at all these beauties :)ā¦ and the prices are about where I want them (Max $170, maybe 160). I wished the had a table to compare them
I know, I was just kidding
Found one for $314 going through NexTag
comparison. Best price shows here: https://www.mohawkcanoes.com/paddles.htm
But still not $300 I just saw on Paddling.net pop ad by Google. Maybe Brent can pull off an id for us.
:^)
Mick
Where in Ebay!..
First of all, I donāt like Ebayā¦ I feel like I have a note on back saying āGo ahead, Rip me off please!ā
But seriously, is there a place (link?) you can recommend in Ebay to go and check it out?
Suiramā¦
ā¦āMy unit came with gaskets on battery doors. It is also waterproof - I field tested it ;)ā
Maybe they improved on the i-finder between that report and your purchase. Thanks for your comment - itās good to know!
Riqueā¦
..."I don't like Ebay... I feel like I have a note on back saying "Go ahead, Rip me off please!" :)
But seriously, is there a place (link?) you can recommend in Ebay to go and check it out?"
The art of not getting ripped-off on ebay could fill another thread! To make it short and simple...pay attention to feedback, set your limit and stick to it, back away from anything questionable, and have patience. Used units come from individuals at odd times, so none to point out as a general recommendation - except to steer clear of ebay pawn-shops.
This looks like a good deal, however...Do a search on ebay for item number 110150253116. I normally shy away from refurb electronics, but I've had good service and no problems from a unit such as this one, which was refurbed *by* Garmin with Garmin warranty.
Paulā¦
Bluechart U.S. version covers coastal and inland waterways. Topo only gives land details. Topo will show significant islands, but not water depths.
All the basemaps Iāve looked at (without Bluechart, Topo, or Streets loaded in, IOW - just what the unit comes with) show only major water bodies (and not very accurately, at that) and major highways.
Are you sure that is the link?
ā¦it takes to a web for Mohawk Canoes!..
You are winning by 6 dollars! I found it at $320.00, but what about the shipping? hummm?
Oops! Iāll try to fit it.
How about: http://www.nextag.com/Garmin-GPSMap-76CSx-Handheld-86722169/prices-html
>:^)
Mick
Good info.
And above too. Thanks.
Sounds like BlueChart and Streets would do it. And look on eBay.
Thanks again,
Paul
Not so fast, here is my hand
Congratualations, you found the cheapest I have seen. HOWEVER, $14.95 Shipping to VA = 328.95. But most importantly I have never seen this website (seller) before... This website looks as if it was "designed" by the same people who sells the unit for $320.00 I told you about... and they are also located in Brooklyn!... Hey, I am not saying anything :) simply making an observation
AND YET!.. from the same list
http://electronics.pricegrabber.com/gps/m/16379343/search=GPSMAP-76CSX/sort_type=bottomline
You will see PCNation which is one of the
'premiere' "third tier online sellers," (lol), but seriously sells it for $329.80 FREE SHIPPING.
http://www.pcnation.com/web/details.asp?affid=304&item=6G0190
So, you barely beat me by LESS than A DOLLAR!! :)
Seriously, best price so far for this unit. I will wait one more week and consider the other units as weel. I would not be surprised to see this unit for $300.00 in a month or so.
The art of not getting ripped-off on eba You said it!.. itās an art, and I am not āartiste,ā when it comes to dealing in this medium. I even exclude the lowest prices if websites sound too unfamiliarā¦ like the ones in Brooklyn (private joke), usually with the lowest prices on anything. I will pay 10 or $15 more to get it from a better known outfitā¦ who needs the headaches?