Garmin GPSMAP 276C GPS Receiver

I've owned a 276c for a year now. Plus factors include speed of route calculation, great battery life (13hrs typical in non-backlit use) from the built-in battery pack, and a very crisp and readable display. I have mine mounted on a motorcycle and have had no problems with weather or vibration. The 276c requires proprietary Garmin memory cards, which can be a bit pricey, but puts them to good use. A 256mb data card holds most of the western United States, for example. Buttons are large enough to be usable in a vehicle, but can be a bit difficult to use with gloves on--this would most likely only be an issue for someone using the 276 in a motorcycle or boat.

Auto-routing on the 276 is amazingly fast. Routes can also be easily edited by inserting/deleting via points using waypoints, cities, or via the map. The 276c holds more waypoints (3000) and routes (50) than I will ever use, and since auto-routing is so fast and easy I tend not to save as many fixed routes as I did with my old GPS, a Garmin GPSIII+.

Screens can be configured easily for fields and also to allow the fields to "float" or "overlay" on the map. In other words, you don't get a square section of the map blocked out where the field is-- you just get the data value overlaid on the map, so it doesn't shrink the map or block out entire sections.

The 276 has marine functions built in, I can't comment to them as I haven't used them. I *do* appreciate the fact that the 277c is still small enough and light enough detach from the vehicle and take along on hikes, geocaching treks, and so forth. So far, the unit has been more than accurate enough for anything I've tried with it. I did NOT buy the "Automotive Kit" for the 276c as I found it less expensive to buy the unit only, then add the CD and memory card separately. The unit does come with the basic Garmin Map Source CD that allows uploading/downloading/backup of waypoints and routes, but to actually plan routes one needs another CD like the City Select series.

Overall, I think the 276 represents good value and excellent functionality for a vehicle GPS, especially if you want one small enough and transportable enough to carry off the vehicle.

Pluses: Speed, Clarity of Display Screen, Battery Life, Size/Weight, Map Capability *with data card inserted*.

Minuses: Cost of added CD and Memory Card that do not come with the unit , requirement for Garmin proprietary data cards, lack of vehicle power cord (cig lighter cord) in the standard package.

This is a very comprehensively designed gps. It offers alot of versitility, and features in a rather compact unit. Just don't expect to navigate anywhere on the included basemaps. They lack so much detail, that I'm surprised that a reputable company with any regard for excellence would consider that adequate navigational software. So, if you are considering the 276c, don't think for a minute that you will be using the unit out of the box, unless you don't mind running aground on sandbars that aren't marked. Only after you purchase the memory card, the Mapsource, or BlueChart CD's, and can get the unlock codes to work will you really get the most out of the 276c. The sad part is the Street Pilot 340 comes with a better land basemap for about half the price. I think Garmin is getting too much like IBM - too proprietary!!!

Over the years I've owned several Garmin GPSs: GPS III, GPS V, StreetPilot III, StreetPilot 2610, and now the 276c. I had bought the 2610 to use on my Goldwing motorcycle. Unfortunately, the matte touch screen is HORRIBLE for glare so I did more research for a GPS with a better screen less affected by glare. The 276c had positive comments so I won one on an Ebay auction.

I love it! The display is wonderful. Beautiful resolution, color, and not affected by glare. It has dedicated buttons (no touch screen) that I like, especially on the motorcycle. The GPS is very customizable with an easy-to-use menu. The screen is huge. It uses the Garmin proprietary memory cards (512MB max and expensive). I wish it had a CompactFlash slot like the 2610. That would be my only negative comment about the 276c. It also functions as a marine unit but I only use the automotive functions. It uses the NT (more compressed) version of the mapping software. It has a 'normal' BNC antenna connector. It has a different type power cord than the 2610 (which has a different cord than the Streetpilot III)...Garmin needs to make one type and stick with it.

I would give this GPS two thumbs up.

I really like the unit. The display is clear, easily viewable in sunlight, and even automatically adjusts for sunset and nightfall to avoid blinding the user. The base maps that come installed on the unit are good maps, but I opted for the additional map sets for more detailed city maps as well as better waterway maps.
The need for these additional maps is what keeps this from being the "perfect" GPS. It's a price thing, though. If you want a GPS with all that detail built in, you'll pay more. I opted for this unit and then only purchased the maps I actually need. The city and highway mapping is great. The accuracy is amazing and the auto recalculation works great when you get off course, although sometimes it is an intentional turn to take a bypass and it takes the unit a while to recalculate using the new route as it keeps assuming you need to turn around and get back on the original track. This may be an option somewhere - I honestly haven't even read the manual (that's how easy it is to use). You could also program the route ahead of time to include those bypasses but I use the quick set feature of "find" and then "go to" and the unit automatically calculates the route.
The waterway maps are just as good and show good shoreline contours and depths as well as navigation channels on rivers, although most of that detail is from the added map set.
My other downfall is the size - I would love it if I could fit it into some tighter areas, but I purposely bought this for the size of the display so it was a tradeoff I knew going in and it really hasn't bothered me too much.
All in all a great unit and I have no regrets about my choice at all.

The on the water charting is a good representation of the NOAA charts.
The City Select software is very intuitive and helpful.
Turn by turn directions with voice.. Check out the english babe!
Some of the menu functions and hierarchy takes a little getting used to. Some things should just be available with one key stroke, but I think that is programable and I haven't done it yet.
Not touch screen, but why do you want a bunch of finger prints on the screen, or worse yet wet hands on it in the boat?
The connections are very solid and have water resistant rubber caps.
Wired right up to my Raymarine fish finder and they exchange data using NMEA 0183 just fine.3
DCS connection to VHF radio for transitting or receiving coords in a distress situation.
Man overboard button also.
A recommended buy if you don't want to pay extra up front and monthly for satelite weather on screen.