Difference between GPSMAP 76CSX and GPSMAP 96C

New to this group.
Currently have a GPSMAP 76S
Just curious as to advantage of either model mentioned in subject line.
Also-- I run Metroguide v.7
What is the best NA map that will fit on it?
Same question on the subject line models.
Thanks
--
Regards,
Richard Harison

LightByrd wrote:

Those two are really apples and oranges. Look at the specs and features
lists on the two. The 96C is primarily for aviation use and has not
changed much in some years other than to update the aviation databases:

GPSMAP96C -
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=156&compareProduct=277

GPSMAP 76CSX -
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=145&compareProduct=351

You'll have to look at those in two browser windows or tabs because
there is no way to get a side by side list comparison of the two on the
Garmin pages.

The biggest difference in the two is that the 76CSx is much more
versatile (except for the aviation-related features) and has virtually
unlimited memory compared to the 96C's 123 MB of memory for map uploads.

Also, the 76CSx has the SiRF III GPS chip set and many more features and
pages than the 96C. It (or it's twin in a different case style, the
60CSx) are arguably the fastest, most accurate, and most versatile
handheld GPS receivers in the world. But the 60/76CSx do not have the
aviation related data bases and features that the 96C does.

The 96C has an older, slower, and less accurate GPS chip set, cannot use
memory cards for external memory, but does have FAA approval and some
aviation related features that are not in the 76CSx.

So that is why I say, they are really apples and oranges.


City Navigator North America NT would be the best mapping available for
those. The 76CSx can load that in it's entirety (1.7 GB on a memory
card), the 96C would be able to store 119 MB of that in internal memory.

The 76CSx can use any of the MapSource supplemental mapping products to
add more details for street/highway, topo, or marine use. You can sort
through those by choosing a GPS receiver and going to the links for the
different product types on the mapping products pages:

http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us/maps

Jack

| LightByrd wrote:
|
| Those two are really apples and oranges. Look at the specs and features
| lists on the two. The 96C is primarily for aviation use and has not
| changed much in some years other than to update the aviation databases:
|
| GPSMAP96C -
| https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=156&compareProduct=277
|
| GPSMAP 76CSX -
| https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=145&compareProduct=351
|
| You'll have to look at those in two browser windows or tabs because
| there is no way to get a side by side list comparison of the two on the
| Garmin pages.
|
| The biggest difference in the two is that the 76CSx is much more
| versatile (except for the aviation-related features) and has virtually
| unlimited memory compared to the 96C's 123 MB of memory for map uploads.
|
| Also, the 76CSx has the SiRF III GPS chip set and many more features and
| pages than the 96C. It (or it's twin in a different case style, the
| 60CSx) are arguably the fastest, most accurate, and most versatile
| handheld GPS receivers in the world. But the 60/76CSx do not have the
| aviation related data bases and features that the 96C does.
|
| The 96C has an older, slower, and less accurate GPS chip set, cannot use
| memory cards for external memory, but does have FAA approval and some
| aviation related features that are not in the 76CSx.
|
| So that is why I say, they are really apples and oranges.
|
|
| City Navigator North America NT would be the best mapping available for
| those. The 76CSx can load that in it's entirety (1.7 GB on a memory
| card), the 96C would be able to store 119 MB of that in internal memory.
|
| The 76CSx can use any of the MapSource supplemental mapping products to
| add more details for street/highway, topo, or marine use. You can sort
| through those by choosing a GPS receiver and going to the links for the
| different product types on the mapping products pages:
|
| http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us/maps
|
| Jack

Wow Jack---many thanks! I can now see clearly an upgrade to the 76CSx
If you (& or others) will be patient with me, I have a few more questions.

You mentioned City Navigator North America NT for mapping.
I followed the link and it seems I can get it in 3 different formats--
download, DVD, or SD card.
I am on dial-up..so methinks a download is out of the question!
Is there a significant difference between the other 2 formats?
The 76CSx apparently comes with a 128 MB card, but I suspect the City
Navigator is much larger.

Also, I am running MetroGuide v.7 on my 76S and it came with routing
software
(which I actually find somewhat non-intuitive and user unfriendly)
But I create routes and then upload them to the GPS
Is there similar (and hopefully better) software for the City Navigator?
If I went for the card--It seems that would not be the case.
Since my 76S has no card feature, this is a little new to me.

I also notice that the 76CSx has "turn by turn" directions.
My 76S only says "approaching turn," so this sound like even another reason
to upgrade.

And now the biggie!
Noticing the striking physical similarity between the CSx and my 76s, and
the fact that they bear identical basic model #s,
Will the menu system, setups, and actual use be very close to what I am used
to now?
IOW how shallow would the learning curve be.

Again, Jack, I thank you kindly for your informative response
--
Regards,
Richard Harison

LightByrd wrote:

I don't know how the download thing works. But if you buy it on DVD you
can install the mapping to a PC and see and use it there. The mapping
is "hosted" by the MapSource application.

You then go online and unlock the mapping to work with your GPS receiver
(it will not be able to upload mapping to any other receiver).

Then you can select as much of it as you want to have on the 76CSx and
upload to the GPS receiver. Most of us upload all of CNNA-NT, it takes
about 1.7 GB on a 2 GB microSD card.

If you have other Garmin mapping products in your MapSource install
(topo maps, world maps, marine charting, etc.) you can choose mapping
from those too and it will be combined, along with the CNNA-NT mapping,
into one file for the upload.

On the GPS receiver you can choose any one of the mapping products to
look at (only one can be seen at a time).


CNNA-NT needs a little less than 2 GB. You can buy a 4 GB to 8 GB card
(I think 8 GB is the maximum amount of memory it will see and use) for
$10 or $20 or so.


It is named MapSource? It sounds like it. If you use it it gets easier
and there are some newer versions that are a little better.


The latest version of MapSource for PC's is V6.15.6, that is a little
better then some of the older versions were. If you buy CNNA-NT on DVD
it will install MapSource or update your install to the latest version.


I'm not sure how much difference there is the software on the 76S
compared to the 76CSx. But I think the 76CSx works fine for use in a
car. It will not have all the bells and whistles of a dash mounted unit
but it will give you clear and concise navigation prompts with easily
seen and read pop-ups for every turn and audible warning signals to get
your attention.

I get into "discussions" with people all the time about my opinion on
it, but the 76CSx is perfectly adequate for use for road navigation and
is the best choice of you are moving from cars to boats to plane, etc.

Many disagree that it is adequate, safe, etc., etc., because it does not
spoken directions, has a small display, etc. No one that has ever used
it for that (using it in the right mode of course) agrees with that. If
you are smart enough to know when it would be a bad time to look at it,
it is not unsafe.

It is the best choice as far as your having the maximum amount of
versatility in a single GPS receiver.


I think the learning curve would be pretty shallow. You can download
the manual and probably tell real quickly:

http://www.garmin.com/manuals/GPSMAP76CSx_OwnersManual.pdf


You're more than welcome! I am addicted to the use of GPS, have been
for some years now. I like to drag others down to my level!

Jack

That's only if you choose to load the entire map set into the receiver.

It may be convenient to do that, but there's no need to; simply load the
maps for the area in which you're travelling. Of course, depending on
how big that region is, 128MB still might not be enough.

--
Bert Hyman        St. Paul, MN        bert@iphouse.com