Sensitivity of Garmin GPSMAP 76CS

I came across this web site about the GPSMAP 76 CSx - Extreme

http://www.logicalchoiceltd.co.nz/product.asp?prodid=18826&Page=1&PageSize=10&deptid=44

On this site, it says that:

"This unit features a new, highly sensitive GPS receiver that acquires
satellites faster and lets users track their location in challenging
conditions, such as heavy foliage or deep canyons. The GPSMAP 76CSx also
incorporates a barometric altimeter for extremely accurate elevation data
and an electronic compass that displays an accurate heading while standing
still."

For many years, I have used a Garmin Emap, which has been very good in open
territory, but useless under foliage or when in deep canyons or valleys. I
even bought an external aerial to try and improve its performance under bush
cover, but this did not really improve things much at all.

Perhaps in New Zealand we are not as well off for satellite coverage as some
other countries? Anyway, when I read about the sensitivity of the GPSMAP
76CSx, I just wanted to check whether Garmin has in fact achieved something
of a technological breakthrough, in that they have produced a receiver that
will in fact work effectively under bush cover and in other challenging
situations where an Emap could not get a signal. If it has, a GPS would now
be useful to have when going on long bush walks, whereas with the old Emap,
it was of very limited use in such situations, you had to wait until you
arrived at a wide open clearing before you could get a reading!

Thanks for your advice on this issue.

Regards, Jim

Jim F B wrote:
http://www.logicalchoiceltd.co.nz/product.asp?prodid=18826&Page=1&PageSize=10&deptid=44
I bought one last year. I have been very happy with it and have found
that it is much more accurate than my old Explorer II. Newer technology
helps a lot.

Rick

Jim F B wrote:
http://www.logicalchoiceltd.co.nz/product.asp?prodid=18826&Page=1&PageSize=10&deptid=44

Every once in a while, I will get a fix in my upstairs bedroom with one.



--
Bruce E. Stemplewski
GarXface OCX and C++ Class Library for the Garmin GPS
www.stempsoft.com

I have a 60CSx which should have the same reception as the 76CS

Why not buy a 60CS? For the difference in price you can buy probably a
512mb memory card - and memory really was the only major difference
between the 2 as far as I can tell.

as for reception, it seems pretty decent, I can get it inside my house
even in rooms without windows - it says within +/- 25 feet (how
accurate their accuracy measurement is I don't know heh) and that's at
N61 10.

of course, I live in a cheap american wooden house. I tried it in my
brick & mortar workplace and was unable to get a signal when not in
line of sight of a window, although it did manage to hold onto the
signal for a while when I had acquired it at the window and then
retreated away from the window, before sending my track flying off into
the ocean that is.

still, come summer I'm pretty confident it's going to work quite well
out in the woods if it can acquire a signal inside.

sorry, I meant to say 76csx and 60csx.