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software-motor (2829)- Feedback left by buyer.
More than a year ago
Verified purchase
Thanks for your purchase. Excellent buyer. Welcome anytime!!
macktay_81 (51)- Feedback left by buyer.
More than a year ago
Verified purchase
Thank you for an easy, pleasant transaction. Excellent buyer. A++++++.
Reviews (1)
14 Oct, 2005
Solid Unit for Vehicle Use
57 of 63 found this helpful 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.