Growley

Is it possible to change the firmware on a GPSr that does not have any updates yet, i.e. the 76S? I would like to personalize my screen like I did on my MAP76 but how do you do it on this unit? Do I have to wait for the first update or is there a sneaky way that I don't know about?

I paid $377 for my 76S from www.freshtracksmaps.com. No problems with them at all. I also bought a 4 year service plan for my unit. I would have gone with The GPS Store but I did not want to pay state sales tax. I know, let the verbal darts begin..

I was wondering if there are any Geocachers who are also into looking for old aircraft wreckage. If so, here is my request. If there is anyone out there in the Geo-world who has volume 1 of "wreckchasing", there are supposed to be coordinates of the crash site of a WWII corsair that crashed here in Eastern North Carolina. I have searched the web extensively, talked to USFS and NCFS personnel, and the base that I work on and no one is sure of the location. A memorial was placed at this site for the pilot about 5 years ago but that is all I know. If the info is in this book and you have it, would you like to share it with me? PLEASE... Thanks.Dave

I was wondering if there are any Geocachers who are also into looking for old aircraft wreckage. If so, here is my request. If there is anyone out there in the Geo-world who has volume 1 of "wreckchasing", there are supposed to be coordinates of the crash site of a WWII corsair that crashed here in Eastern North Carolina. I have searched the web extensively, talked to USFS and NCFS personnel, and the base that I work on and no one is sure of the location. A memorial was placed at this site for the pilot about 5 years ago but that is all I know. If the info is in this book and you have it, would you like to share it with me? PLEASE... Thanks.Dave

When I try to use ExpertGPS or USAPhotoMaps at work (during breaks of course) I can never bring up any maps on my computer. I have no trouble at home and was wondering if my computer being networked would have anything to do with it? Has anyone else experienced this problem? Thanks.

When I try to use ExpertGPS or USAPhotoMaps at work (during breaks of course) I can never bring up any maps on my computer. I have no trouble at home and was wondering if my computer being networked would have anything to do with it? Has anyone else experienced this problem? Thanks.

Brian, I was just on eBay and there is a Garmin 76S external antenna showing for $51.00 at the present time. The external GPS antennas are only about 1 inch in height and about 2.5 inches square. Some other Geocachers have mounted these inside a hat with the cord coming out to the unit. I have mounted my antenna on a 2-piece graphite tent pole which can stick out of the top of my day pack or I can carry it and use it as a semi-walking stick. Choices abound, just leave it to your imagination as to how to mount one. If I can come up with an idea, believe me, so can you. Bottom line, since the 76S has a jack for an ext. antenna why not get one? Just make sure the antenna you get has an MCX connector. Dave.

Brian, I was just on eBay and there is a Garmin 76S external antenna showing for $51.00 at the present time. The external GPS antennas are only about 1 inch in height and about 2.5 inches square. Some other Geocachers have mounted these inside a hat with the cord coming out to the unit. I have mounted my antenna on a 2-piece graphite tent pole which can stick out of the top of my day pack or I can carry it and use it as a semi-walking stick. Choices abound, just leave it to your imagination as to how to mount one. If I can come up with an idea, believe me, so can you. Bottom line, since the 76S has a jack for an ext. antenna why not get one? Just make sure the antenna you get has an MCX connector. Dave.

I agree with EraSeek about the external antenna. I bought a very effective antenna from GPSGeek off of Ebay for about $35.00 and it has been very useful however, I will say that I have yet to use it with my 76S. External antennas work well for the heavy canopy. Also, on Ebay under GPS Cases there appears to be a shoudler mounted case with a clear window that might do the trick for you.

I agree with EraSeek about the external antenna. I bought a very effective antenna from GPSGeek off of Ebay for about $35.00 and it has been very useful however, I will say that I have yet to use it with my 76S. External antennas work well for the heavy canopy. Also, on Ebay under GPS Cases there appears to be a shoudler mounted case with a clear window that might do the trick for you.

Since this topic has resurfaced I will pose a question. When I had my MAP76 I had no trouble uploading a custom screen to the GPS however, how do I do this with my MAP76S when there are no firmware downloads available? I just figured I would have to wait until the first update comes out and then I could do it. Is it possible to customize the firmware now?

K9flyball, if you go to thegpsstore.com website and look under 76S accessories you will find a carrying case that has a belt clip on a carry case with the clear plastic window. Price is around $15.00 and I am thinking about ordering one myself however, I already have 2 other carrying cases. Check it out, I think this is what you are looking for.

K9flyball, if you go to thegpsstore.com website and look under 76S accessories you will find a carrying case that has a belt clip on a carry case with the clear plastic window. Price is around $15.00 and I am thinking about ordering one myself however, I already have 2 other carrying cases. Check it out, I think this is what you are looking for.

K9flyball, the lanyard is meant to go around the hand while you are holding it. With the 76S hanging around your neck the "top" of the unit where the antenna is, is pointing toward the ground. This will not work well. Your owners manual and most of the posts here will tell you to hold the 76S vertically for optimum performance. My 76S has outstanding reception when held vertically and will sometimes pull the same amount of "birds" while held horizontally. Hope this helps.

K9flyball, the lanyard is meant to go around the hand while you are holding it. With the 76S hanging around your neck the "top" of the unit where the antenna is, is pointing toward the ground. This will not work well. Your owners manual and most of the posts here will tell you to hold the 76S vertically for optimum performance. My 76S has outstanding reception when held vertically and will sometimes pull the same amount of "birds" while held horizontally. Hope this helps.

Firefishe; well I am back from Hilton Head with glowing reports on the 76S. At the first cache, the 76S took me directly to the cache. I was probably within 3 feet of the cache. The compass takes some time getting used to and I would like to hear from someone who is good at using the built in compass. The 2nd cache I went to led me thru an area of moderate to heavy canopy for a good half mile. I held the 76S vertical and then horizontal, checking satellite coverage. Never once did the number of "birds" drop below 5 and normally stayed at 8 or 9. I was taken directly to the 2nd cache as well.

Firefishe; well I am back from Hilton Head with glowing reports on the 76S. At the first cache, the 76S took me directly to the cache. I was probably within 3 feet of the cache. The compass takes some time getting used to and I would like to hear from someone who is good at using the built in compass. The 2nd cache I went to led me thru an area of moderate to heavy canopy for a good half mile. I held the 76S vertical and then horizontal, checking satellite coverage. Never once did the number of "birds" drop below 5 and normally stayed at 8 or 9. I was taken directly to the 2nd cache as well.

Us 5 Camp, In regards to the case you bought, is it one of the blue ones listed on their website? How thick is the clear window? I have been thinking about one of those. Thanks, Dave.

Us 5 Camp, In regards to the case you bought, is it one of the blue ones listed on their website? How thick is the clear window? I have been thinking about one of those. Thanks, Dave.

Firefishe, let me try and answer what I can. #1 YES, this GPSr does have the geocaching icons. #2 YES, this GPSr does have averaging just like the MAP76. #3 Although I have not been geocaching since I received mine about 3 weeks ago, I am going to Hilton Head, SC this week and plan on hitting 4 caches there (while not in class). Also, let me add this. I can sit in my living room which has a high pitched ceiling and pull WAAS data on the "birds" that I pick up. I feel that is a pretty good sign. I never had any real issues with my MAP76 as to holding it for good signals and I don't expect any problems with the 76S however, I too would like to hear from other 76S users. It is funny that since this new GPSr hit the "geocaching streets" these threads have been very quiet when it comes to the 76S. What's up?

Firefishe, let me try and answer what I can. #1 YES, this GPSr does have the geocaching icons. #2 YES, this GPSr does have averaging just like the MAP76. #3 Although I have not been geocaching since I received mine about 3 weeks ago, I am going to Hilton Head, SC this week and plan on hitting 4 caches there (while not in class). Also, let me add this. I can sit in my living room which has a high pitched ceiling and pull WAAS data on the "birds" that I pick up. I feel that is a pretty good sign. I never had any real issues with my MAP76 as to holding it for good signals and I don't expect any problems with the 76S however, I too would like to hear from other 76S users. It is funny that since this new GPSr hit the "geocaching streets" these threads have been very quiet when it comes to the 76S. What's up?

Sorry to hear about all the trouble. I originally had pre-ordered with Advance GPS, then cancelled my order and went with Fresh Tracks GPS Store. Got my 76S for $377.95 and received it almost 2 weeks ago (NO THANKS TO UPS). Good Luck.

Sorry to hear about all the trouble. I originally had pre-ordered with Advance GPS, then cancelled my order and went with Fresh Tracks GPS Store. Got my 76S for $377.95 and received it almost 2 weeks ago (NO THANKS TO UPS). Good Luck.

EraSeek; very interesting. My MAP76 does not have the little "directional indicator circle" however, Revision B to the manual doe show it. I knew I hadn't overlooked that feature. Wonder why yours has it and mine does not?

EraSeek; very interesting. My MAP76 does not have the little "directional indicator circle" however, Revision B to the manual doe show it. I knew I hadn't overlooked that feature. Wonder why yours has it and mine does not?