scottyg Posted February 24, 2003 Posted February 24, 2003 I talked my Father into buying a GPSMAP 76S, He spent lots of money on it. and we have been very disopointed with it so far. It will not hold satellite signal under the lightest tree cover and over all seems very sketchey. Has anyone else had trouble with this GPS? I have a EMap that for less than half the cost of a GPS76S seems to work much better.. Quote
+shegget Posted February 24, 2003 Posted February 24, 2003 I haven't had any problems with my GPSMAP 76S... maybe you just got a bum unit? You should try talking to Garmin about it... they're usually pretty good in helping their customers work out their problems... sean Quote
+Poindexter Posted February 24, 2003 Posted February 24, 2003 No problems like that here either. Just turned it on and got good lock on 6 sats here in the family room with 6 inches of snow still on the roof. You do realize that you have to hold this unit vertically, right? Quote
+Faderaven Posted February 24, 2003 Posted February 24, 2003 It seems the natural position to hold it is display facing up toward the sky.... Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore Quote
+Poindexter Posted February 25, 2003 Posted February 25, 2003 It's the nature of the internal quad helix antenna. All units with this antenna should be held this way. Quote
mikeacrossamerica.com Posted February 25, 2003 Posted February 25, 2003 but it's like riding a bike, once you learn how to use it, and how to make it feel loved, it will return the favor. My 76s is the best thing I ever bought. I will use it on a cross country ride next summer, on my bike. You must let it lock up for a while so it can get in the groove, then it will stay locked even under 3 layers of jackets and tree cover. Am I right? Well, I'm not lost, I'm home! Mf I like nachos. www.thechamplainchannel.com/champlain2000/ http://www.geocities.com/mfrenchy2002/GEO.html Quote
Growley Posted February 25, 2003 Posted February 25, 2003 My 76S is absolutely awesome. Satellite lock in the field has never, ever been a problem and although I sometimes use an external antenna it's mainly because I can, so why not. I think you have a bad unit. One way to find out real quick is to find a local store (assuming you bought it through the mail) that has them and go try out another unit to compare them. Then you can send it back to where you bought it or to Garmin. Once the dust settles and you get a working unit you and your dad will enjoy the 76S. IMHO anyway. [This message was edited by Growley on February 25, 2003 at 03:15 PM.] Quote
+montythemule Posted February 25, 2003 Posted February 25, 2003 I agree with Growley, the 76s is an awesome unit. Get used to the character of GPS systems and you'll agree. The first 76s I brought home from the store kept shutting off when the backlight was turned on. REI replaced it right away, without question. My point is that you may have a defective unit. Go back to where you got it and test with another unit as someone above has said. MtM ***************************************** This Space Intentionally Left Blank Quote
+TerraX Posted February 25, 2003 Posted February 25, 2003 I'm with the rest of the gang. I've been under all kinds of different cover, and never had problems getting enough birds to get a point. In fact I had GPS problems that were totally reverse of yours. My eTrexxx couldn't get jack for a signal under a light cover of pine trees; thus the purchase of the 76S. Quote
+Renegade Knight Posted February 25, 2003 Posted February 25, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Faderaven:It seems the natural position to hold it is display facing up toward the sky.... Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore Among other things the buttons on top allow thumb operation in a more natural position. So it seems with my GPS V vs. a Sportrack Pro. Wherever you go there you are. Quote
+PeoriaBill Posted November 4, 2003 Posted November 4, 2003 I recently returned a GPS76S to the store. Kept losing signal and then I couldn't set a waypoint and track back to it. I previously used the Legend and Vista with little or no problems. Maybe I had a bad one, but fool me once shame on you..fool me twice ... Quote
+BruceS Posted November 4, 2003 Posted November 4, 2003 GPSMAP76s are just no good... I have only found a few over 1400 with mine in last 7 months . I used a Vista for my first 2000 finds and a GPSMAP76s since. Both units have worked very well for me. However, I have enjoyed using the GPSMAP76s much more. If the unit does not seem to work right when you first get it, it might might not be the unit at all. Practice with it some and you will find out how to make it work right for you. Quote
+arrowroot Posted November 4, 2003 Posted November 4, 2003 I've got to agree with the original poster: I've had my 76S lose signal where I can see the sky, on highways, on the river... Other times, it's a beaut: 10' accuracy circles with WAAS turned on (and I'm in the midwest, not the coasts where it works best (or so I'm told). Maybe it's my coats, maybe I put out an EM field, but I can't put it in a pocket for more than about 15 seconds or it will definitely lose signal. I am Arrowroot, son of Arrowshirt. I have many names, you know Quote
davwil Posted November 5, 2003 Posted November 5, 2003 Here is a link to a USFS page on GPS with links to accuracy reports on various GPS receivers including the GPSMAP 76. USFS GPS pages Quote
+Capitalpete Posted November 7, 2003 Posted November 7, 2003 My brain hurts from reading that! From now on I will just stick with the results that the other board members give, geeeshhh,,,,,, ~~~~_/)~~~~pirating the sea of dispair.... _____/)____ Pirating the sea of dispair________* Quote
+Capitalpete Posted November 7, 2003 Posted November 7, 2003 My brain hurts from reading that, especially all the mathamatical square root calculation stuff.... next time I will just stick with your opinions.... I have a GPS76MAPS, and I love it. _____/)____ Pirating the sea of dispair________* Quote
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