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Cheers guys,
Chekika, the reason i want the compass is so I can know where winds will be coming from, If i know the forcast, but yeh i think its a common feature.
looked up some reviews on goodgearguide.com
GPSMAP 76Cx 3.5/5 stars
A handheld GPS device that offers good value. Review by James Hutchinson (Good Gear Guide) 06/11/2008 10:20:00
Despite a significant price jump from the GPSMAP 76, Garmin’s GPSMAP 76Cx is a handheld GPS device that offers good value. With a colour screen, USB connectivity and expandable memory, the GPSMAP 76Cx is a decent buy.
The GPSMAP 76Cx has the same design as the rest of the GPS 76 range, with the device’s buttons arranged above the display and rather dated styling, making for a somewhat ugly look. Still, it does the job, with a case built to IPX-7 standards and a design that allows it to float. An external antenna port means the GPSMAP 76Cx is can be used in areas with sub-par reception.
Garmin doesn’t specify the GPSMAP 76Cx’s GPS receiver, though it does perform adequately. Cold signal acquisition took slightly over three minutes on a clear day, with accuracy to within 5m.
There are a number of benefits that the GPSMAP 76Cx has over the base model, including a 256-colour LCD. Oddly, this device actually has a lower resolution than that found on the , though the difference isn’t substantial. Colour isn’t strictly necessary on a basic GPS device, though it does help in distinguishing features on more detailed maps.
One of the most appealing features of the GPSMAP 76Cx is the addition of USB connectivity. The can only connect to a PC via a serial port, but this unit provides both the proprietary serial connection as well as a mini-USB port.
Garmin bundles its MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager software with the device. Though the software is rather basic, it allows you to easily transfer waypoints, tracks and maps to the device.
As with most handheld GPS units, the integrated base map on the GPSMAP 76Cx doesn’t quite cut it. It provides basic city and major road information for Pacific countries, but lacks even the railway and nautical topography information included on the . However, while users of the GPSMAP 76 are restricted to a rather paltry 8MB for storing additional maps, the GPSMAP 76Cx offers a microSD card slot for expandable storage. The slot is hidden discreetly under the unit’s battery cover.
Although we weren’t able to test the device with detailed maps, the device’s redraw rate for the integrated base map is significantly better than the 's. This may have been because of the less detailed map (bar the addition of colour), but it allowed for a quicker refresh between each zoomed position.
Oregon 400c 3.75/5 stars
Sail the seven seas without getting lost. Review by James Hutchinson (Good Gear Guide) 23/09/2008 10:20:00
Sitting at the top of Garmin’s handheld GPS range, the Oregon 400c doesn’t have all the frills of Magellan’s but it still has a host of features to suit a wide range of situations.
The Oregon 400c follows the familiar styling of other Oregon devices with grey plastic and rubber casing. Built to an IPX-7 standard with rubber protection for the unit’s mini-USB port, the Oregon 400c is shock- and water-proof, making it suitable for the rigours of outdoor adventures. The unit’s cleverly designed back cover clamp allows for the attachment of a carabiner.
In terms of features, the Oregon 400c is identical to the Oregon 300 in almost every way. A 3in touch screen eradicates the need for a confusing button layout and provides easy access to the device’s map, electronic compass and other navigation functions. Like the Oregon 300, the Oregon 400c has a microSD slot and enough internal memory to save up to 10,000 user-generated points of interest and 20 tracks.
Whereas most of the Oregon 300’s internal memory goes unused, the Oregon 400c comes preloaded with Garmin’s BlueChart g2 coastal charts for Australia and New Zealand. The maps provide a huge amount of extra information on top of the base map, including tidal charts, shaded depth contours, major land features and submarine lines. Complemented by basic depth information for up to 100km offshore, the BlueChart g2 maps provide invaluable information for a seafarer.
Although these maps aren’t available separately for Australia and New Zealand, the $249 premium for BlueChart g2 Pacific Ocean maps makes the $100 price hike between the Oregon 300 and 400c a softer blow. If you need marine maps for these regions, going with the 400c is a cheaper option than upgrading the Oregon 300’s maps. Preloading the maps onto the unit’s internal memory also leaves the Oregon 400c’s microSD slot free for adding other marine detail maps or Garmin’s City Navigator maps, purchased separately for $195.
A common problem we encounter with Garmin’s Oregon series is slow signal acquisition. The Oregon 400c was fairly surprising in this regard. Although initial start-up took over three minutes, the device’s HotFix technology meant that subsequent cold acquisition times were closer to a minute. These times are fairly reasonable, though we would have liked the 400c to have an external antenna port as found on the for greater sensitivity in difficult environments.
Unlike the Magellan , the Oregon 400c doesn’t boast an integrated camera or flashlight. Still, the unit provides basic navigational features such as geocaching, location-specific fishing and hunting times, and an electronic compass. The Oregon 400c’s 'Share Wirelessly' function remains our favourite addition: the ability to share routes, waypoints and geocaches between compatible Garmin GPS devices wirelessly.
Regular sea-voyagers and off-coast fishermen are likely to find a valuable companion in the Oregon 400c.
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