Has anybody used or has seen the Garmin GPSMAP 276C been used for atv'ing? I have a etrex Legend monochrome screen, and it didn't work to well for me since the display is very small. When I need to read it I actually have to stop and study it. I want to upgrade to a GPS with a color and larger display. I saw an enduro KTM motorcycle with a Garmin 276C mounted on the handlebar and it looked pretty sharp. Any comments or recommendations?

 

i have the 276C on mine, but haven't used it much yet. i had the same prob with my etrex vista cx. small screen. the 276c takes only the Garmin memory card (not the SD or micro SD cards) so you will be limited to what Garmin has for memory cards. the battery is also a Garmin product, but will run from 12V with a cord. i have a power chord hard wired into my brute so it will be running from the atv batt.

the antenna is a helix (stick) antenna and should be pointed up for best reception, but i bought a small magnetic antenna that i stick to the front box. i gotta get out and test it a little more before i praise it or bash it. i can say the screen is a lot easier to see, and the menu is pretty easy to figure out.

monty

 

Thanks for your input Monty. I understand those Garmin memory cards are expensive. Did your unit come with at least one memory card? About the 12v cord; did it also come with the unit or did you have to buy it additionally? How did you mount it on your atv? Sorry for all the questions but I don't get to see many riders around my area with GPS. Thanks for your help.

 

oei1308 I don't know if this helps, but I have a Garmin 76CSX. I use it with everything and not just ATVing. With base maps the unit is junk. With new maps, the unit is unbelivable!!!! Big color screen, easy to read in the sunlight, and I almost never lose connection, even in tall trees. The only real bad thing is the price. But like I said, I use it for everything so even that is not too bad. I would have paid someone 500 bucks to get me out of Seattle once so I think it was worth the cost!!!
You can Ebay a 1 gig card for about 25 bucks or so. Mine came with a .125 gig card. I moounted mine with velcro on the seat of my V.
Hope this helped.

 

sorry for the delay here.

first, no, it diddn't come with any memory card, but it has some (cant remember how much right now) internal memory that will accept maps and tracks, ect...

the power chord to hard wire into the 12V system is included with the gps. there is also the Garmin marine mount with it that is a pretty decent mount, but it is for a flat surface and you gotta buy the other bases seperately (like the handlebar mount) it does also come with a USB cord to connect to the computer.

and i bought the RAM mount for it and bolted that to the airbox cover below the gauge pod. google "RAM MOUNTS" and look at them.

and docturbo is right. to get the most from this, you will want the Mapsource topo map CD set (you should be able to pick it up for less than $85 if you look. this will allow you to upload topo maps into your GPS and download tracks, waypoints, ect... from your gps onto your computer and print maps with your tracks and other stuff on them.

if i can answer anything else, just ask. i'll check back sooner...

monty

 

Docturbo, thanks for your input. I've had very good comments on the 76CSX. By the way, I ran into the following site that offers interesting mounting systems for dirtbikes; it might interest you: http://www.cycoactive.com/gps/tt76c.html
It looks like they have a great variety of systems.

 

Montyh, thanks, really appreciate your response. I found a mounting system for the 276C on this site as well. You may want to take a look at it:
http://www.cycoactive.com/gps/tt276.html

Thanks again.

 

here is where i bought my RAM mount. big selection.

http://www.gpscity.com/rammounts.htm

there were some awesome (and expensive) mounts on your site, as well as the RAM mounts we all like.

monty