More Garmin Questions

All right, seems alot of you have used various Garmin products so I'll ask some help on any experience with software for those GPS's. I'm eyeing a GPSmap 76s now, but I know I'll have to buy more maps. I'd like to use it for hiking and MT. biking, as well as motorcycle/car trips. So has anyone used their extra maps? The selection seems a little confusing ie., Metro Guide vs. points of intrest and US highways. Whats the difference? And the topo software, does it show trails and fireroads for my state in detail, or is it just general like their base map? Is there any other software compatible that is better or less expensive? I thought I saw MS streets and trips listed on another post, and National Geographic software also that looked nice in a local retailer. Sorry for all the questions , but no-one in the local chains has a clue it seems, and online explanations seem a little over my head I guess. Basically, I know some of you are using them, so I'd like to know if they're worth the money and how they work exactly. I imagine I somehow plot a course on my desktop, load it into the unit and then use it. What if I decide on another course, am I screwed unless I have a laptop? I know, I know, but a $100 for something I can't find any real info on and can't return once I open it seems a hassle, and if it is, I'll go back to using good old infantry land nav. Thanks.

* * * * * *Pete D.

pdccd : All right, seems alot of you have used various Garmin products so I'll ask some help on any experience with software for those GPS's. I'm eyeing a GPSmap 76s now, but I know I'll have to buy more maps. I'd like to use it for hiking and MT. biking, as well as motorcycle/car trips. So has anyone used their extra maps? The selection seems a little confusing ie., Metro Guide vs. points of intrest and US highways. Whats the difference? And the topo software, does it show trails and fireroads for my state in detail, or is it just general like their base map? Is there any other software compatible that is better or less expensive? I thought I saw MS streets and trips listed on another post, and National Geographic software also that looked nice in a local retailer. Sorry for all the questions , but no-one in the local chains has a clue it seems, and online explanations seem a little over my head I guess. Basically, I know some of you are using them, so I'd like to know if they're worth the money and how they work exactly. I imagine I somehow plot a course on my desktop, load it into the unit and then use it. What if I decide on another course, am I screwed unless I have a laptop? I know, I know, but a $100 for something I can't find any real info on and can't return once I open it seems a hassle, and if it is, I'll go back to using good old infantry land nav. Thanks.

* * * * * *Pete D.

I use a GPSMAP 76S. On thing you should know about it is it doesn't do routing built in. In other words, you can create a route on a laptop/desktop and load it into the 76S. But as you navigate it tells you the heading to the next waypoint, which isn't necessarily the next turn (or even what direction to turn at an intersection). If I set a start point and a finish, it would tell me what direction to go (ie, compass direction) but not what direction to turn at intersection.

When I use it, I setup waypoints at all the turns, naming them with a number (sequential so I know if I've missed a turn) and then either left/right so I know which way to turn. With that info setup in the route, then it does tell me when/where to turn.

If I changed my mind and wanted to reroute on some other roads, it wouldn't. It has the maps, but they are for YOUR reference. The 76S built in software doesn't really use the maps for routing, it's more line of sight directions.

There are some other Garmin products that do built in street level routing.

Thanks. I have seen some of them, but they don't look well suited for hiking and Mt. biking.(big, bulky, fragile) and they don't have compassas or barametric info. None seem to have everything. Almost as if they want you to buy two seperate units.
So you use the software to set the waypoints, but it dosn't give you a course, just straight line trajectory? Even if it's through a building or over a cliff. that's why I sold the Vista, but I was hoping the added software would improve this problem. And putting waypoints at every turn must take hours?
* * Thanks again for the reply eatn.

I use the Garmin Mapsource Roads & Recreation CD primarily for downloading maps to my 76. I find its routing and planning features a bit lacking so I use Delorme for those things. I wish there was good software that did it all.

I rarely plan my route down to every turn, but when I do, I create the route in Delorme and print it for the tankbag, and use the GPS for spur of the moment route changes, say for example when trying to avoid rain etc....

I've tried creating the route in Mapsource and dumping it to the GPS, but its a bit clunky....probably works way better on the higher end models.

Ymmv.....