Garmin GPS 276C

Maybe Epinions realized I was lost, maybe they read a few reviews connected to me that described how Susi and I spent over 5 hours trying to drive a 45 minute trek from BMI to Gungians house in Virginia. I don’t know. What I do know is that I received this Garmin GPS 276C whatchamacallit as a Christmas gift from them. Back in the days when I traveled as a nurse, this would have been a great investment for me, but now that I am grounded at home base and I only live 15 minutes from work, it will be a test to utilize this product. I have always been directions challenged - right/left? North/South? - I was never a good navigator.

And there is the other feature with the unit, the marine map plotter. First I’d have to actually buy a boat ………..

So I did what any sensible gal would do, I went to my brother. I figured anyone in the Army SF that could find his way back home from Iraq could certainly help me with this little ditty. And he did. He’s even got a boat, so I didn’t have to buy one!

For those unaware, GPS stands for Global Positioning System. Some vehicles come with this built into them these days, some are offered as an ‘extra’ on vehicles. I’m sure most people have seen the OnStar commercials where the little 5 year old is trapped in a car with a sick mommy and she dials up the OnStar signal. Or the dude that locked himself out of his car with his dog inside and OnStar unlocked his vehicle by remote control. That kinda stuff, that is GPS. In other words, GPS can be like the old Big Brother theory. As long as you are attached to the unit, you can be located through satellite transmissions. Didn’t Scott Peterson get nailed with his GPS system? But that’s another story.

GPS systems are fairly accurate and can pinpoint a location within a few feet. When you are driving in unknown territory, this can be a definite bonus because it tells you which street, which turn, mileage and all pertinent data connected with your trip.

While the GPS systems used by the government to locate data are generally fairly large in size, this unit is known as a portable navigation system. By being portable, you can transfer the system from one vehicle to another, and in the end, to your boat. Being portable doesn’t mean it is small in data though. With the software included, you can find each street, location, each turn and even traffic signals and restrictions in any given area. You can locate a business or service and even a telephone number is supplied in case you are running late for an appointment.

Or if you are new to the area and want to eat a big old pizza, you can tell the system your interest and they can locate pizza parlors in the area and offer information about them. Well, they can’t tell you if the pizza is actually edible.

In other words, you can tell the system practically anything that you want to meet as your traveling criteria, and the system will response in kind. Tired of toll roads? Tell the system - no toll roads - and it will adjust the route for you avoiding all toll roads if humanly (or technically) possible. The idea is to get the best, safest and most direct route from point A to point B, but if you have indicators of your own, you may not get the fastest route.

The GPS 276C will talk to you. Yes, if you are coming to a turn a little bit in the distance it will tell you that a left/right turn is coming up and give you the opportunity to prepare for it. This is especially nice in the dark when you are in an unfamiliar location. However, if you miss the turn, like I do once in a while, it will let you know. Not in a mean or spiteful way like your passenger does, but by suggesting either an alternate route or advise you to turn around and go back.

All the while, the system is storing this information to make it available to you for future reference. This is known as tracking data, which can be uploaded into your computer for future reference. It can also pinpoint the time and date you are in any given area. If you are cheating on your spouse or partner or plotting a crime, this could lead to your downfall. Be aware.

Here’s the specs, not that they mean anything to me
256 color TFT screen with adjustable LED backlight. 3.8” diagonal, 480 x 320 pixel.
Pushbutton operation
Internal rechargeable LiOn battery
Proprietary memory chip, 256 meg maximum
12 channel receiver with WAAS
10,000 track point memory
Dual mode, Automotive/Marine
Faster processor
Water resistant, can be in water for 30 minutes without damage
Meets IPX7 standards

We did not get the opportunity to utilize the marine mode of the unit, maybe at another point in time I can convince my brother to give it a try. He was impressed with the makeup of the unit. The display is fairly large for such a small unit. With the backlighting available, you can use the system even in the brightest sunlight or the darkest dark and still get a clear picture.

A few problems I found with the unit. In the installation mode it can drain a battery in no time at all. It has no on/off switch, you must unplug the unit to stop it. The bummer of this is, if you have it connected to your vehicle battery system and forget to unplug it, you better have a friend with jumper cables or belong to AAA. I can’t remember to bring my cell phone in from my car half the time when I hang it on the visor, whats the chances I’ll remember to unplug this baby? Slim/none.

I don’t like the mounting bracket. To me portable means portable, mounting bracket means permanent.