The Garmin GPSMAP 76C combines a color display and probably more memory for maps than you'll ever use, in a compact handheld GPS receiver. The 7.6 ounce device provides easy, accurate navigation on the water or ashore. The case is waterproof, so an occasional dousing won't do it any harm.

Even with the sun overhead, you'll be able to read the display of the Garmin GPSMAP 76C. The 256-color LCD screen has the brightness and resolution to clearly show map details and text. The 2.6" (diagonal) display has adjustable backlighting for navigation when the sun goes down. Even the function keys are backlit, so you can be fully operational at all times.

Using the page key of the Garmin 76C, you can choose what navigation information is displayed. On the compass page, there's a graphical compass along with your speed and time to the next waypoint. The trip computer page includes how far you've traveled, how much time it's taken, and what your average speed has been. Checking the satellite page will show you a graphical display of the GPS satellites' location and an estimate of the position reading's accuracy. The map page has zoom key control to adjust the amount of detail or area shown

Another set of keys on the GPSMAP 76C let you enter up to 1000 waypoints with corresponding names and symbols. And if you're traveling along a unplanned path, a track log automatically records your movement, including the time along the way. Since the receiver saves the track log, you can retrace your path at a later time. For instance, a saved track log could get you back to where the fish were last biting and show you what time it was.

For basic navigation, the Garmin GPSMAP 76C receiver comes equipped with a basemap showing roads, towns, rivers, lakes, coastlines and other details. Also included is a marine database for locating tide prediction stations. The receiver has 115 MB of memory for storing other maps with greater detail. There's a USB connector cable supplied, that allows fast map data transfers from your PC. With the receiver's available memory you can store anything from ocean charts to city maps with street-level detail.

If you have trouble getting good satellite signal reception, the receiver has a built-in connector for an optional remote antenna. And to achieve the best position accuracy, the Garmin 76C GPS receiver works with the Wide Area Augmentation System(WAAS) and Differential GPS (DGPS). Using WAAS can reduce the average position error from under 15 meters, to less than 3.

Garmin's 76C receiver is equipped to transmit and receive signals using the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) protocol. This means the receiver can be connected share data with such devices as autopilots, plotters, and sonar units.