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GARMIN
GPSMAP® 78 Handheld GPS
- Model # 11553583 | Manuf. # 010-00864-00
- In Stock: Available for immediate shipment.
Geocaching-friendly handheld GPS with wireless data sharing
Garmin has updated the popular GPSMAP 76 with the new GPSMAP 78 Series, powerful marine handheld units that now feature color mapping, a high-sensitivity GPS receiver and a built-in MicroSD card slot for loading additional maps. A whopping 1.7GB of built-in memory provides cutting-edge performance, and you can also add maps from Garmin’s wide array of detailed marine BlueChart g2, topographic and City Navigator road maps. Plus, the 78 Series supports BirdsEye Satellite Imagery, and is compatible with Custom Maps, free software that transforms paper and electronic maps into downloadable maps for your device.
Like earlier generations, these new handhelds feature the same soft-key interface but with a sleek easy-to-hold design with rubber side grips. The “s” models also add a three-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass, which shows your heading even when you're standing still. Each unit features a worldwide basemap, and the 78Cs comes with built-in BlueChart® g2 coastal charts for the U.S. And with the 78 Series, you can share your waypoints, tracks, routes and geocaches wirelessly with other compatible devices. So whether you're kayaking, fishing or just cruising around, the 78 Series has everything a mariner needs. They’re completely submersible and float if dropped overboard.
- Display Type: Transflective 65K color TFT
- Screen Size: 2.6"diag.
- Screen Resolution: 160 x 240
- Cartography: BlueChart® g2 preloaded cards, City Navigator NT®; Supports BirdsEye™ Satellite Imagery (subscription required); Compatible with Custom Maps
- Receiver Type: High-sensitivity
- Battery Type: 2 AA batteries (not included); NiMH or Lithium recommended
- Battery Life: 20 hours
- Dimensions: 2.6"W x 6.0"H x 1.2"D
- Weight: 7.7 oz.
- Waterproof: Rated IPX7 Submersible, and it floats
- Interfacing: High-speed USB and NMEA 0183. Garmin Connect™ compatible (online community where you analyze, categorize and share data). Unit-to-unit transfer (shares data wirelessly with similar units)
- Included Equipment: Wrist strap, USB cable, manual
- Warranty: One year
Product Specs
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 8 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
50%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Great reception (5)
- Quick signal (4)
- Easy to read (3)
Cons
- Difficult to set up (4)
Best Uses
- Ocean (5)
- Small boats (5)
- At night (4)
- Large boats (4)
- Wet / rain (4)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Enthusiast (5)
Reviewed by 8 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-8
Pros
- Easy To Read
- Easy To Use
- Intuitive Menu
- Quick Signal
- Reliable Reception
Cons
- Poor Viewing In Sunlight
Best Uses
- At Night
- Bad Weather
- Fishing
- Lakes
- Large Boats
- Ocean
- Small Boats
Comments about GPSMAP 78 Handheld GPS:
It has never let me down no matter where ive been so far. Have taken it to the mountains and across the ocean to Bahamas. Does great at geocaching also.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about GPSMAP 78 Handheld GPS:
Unit did not have any marine applications
Pros
- Easy To Read
- Easy To Use
- Intuitive Menu
- Quick Signal
- Reliable Reception
Cons
Best Uses
- At Night
- Bad Weather
- Ocean
- Small Boats
Comments about GPSMAP 78 Handheld GPS:
I got GPSMAP 78 before business trip to Hawaii. I tried several times to measure the positions in Hawaii. GPSMAP 78 has world map but it is not good for land use because of the accuracy. Using in Hawaii I reconfirmed GPSMAP 78 is for marine use. It is floatable and water resistant so I could use on the beach peacefully.
Comparing my old Magellan GPS 15, GPSMAP 78 has beautiful color display and 20 hours of battery life in the almost same price. I confirmed the developing of the technology.
Pros
- Quick Signal
Cons
- Complicated Controls
- Difficult To Set Up
- Hard To Read
Best Uses
- Large Boats
- Ocean
Comments about GPSMAP 78 Handheld GPS:
- the on line maual is not helpful. picture of the back saying the card slot it under the batteries, with no picture except for the cover, and no installtion picture. On the garmin site it actually says the G2 is NOT recommended for the 78! (wish I had read that before purchasing!) and the G2 US All & Canadian West Coast HXUS039R chart that west marine recommended looks as if it is a bigger card than the 78 accepts, so worthless. I looked at the map detail of the 78SC that has the chart of US preinstalled and even when set on the best detail, looking at a Sucia Chart in the San Juans didn't include soundings or the rocks off the entrance to Fossil bay, and only a very few soundings inside the bay, which is the only one I bothered to check when we picked up the card we had ordered. but still was hopefull the card would give me the detail I need for chart navigation. Am returning the unit today and will stick to my old 72 that gives me lat/lon and will stick with paper chart navigation.
Pros
- Easy To Read
- Reliable Reception
Cons
- Difficult To Set Up
Best Uses
- At Night
- Bad Weather
- Ocean
- Small Boats
Comments about GPSMAP 78 Handheld GPS:
I use the 78 for night sailing. I choose to download free raster maps. My prior unit was an old Mystic black & white with smaller screen. The 78 fails in ability to recharge batteries - apparently I have to remove to recharge - always at an inconvenient time. Its less intuitive and either more clicky or need to surpress the occasional use features. Setup took hour. It has a marine mode but you need to set each feature to your liking. A couple of marine modes would solve it: usa, traditional, european.
Pros
- Chartplotter capabilities
- Has good potential
- Uses chartplotter maps
Cons
- Inadequate Manual
Best Uses
- Dinghy
Comments about GPSMAP 78 Handheld GPS:
I use the GPS78 when taking the dinghy to places out of sight of our power boat. It also maps out potential anchorage and danger points we might take our trawler. Comparing actual readings using our handheld sonar and nearby tidal stations has been useful. Also using as an independent backup for our main chartplotter has good value. This unit will do all of that plus much more. VERY impressive. However, the manual is totally oblivious of describing how to access these capabilities. There isn't even a word called "tide" in the index of the manual. You have to call Garmin customer service to get the instructions of how to access all the features. It isn't intuitive and extremely frustrating to know those capabilities are there but no help from the manual. I wouldn't be without this unit doing what I do with my boat, but I am very unhappy with Garmin and their lack of effort putting together a manual.
Service and delivery comments:
The usual good service from West Marine.
Pros
- Good ergonomics
- Quick startup
- Reliable Reception
Cons
- Difficult To Set Up
Best Uses
- Large Boats
- Small Boats
Comments about GPSMAP 78 Handheld GPS:
I prefer my old Garmin over this one as it was simple to enter data. This one has too many features and takes some time to adjust to how to use just the features you want.
Pros
- Nice clear color screen
- Quick gps location
- Quick Signal
- Reliable Reception
- Uses same configuration
- Uses same plug configerat
Cons
- Confusing directions
- Difficult to plan routes
- Difficult To Set Up
- No go to button
Best Uses
- At Night
- Bad Weather
- Large Boats
- Ocean
- Small Boats
Comments about GPSMAP 78 Handheld GPS:
I feel the designers tried too hard to make this GPS an all around hiker, driver
And marine unit and sacrificed the good marine qualities the older modals had.
I would suggest they make two versions: land, and marine.
Service and delivery comments:
West marine delivered promptly and the item was packaged very well
Displaying reviews 1-8
Merchant response: This is a submersible handheld that floats and either comes with coastal charts (on the 78Cs) or can load marine charts bought separately. But what is important is that you are not satisfied with your GPSMAP 78. Please consider contacting our Customer Care Department at 1-800-262-8464 to see if we can assist you with your issue. (International customers please email catintl@westmarine.com or call 1-831-761-4800).