GPSMAP® 78sc Marine Handheld GPS Receiver with Compass, Barometer and BlueChart g2 Coastal Charts
High performance, rugged marine GPS with US g2 coastal charts, 3-axis compass, barometer and more!
For boaters and watersports enthusiasts who want to run with the best, the rugged GPSMAP 78sc includes preloaded U.S. coastal charts and features a three-axis compass, barometric altimeter, crisp color mapping, a high-sensitivity receiver, new molded rubber side grips, plus a microSD™ card slot for loading additional maps. And it floats!
Explore Coastal Waters: GPSMAP 78sc comes with built-in BlueChart® g2 coastal charts and a worldwide basemap with imagery — perfect for all your outdoor pursuits. Map detail includes shorelines, depth contours, navaids, harbors, marinas and more for the U.S. and Bahamas. And, like the rest of the 78-series, 78sc is IPX7 waterproof and even floats in water. Garmin New Chart Guarantee
Get Your Bearings: GPSMAP 78sc has a built-in three-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass, which shows your heading even when you’re standing still, without holding it level. Its barometric altimeter tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude, and you can even use it to plot barometric pressure over time, which can help you keep an eye on changing weather conditions.
Share Wirelessly: With GPSMAP 78sc you can share your waypoints, tracks, routes and geocaches wirelessly with other compatible device users. Now you can send the location of your favorite fishing spot to a friend to find. Sharing data is easy. Just press “send” to transfer your information to similar units.
Keep Your Fix: With its high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver and HotFix™ satellite prediction, GPSMAP 78sc locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover and deep canyons. The advantage is clear — whether you’re in deep woods or just near tall buildings and trees, you can count on GPSMAP 78sc to help you find your way when you need it the most.
Add Maps: Adding more maps is easy with our wide array of detailed marine, topographic and road maps, available on microSD card. Conveniently plug in BlueChart® g2 preloaded cards for a great day on the water or City Navigator NT® map data for turn-by-turn routing on roads. The card slot is located inside the waterproof battery compartment, so you don't have to worry about getting it wet. GPSMAP 78sc also supports BirdsEye™ Satellite Imagery (subscription required), that lets you download satellite images to your device and integrate them with your maps. In addition, the 78sc is compatible with Custom Maps, free software that transforms paper and electronic maps into downloadable maps for your device.
Get Connected: You've been busy exploring and now you want to store and analyze your activities. With a simple connection to your computer and to the Internet, you can get a detailed analysis of your activities and send tracks to your outdoor device using Garmin Connect™. This one-stop site offers an activity table and allows you to view your activities on a map using Google™ Earth. Explore other routes uploaded by millions of Garmin Connect users and share your experiences on Twitter and Facebook. Getting started is easy, so get out there, explore and share.
Find Fun: GPSMAP 78sc supports geocaching GPX files for downloading geocaches and details straight to your unit. By going paperless, you're not only helping the environment but also improving efficiency. GPSMAP 78sc stores and displays key information, including location, terrain, difficulty, hints and descriptions, which means no more manually entering coordinates and paper printouts. Simply upload the GPX file to your unit and start hunting for caches. Slim and lightweight, 78sc is the perfect companion for all your outdoor pursuits.
Specifications
- Display Type: Transflective 65K color TFT
- Screen Size: 2.6"diag.
- Screen Resolution: 160 x 240
- Included Cartography: BlueChart® g2 preloaded cards,
- Optional Cartography: 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 5/8"W x 6"H x 1 3/16"D
- Weight: 7.7 oz.
- Waterproof Rating: 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)
- Warranty: One year
What’s in the Box
- GPSMAP 78sc
- Wrist strap
- USB cable
- Manual
Review Snapshot
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Most Liked Positive Review
Superb Marine GPS
I do sea kayaking out on the San Francisco, Half Moon and Monterey Bays, as well as out in the unprotected, open Pacific Ocean. Needless to say the swells and wind waves out there are often formidable to say the least. One cannot spare the time or concentration to fool around with an unintuitive, di...
Most Liked Negative Review
Disappointing
I would trust the unit only for fair weather day sailing. Night, fog, or way point use is limited. Compared to my Uniden Mystic handheld of 10 years ago; this unit has color and slightly larger display. Out of the box, the Marine Profile is non-nautical. Defaults are vague, land oriented. The coas...
Reviewed by 167 customers
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Verified Buyer
Comments about Garmin GPSMAP 78sc Marine Handheld GPS Receiver with Compass, Barometer and BlueChart g2 Coastal Charts
Customer Service is really great. Thanks.
No
Verified Buyer
Comments about Garmin GPSMAP 78sc Marine Handheld GPS Receiver with Compass, Barometer and BlueChart g2 Coastal Charts
Water navigation on Lake Superior.
Garmin = great products
Verified Buyer
Comments about Garmin GPSMAP 78sc Marine Handheld GPS Receiver with Compass, Barometer and BlueChart g2 Coastal Charts
Performs as promised. Obtaining assistance, charts promised or directions not the best.
I would not buy this product again
Verified Buyer
Comments about Garmin GPSMAP 78sc Marine Handheld GPS Receiver with Compass, Barometer and BlueChart g2 Coastal Charts
I bought this GPS for the chart plotter capabilities and was very disappointed. Works well for just finding a waypoint.
Yes
Verified Buyer
Comments about Garmin GPSMAP 78sc Marine Handheld GPS Receiver with Compass, Barometer and BlueChart g2 Coastal Charts
GPS for my tender and in my ditch bag for my boat.
Q&A
Showing 10 out of 112 Questions
- Q
Can I download waypoints from Garmin Homeport on my PC to an sd card and load them onto my handheld and navigate with them? Thanx.
- Asked by Ed
- Verified Reply - KaseyYes, you can directly connect your 78sc to a Windows computer and transfer waypoints from the computer into the 78sc and navigate with them.Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
Are inland lakes included? If not, by what means may one accomplish data for inland lakes. If so, are navigational aids included?
- Asked by Jim
- Verified Reply - MaureenThis unit is preloaded with BlueChart g2 Coastal Charts. You would need to purchase the LakeVu Chart card separately -WM# 15713035: https://www.westmarine.com/buy/garmin--lakevu-u-s-all-inland-cartography-electronic-chart--15713035?recordNum=26Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
does this cover Alaska?
- Asked by WRongway
- Verified Reply - MaureenThis handheld is only preloaded with coastal charts and a worldwide base map. For more detailed coverage you would need WM# 10770055: https://www.westmarine.com/buy/garmin--hxus604x-u-s-western-canada-and-bahamas-bluechart-g3-microsd-sd-card--10770055Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
This comes with BlueChart g2 ... are you able to update it to Bluechart g3 free of cost?
- Asked by Chris
- Verified Reply - MaureenYes, you have one year from purchase to upgrade the charts for free. Please view Garmin's New Chart Guarantee here: https://newcontent.westmarine.com/documents/pdfs/Chart/GarminNewChartGuarantee.pdfWas this answer helpful to you
- Q
Can the unit be powered by onboard 12V DC or only batteries?
- Asked by Nat
- Verified Reply - MaureenYes, it can be powered using a 12v DC adapter - WM# 142820: https://www.westmarine.com/buy/garmin--12v-vehicle-power-adapter-for-gps-devices--142820Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
Can you update maps online through this device via the garmin download? Garmin Express? Are there maps for smaller rivers and lakes throught ouhio and michigan?
- Asked by J A BYRD
- Verified Reply - MaureenPlease view Garmin's Support Page for your Handheld GPS here: https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=JDIjpBiRT251Yi2vwokMi8&productID=63603&tab=topics&topicTag=region_softwareupdateWas this answer helpful to you
- Q
If the battery is not included how much is it?
- Asked by Chris
- Verified Reply - MichaelThis device uses 2 AA batteries (not included). NiMH or Lithium batteries are recommended.Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
Does this show river ways for navigation in the U.S. for extended trips in kayaks, also miles traveled and speed? Thank you
- Asked by RR
- Verified Reply - MichaelThis device includes preloaded g2 coastal charts, so navigation information for US inland rivers will not be shown. We recommend purchasing charts specific to the area which you intend to travel in. Miles traveled and speed may be shown on the device.Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
Does the unit come loaded with cahts for Lake Winnipesauke in New Hampshire?
- Asked by andy
- Verified Reply - MaureenUnfortunately no, this unit is loaded with BlueChart g2 Coastal Charts, you are looking for a LakuVu chart - Garmin 010-C1087-00, which is currently only available via Special Order. If you would like to place a special order, please visit your local West Marine with the information above or email us at wmcustomerservice@westmarine.com. Please keep in mind that all special orders have a lead-time of 2-3 weeks from the time they are ordered, as they come straight from the manufacturer.Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
What is difference between this and the regular garmin map 78
- Asked by Russell
- Verified Reply - MaureenThe Garmin 78sc also has an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter. Was this answer helpful to you