Garmin GPSMap 76 info needed...

[Gregory]

I recently purchased a GPS Map76 handheld unit. It has a built in background map. No depth contours, on the water, etc. I want to purchase some sort of "Lake Map" program. As near as I can figure out, all that is available is Mapsource/Fishing Hot spots version. Anyone got an opinion on this version, or is there something else available? Any help, suggestions, etc., will be appreciated! Thanks!

[bobco]

I've been looking at what options are out there also. I have a GPSv and bought the topo maps which help allot but have not seen anything for lakes. I would like something to download that give hot spots/contours of bottom etc, of Colorado lakes and Lake Powell, anybody seen anything?

[Gregory]

Bobco,

www.fishinghotspots.com has a listing, of their map series. but none are listed for CO.

[bobco]

I looked at the map site but I'm not clear as to the function of these maps: 1) do they allow you to download the map to your garmin GPS or can you only download waypoints? I suspect it is only waypoints not the map itself?

[Gregory]

bobco,

According to Garmin's printed brochure, you can download the map itself. Not sure where the waypoint issue comes in? www.garmin.com has more info. Supposed to have a "Mapviewer" program, if you can find it, to see the actual map? Gregory

[bobco]

I have looked at some programs, Delorme to be exact, that have some great software, they run on a PC but cannot be downloaded onto the Garmin GPS, only the waypoints can be downloaded. Yes you can download Garmin maps onto to your Garmin GPs, up to as many as your 8 meg of memory will hold. From Reading the fishing hotspots stuff I get the feeling that it is only waypoints that transfer not the detailed maps, they must be viewed on a PC.

[Gregory]

bobco,
Get the printed Garmin brochure, titled MapSource CD-ROMs. It says, in part..... Download maps from this CD to your chartplotter....
Gregory

[bobco]

my mistake, you are right on, I thought we were talking about a different program, the hot spot you are talking about is made by garmin and will download maps like any of thier other maps, there is another map program that someone was talking about last week that I looked at that did not look like the maps would transfer...I still havent seen anybody for out west, they must not think we fish out here!

[JasonMN]

I have a GPSMAP 76 and also Garmin's USA Waterways and Lights and Metroguide USA. You can download/upload maps, waypoints, routes, and trails using mapsource. Waterways and lights is nothing special. It shows no lake details. Just boat ramps and a few of the names of major bays and man lake points. Metroguide actually has all that too. If you use your GPS in the car Metroguide is nice to have. It is much much better than the built in map the GPSMAP 76 comes with. The mapsource software is easy to use too. With the 8MB capacity of the GPSMAP 76 I was able to fit all the metroguide maps from Rochester, MN to north of Garrison, MN. I have not tried the hotspots maps yet as they are not available for any lake I have interest in, yet.

If you want some waypoint management type software you can download easygps for free at http://www.easygps.com.

For all kinds of good GPS info go to the GPS newsgroup here:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&group=sci.geo.satellite-nav
You can search for articles on any model GPS and probably find answers to mapsource questions you might have.

Don't forget to download the latest software for your GPS:
http://www.garmin.com/support/download.html

Thats all I know..hopefully it is of some help anyway.

JasonMN