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Garmin GPSMAP 78sc Waterproof Marine GPS and Chartplotter
Brand | Garmin |
Model Name | GPSMAP |
Screen Size | 2.6 Inches |
Special Feature | Rugged case, Barometric altimeter, Garmin Connect compatible, Electromagnetic compass, Garmin HotFix, Custom POIs, Automatic routing, Hunt/fish calendar, Geocaching, Photo navigation See more |
Connectivity Technology | Bluetooth |
Map Type | Oceania |
Sport | Boating |
Included Components | USB cable, Wrist strap, Manual, GPSMAP 78sc |
Battery Life | 20 Hours |
Mounting Type | Wrist Mount, found in image |
About this item
- Marine-friendly handheld with high-sensitivity GPS receiver and 2.6-inch color TFT display
- Perfect for boating/watersports--waterproof to IPX7 standards; floats in water
- Built-in BlueChart g2 U.S./Bahamas coastal charts with shorelines, depth contours, navaids, harbors, marinas, and more
- Built-in 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass and barometric altimeter for heading/altitude/weather
- Share your waypoints, tracks, routes and geocaches wirelessly with other compatible device user
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Price | — | -11% $267.09$267.09 List: $299.99 | $599.99$599.99 | -10% $349.99$349.99 New Price: $389.99 | $9.99$9.99 | -9% $145.80$145.80 List: $159.99 |
Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Accuracy | 4.1 | 5.0 | 4.6 | — | — | 4.7 |
User interface | 3.6 | 4.2 | 3.5 | — | — | 4.5 |
Battery life | 4.2 | — | 4.6 | — | — | 4.8 |
Touch Screen | — | 3.0 | 3.3 | — | — | 4.4 |
Sold By | — | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Tech-Boutique | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
resolution | 160 x 240 | — | — | 160 x 240 | — | 128 x 160 |
mounting type | found in image, Wrist Mount | Wrist Mount | Wrist Mount | — | — | found in image, Wrist Mount |
batteries included | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
battery average life | 20 hours | 19 hours | 165 hours | 20 hours | — | 18 hours |
Product Description
Featuring a bright 2.6-Inch LCD color display with built-in basemap and high-sensitivity GPS receiver, the GPSMAP 78 series takes recreational navigation to a whole new level. All three models are waterproof, and include a built-in microSD card slot for loading additional maps and a dedicated MOB (man over board) button.
From the manufacturer
Garmin GPSMAP 78sc Handheld GPS
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 3-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 water resistant and even floats in water.
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.
Get Your Bearings
GPSMAP 78sc has a built-in 3-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.
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 (see maps tab for compatible maps). The card slot is located inside the water resistant 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.
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Product information
Product Dimensions | 2.6 x 1.2 x 6 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 7.7 ounces |
Department | GPS -> GPS NAVIGATION |
Manufacturer | Garmin |
ASIN | B003I86PJG |
Item model number | 010-00864-02 |
National Stock Number | 5825-01-593-3541 |
Batteries | 2 AA batteries required. (included) |
Customer Reviews |
4.3 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #146,163 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #292 in Handheld GPS Units |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | April 23, 2010 |
Warranty & Support
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality of the GPS, describing it as an excellent piece of equipment. They also like the accuracy. However, some customers have reported issues with the performance of the device, stating that it fails to work. Customers also disagree on screen, readability, maps, battery life, and waterproofness.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the GPS. They mention it's an excellent piece of equipment, very useful device, and works well. The hardware seems to be good, and all its features function accurately. Overall, customers find it to be a perfect gadget to have in any adventure.
"...All its features function accurately and it wasn't too difficult to learn and use. After one trip out with it I am ready to trust it completely." Read more
"This is a wonderful little device and I have used it extensively, including over a 47 day kayak trip from Anacortes WA to Petersburg AK...." Read more
"Excellent piece of equipment. I use it for kayaking, and as a backup unit for offshore fishing...." Read more
"...Unfortunately, this is not the case. While the hardware seems very good (bright display, quick satellite acquisition, etc.),..." Read more
Customers like the accuracy of the navigation system. For example, they mention the charts are very accurate, the depth contours are more accurate, and the maps are detailed. Some appreciate the coastal chart info and the MOB feature. Overall, most are happy with the product's accuracy.
"...The coastal chart info is also detailed and accurate.I honestly cannot think of anything I would do to improve this device...." Read more
"...Amazing. Depth contours were more accurate than the others and when we had to navigate through shoal passages, I relied on this Garmin handhold,..." Read more
"...this GPS works well; it "answers the mail." The maps seem to be accurate, but it is a disappointment compared to the earlier version...." Read more
"...Never did. The device is accurate. Display is bright and battery life is good with Duracell's installed...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the screen of the navigation system. Some mention that it has a great screen and maps, easy to navigate menus, and visuals are great. They also say that the color screen is good, and easy to view in direct sunlight. However, others say that it's hard to read because the screen is so small, and the text and information on the screen are small.
"...One of the reasons the color screen is so good (and they don't mention it anywhere) is that the lense window is polarized...." Read more
"...The screen may be a bit small if you are planning on using this for marine navigation, but for my needs it is fine." Read more
"...Also small enough to hide in your bag or pocket when you are on someone else's boat fishing their 'secret spots' (shhhhh!)...." Read more
"...; C -> A and starting the the navigation the unit did not flip to the next waypoint, once a waypoint is reached...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the readability of the navigation system. Some mention the charts are easy to read, it has a great interface, and the display is easier to read in day and night. However, others say that the interface is difficult to navigate, difficult to find out how to use it, and complicated to learn.
"...All its features function accurately and it wasn't too difficult to learn and use. After one trip out with it I am ready to trust it completely." Read more
"...and yet after playing with the device for over an hour, I could not locate any menu item that would allow me to change the display...." Read more
"...I can read the screen easily, even on sunny days...." Read more
"...Unit is hard to read when the backlight is off. With the backlight on, the battery life is poor...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the maps in the GPS. Some mention that they love the built-in maps, while others say that they cannot get any map detail if they zoom in below 8 nm.
"...3. Unit OFTEN locked up while navigating a route. This would require popping the protective cover off, removing batteries and restarting...." Read more
"...The built in map is sufficient for my purposes as I only need to rely on it for fishing purposes on Lake Erie which is part of the coastal maps..." Read more
"...Also, it lacks many water based routing features. (It set a straight course from location to destination over land.)..." Read more
"...-Very good battery life-Waterproof!-Love the maps. Have only used in the ocean -> Florida coastlineCons:..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the waterproofness of the GPS. Some mention it works great in salt water, while others say it's not waterproof. The port covers are also prone to leaks.
"...for USB and power ports are poorly designed and WILL leak salt water leading to corrosion. My other IPX 7 devices (camera, VHF radio, etc.)..." Read more
"...It is everything I had hoped for...lightweight, waterproof, floats, and has great battery life. I am using standard batteries, not rechargeables...." Read more
"...The new version is not as waterproof. I found moisture condensing in the battery compartment...." Read more
"...As a waterproof handheld unit, I'm able to use it as a back up on my sailboat, as well as take with me in the dingy or when i'm out hiking...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the battery life of the navigation system. Some mention that the display is bright and the battery performance was very much improved, while others say that with the backlight on, the battery is poor and popped out.
"...Battery performance was very much improved and while following tracks it never locked up...." Read more
"...With the backlight on, the battery life is poor...." Read more
"...I had hoped for...lightweight, waterproof, floats, and has great battery life. I am using standard batteries, not rechargeables...." Read more
"...Never did. The device is accurate. Display is bright and battery life is good with Duracell's installed...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the performance of the navigation system. They mention that it fails to work, has an internal flaw, and won't turn on at all. Some say that it's the most unreliable piece of electronics on the planet. Overall, customers are disappointed with the substandard performance and the inadequate design.
"...It also sometimes shuts down when you press Enter using the sequence describe here...." Read more
"...of these because of failures to work - some internal flaw where it won't open or freezes within months of getting a new unit...." Read more
"...They are apparently turned on, if the screen comes up they are shipped. They are worthless.These units are NOT waterproof in any way...." Read more
"...Tried everything, but kept getting the same error message...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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So, I was a bit nervous in ordering the GPS 78sc without being able to kick the tires. It arrived yesterday and I've spent about 6 hours total getting used to it. There were several concerns that I, at first, felt like I had bought a pig in a poke -- BUT, after a couple of phone calls talking to the Garmin technical people, all my issues were resolved.
This device is simply incredible with its accuracy and features for such a small package. I rely heavily on the MOB (man overboard) screen for use in setting upwind marks at specific bearings and distances from the committee boat in Race Committee work for Offshore classes. The color screen is very easily seen in the brightest conditions. The track log and reciprocal bearing back to the committee boat are highlighted in different colors and make for a superb display.
One of the reasons the color screen is so good (and they don't mention it anywhere) is that the lense window is polarized. I stumbled onto that by accident today on a hike while wearing my polarized sunglasses. I noticed that when turning the device at a right angle the image suddenly disappeared. That only happens when you are viewing a polarized lense from another polarized lense.
Now that I am familiar with the 78sc, my ONLY complaint is that the on-line Operation Manual is woefully inadequate for anything other than a basic introduction. However, all of your technical questions (and I am sure you will have some0 will be answered by their Customer Service department. Unlike many other companies, you won't have to wait more than a minute or so before getting through to a tech specialist. Pretty impressive.
Let me give you an example of how the Operation Manual suffers. Nothing in the on-line literature advertising the 78sc explains the setup capabilities of the compass feature. It is factory set to show a compass rose instead of degrees. I have a real need for this to be in degrees, and yet after playing with the device for over an hour, I could not locate any menu item that would allow me to change the display. I was quite disappointed in my purchase at this stage -- however, my first call to their tech people got me oriented in how to use the menu drop-down sub categories to find where I could make the setup change.
My next issue was that I consistently found the compass bearing was always 10 degrees off from measurements made with my hand-bearing compass. I must have performed the compass calibration in the 78sc a dozen times -- all to know avail. Unbeknownst to me, the factory default for the compass feature is for TRUE north instead of Magnetic north. In my region of the country, eastern Virginia, the angular difference between true north and magnetic north (known as the declination) is ---- Ding ding --- 10 degrees. I stumbled on this by again calling the tech support and was led to the menu item where I could switch from True North to Magnetic North. The devices is now dead on with my hand-bearing compass.
I also will be using this for my hiking adventures and purchased the Topo 24 -- Mid-Atlantic sw to provide topographic detail. This along with the built-in altimeter make this a powerful tool to have in your backpack.
Having owned this for only two days, I obviously cannot speak to the reliability of the device over long term exposure to saltwater, etc. I had read a few negative reviews from purchasers on this issue on several other websites. But, I intend to keep such exposure to a minimum (i.e., not leave the device on-board), so I do not think this will be a problem for me.
UPDATE
I spent most of the day yesterday out in the bay doing mark boat duties for our Race Committee. The 78sc performed flawlessly and the accuracy of the MOB feature (pinging on the committee boat) was amazing. As the committee boat stayed put the whole day, I only had to ping it once and from then on I had accurate bearings and distances for setting and moving the upwind marks and the pin end of the starting line.
I set the device on the top of the dash in the center console and it never budged, even in choppy waters, thanks to the rubber backing on the GPS.
The coastal chart info is also detailed and accurate.
I honestly cannot think of anything I would do to improve this device. If you have a need for it -- don't hesitate, buy it.
It is nice to have a Chart to give you a visual of the area you are in. I always was concerned that the older unit I had would guide me right into a breakwall in poor visual conditions, if I didn't have an old route map to rely on. The built in map is sufficient for my purposes as I only need to rely on it for fishing purposes on Lake Erie which is part of the coastal maps included. I seldom if ever need to rely on it for poor visual conditions and I am only guiding a 16' aluminum boat fishing fairly familiar areas. The general need is to be able to find structure for fishing and being able to mark spots where I have had previous success. It is good to be able to see where sandbars and old wrecks are located in an open lake.
All its features function accurately and it wasn't too difficult to learn and use. After one trip out with it I am ready to trust it completely.
1. The rubber covers for USB and power ports are poorly designed and WILL leak salt water leading to corrosion. My other IPX 7 devices (camera, VHF radio, etc.) have more positive enclosures that never leak.
2. When loaded with lots of waypoints and routes the device consumes more power. I was able to see this over many days use and found through experimentation as I deleted waypoints and routes as I journeyed forward. Prolly got a software loop that's evaluating everything always rather than what's presently relevant which as data grows never gets to sleep.
3. Unit OFTEN locked up while navigating a route. This would require popping the protective cover off, removing batteries and restarting. Not something you want to do while in windy wavy conditions! Eventually I stopped using this feature but that's just a shame.
Let me reiterate that when it works I love it. I have taken to coating protective covers with Aquaseal before paddling on salt water. However I then have to remove it before I can connect USB to computer which is obviously a hassle. As I said I WANT to love it and seems they are VERY close to a great design. Wouldn't be nice if they listened to their customers a little better?
January 7, 2020: I would like to add to my review. Last summer circumnavigated Vancouver Island by kayak over 34 days. I again loaded my GPSMAP with lots of data including waypoints and tracks. Battery performance was very much improved and while following tracks it never locked up. My impression is that software changes have fixed my complaints. Sadly port covers are still poorly designed and will leak.
The screen may be a bit small if you are planning on using this for marine navigation, but for my needs it is fine.
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Update, Jan 2016: still happy with this handheld, but I just recently put in a SD card, and I notice that the clamp securing the card is pretty flimsy, and requires the batteries in place to keep things secure. Not a problem for functionality, but something to be aware of (if this isn't just my unit): if you remove the batteries and close the lid up (for storage or transport) without first removing the SD card, it will flop around unsecured, and could be damaged.
Also, the BlueChart g2 that comes loaded with the 78sc doesn't extend to Canadian waters in the Great Lakes. For that (and probably for reliable coverage of a lot of other Canadian coastal and inland waters), you'd need BlueChart g2 Canada Salt/Freshwater.
Update, October 2018: the SD card latch problem was just my unit, I think - a bit of fiddling and it now secures properly. The small screen really is ... small! But the unit is solid: no problems so far after a lot of abuse. Battery life is a bit of an issue, I find, even when I reduce consumption as much as possible. Still, no regrets: a good marine handheld.
The last time I changed the batteries the thing reinitialised and I had to go through all the startup screens, select language, etc, during a race - very frustrating!!
It seems much flimsier than the older 76CSX, particularly the battery compartment door, which far too easily springs off and clatters into the bilges. It is much faster and the interface is generally better than the 76CSX, except for the frustration over new waypoints - which realistically can only be easily entered when the unit is attached to a computer and is running Garmin Home Port - which is not even mentioned in the user manual. Generally a very poor job Garmin!!
At the moment I have not found