Garmin 276c

[pantscorcher]

My new 276c has just arrived. I'm not a GPS virgin but I only use my E trex for position confirmation when in the mountains during low visibility or at night. I've now got the 276c to help with Nav on the bike but the base map is basic at best and doesn't give any street names. Which is the best software to buy or blag? How much should I look to pay? Who is the best/cheapest vender to buy from? and will I need to buy a data card to store info/maps or does the unit have sufficient internal memory? Shedracer you seem like a wealth of knowledge on these sort of matters can you help?

 

[shedracer]

Hi pantscorcher,

Congratulations on the your purchase of the best biking gps IMHO . you will definately need a memory card, I`d recommend a 256mb card which is sufficient for UK and trips to euroland unless you plan on very long tours around Europe, then you`ll need a 512 card. The base map sucks, i cant believe garmin have the gaull to still use this mapping, accuracy is off buy about 500m So get city navigator V8 auto kit, which includes a memory card, CN V8 mapping which covers the whole of Europe, car mount and power cable with speaker (there are 2 differrent kits, 256mb or 128mb). There is a vast amount of adjustment for routing and settings with this unit, and depending on what settings you have, makes a big difference to the route the unit chooses, so take the time to learn how it works and you`ll be well pleased with your purchase. You can use the mount you get with the unit for use on the bike (unscrew the silver screw in the centre and then use the 4 holes to mount to the bike bracket), all you`ll need is a bracket to mount to the bike, I`m going to use the bm one.


I am in the fortunate position of being able to share the costs with my brother, so we got one auto kit 256mb for £205 (1 unlock code each), from Yachting Universe (do a search on the web), 1 x 256mb card from ebay for £68, 1 x garmin Topo UK for £120 from Wiggle bikes with 2 unlock codes (special feb price) and memorymap UK (the whole country), for £170 from cotswolds outdoor.

I wanted to be able to have a multi-purpose gps, bike, car and walking, so for about £750 I think I`ve got the best unit money can buy, infact I dont think theres anything else on the market that will do everything the 276c can, I`m very pleased with it.

By the way, you could just get Topo UK and a card, although if you were to just go down this road, I would recomend you go for a 512mb card as topo takes a fair amount of mb (alot more than C/N) and it doesn`t cover Europe. Topo will do routing and does give you POI`s and cities. I have England and Wales and the lower part of Scotland loaded from city navigator and a lot of the national parks from topo uk, loaded on a 256 card.

If you need any further help, do pm me and I`ll try to help further.

 

[Jimb]

You'll need the automotive kit, it comes with Mapsource City Select, a 256 mb data card, car mount, power cable with speaker etc.

I got mine from Aspidshop .com in Portugal, check to make sure its in stock and when you order it if you can supply a valid UK vat number it will come VAT free, i used 's petrol staion number, job done.

I have rwcently bought a 512 mb data card so I can just change tyhe card when I'm in Europe to a much larger map databse.

 

[pantscorcher]

How much did you give for the card?

 

[fcasado]

I got mine from Aspidshop .com in Portugal, check to make sure its in stock and when you order it if you can supply a valid UK vat number it will come VAT free, i used 's petrol staion number, job done.

Jimb,

How long did it take to arrive?I'm thinking about buying either a Quest 2 or TT Rider from them but Am a bit worried...Is the VAT the 21% tax they put in brackets?

Thanks

 

[ebbo]

I got mine from Aspidshop .com in Portugal, check to make sure its in stock and when you order it if you can supply a valid UK vat number it will come VAT free, i used 's petrol staion number, job done.

Can we have a risk assessment on this please, anyone?

 

[Jimb]

Aspidshop

It took 36 hours by fedex to arrive at the door. Just make sure that the item is in stock before you order. Yes the 21% is the VAT rate in Portugal.


I got the 512 card on Ebay $144 shipped from the US, arrived in 5 days.

 

[fcasado]

It took 36 hours by fedex to arrive at the door. Just make sure that the item is in stock before you order. Yes the 21% is the VAT rate in Portugal.

Thanks very much Jimb!

Now just got to choose which one and place an order!

 

[Speggo]

Hi pantscorcher,


I am in the fortunate position of being able to share the costs with my brother, so we got one auto kit 256mb for £205 (1 unlock code each), from Yachting Universe (do a search on the web), 1 x 256mb card from ebay for £68, 1 x garmin Topo UK for £120 from Wiggle bikes with 2 unlock codes (special feb price) and memorymap UK (the whole country), for £170 from cotswolds outdoor.

.

Shedracer, I have got memorymap uk for the PC and pocketPC. Is this the same mapping you use on the 276c? If so, what method/software do you use to load it onto the gps?

 

[shedracer]

Speggo,
You can only use garmin maps on garmin units, so you need either city navigator or topo uk, Memory map is just for plotting tracks, paths and routes, won`t send any maps. I`ve only bought Memory map because garmin topo will not allow you to print OS maps and the footpath/bridleway detail isn`t up to OS or memory map detail. So I just transfer any that aren`t on topo as and when I need them.