Garmin announces replacement for 276 / 376 GPSR

[PanEuropean]

Garmin announced a newer product that will replace the 276 and 376 GPSR today. It is called a 378 / 478 GPSR.

As far as I can tell from reading the press release, the new product shares the same form factor as the 276 / 376, but comes with preloaded marine and automotive cartography. The press release doesn't make mention of an 'Atlantic' (European) version of these new products, however, an Atlantic version of most major new products is usually released, and this is certainly a 'major' product.

The references to XM (satellite) radio and satellite weather information refer to services that are currently only available in the North American region. No external service provider is currently providing the same type of service in the European region.

Here's the link to the press release: Garmin Introduces World’s First Portable GPS Navigators With Pre-Loaded Land and Sea Cartography.

As has been discussed recently in other threads, these two new products are primarily intended for the marine market, but do provide support for automotive use. However, it is unlikely that the 'average' motorcycle rider would choose to purchase one of these units - rather than a 'pure automotive' GPSR - unless he or she was also a sailor.

Michael

 

[Jon]

Is it still going to be Garmin memory sticks?

 

[HMR]

Is it still going to be Garmin memory sticks?

Very unclear at this point.

The press release doesn't address this issue explictly but one guess is that the technology will be similar to SP2720 and Quest2.

This means 2GB (or more) built in memory for the preloaded maps and (hopefully) 0.5 GB available for user maps.

On the other hand - when looking att the tech specs it reads "Optional software available on plug-in Garmin data cards, lets you instantly add new maps to your GPSMAP 378"

They say "sunlight readable TFT display". Will be interesting to see what that is....

 

[ianf]

If you go to the press releases page above it there's also a link to the 'buell quest' (i.e. a black US quest for $700, with the firmware changed to load a buell logo at bootup).

Hurry if Halfords run out.

 

[ebbo]

Copy & paste from Garmin webpage

GPSMAP 276C color, accepts Garmin data cards, sonar capability, detailed basemap with autorouting
GPSMAP 376C color, accepts Garmin data cards, sonar capability, detailed basemap with autorouting, weather enabled, GXM 30 included
GPSMAP 378 color, accepts Garmin data cards, sonar capability, preloaded U.S. Inland Lakes & street maps, autorouting, weather enabled, automotive mount included
GPSMAP 478 color, accepts Garmin data cards, sonar capability, preloaded U.S. marine detail with g2 & street maps, autorouting, weather enabled, automotive mount included

“Preloaded” probably means it has internal flash memory as well as the ability to take Garmin data card

 

[PanEuropean]

Is it still going to be Garmin memory sticks?

The two new units will accept memory sticks - for example, if you already own marine cartography that is on a memory stick, and want to continue to use it - but the major feature of these two new units is that the come preloaded with all the automotive and marine maps inside them.

I am fairly certain that the marine maps will have to be individually unlocked (each segment unlocked) by purchasing an unlock code for each segment that you want to view.

I don't know whether the price of the unit includes an unlock code for the preloaded automotive maps or whether you will need to purchase an unlock code to gain access to the automotive maps. If you are wondering why Garmin would produce a GPSR that contains automotive maps that may not be unlocked, keep in mind that this GPSR is intended primarily for the marine market, and there may be mariners who have no need or desire for the automotive mapping and therefore don't want the licence fee for it built into the price of the hardware. The fact that an automotive mount is included in the package kind of suggests that the automotive cartography would be unlocked, however, I'm not sure of the answer.

In a few days, there should be a more detailed writeup about the unit on the Garmin website (more than the above referenced press release). Hopefully that will provide the answers.

Michael

 

[Jon]

cheers, it was the limit on garmin memory stick sizes that stopped me getting one.

 

[TxTortoise]

378/478 vs 28xx

I've gotten lots of value out of this forum on the pros/cons of 26xx vs 27xx vs 28xx Garmin units, but was still comparing features for stateside use vs the 378/478 series.

This related thread I think adds a lot of good info to Michael's 2xxx summaries and might help others considering the 378/478.

http://www.k-bikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4823

Note: There is another posting that US users might want to consider. It stated that the 378 does NOT come with City Navigator preloaded, just the 478 does..apparently the Garmin website is wrong, per Garmin. Anyway, if you are going to pull the trigger on a 378, make sure you are getting the software you need.

Cheers...

Ralph @ San Antonio, Texas
BMW R1200GS, Rich's Saddle, Micatech Panniers, SW-Motech Crashbars, Fastway Pegs, and other bits