Help can't decide which GPS 276C or 2610
 

Please help me make the correct purchase for my Panamerica Ride. I want to buy a good GPS and it's my first one so I'm green at this whole thing. I'm looking at the Garmin 276C and 2610..which would be easier and better one to buy. I would buy the 2620 but they tell me its no good on a enduro style bike with bumps and off road use. I understand that the 276C has a built in battery and the 2610 does not. ???

Thanks
John.

Hello John.
I'm also purchasing a GPS soon and have been doing lots of research. I've narrowed my choies down to the Garmin GPSMAP 176c or the Garmin GPSMAP 60cs, favoring the later. Both sell on E-bay for an average of $400USD. The 60cs has an enormous 56mb. memory,altimiter and compas and is handheld. Fo more info just check out some of the ones for sale on E-bay. Most come with detailed info.
Good luck!

I thought 56mb was on the small side for GPS memory? I suppose it depends on the region you're riding through i.e. unpopulated area with little detail or built up & heavily populated western Europe?

The 276c is a good GPS better IMHO than the 2610, though I'd find them a bit big on a bike - the 60cs ( my girlfriend has one in Canada) is very good though the 76cs has all the features and sensors of the 60cs, it floats ( if you need it to !) and has twice the memory for not much more money.
Depends if you need good street routing or something thats does a bit of everything.
Cheers
Grif

Thanks guys for the reply's. I'm still undecided which way I'm going to go. I agree with one comment about storage, more is better is it not?

John,
Yes more storage is better - it equals less time downloading maps and easier planning. As long as the rest of that model does what you want it to.
I personally prefer the handhelds with sensors to all the memory - I tend to use some paper maps so the 60cs/76cs are good for my usage.

Dont know where you get your gps gear from but as I said my girlfriend got her Garmin in Calgary from:

www.gpscentral.ca

They are competitively priced and Very knowledgable about the products - they also do the RAM mount range and can order Touratech stuff too.
Garmin have a $50 USD rebate on at the moment I believe..so its a good time to buy !!!
Cheers
Grif

[This message has been edited by Gipper (edited 11 April 2005).]

Hello Grif,

Thanks for that web site, pricing is as good with out the hassle of bringing across the boarder line.
Question 1. Do you or your girl friend find battery power ok or do you wish you had a 12 volt adapter plug in. I think the 76CS is the way to go but again I don't think I can get the 12 Volt adapter?
Question 2. Did you buy City Select?

Thanks
John
Kelowna

John,
I have always used a power cable with all of the gps' ive used on Dirt Bikes or in Land Rovers...saves a lot of $$$ on batteries and a lot less hassle.
The GARMIN cigarrette lighter adapter cable is part no:

010-10085-00 $27.95 CAD

Thats at GPS Central in Calgary again, it's the 4 pin, works with lots of the later Garmin models.

Dont think my girlfriend has bought a mapsource yet - I will ask, though if you check out the Garmin website, it gives a copy of the detail available for a few of the different ones.
She was planning on getting one or more for a trip to Inuvik and Alaska in June we are doing.
Will let you know what happens
Cheers
Grif