Article: 113282 of sci.geo.satellite-nav From: "Spanky" Newsgroups: sci.geo.satellite-nav References: <6ea1fd3.0405250848.159b35c3@posting.google.com> Subject: Re: Garmin 276 - what a piece of crap! Lines: 61 X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1409 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1409 Message-ID: NNTP-Posting-Host: 24.17.57.112 X-Complaints-To: abuse@comcast.net X-Trace: attbi_s01 1086728141 24.17.57.112 (Tue, 08 Jun 2004 20:55:41 GMT) NNTP-Posting-Date: Tue, 08 Jun 2004 20:55:41 GMT Organization: Comcast Online Date: Tue, 08 Jun 2004 20:55:41 GMT Path: news.meer.net!sea-read.news.verio.net!dfw-artgen!newspeer1.stngva01.us.to.verio.net!news.verio.net!news.glorb.com!wns13feed!worldnet.att.net!attbi_s01.POSTED!53ab2750!not-for-mail Xref: archive.mv.meer.net sci.geo.satellite-nav:113282 "xx" wrote in message news:6ea1fd3.0405250848.159b35c3@posting.google.com... > Garmin 276 - what a piece of crap! > > > I've been using the Garmin 2+ and 176 daily for years. I just got the > Garmin 276. First thing I noticed was that the screen is SMALLER than > the screen on the 176. The screen has much higher resolution and clarity, the size difference is only 1-2 mm and is inconsequential. The published specs are accurate. Why would you complain about the size of the screen when it's exactly as claimed? It's the nicest screen out there for any GPS that comes with a rechargeable battery pack. > I uploaded the 2.60 software, as it came with the 2.50 installed. The > 276 froze solid after the upload. I couldn't shut it off, so I removed > the battery and then tried to remove the charger plug. The plug broke. > Part of the plug broke off in the socket. I've plugged/unpluged the cord numerous times on my motorcycle and have logged over 3000 miles without any issues. It's a definite improvement over the plug on the 176 which had a tendency to vibrate out on rough roads. Maybe your plug had a flaw in the casting, I'm sure Garmin will replace it under warrantee. I don't know what your software issue is, mine is working fine. > Another thing I noticed is that the 276 screen is brilliantly > colourful, but it requires the light to be on. With the light off, the > 176 screen is much more visible. Not true. The 176c was not readable in sunlight with or without the backlight on. The 276c is very nice in sunlight without ANY backlight. It's a transreflective LCD which I'm very impressed with. Here's a photo I took in full sunlight with the backlight OFF: http://home.comcast.net/~mmullen38/Photos/P1010029.JPG You will notice the black and white areas have more contrast than even the 176 B&W unit and is very easy to read without any backlight. Here's a photo taken of the 276 screen outdoors on a overcast day: http://home.comcast.net/~mmullen38/Photos/P4260002.JPG Again, very colorful with good contrast. Do you work for the competition? What is your motive? > I called up Garmin before. The recording said, "you can expect a wait > of approximately 30 to 35 minutes" - so they're back to that again! > Maybe they have an overload of people calling to gripe about this > lemon. Lemon? The 276c is one of the nicest GPS's I've ever had the pleasure of using, I think you are mixed up.