Farming GPSMap 276C

[DoubleEnder]

The boat came with one of these. I haven’t tried to fire it up yet, I’m guessing the cable may be a bit past it.
But what is it? Is it a plotter? If so how do you load charts on to it? I was planning to use a tablet as a plotter, but is it maybe worth trying to use this?

 

[KompetentKrew]

"The 276C is compatible with BlueChart® maps, which add extra detail when you're out on the seas. It also accepts optional MapSource® data cards, so you can add other types of map data easily."

This product was released in 2004 though, so you probably won't be able to buy up-to-date cartography for it. It seems to have a basemap, which will probably be fine for daysailing.

GPSMAP® 276C | Garmin

 

[Farmer Piles]

I am intrigued as being a farmer with 5 GPS units, I have never come across this one. Most farm kit tends to run on John Deere or Trimble kit and software

 

[DoubleEnder]

Ha ha yes not sure where the Farming prefix came from. I have ploughed the occasional furrow in Faversham Creek but don’t think that counts

 

[cpedw]

I presumed you typed Garmin with predictive text on.

 

[Sandy]

This product was released in 2004 though, so you probably won't be able to buy up-to-date cartography for it. It seems to have a basemap, which will probably be fine for daysailing.

GPSMAP® 276C | Garmin

Always worth a chat with the nice people at Garmin.

Garmin | UK | Support Centre

 

[PaulRainbow]

The boat came with one of these. I haven’t tried to fire it up yet, I’m guessing the cable may be a bit past it.
But what is it? Is it a plotter? If so how do you load charts on to it? I was planning to use a tablet as a plotter, but is it maybe worth trying to use this?

This is effectively obsolete. It uses Garmin Data Cards, which are no longer available.

If you don't want a new plotter, stick with the tablet idea, i doubt you'll find better value than these, on special at the moment ;

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0C628J564/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Knig]

You may want to check that a sonar unit isn't attached before you take it out. (GSD20 or GSD21). It's also got a couple of other features you might like to keep as a backup, for instance a how good is the fishing going to be (honest), tides/moon phases and dsc recording if it's attached to a dsc radio. Probably best to skim through the owners manual. Bluechart 9.0 was the last map update I think, around 2007ish, and there are unlockers around the internet if you want use them.

 

[wonkywinch]

This is effectively obsolete. It uses Garmin Data Cards, which are no longer available.

I've got an older Garmin GPS78 which is compatible with the same map format this plotter uses.

I have used it a lot around the world both on and off the water by downloading maps like OpenSeaMap and converting them to Garmin format using the free/voluntary donation BBBike service. It's a tiny bit techie to work out but has provided me with loads of free charts that work in the old Garmin.

BBBike extracts OpenStreetMap (OSM, Garmin, Shapefile etc.)

Don't write it off yet, if you can access the card (via PC card reader or cable to the device) there is hope yet.