Garmin 72

[FlyingDutchman]

Has anyone got experience with the Garmin 72 GPS?
I intend to buy one and I would like to have some comments on it before I buy the wrong one!
Thanks,
Jan

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[JerryHawkins]

I have the GPS76 (standard not map or colour) which I believe has the same functionality as the 72 but with a larger display. I find it excellent (I had an early GPS38 before and that's still going strong); I chose it for the "anchor watch" feature which alarms if you move more than a certain distance, which you can set. It floats, although I haven't tested this feature!

Cheers,

Jerry

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[Elza_Skip]

Yes, I bought one a couple of months ago but have not had alot of use so far.

Speed of aquisition seems goodd, but not having had a GPS before I found it took quite a while to figure out how to use it!

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[Alastairdent]

I have a 72, found it very useful. If I go night-sailing again I will wire up a 12V socket near the tiller so I can have the backlight on all the time. It eats batteries when the backlight is on.

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[tugboat]

Bought a 72 this year mounted outside and connected to boat supply with the proper mount and lead supplied. Had some rain and spray and the pins/sockets where the power lead plugs in all went green. Obviously the plug is not waterproof, so would suggest some sort of placcy bag over it if it may get wet. That problem apart I've found it a very nice unit to use.

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[Jules]

Very light, waterproof and floats. Good battery life. I use mine as a backup for a fixed 128 and it even works sitting on the cabin table!
Only bad design is power/data cable (sold separately, but shop around and it might be included) plugs into back of unit, so doesn't lie flat.
Quite intuitive, but needs practise. Try www.geocaching.com for a fun winter hobby, esp if you have kids!
Good luck


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[Thistle]

We used to hang our Garmin 12 in a waterproof mobile phone pouch over a winch on the coachroof where we could just about see it. We've now fitted a GPS repeater (Silva) which is much more visible and keep the set itself down below. This, in turn, has allowed us to plug it into a 12V cigarette lighter socket and so cut down on battery use. I can certainly recommend this kind of set-up; I presume you could do it with a Garmin 72 as well.

Incidentally, I've found the cheapo Kirkland batteries from Costco to last much better in the GPS than the expensive Duracells I used to use.

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[FullCircle]

I have had mine for 2 seasons now.
Get the data cable to NMEA from other places than Garmin. Use vaseline or similar on the plug faces into the socket to prevent the green pins issue
The languafe needs changing from Garmin to NMEA when you plug it into the ships system (bad)
The acquisition is good, and waypoints easy to enter ( although buy the data cable for PC connection and download Easy GPS software (free) to input waypoints and passage plans/routes)
Firmware upgrades have worked from Garmin without fault.
It does float, believe me.
Battery power crap if you dont use duracell super strength. Use it on 12v system where possible
I have mine mounted in a holder which swivels out into the companionway, and it can be read at night. I also use a NASA GPS repeater as the DIGITS ARE BIGGER
I am almost wholly satisfied with the unit. I paid 149.95 and about 50 quid for the extra. Its now avaialble for 139.95 with power/data cable and swivel mount.

RECOMMENDED.

In fact, I am not letting mine go when the new boat/setup arrives.


Jim


<hr width=100% size=1>Jeanneau 35 - only 13,272 lbs displacement, not even 6 tons,what a lightweight!!!

 

[wooslehunter]

Agree with everything above. 76 has a higher resolution screen. It's not bigger but as far as I can it offered no advantage.

Have mine installed running from the boat battery and mounted on a hinged panel in the companionway. Normally viewed from outside but can be swung round so I can see it inside if I need.

Batteries don't last too long if it's run continuously particularly if the light is on. You can get a deal on GPS + power/data cable + mount so if you have a boat battery use it.

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[pvb]

Just a thought...

The Garmin 72 is a good unit, and available quite cheaply now compared with the newer Garmin 76, which is identical apart from having a much higher-definition display (more than twice as many pixels). But the 72 & 76 have a very small screen, and other posters have found the need to fit a repeater so they can see things more clearly. So, had you thought of getting a fixed GPS instead? The Garmin 152 has a big display (4" diagonal) and good graphics (far better than the old 126/128 models). You can get a 152 with integral antenna for about £190. Only real downside is you can't take it home as easily to program waypoints.

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[pjohnson]

I too have recently purchased a 72 and find it quite good, only problem I am experiencing is connecting it to the laptop as I don't have a serial port and the serial to usb cable is giving me loads of grief.
Regards
Phil

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[FullCircle]

Try here with Nigel Luther if you are having interface issues.....


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/


Jim

<hr width=100% size=1>Jeanneau 35 - only 13,272 lbs displacement, not even 6 tons,what a lightweight!!!

 

[FlyingDutchman]

Thank you all for your comments!
I think I will go for the Garmin 72 with the marine pack (holder and 12V cable).
The instrument will not get wet (motor boat) and I have 12V supply available.
Best regards from the Netherlands,
Jan

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[cass123]

Where do you plan to buy , Futureshop, George Kniest or Correct R'dam ??.

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[FlyingDutchman]

A second Dutchman on the forum???
I think I will buy it at Dekker Watersport in Zaandam!
Regards,
Jan

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[Geordie]

The biggest advantage of the 76 over the 72 is that the 76 can be connected to an external antenna, thus allowing use of the 76 below deck. My 72 needs to have reasonable access to the sky and cannot be used below deck.

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[henkm]

1) Compare 72 and 76 on: http://www.hiking-site.nl/gps_koopgids/gps_koopgids_ontvanger.php/garmin_gps72
3) I bought a second hand 76 for Euro 125 by checking each day:
http://filo.nl/zeilen

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