* Disclaimer: OveReview is reader-supported. We earn commissions from qualifying purchases
Garmin GPSMAP 78 Handheld GPS Garmin GPSMAP 78 Handheld GPS Garmin GPSMAP 78 Handheld GPS Garmin GPSMAP 78 Handheld GPS

Garmin GPSMAP 78 Handheld GPS

Garmin GPSMAP 78 Handheld GPS Garmin GPSMAP 78 Handheld GPS Garmin GPSMAP 78 Handheld GPS Garmin GPSMAP 78 Handheld GPS
$ 165.52

Score By Feature

Based on 406 ratings
Value for money
7.91
Accuracy
7.46
Easy to use
7.50

OveReview Final Score

How Our Score Is Calculated

Product Description

By entering your model number, you can make sure that this fits.
2 AA batteries (not included) are recommended; nimh or lithium batteries are recommended.
1. Recall: 7 gb
160 x 240 pixels (screen resolution)
"display size: 1" is a phrase used to describe the size of the display 43" x 2. 15"; 2. 6" on each side
"Physical measurements are: 2. 6" x 6. 0" x 1.
hand-held gps receiver with high sensitivity for marine use and 2. TFT display with a 6-inch color screen
Waterproof to ipx7 standards and floats in water, making it ideal for boating and watersports.
MicroSD card slot for loading additional maps; built-in global basemap
Garmin Connect allows you to analyze your activities in detail and send tracks to your outdoor device.
geocaching gpx files are supported, allowing you to download geocaches and information directly to your university.
Handheld GPS receiver with high sensitivity for marine use and 2. TFT color display with a 6-inch diagonal
Waterproof to IPX7 standards and floats in water, making it ideal for boating and watersports.
MicroSD card slot for loading additional maps; built-in global basemap
Garmin Connect allows you to analyze your activities in detail and send tracks to your outdoor device.
Geocaching GPX files are supported, allowing you to download geocaches and information directly to your device.

Questions & Answers

What is the distinction between the numbers 78 and 78sc?

78sc = Sensors and Chartsbr>78s= Sensors, no chartsbr>78= no sensors, no chartsbr>Sensors are Barometer and Compassbr>78= no sensors, no chartsbr>78= no sensors, no chartsbr>78= no sensors, no chartsbr>78= no sensors, no chartsbr>78= no sensors, no chartsbr>78= no sensors, no charts

Is it true that the Garmin GPS78sc comes with marine charts already downloaded? I'm looking for one for the greater Puget Sound area, but I'll also need maps. ?

On 5/15/16, I got this information directly from the Garmin website.
. The rugged GPSMAP 78sc includes preloaded U.S. charts for boaters and watersports enthusiasts who want to compete with the best. coastal charts, as well as a three-dimensional model of the ocean. Axis compass, barometric altimeter, crisp color mapping, and a high-resolution camera are all included. sensitivity receiver, molded rubber side grips, and a microSD card slot for adding more maps It floats as well! br>Explore Coastal Watersbr>The GPSMAP 78sc includes BlueChart® g2 coastal charts as well as a worldwide basemap with imagery. All of your outdoor activities will be a breeze with this bag. Shorelines, depth contours, navaids, harbors, marinas, and other features are included in this map detail for the United States. as well as the Bahamas And, like the rest of the 78-member group, The 78sc is water resistant to IPX7 standards and even floats.

Is this the 78sc version of the model?

This model does not appear to be the sc model, according to the picture. My 78sc is labeled as such on the front.

Is it possible to use this GPS for car navigation?

This GPS is intended to show you where you've been rather than where you're going. It's what we use to keep track of our bike or kayak route. It gives us the distance and time we've traveled, as well as speed, average speed, and average speed while moving, as well as a map of our route. It can be used for geocaching, an activity that isn't typically done in a car. When it comes to hiking, it isn't very accurate.

Selected User Reviews For Garmin GPSMAP 78 Handheld GPS

I bought a Garmin GPSmap 78 and a Garmin BlueChart g2 from Amazon about five years ago and have had nothing but problems with them
3/5

I used it a few times for kayaking before putting it away. I decided to sell my desk last month after cleaning it out, but I couldn't get the fancy maps to appear on the GPS. After a few calls to Garmin tech support (getting a live person on the phone is a feat in itself), they say there's nothing they can do. They won't look into it any further or replace the microSD card because it doesn't read. These digital maps were nearly $200 new (now $150), but replacing them would be a piece of cake. I'm not sure why they won't stand behind their product. br>br>Be aware that most cell phones can perform the same GPS functions as these hand-held Garmin units (even when they're not in range of cell towers), and you can download a variety of background maps for free. With the addition of a waterproof case, you can get a better GPS unit for a fraction of the price.

Damon Little
Damon Little
| Jan 05, 2021
Unknown cause of death
3/5

It was costly to purchase the charts it required to be useful, and then it died on me the fourth time I used it, off the coast of Belize! When I called the company, I was told that if I returned it, they would sell me a refurbished unit for $100. I'm in Belize, and I'm not going to buy another GPS device. There is far too much money being spent for far too little benefit. And the only way to get a discount is to return it.

Mariah King
Mariah King
| May 30, 2021
This is probably the only negative review I've ever written, but it's significant
3/5

I work as a pilot for a commercial airline. In the air, I consider Garmin and King avionics to be among the best. br>br>I have to say, the Garmin 78 is the most heinous product Garmin has ever made. Its onboard data base is something we might have been excited about back in the early 1980s? Since the Kaypro 64, it's the most rudimentary device I've seen. I can't believe I'm capable of completing a zero-point challenge. On the water, however, you must ignore the idiotic "moving map" and scroll through several pages to correlate the Garmin lat-long coordinates. I bought a Standard Horizon 870 VHF with lat-long to PAPER charts on board after a summer with this piece of crap. long, and I had only memorized the pertinent positions. The Garmin is such a disgrace that it may cause Garmin to lose favor with pilots who also sail. I'd like a refund in two installments.

Ari Cook
Ari Cook
| Mar 19, 2021
What a fantastic display! The old software and user options on the old Garmins are far superior to the new Garmins
3/5

I have the 76csx (it died), and the old software and user options are far superior to the new Garmins. But, despite that, I adore this GPS (not the operating system)! The screen is amazing, it's bright and colorful, and the operating system is lightning fast; I'm very pleased with my purchase! br>As a professional yacht captain and part-time angler, my handhelds are battered and used on a daily basis. br>NOTE: THIS PAGE HAS BEEN UPDATED. br>Unit died in the month that the warranty expired! I've had this problem with Garmin before, and I've decided that I'm done with their products. The unit was splashed by a wave while fishing at the beginning of this month (August), and it was left face up in the sun. Condensation accumulated on the screen, and it died on the job a few weeks later. This is unacceptably bad for a marine IPX 7 rated product, and other GARMINS HANDHELDS have done the same thing to me!.

Sofia Morales
Sofia Morales
| Nov 20, 2021
For accurate charts for marine navigation, an additional $100 purchase is required
3/5

BASE maps for the United States were stated to be included in the package. These are the most fundamental requirements. In a car, I can't even give you a turn-by-turn view. It is DEFINITELY not suitable for marine navigation, as it lacks depth soundings and even parts of the Intercoastal Waterway are obscured. To get it where I want it, I need to buy an additional map for $99 (plus a micro SD card) and follow a couple of hours of confusing instructions.

Maverick Fields
Maverick Fields
| Nov 14, 2021
GPS device that works well on the go
4/5

My Garmin 76 is ten years old, but it's having trouble locking onto the GPS satellites due to a few too many drops or old age. Garmin's 78 model is owned by a friend with whom I frequently sail, so it was a no-brainer for me to use it to keep my learning curve low and because it is the only floating GPS I am aware of. br>br>I'm disappointed that the Garmin 78 lacks modern features such as a USB port for charging and data sharing, as well as Bluetooth. Also, the maps are extremely basic, so plan on spending money on Garmin's more expensive maps for your activity. accessories, such as cables, to be nickeled and dimed We live in the twenty-first century, and we now have incredible, low-cost navigation tools that can communicate with one another. Garmin is still stuck in the past! br>br>I'll only use this GPS as a backup for my iPad. The iPhone's iNavX navigation software is excellent, as is the sailboat's Raymarine chart plotter. The Garmin GPSMAP 78 will perform admirably, but not as well as these other excellent navigation devices.

Dariel Peters
Dariel Peters
| Jun 07, 2021
It went above and beyond my expectations
5/5

It went above and beyond my expectations. I went for an off-road adventure that kept me safe. br>The important thing is to learn how to use it. The right Garmin settings can make a huge difference. br>I also created my own routes using the Garmin "Base Camp" program. This is an excellent tool for my off-road and on-road motorcycle adventures. The GPSMAP 87, which has a four-prong charging connection, also works well with vibrations. br>It comes highly recommended.

Ulises Aguilar
Ulises Aguilar
| Jan 01, 2021
Please, Garmin, give me a break
3/5

Is it too much to ask for good maps? Despite Garmin's claims that you can "navigate anywhere with ease," this unit is not suitable for marine navigation out of the box. "br>br>The "basemap" depicts an overly simplified shoreline that omits any of the prominent islands visible from my window. Similarly, without purchasing additional Garmin maps, there are no buoys, navigation aids, or depth information available. There are workarounds, but they're limited. br>br> Without the necessary maps, this unit will not function properly. Garmin, you have to be ashamed of yourself! br>br>The only reason I didn't give it a one-star rating is that the device itself is quite good.

Kase Wolfe
Kase Wolfe
| Jun 06, 2021

Related Products For Garmin GPSMAP 78 Handheld GPS