Suggest GPS like GPSMAP 276C please

I've been looking into either a refurbished 376C, or the 478. Which would you advise on? as best as I can tell, this is the difference.

The 376C comes with the GXM 30 antenna, which is used for sat radio and live next red radar (a $250.00 price tag) but not the City Navigator North America software.

The 478 is just the opposite. It comes preloaded with the software but not the GXM 30 antenna.

Which would you consider the best choice here? I'd appreciate any input on it. Thanks.

I've been looking into either a refurbished 376C, or the 478. Which would you advise on? as best as I can tell, this is the difference.

The 376C comes with the GXM 30 antenna, which is used for sat radio and live next red radar (a $250.00 price tag) but not the City Navigator North America software.

The 478 is just the opposite. It comes preloaded with the software but not the GXM 30 antenna.

Which would you consider the best choice here? I'd appreciate any input on it. Thanks.

I've got both and they both work equally well as a nav device. The 478 with preloaded maps is the way to go unless you already have a large (and 512 meg is the biggest they make) Garmin data card. I had a bunch of cards from my previous units so it wasn't an issue. I use my 376 for European travel or on a dual sport M/C so the memory limit isn't a problem for me. GXM 30 antenna show up on eBay from time to time for ~ $125-$150.

My 478 is my primary GPS on motorcycle or in the car due to the fact that it's got the complete CNNT North America loaded. The 478 will accept Garmin data cards as well so having extra maps like Topo available is as easy as popping in a card.

I've had Zumos (hated them) still got a Nuvi (hate it more) and have had a succession of Street Pilots and ChartPlotters starting with the original Street Pilot and a 276C. For my money and usage, the GPSmap 478 is the best, most versatile road oriented GPS Garmin has ever made. Double so if you own a boat. :)

Both units will allow the lifetime Numap updates.

Sounds good. Other than that, are they are the same? With night time viewing, crystal clear screens and such. I know several cycling enthusiasts and the majority of them all prefer this GPS, but no one individually call tell me differences. Can you still plan out trips on the PC and transfer trip data to the 478? Several of them log trips over the years and keep trip data stored on PC's transferring trip data back and forth so they can follow in each others footsteps when a trip sounds good. Is all this possible with the 478?

Thanks again.

Cheers!

Sounds good. Other than that, are they are the same? With night time viewing, crystal clear screens and such. I know several cycling enthusiasts and the majority of them all prefer this GPS, but no one individually call tell me differences. Can you still plan out trips on the PC and transfer trip data to the 478? Several of them log trips over the years and keep trip data stored on PC's transferring trip data back and forth so they can follow in each others footsteps when a trip sounds good. Is all this possible with the 478?

Thanks again.

Cheers!

Yes to all questions. Features, other than the internal memory of the 478, are identical. The oddball in the group is the 378 and here's where it can be confusing.

The 276c and 376c are pretty well identical with the addition of XM reception via the GXM 30 on the 376c.

The 487 has a sibling, the 378. The 478 comes with preloaded Garmin BluChart data for the Greater US coastal waterways for off shore marine use as well as City NAV. Remember these are primarily marine units that allow highway use. The 378 comes loaded with CNNT NA highway maps as well as a copy of Inland Lakes and Waterways. Win win for small craft operators, but no. The amount of information that the 378 has to hold necessitates a different method of storing the data. It's all one file so updating the highway portion is a pain, if it can even be done. In addition, routes created on a PC are always re-calculated so custom route planning is more problematic.

So even though the 4 units are all part of the same family, they're all a bit different. The 478 is the way to go unless you can get a killer deal on a 376c. Stay away from the 378.

OK, so if I want to plan out a trip using the 478, and on the PC ahead of time, do I need to plug it into the PC, or does it come with City Navigator North America software to install on your PC as well? Or just installed on the 478... how does that work? When you collect trip data, does it go to the card.. or do you need to plug the entire unit into a pc to collect your data?

I apologize for all the questions, but I just want to have my facts straight with this. I have found some refurbished units.

376C $595.00

478 $530.00

Is the 378 that bad? It is the only one i have found rebuilt.

Ok, now I'm confused - and maybe have made a mistake. I just ordered a 378 refurb after researching for two weeks. I was told several times the only difference between the 378 and the 478 was the inland v coastal maps. I need this for motorcycle travel and need NEXRAD.

What I'm reading here is there is a routing problem with the 378. Can someone that OWNS a 378 please help me out here. The unit I ordered hasn't arrived yet and I can return it if I need to but I need more data, obviously.

Please, can someone be more specific why/what the issue is?

Thanks

the 478 might do it