Editorial Review

The key to success in life is knowing where you are, where you've been, and where you're going. Garmin's full-featured GPSMAP 76 puts all of that information in the palm of your hand, mapping your movements off-road or on--and even afloat. Plus, its extensive features, PC connectivity, and extensive add-on map options make it powerful enough for practically any need.

About the size of a small paperback book and weighing less than 8 ounces, the GPSMAP 76 fits comfortable in the palm of your hand, but is a bit big to carry in a shirt pocket. Using the unit requires almost no setup. Just put in two AA batteries, turn it on, go outside, and wait. In about a minute or so it will determine your location. It's accurate to about three meters, thanks to the unit's support of WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System), which augments GPS signals for even greater accuracy.

Knowing your longitude, latitude, and altitude doesn't mean much without a little context. That's where GPSMAP 76's backlit LCD display comes in, displaying your location on detailed maps. The unit comes with a built-in basemap that includes major roads, railroads, rivers, and lakes for the U.S. and Canada, as well as a high-level worldwide map. The unit also has 8 MB memory for storing maps from optional CD-ROMS; available maps include topographical maps, BlueChart marine cartography maps, as well as city maps with detailed information on city streets and points of interest.

The eight buttons, directional rocker thumbpad, and menu-based interface made it simple to access all of the unit's features and customize the display. For instance, it's a simple matter to use the buttons to set and name waypoints and build planned routes. Extra features include information on tides, sunrise and sunset, and a trip computer for seeing how far you've traveled and your average speed.

To test the GPSMAP 76, we used the included serial cable, connected it to our PC, and loaded it up with topographical maps using the optional United States topographical map disc. We then hit the road and headed for Muir Beach north of San Francisco. It tracked our progress along Highway 1, and once we reached our destination, we found it very simple to use. It showed both the elevation of the hills as well as the paths we could take. The zoom-in and zoom-out function made it simple to plan out and automatically measure the distance of our intended route.

After walking for a while and enjoying the scenery, we used the TracBack mode to guide us back to our car. The unit automatically stores waypoints as you walk along, letting you display the way home clearly on the map. We even used the TracBack capability to guide us on the roads back to the freeway.

The GPSMAP 76 comes in handy almost anywhere, whether you're hiking, driving, boating, or wandering around a city as a tourist. Its easy-to-use interface makes it immediately useful to novices, and as you learn to exploit its programmability and features, it can become an extremely powerful navigation tool. --Ken Feinstein

Pros:

• Large backlit LCD
• WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) support
• Automatic TracBack shows you the way back to your start location
• PC connectivity with wide variety of uploadable maps available

• 8 MB built-in memory can't be expanded
• Too large to fit comfortably in a shirt pocket

Features

• Ultra wide viewg field.
• Water resistant.
• Turn and slide eyecups.
• Close focuses to8.2 feet(8X)
• Handy dioter adjustment.

Asin: B00006GF1J
Sales Rank: 5688
Subjects:  1. Binoculars (Binocular)    2. Camouflage   

Editorial Review

This pair of compact, rugged, and weather-resistant Motorola TalkAbout T5720 two-way radios helps you keep in touch with family and friends within a range of up to five miles (range varies with terrain and conditions). With 22 channels--seven joint General Mobile Service (GMRS)/Family Radio Service (FRS), seven FRS, and eight GMRS--and 38 privacy codes, you can communicate easily with minimal interference from other radios. A handy QT feature included in the T5720 offers additional noise filtering.

The T5720 offers a number of other useful features, such as a backlit LCD (great for either dark or bright conditions), a transmit LED indicator, a talk confirmation tone (akin to saying "roger" or "over"), and a minijack (.125-inch) audio plug for connecting a headset (not included). Choose from 10 audible call tones to alert you to incoming calls with phone-like convenience. The T5720 is capable of voice-activated hands-free use with optional accessories. Each radio requires three AA alkaline batteries.

What's in the Box
Two TalkAbout T5720 radios, 2 swivel belt clips, user's manual, one-year limited warranty.

Features

• AC & DC Adapter and Charging Cradle Included
• Meets JIS7 Waterproof Specifications
• back lit Keypad and Display
• Lithium-Ion Battery
• Rubber Grips/Seal

Asin: B00009V32Z
Sales Rank: 13473
Subjects:  1. 2-Way Radio (Two way, 2Way, 2 way, Walky Talky, Walkie Talkie)