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It simply is not designed to be used where saltwater can splash onto it for an extended period of time. The corrosion has not yet affected its functioning except that it is becoming nearly impossible to change batteries.
I had always kept 76c in a waterproof bag when using on water until last two times. It died from saltwater flooding it.
I acquired the Colorado 400c after my Map 76C used for a trip to Polynesia died. Under the clip attachment, it is now badly corroded and this week I discovered it is also corroded inside the "watertight" battery compartment.
So I carefully chose the new 400c for its marine charts, excellent visibility, and ease of use. I have used it many times since on the deck of my sea kayak.
I have been very satisfied with all aspects of this GPS, but now figure I'll have to buy a new one every year since I paddle several times a week year around. I'm hopeful that a trip to Garmin can replace the corroded parts since it is still under warranty.
I have used this over the past 4+ months without a hitch. This GPS got me through the shallows by the Keys, into Channel 5, the Hawk Channel, and finally Hawk's Cay w/o a hitch. If you find computers comfortable, it is a breeze.To put to bed one complaint, I used this unit in an unprotected boat in the middle of August in the middle of Florida Bay while en route to the Keys. gas stations, restaurants, CG stations, etc). I used free map software available online (Maptech Chart Navigator) and free up-to-date chart downloads through NOAA to plot my trip. I set waypoints using the software and then used a converter program to put these in the format so that I could upload them to the GPS via the Garmin software. I couldn't have asked for anything better for the price. The points of interest (i.e.
I have used this GPS everywhere from Marco Island to Captiva and Cabbage Key and it has not given me a single issue. I was able to navigate through the Keys all weekend (full-sun) without any issue. I do about 200-300 hours of boating per year and find this GPS to be a great tool to have aboard, especially if you break down at sea and need a tow (as we did recently - GPS coordinates got the tow boat to us much quicker then the old "I'm between X and Y inlet."Final Verdict: Recommended. Not once, and I mean not once, did I have a problem reading the display. My first experience was a trip via our speedboat from Bonita Springs, FL to the Keys (Hawk's Cay to be exact). were handy to have too.
To be honest, I have never been to a place where the sun was more bright (never mind the fact that even with sunscreen we were seared). I had it pointed right at me and/or face up, with no roof/canopy/shade/anything to block the sun and I had no problem looking down at 60+ MPH to see where I was and how close I was following my preprogrammed path. Therefore, for me, this unit was absolutely the right choice.When I came back from my trip, I was able to upload my exact path for the whole week to my computer and save it for future reference. I was hesitant reading some of the reviews but in the end am glad with the purchase.
I have a full-size chart plotter and radar on my 41 foot ketch. The 400c is a backup unit that is handy to use to check distances and points of interest without changing the displays on the full-size unit. It would be nice to have rechargable batteries in this unit, but the litium batts last more than a day under sail.
So obviously, despite the o-ring seals, my unit was not very waterproof. Nice unit, with interesting and relatively simple interface. I just sent mine back to the factory because the first time I actually used it on the water, it got wet inside and died. It has great charts but I think there are better models on the water because of this issue. Perhaps an Aquapac would be a good thing to put it in and not a ziplock.
Having 15 years of using Garmin products, they clearly missed the mark with this one. I just cannot imagine any real world test that found this acceptable for the intended use. The screen is useless when attempting to use outside in the sunlight. As a marine oriented unit I find this an amazing product development oversight. The best screen viewing is in their ads. First time I have been disappointed in any Garmin product.
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