I need to replace my recently stolen but excellent 76csx. I have narrowed it down to the 78s or Montana 600. Which one is better under heavy tree cover, mountains etc?
Do you really have a problem with 76Cx? My old 76 would stop navagating in narrow canyons and under trees but 76Cx has never done it.
Not bothering to look, I would assume they both have the same receivers in them since they are the same gen, so I doubt one's any better then the other.
Do you prefer buttons or touchscreen? The 78 has a learning curve coming from the 76 (change for the sake of change?), but not as much as the change to the Montana. 78 is very stable compared to all the glitches still ongoing with the Montana.
Hmm, heard there was some issues with the Montana but I thought they had settled down. That weight's the decision.
So you'll accept the opinion of someone who doesn't own one, to make your decision? There are very few issues with the Montana. I can't think of any, offhand.
The Montana DOES have plenty of issues contrary to what some Kool-Aid drinkers might say, And I say this as an actual OWNER of one. That being said, I doubt the 78 is really that much better as far as being issue free considering both units come from the same mediocre manufacturer. I'd be just as suspicious of the Kool-Aid drinkers from that side. So pick which unit has the features you want, then roll the dice and hope you get a good one.
Well I can't think of any that affect me. And my wife's 650 seems reliable too. I also have a 78S, and it's a good gps as well.
Yes I read it again and that post nor your response answered the question if you had any trouble with your 76Cx? Obviously as to your question of "under heavy tree cover, mountains etc?" My guess is that they are all the same, excelent. As to the Montana, the "New Montana" thread has almost 9,000 replys almost all dealing with issues. The 78 has lots of dumb changes but no issues. Don't know why Garmin couldn't just use "Bold New Graphics" on their new modles like the motorcycle OEMs?
Antenna type makes a difference. The Montana and the 78 both have patch antennas, while the 62s series uses a quad helix antenna. Both antenna types have the same accuracy, but the quad helix antenna will pick up satellites better. When there are no obstructions to the sky view, both are equal regarding the speed of which they obtain satellite readings. In cases where the signals are weak the quad helix antenna will be better at locating and maintaining positions in very dense cover and in canyons.
Bottom line of all that mumbo jumbo; his old 76Cx and a new 78 or Montana ALL have the same antenna. No imformation.
Not true, my 76CX has a Quad Helix, not a patch antenna. But you're right, since the 78 and Montana both have the same antenna it's a wash. And for the quad helix to work optimally the GPS has to be completely horizontal which no one on a bike does.
You got that backwards. It's the patch antenna that needs to be horizontal to get best results. The quad helix is omnidirectional, so works well no matter the orientation. But contrary to what dlh62c wrote, a patch antenna CAN give better performance than a quad helix depending on orientation and size of the antenna.
Oops, missed that one, sorry. My old 76 was awesome, I was very happy with it under heavy tree cover, mountains etc.
That is what I thought. Only the old internal chip set had coverage problems. Ever since the "x" versions came out, that is a thing of the past.