Is MapSource suitable for the GPSMAP 76?

[kbellis]

We've just purchased and are waiting for the arrival of the GPSMAP 76 for friends that do a lot of kayaking. I'd like to have some maps of where they frequently kayak already loaded onto it before we give it to them, but nowhere in the users manual does it discuss how to do that, although I've gathered that it requires a program called MapSource.

My first question, is MapSource the correct program to use in loading maps onto the GPSMAP 76?

Thanks for any reply.

[kbellis]

Thank you very much for the kind reply.

I've downloaded and installed both programs (Training Center and MapSource) on my Win XP Pro machine.

While the NOAA RNCs are the first maps that come to mind, there may be other equally or more suitable maps to consider for the 76, and I'd be most thankful for any suggestions from others on this forum.

My primary goal, before we give it to Russell and Akemi, is to load up a nice map of just the Frenchman Bay and Mount Desert Island, Maine area onto the GPSMAP 76 (with its puny 8mb memory) without spending more money.

Thanks again,

Kelly

[kbellis]

But isn't that able to be accommodated with the efforts detailed here?

[kbellis]

I guess that it's not looking too good 

Here's Leszek's email reply just received:
A GPSMap 76 with only 8 MB of memory? I hate to say this, but Moagu maps will be painfully slow on this, likely to the point of being unusable.

Try gpsfiledepot.com; you'll find free Garmin-compatible 1:24K topo maps for most of the US, including Maine, that will work acceptably on the 76.

[Boyd]

I made a map of Mt. Desert Island, which is one of my favorite places as well: http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/236/

Unfortunately, it won't work on your unit either though. 

[kbellis]

Thanks Boyd.

I've download maps4gps's Maine Topo and can get the coverage needed at about 1.7mb.

Now I can't wait until their unit arrives to test it out!