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4.5 stars
"Best screen in it's class"
Pros: Screen, fast processor, real buttons, good routing, durable and compact
Cons: Need to purchase memory card and maps separately
Summary: The Garmin 276C is a proven performer with very little downside now that affordable 512 MB memory cards are readily available. This unit has everything one could want in a GPS and is well integrated into a compact but easy to use form factor.
The first thing that will strike you is how bright, clear and razor sharp the display is. That's because it has the highest resolution of any GPS in it's class (480x320). It can be easily viewed in direct sunlight, even with the backlight turned completely off. If you plan to use it away from your vehicle it's internal battery allows you to unplug it from the vehicle and keep on going. With the backlight off it will easily last through 12-15 hours of continuous navigation or route planning all with no cords or attachments.
Another great feature is the ease with which the settings may be personalized with your preferences which are retained even after all power is lost. I recommend selecting "text only" for the menu system which will eliminate those space-hogging icons and allow you to see all the main menu items on the left side of the screen in one shot. With this single change, all the menu features of the unit are easily accessible and logically laid out.
The unit is operated via 10 well spaced buttons (including the 8-way rocker pad) on the front surface to the right of the display. There are dedicated buttons for zooming in/out and scrolling through the main screens (of which there will be between 2 and 5 screens depending upon personal preference and whether or not you are navigating an active route). There is also a dedicated button to bring up menus, one to find a point of interest (service, gas, lodging, food, etc.) and a button to navigate a route. When the MENU button is pressed the menu that is appropriate for that screen will appear. In this way the vast feature set and customizations are readily available with just three or four button strokes. Best of all, there is no need to smear your oily fingers on your nice clean screen because it uses real buttons instead of a touchscreen.
Despite being large on features, the entire unit is durable, compact and self-contained, weighing in at only 13.4 oz. including the rechargable battery pack that snaps into the rear of the unit.
