Captain Paul's response to: ~ Lt. Sandy Dares ~ rnrnThe Garmin GPSMAP 76 is now considered to be a discontinued model of their product line. I mention this because some of the accessories and support for the unit will become harder to get in the future. You should obtain whatever accessories you need for the unit within a short period of time. rnrn As for the operating software, first determine exactly which model of the GPSMAP 76 series you have. Garmin made six different models of the GPSMAP 76. Go to the Garmin web site at rnrn https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=167rnrn and view their line of GPSMAP 76 units. The discontinued units are listed in an alpha-numeric order, so scroll down to the particular GPSMAP 76 unit you have.rnrnYou will need the Garmin Accessory cable that connects your PC computer to the GPS unit. All 76 models can use the following connecting cables.rn rnUSB to RS232 Converter Cable USB to RS232 Converter Cable rn010-10310-00 @ $59.00. This converts a computer USB port to a 9 pin Serial Port.rn rnAnd their PC Interface Cable (RS232 Serial Port Connector) rn010-10141-00 at $ 38.09 USD rnrnIf you have the necessary cables, they you can complete the download and install the software in your unit. If not, determine which cable(s) you may need to accomplish the downloads. rnrnOnce on the Garmin site there click on the unit and go to the QUICK LINK box for software. At this time there are downloads that are available for MOST of the 76 series units. In the download box select the proper software for your unit. Use caution as the software is different for different models. Download ONLY the one designed for your unit. rnrnAnother note is that the instructions indicate that you MAY loose all memory in the unit. That means all of your waypoints, tracks, and routes will be lost, so back them up BEFORE attempting to download new software. This is accomplished by using one of Garmin data transfer programs such as their Trip and Waypoint Manager, Base Camp, Home Port or one of their older MapSource map programs that incorporate the data transfer program along with maps for the GPS. rnrnThe available map updates require purchasing another map program. Maps for the GPSMAP 76 series can be found under the COMPATIBLE MAPS tab on the main page for the unit on the web site.rnrnMost of the 76 series can accommodate the GARMIN TOPO US 24K series of 24K topo type maps. The SOUTH EAST DVD covers all of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and more of the SE states. You will need to purchase the DVD version and install it on a PC computer. rnrn Once there you can download parts of the overall coverage for the area you need to navigate from the computer DVD to the GPS unit. rnrn The amount of coverage is controlled by the amount of memory that the unit has for such on board storage. Some of the 76 units can accommodate up to 115 MB of mapping memory. This amount of memory should cover most all of southern Louisiana. rnrn The program allows you to delete the onboard maps in the unit and install a different area as needed.rnrnIt will allow you to use the program ONLY on ONE GPS unit. It requires that you connect the unit to the computer and begin the download. It records the model and serial number of the unit and will not let the maps be loaded into another unit, so be sure that the unit you will use is the one that gets the download maps.rnrnCall me if you need any additional information or help.rnrnCaptain Paulrn985-847-0536