First GPS suggestions, please

Ken Cross · May 19, 2014

I agree with Woodster

woodster said:
take a look at the Garmin 400 series chartplotters they are pretty good for what they are and you can usually find them on sale and if you buy one of any kind at all mind you they will be obsolete just after you mount it in your boat..... via superseded by a newer model

Having an easy to use device made for the application you are using it is the best way to go (it will cost a bit more however.) At least look into it. I have been happy with ours.
Ken

Brian D · May 19, 2014

I have to sound off here on the iPad vs Android application/device. This is just an opinion backed up with experience on both devices.

Apple uses a closed architect system and has since its introduction with the first Mackintosh computer. The iPad is a very limited use device in that it MUST be conncted to iTunes in order to do anything (loading of apps and sync wise). That is unless you are extremely tech savy and can Jailbreak your device, as I have. If there is no iTunes available then forget it (some access is available online). If you connect to your PC you will only have access to DCIM folder (photos). If you connect to someone elses computer the Apple device MUST be authorized to use that computer. The iPads do not have external memory slots and cannot externally load applications if you want to change applications. In essence, you are restricted in what you can do with an Apple device. But, if you are comfortable with that, then all is good.

Androids use basically an open architect system with Linux or Windows based. This system allows anyone to basically add or remove applications. It has slots in the device to load/save data from MicroSD cards (some devices do not such as the Moto G phone) and applications can also be loaded via MicroSD card. If you connect to a computer you will have access to multiple file directories for your data/photos and more. One is not limited to getting apps from the Google Play Store. The app for this site (SBO) can be directly downloaded from SBO. The tech savy person can "root" the device to gain more access to the OS but the average person can go to settings and tell the device that it is OK to load third party apps.

I have both devices; Apple iPhone 3gs and Samsung Tab 3. I can do more with the android device than I can with the iphone. However, I am tech savy and my iPhone has been jailbroken and I own the phone, meaning I can do anything I want without Apple interfering.

Again, if you are happy with an Apple device then that is good. I am not trying to tell you to switch. I am just giving you options. Thankfully we have choices. Each device has its pro's and its con's.

Gary_H · May 19, 2014

Garmin 441S nice chart Plotter with great features, relatively inexpensive, includes depth finding and easily wires to your DSC capable VHF radio.

kensail2 · May 19, 2014

Get a Garmin battery powered wired into ships electric or a wired in only with at least a battery backup. I am speaking from an aviators perspective/experience. I like and trust the Garmins over anything. All the cell phone and tablet stuff is ok, but when you gotta know where you are (emergency) and you're kinda busy keeping the blue side up (I know its blue up and down in marine) garmin is there. Flying in open country, or night, or near Chicago, or around Lake Michigan, or 20 miles from home where I needed the situational awareness right now. My Garmin portable (battery) was wired into the ships power so it would notify me when power was lost - like halfway back from the east coast, flying, when the alternator went out. The satellite weather was very useful anywhere and they do have Marine stuff. Most of the time it's nice to have but when you need info and the travel has gotten intense for any reason I need a Garmin. PS at night I always carried an older unit that ran on AA batteries, and extras, for a backup, and I would sort of compare night flying to offshore sailing, I believe that a backup is very nice to have.

Chris Patterson · May 20, 2014

kensail2 said:
Get a Garmin battery powered wired into ships electric or a wired in only with at least a battery backup. I am speaking from an aviators perspective/experience. I like and trust the Garmins over anything. All the cell phone and tablet stuff is ok, but when you gotta know where you are (emergency) and you're kinda busy keeping the blue side up (I know its blue up and down in marine) garmin is there. Flying in open country, or night, or near Chicago, or around Lake Michigan, or 20 miles from home where I needed the situational awareness right now. My Garmin portable (battery) was wired into the ships power so it would notify me when power was lost - like halfway back from the east coast, flying, when the alternator went out. The satellite weather was very useful anywhere and they do have Marine stuff. Most of the time it's nice to have but when you need info and the travel has gotten intense for any reason I need a Garmin. PS at night I always carried an older unit that ran on AA batteries, and extras, for a backup, and I would sort of compare night flying to offshore sailing, I believe that a backup is very nice to have.

That right there is solid advice folks! Don't even ask why I know..

dziedzicmj · May 20, 2014

+1 on kensail2.

Get a reasonably basic hand-held GPS from Garmin (76, 78, 62 series). They are battery powered and don't require hard mounting to the boat. This gives you a lot of flexibility. If you want to connect it to yor VHF, you want to install a mount with the power connection and the data out (to link to the radio). Carry spare AA batteries to provide emergency power. You can hardly go any more basic.

I don't believe any tablet or smartphone should be considered as the basic equipment. They do work, when they do work. If you like the iPad or an Android tablet have them, too, but not instead of a proper GPS.

Btw. I think that Costco has a sale on the GPSMAP 62sx. I think it is the same as 76, but it does not float (and comes with a built in camera).

Please note that usually, these systems come without any maps (other than the global high level map), so consider the cost of the maps (not cheap).

Some of the Garmin basic charplotters (400, 500, 700) come with US marine maps at a decent price.

just my $0.02

nola2172 · May 21, 2014

Though it has been mentioned, the Garmin 78sc comes with preloaded maps. It is available from West Marine for $350 right now, but it was on sale for $250 earlier this year, which means it probably will be again sometime soon. It also runs on double A batteries (easy to get and have spares) and allegedly, though I will admit I have not really wanted to test this, floats. The other upside of the handheld unit is that we were able to take it with us cross-country skiing this winter and it could map out our route as we went, so you can also use it off the boat.

Doc_holiday · Jun 1, 2014

I didn't realize it could run on AA batteries. I was showing off my set up to the guy in the next slip yesterday. I forgot to take a picture but I posted my drawings a while back

I have one if those screen door hooks on it and an eye for both use and stow positions.

I can tell you the design worked great but make sure the shelf grain goes from from to back, not side to side or if it gets hit, it can break. I had to make that repair already.

RDS2012 · Jun 2, 2014

Here's a link to what I just did.

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=162247

Sumner · Jun 2, 2014

DAVA390 said:
.... I would like something aboard to give me SOG and coordinates in case I need to tell someone where I`m grounded or sinking...

Good idea. Follow Brian's suggestion....

Brian D said:
....Option 1: Considering that you will be required (sic) to have VHF aboard, why not just get a VHF radio with built in GPS. Kill two krill with one keel. ....

...or do like we have and get a radio with DSC and connect a handheld to it that you have out in the cockpit.

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/inside-25.html

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/FL-fall-2010/FL-Fall-10-17.html

So for less than $200 you have a radio that will automatically give your position in times of trouble while you work on the emergency and a simple chart plotter that if also connected to a computer with SeaClear or Open CPN becomes a powerful navigation tool,

Sumner

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Tom G P-21 · Jun 3, 2014

Are you going to buy a depth sounder transducer to go with it? Recommend going with a shoot thru the hull type if one is available. Note, SHOOT thru, not to be confused with thru hull which involves cutting a hole for it.

Brian D · Jun 4, 2014

Well congratulations. I am sure you will be happy with that unit. I looked at the specs and was surprised to see that it appears only the US satellites are accessible. Not the GLONASS satellites. Having access to both would give you much more accuracy. On my Tablet, I have had accuracy down to a boat length. But it is all good. Let us know what you think of the new toy, err... well, yeah, toy. LOL

caguy · Jun 4, 2014

Brian D said:
Well congratulations. I am sure you will be happy with that unit. I looked at the specs and was surprised to see that it appears only the US satellites are accessible. Not the GLONASS satellites. Having access to both would give you much more accuracy. On my Tablet, I have had accuracy down to a boat length. But it is all good. Let us know what you think of the new toy, err... well, yeah, toy. LOL

Brian, did you see the yiutube video on this unit it's pretty cool especially for the price per IEP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQsibD9T0M0

Brian D · Jun 5, 2014

caguy said:
Brian, did you see the yiutube video on this unit it's pretty cool especially for the price per IEP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQsibD9T0M0

Nice Video. WM makes good marketing videos. Helpful if one cannot get to the store and get hands on. Maybe SBO should do that and have them on this site.

First GPS suggestions, please

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