For coastal sailing and local bay waters, what is your recommendation for a GPS? Santa was originally considering a handheld with map such as the Garmin GPS III, but wondered if a regular handheld gps without the map feature, such as the Garmin 48 or a fixed mount unit (that probably had the map feature) should be considered instead. I've never used one yet, prefer to not spend a lot of money, but figure you all have the experience of knowing that your choice was the right one or know now what you wish you had. ie., when sailing, a handheld may be hard to read or work the buttons, or if a fixed mount unit, where is it best located on a sailboat, or without the map feature, is one able to fix his reference bearings and quickly know where he is relative to shore... Thanks for your insight, it'll keep me on course!
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Maybe Go Even Cheaper?
I use a Garmin GPS 12 and hang it around my neck when I use it. It works out real well. The map features are somthing I am envious of in the more expensive models but have not decided that the expense is worth it. If you are sailing in a generally familiar area I am not sure it is that useful.
I use a Garmin GPS 12 and hang it around my neck when I use it. It works out real well. The map features are somthing I am envious of in the more expensive models but have not decided that the expense is worth it. If you are sailing in a generally familiar area I am not sure it is that useful.
Thanks!
Rick, thanks for your perspective. I like what you said. Regarding the Map feature, I figured it would help when sailing (caught)in the fog or if the map posted obstacles or sunken dangers, etc. With a regular gps, it seems that one could back track when in the fog and also pre enter any sunken danger taken from one's paper chart of the waters anticipated to be sailed in. Right?
Rick, thanks for your perspective. I like what you said. Regarding the Map feature, I figured it would help when sailing (caught)in the fog or if the map posted obstacles or sunken dangers, etc. With a regular gps, it seems that one could back track when in the fog and also pre enter any sunken danger taken from one's paper chart of the waters anticipated to be sailed in. Right?
Exactly
and I figure if the prices come down on the others I will buy one then. Around here the biggest problem with fog is getting run over by a couple of barges and a tug boat. No GPS is going to help that.
and I figure if the prices come down on the others I will buy one then. Around here the biggest problem with fog is getting run over by a couple of barges and a tug boat. No GPS is going to help that.
We use two GPS
I am a great believer in GPS navigation. We use two, one a Garmin 12 XL and a Garmin 175. Both are handhelds and the 175 has charts (you pay extra). However, with the two GPS working, I use one to go to my next way point, while using the 175 to show me where I am. Quite frankly, I would only have handhelds at this time. I still use charts and the handhelds have more information than I can use at this time. As I get better at deciphering all that data, I might get one put in at the nav station. On the Garmin 175, we have installed a snap on stand attached to the Wheel guard. This way we can also use the 12 volt power attachment and save batteries. I think the GPS is one of the great inventions of all times for cruising (along with rollerfurling, inflatable dinghies, sugar spoon sterns, cell phones and the like--I love innovations). Les
I am a great believer in GPS navigation. We use two, one a Garmin 12 XL and a Garmin 175. Both are handhelds and the 175 has charts (you pay extra). However, with the two GPS working, I use one to go to my next way point, while using the 175 to show me where I am. Quite frankly, I would only have handhelds at this time. I still use charts and the handhelds have more information than I can use at this time. As I get better at deciphering all that data, I might get one put in at the nav station. On the Garmin 175, we have installed a snap on stand attached to the Wheel guard. This way we can also use the 12 volt power attachment and save batteries. I think the GPS is one of the great inventions of all times for cruising (along with rollerfurling, inflatable dinghies, sugar spoon sterns, cell phones and the like--I love innovations). Les
GPS
I have the early model Garmin III and love it. The screen is a little small,but it really is great after you learn to use it. I find I use it for speed. Also with a map unit you can easily pick out waypoints to go to. I am an X AF nav and I would have given a months pay for a gps if they had them then. I sailed and motored 103 miles on the intercoastal it never let me down. You also get what you pay for when it comes to features. I keep mine on a mount that is attached to a plexiglass door I can swing out of the way in my hatch way.I also have it plugged in a cigar lighter I don't have to worry about penlight batteries. I'd look into Garmin III+ or 162.
I have the early model Garmin III and love it. The screen is a little small,but it really is great after you learn to use it. I find I use it for speed. Also with a map unit you can easily pick out waypoints to go to. I am an X AF nav and I would have given a months pay for a gps if they had them then. I sailed and motored 103 miles on the intercoastal it never let me down. You also get what you pay for when it comes to features. I keep mine on a mount that is attached to a plexiglass door I can swing out of the way in my hatch way.I also have it plugged in a cigar lighter I don't have to worry about penlight batteries. I'd look into Garmin III+ or 162.
GPS
Dec.19, 2000 Dear Rod, We use 2 GPS units on The Legend, a hard wired unit at the chart table and a hand held unit in the cockpit. Down below is a Magellan as is the handheld. We also have an older Garmin as a further back up. It is our unfailing practice to plot waypoints and enter them into the GPS before leaving port, leaving plenty of leeway around hazards. If you have to reverse course the GPS has a reverse route feature that relays the course for you in the opposite direction. There is no doubt that GPS has gotten more people off shore than any other innovation. A handheld without a map feature is still so feature rich that if you already have the charts for your area I would side with the opinions that would have you buying the less expensive models. By plotting your position to and from paper charts your using the little grey cells that are the first and most important aid to navigation, and not relying solely on machine intelligence, which is an oxymoron of the first order. Also, since you mention fog, you really need radar if you don't already have it to avoid those barges mentioned by one of the other writers. GPS,radar and the autopilot are the big three on our boat. Fair winds, BrianPickton@BeneteauOwners.net Aboard The Legend, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia
Dec.19, 2000 Dear Rod, We use 2 GPS units on The Legend, a hard wired unit at the chart table and a hand held unit in the cockpit. Down below is a Magellan as is the handheld. We also have an older Garmin as a further back up. It is our unfailing practice to plot waypoints and enter them into the GPS before leaving port, leaving plenty of leeway around hazards. If you have to reverse course the GPS has a reverse route feature that relays the course for you in the opposite direction. There is no doubt that GPS has gotten more people off shore than any other innovation. A handheld without a map feature is still so feature rich that if you already have the charts for your area I would side with the opinions that would have you buying the less expensive models. By plotting your position to and from paper charts your using the little grey cells that are the first and most important aid to navigation, and not relying solely on machine intelligence, which is an oxymoron of the first order. Also, since you mention fog, you really need radar if you don't already have it to avoid those barges mentioned by one of the other writers. GPS,radar and the autopilot are the big three on our boat. Fair winds, BrianPickton@BeneteauOwners.net Aboard The Legend, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia
Handheld for now.
My Garmin 12XL is mounted on the binnacle guard. This gives me 12V from the house batteries and a remote antenna. It seems to work just as well on the dock so long as the batteries are charged. But as others have stated, if and when I move to unfamiliar waters I think I would want charts. And probably radar.
My Garmin 12XL is mounted on the binnacle guard. This gives me 12V from the house batteries and a remote antenna. It seems to work just as well on the dock so long as the batteries are charged. But as others have stated, if and when I move to unfamiliar waters I think I would want charts. And probably radar.
Garmin plus Fugawi
Like my old Garmin GPS II. It has a remote antenna so the GPS stays down by the nav station and the antenna is clipped to the stern rail. I also bought Fugawi chart plotting software and link the GPS II into the laptop. Happy to say nothing but wonderful results so far, only possible way to improve would be to have a waterproof monitor on deck.
Like my old Garmin GPS II. It has a remote antenna so the GPS stays down by the nav station and the antenna is clipped to the stern rail. I also bought Fugawi chart plotting software and link the GPS II into the laptop. Happy to say nothing but wonderful results so far, only possible way to improve would be to have a waterproof monitor on deck.
Where the "Fugawi"?
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Seriously though, I used an older (new then) Raytheon GPS which used C-map cartridges to circumnavigate Vancouver Island in 1995. Not having radar, it was very useful to see how far we were from the coast at a glance. Entering unfamiliar Sounds that aren't marked, it was nice to have the "you are here" feature to back up my dead reckoning positions, especially if visibility was low. My next boat had radar as an additional tool which allowed me to head out of port in the fog if necessary. I still have the old "Ray" on my latest boat, but the old unit takes a long time to get a signal compared to the newer units. I think I am going to pick up a cheap handheld to mount at the binnacle.... Trevor
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Seriously though, I used an older (new then) Raytheon GPS which used C-map cartridges to circumnavigate Vancouver Island in 1995. Not having radar, it was very useful to see how far we were from the coast at a glance. Entering unfamiliar Sounds that aren't marked, it was nice to have the "you are here" feature to back up my dead reckoning positions, especially if visibility was low. My next boat had radar as an additional tool which allowed me to head out of port in the fog if necessary. I still have the old "Ray" on my latest boat, but the old unit takes a long time to get a signal compared to the newer units. I think I am going to pick up a cheap handheld to mount at the binnacle.... TrevorEl Cheapo
How's this for cheap: Free! I got a special offer from Cadillac that offered a free Garmin (the cheapest model - 12?) if I test drove a car. Well, perhaps it was a trifle shady but we just went to the dealer & showed him the coupon. Told him we didn't want to waste their time and he THANKED us! He said a number of folks had come in for the thing but wasted their time with test drives. He just signed it & gave it back. Anyway, that's what we use & it works fine. Maybe takes a little longer to acquire and could be just ever so slightly "off" from higher end models (not enough to worry about) but otherwise fits the bill. We use it up in the sound all the time and if you're sailing in familiar or easy to navigate waters, go cheap. Now for fog...it might help a little but not a whole lot. But that's your call. LaDonna
How's this for cheap: Free! I got a special offer from Cadillac that offered a free Garmin (the cheapest model - 12?) if I test drove a car. Well, perhaps it was a trifle shady but we just went to the dealer & showed him the coupon. Told him we didn't want to waste their time and he THANKED us! He said a number of folks had come in for the thing but wasted their time with test drives. He just signed it & gave it back. Anyway, that's what we use & it works fine. Maybe takes a little longer to acquire and could be just ever so slightly "off" from higher end models (not enough to worry about) but otherwise fits the bill. We use it up in the sound all the time and if you're sailing in familiar or easy to navigate waters, go cheap. Now for fog...it might help a little but not a whole lot. But that's your call. LaDonna
Careful What You Wish for Neil
Most all of the aircraft in the inventory now have GPS and no Navs on board. On all the new models since the C-17 there is not even a place for them to sit.
Most all of the aircraft in the inventory now have GPS and no Navs on board. On all the new models since the C-17 there is not even a place for them to sit.
Recognize GPS Limitations
"Get on the same sheet of music" is a frequently spoken saying and this has application in GPS also, and this may be a justificaton for getting the map feature - if a justification is desired. GPS coordinates are based on a particular projection for which charts were drawn of which a common one is NAD 27. If you're in low visibility and in close to hazards the GPS should be set to the same coordinate system as the chart being used. Even then, some charts, or portions of charts, are based on very old surveys and may be in error. If checking the projection of the chart being used is a problem then consider the map feature. Another limitation with GPS is moisture between the unit and the satelite. My first experience with this was on a moonless night in a sou'wester somewhere between Cape Scott and Cape St James in fog and drizzle. The GPS started showing it's hourglass for long periods of time - not a good place for this to happen especially when it's comming up on time to make landfall with rocks between the boat and your destination. The GPS does not like it when things are wet, such as a wet coachroof (when the unit is below deck). Don't get in the position where you have to bet your life on it. Have backup positioning alternatives such as dead reconing,depth sounder, and radar, and maybe even an RDF such as a cheap radio with a directional antenna. Many people mount electronics around their compass - make sure there is no magentic field influencing the compass card. I tried to install a hailer talk-back mike and found it had to be about 5 feet away before the infuence was negligible. My compass is a Venus, not a Ritche. Which brings up another point, when traveling, anchoring, or running aground in low visibility conditions one needs to emit the appropriate horn signals per the Col Regs. So, in addition to the GPS, a high-output hailer with coordinated fog horn would be a good adjunct. I mount my fog horn on the pulpit (away from the helm) with a pair of Vice Grips, when needed, and run the 16 ga conductors back to the hailer. Hope this didn't get too windy - was only going to write a little bit.
"Get on the same sheet of music" is a frequently spoken saying and this has application in GPS also, and this may be a justificaton for getting the map feature - if a justification is desired. GPS coordinates are based on a particular projection for which charts were drawn of which a common one is NAD 27. If you're in low visibility and in close to hazards the GPS should be set to the same coordinate system as the chart being used. Even then, some charts, or portions of charts, are based on very old surveys and may be in error. If checking the projection of the chart being used is a problem then consider the map feature. Another limitation with GPS is moisture between the unit and the satelite. My first experience with this was on a moonless night in a sou'wester somewhere between Cape Scott and Cape St James in fog and drizzle. The GPS started showing it's hourglass for long periods of time - not a good place for this to happen especially when it's comming up on time to make landfall with rocks between the boat and your destination. The GPS does not like it when things are wet, such as a wet coachroof (when the unit is below deck). Don't get in the position where you have to bet your life on it. Have backup positioning alternatives such as dead reconing,depth sounder, and radar, and maybe even an RDF such as a cheap radio with a directional antenna. Many people mount electronics around their compass - make sure there is no magentic field influencing the compass card. I tried to install a hailer talk-back mike and found it had to be about 5 feet away before the infuence was negligible. My compass is a Venus, not a Ritche. Which brings up another point, when traveling, anchoring, or running aground in low visibility conditions one needs to emit the appropriate horn signals per the Col Regs. So, in addition to the GPS, a high-output hailer with coordinated fog horn would be a good adjunct. I mount my fog horn on the pulpit (away from the helm) with a pair of Vice Grips, when needed, and run the 16 ga conductors back to the hailer. Hope this didn't get too windy - was only going to write a little bit.
Garmin 48 has Coastal Markers Already
I would carry the Garmin 48 in addition to considering a fixed unit with maps when you had the $. I use the G48 in the Caribbean extensively. It is fast, handy and quite portable. the screen could be better. But at less than $190 it is a great buy. the fixed with maps are great, but the dollars are a lot greater, too.
I would carry the Garmin 48 in addition to considering a fixed unit with maps when you had the $. I use the G48 in the Caribbean extensively. It is fast, handy and quite portable. the screen could be better. But at less than $190 it is a great buy. the fixed with maps are great, but the dollars are a lot greater, too.
Garmin 48
The publication "PRACTICAL SAILOR" ( consumer report in the boating world)gave the 48 its' highest rating and the 175 as the cartographic handheld. To get info on this newslettergo to practicalsailor.com. I am very satisied with the 48 and its inclusive database of navaids.
The publication "PRACTICAL SAILOR" ( consumer report in the boating world)gave the 48 its' highest rating and the 175 as the cartographic handheld. To get info on this newslettergo to practicalsailor.com. I am very satisied with the 48 and its inclusive database of navaids.
Thanks, Again!!
I just returned home after a long day in the Orlando area (with a quick side trip to Titusville and its really fine municipal marina) and am glad for each of your tremendous replies. Thanks for the wisdom, insight and side bar information. It will all be well used. By the way, off the coast of Biloxi over to New Orleans and then just east of Galveston was quite an illuminated display of offshore rigs to see tonight from high up. Now there's where the GPS will also come in! While I am new to this lifestyle, I appreciate this forum and the "regulars" who pass on their experience. Thanks, again!
I just returned home after a long day in the Orlando area (with a quick side trip to Titusville and its really fine municipal marina) and am glad for each of your tremendous replies. Thanks for the wisdom, insight and side bar information. It will all be well used. By the way, off the coast of Biloxi over to New Orleans and then just east of Galveston was quite an illuminated display of offshore rigs to see tonight from high up. Now there's where the GPS will also come in! While I am new to this lifestyle, I appreciate this forum and the "regulars" who pass on their experience. Thanks, again!
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