For the past 8 years my wife and I have sailed beautiful Lake Texoma in north Texas on our 36 Hunter Vision "Kalypso". We are in the process of moving her to the Texas gulf coast just outside Galveston. With a great deal of our experiences being a lake sailor, our needs have now changed. We are in the process of purchasing a new GPS system for coastal cruising in salt water. Any suggestions? We are currently looking at the Garmin 540, all commitment and suggestions will be appreciated.
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Garmin...
is a good product. Look at the Garmin 4008. Great unit that is expandable with other devices... as need be.
is a good product. Look at the Garmin 4008. Great unit that is expandable with other devices... as need be.
Garmin
I too am a big Garmin fan. Have not had much experience with other brands, but the Garmins are dependable and user friendly. Whatever you choose, get one that has the detail charts in it's memory. The chips are over 100 bucks for each area, so you can save some big bucks if you ever want to travel. I would also recommend a color unit, if you even have a choice these days. The color is much easier to see in daylight.
I too am a big Garmin fan. Have not had much experience with other brands, but the Garmins are dependable and user friendly. Whatever you choose, get one that has the detail charts in it's memory. The chips are over 100 bucks for each area, so you can save some big bucks if you ever want to travel. I would also recommend a color unit, if you even have a choice these days. The color is much easier to see in daylight.
laptop with Seaclear II
laptop with Seaclear II I recommend a cheap laptop with Seaclear II. 1. Seaclear's free (http://www.sping.com/) 2. charts for Seaclear are free (http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/download.htm) 3. replace laptop when it breaks
laptop with Seaclear II I recommend a cheap laptop with Seaclear II. 1. Seaclear's free (http://www.sping.com/) 2. charts for Seaclear are free (http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/download.htm) 3. replace laptop when it breaks
buy in and recurring costs
buy in and recurring costs 1. garmin gps 12 $47.01 bid on ebay 2. How much does it cost you to modify a commercial chart when navaids or the bottom changes? The charts originate at NOAA. RNC charts are updated free by NOAA. 3. Ref my previous post this topic.
buy in and recurring costs 1. garmin gps 12 $47.01 bid on ebay 2. How much does it cost you to modify a commercial chart when navaids or the bottom changes? The charts originate at NOAA. RNC charts are updated free by NOAA. 3. Ref my previous post this topic.
a little more detail
Ok, Baro - please keep in mind you're communicating with someone who has never seen this setup. I already use a handheld from Garmin, but it has no cable or interface for a PC. So, I guess that would be an additional requirement - to make sure the GPS I purchased had such a jack. Then, I'd also need to purchase said cable if it is not already included in the box, right? More questions: Do you keep your laptop in the cockpit, or in the cabin? If keeping it in the cabin, is the signal usually strong enough to reach a handheld beneath the cover of a bimini, dodger, the cabin construction? Laptops I've had usually burn through their battery within 3 or 4 hours. If I rely on the boat's batteries, how much power is the laptop/GPS combo likely to draw over the length of an entire day (is this a valid concern?) Thanks for bearing with me!
Ok, Baro - please keep in mind you're communicating with someone who has never seen this setup. I already use a handheld from Garmin, but it has no cable or interface for a PC. So, I guess that would be an additional requirement - to make sure the GPS I purchased had such a jack. Then, I'd also need to purchase said cable if it is not already included in the box, right? More questions: Do you keep your laptop in the cockpit, or in the cabin? If keeping it in the cabin, is the signal usually strong enough to reach a handheld beneath the cover of a bimini, dodger, the cabin construction? Laptops I've had usually burn through their battery within 3 or 4 hours. If I rely on the boat's batteries, how much power is the laptop/GPS combo likely to draw over the length of an entire day (is this a valid concern?) Thanks for bearing with me!
Laptop
this discussion has been kicked around on here before. My take is a little bit different. The laptop is fine for using in the cabin, but I want something that will mount firmly and is designed to live at the helm. You will find in the Houston/Galveston area that there is a tremendous amount of boat traffic, both commercial, and pleasure. And channels that get very crowded on weekends. You will not want to be holding a laptop on your knees, and driving the boat, or having to go inside to look at it. I have Garmin equipment, and have their blue charts loaded into my laptop. But my navigation is by a chartplotter, mounted at the helm, where it is easy to see, and will withstand the weather and abuse it gets at the helm.
this discussion has been kicked around on here before. My take is a little bit different. The laptop is fine for using in the cabin, but I want something that will mount firmly and is designed to live at the helm. You will find in the Houston/Galveston area that there is a tremendous amount of boat traffic, both commercial, and pleasure. And channels that get very crowded on weekends. You will not want to be holding a laptop on your knees, and driving the boat, or having to go inside to look at it. I have Garmin equipment, and have their blue charts loaded into my laptop. But my navigation is by a chartplotter, mounted at the helm, where it is easy to see, and will withstand the weather and abuse it gets at the helm.
answers
a little more detail Ok, Baro - please keep in mind you're communicating with someone who has never seen this setup. I already use a handheld from Garmin, but it has no cable or interface for a PC. So, I guess that would be an additional requirement - to make sure the GPS I purchased had such a jack. yup Then, I'd also need to purchase said cable if it is not already included in the box, right? yup More questions: Do you keep your laptop in the cockpit, or in the cabin? cabin If keeping it in the cabin, is the signal usually strong enough to reach a handheld beneath the cover of a bimini, dodger, the cabin construction? yup Laptops I've had usually burn through their battery within 3 or 4 hours. If I rely on the boat's batteries, how much power is the laptop/GPS combo likely to draw over the length of an entire day (is this a valid concern?) GPS draw in minimal. Laptop...recommend an inverter. In general I use my GPS system only when going somewhere where I know the waters. I'm on Chesapeake and boat traffic can be high. My concern now is there are too many people focussing on their electronics and not paying attention to the real world (traffic) around them. This kinda plays into what a previous responder said about having his display in cockpit. I can see both rationales (Seaclear/laptop/cheap gps) and the other (commercial system in cockpit.) I go for cheap. Spend my money on other boat things (sails/paint/...) if you want to know more, email me via this site.
a little more detail Ok, Baro - please keep in mind you're communicating with someone who has never seen this setup. I already use a handheld from Garmin, but it has no cable or interface for a PC. So, I guess that would be an additional requirement - to make sure the GPS I purchased had such a jack. yup Then, I'd also need to purchase said cable if it is not already included in the box, right? yup More questions: Do you keep your laptop in the cockpit, or in the cabin? cabin If keeping it in the cabin, is the signal usually strong enough to reach a handheld beneath the cover of a bimini, dodger, the cabin construction? yup Laptops I've had usually burn through their battery within 3 or 4 hours. If I rely on the boat's batteries, how much power is the laptop/GPS combo likely to draw over the length of an entire day (is this a valid concern?) GPS draw in minimal. Laptop...recommend an inverter. In general I use my GPS system only when going somewhere where I know the waters. I'm on Chesapeake and boat traffic can be high. My concern now is there are too many people focussing on their electronics and not paying attention to the real world (traffic) around them. This kinda plays into what a previous responder said about having his display in cockpit. I can see both rationales (Seaclear/laptop/cheap gps) and the other (commercial system in cockpit.) I go for cheap. Spend my money on other boat things (sails/paint/...) if you want to know more, email me via this site.
Seaclear rocks, but laptop is a problem.
I have taken Barometer's advice in the past and put together a Seaclear II setup. I have all the charts downloaded for the eastern seaboard, Ches Bay, Florida and Great Lakes. I am very impressed with the performance. (Thanks for the suggestion, Barometer) I am worried about power usage and weatherproofing. I would think that one splash of saltwater and a laptop is going to die very soon. I was hoping to be able to waterproof a display (and mouse) and mount it at the helm but that's not looking so promising. I measured the power consumption of the laptop to be roughly 21 watts at full brightness and 16 watts at minimal brightness. So I will probably keep the laptop in the cabin (in standby mode) to refer to, and buy a cheap Garmin (440s) to have at the helm. Not sure yet.
I have taken Barometer's advice in the past and put together a Seaclear II setup. I have all the charts downloaded for the eastern seaboard, Ches Bay, Florida and Great Lakes. I am very impressed with the performance. (Thanks for the suggestion, Barometer) I am worried about power usage and weatherproofing. I would think that one splash of saltwater and a laptop is going to die very soon. I was hoping to be able to waterproof a display (and mouse) and mount it at the helm but that's not looking so promising. I measured the power consumption of the laptop to be roughly 21 watts at full brightness and 16 watts at minimal brightness. So I will probably keep the laptop in the cabin (in standby mode) to refer to, and buy a cheap Garmin (440s) to have at the helm. Not sure yet.
GPS
Hello, You have lots of options, maybe too many
Try and think about what you will use the GPS for. Is it just too see how fast you are going? Is it to find your way home in the the fog? Do you plan on going for cruises to places you haven't been before, and want / need the ability to find a channel in all sorts of weather? Do you want one that runs on batteries, or has to be powered from the ships electrical system? Will you mount it yourself or pay someone to do it? Next think about your budget. How much can you spend, how much do you want to spend. Here are some examples: For under $100 you can buy a handheld unit that will provide lat / long, speed, and direction and ETA to a waypoint. This unit will have a small monochrome screen, no charts. For under $150 you can get the same unit as above, but with built in charts. The carts will contain all the navigation aids and will make it easy for you to create route and navigate one. For under $300 you get color, still with a small screen, but bigger than the cheaper units. Color is very nice because you can easily see the difference between a nun and can. If you can afford it, I recommend color. Be careful, because some of the screens are not sunlight readable, meaning that bright sun will wash out the screen. For under $500 you can get a very nice color chartplotter. The screen will be 3.5 - 5", very clear, maps may be included, or will be pretty cheap if not. This is about the limit (IMHO) for simple systems, battery powered, or easily connected. Above $500 you gain bigger screens and more features. For example, the Lowrance unit I have can display RADAR (if you buy the antenna), SONAR, import / export position data to VHF Radio, etc. Note that these units are more difficult to install. And, if you pay someone, the installation price can easily double the cost of the unit. Regarding the suitability of using a laptop for navigation, only you can determine if that meets your needs. For me, I want / need an instrument in the cockpit, where I can see it when I am sailing by myself. I need it to work in the sun, rain, night, after getting salt water spray on it. I have a laptop and seaclear and when I am on a long trip somewhere (for me, long is any trip over 3 hours) I will connect the laptop down below. This is more for fun than for anything else (I also have a broadband card so I have access to email and the web). I would not want to rely on seaclear. I don't think most laptops make financial sense for this. One last point, don't agonize over your selection. Pick a price, then pick a unit. It will be half the price, and / or obsolete in a few years anyway.
Hello, You have lots of options, maybe too many
Try and think about what you will use the GPS for. Is it just too see how fast you are going? Is it to find your way home in the the fog? Do you plan on going for cruises to places you haven't been before, and want / need the ability to find a channel in all sorts of weather? Do you want one that runs on batteries, or has to be powered from the ships electrical system? Will you mount it yourself or pay someone to do it? Next think about your budget. How much can you spend, how much do you want to spend. Here are some examples: For under $100 you can buy a handheld unit that will provide lat / long, speed, and direction and ETA to a waypoint. This unit will have a small monochrome screen, no charts. For under $150 you can get the same unit as above, but with built in charts. The carts will contain all the navigation aids and will make it easy for you to create route and navigate one. For under $300 you get color, still with a small screen, but bigger than the cheaper units. Color is very nice because you can easily see the difference between a nun and can. If you can afford it, I recommend color. Be careful, because some of the screens are not sunlight readable, meaning that bright sun will wash out the screen. For under $500 you can get a very nice color chartplotter. The screen will be 3.5 - 5", very clear, maps may be included, or will be pretty cheap if not. This is about the limit (IMHO) for simple systems, battery powered, or easily connected. Above $500 you gain bigger screens and more features. For example, the Lowrance unit I have can display RADAR (if you buy the antenna), SONAR, import / export position data to VHF Radio, etc. Note that these units are more difficult to install. And, if you pay someone, the installation price can easily double the cost of the unit. Regarding the suitability of using a laptop for navigation, only you can determine if that meets your needs. For me, I want / need an instrument in the cockpit, where I can see it when I am sailing by myself. I need it to work in the sun, rain, night, after getting salt water spray on it. I have a laptop and seaclear and when I am on a long trip somewhere (for me, long is any trip over 3 hours) I will connect the laptop down below. This is more for fun than for anything else (I also have a broadband card so I have access to email and the web). I would not want to rely on seaclear. I don't think most laptops make financial sense for this. One last point, don't agonize over your selection. Pick a price, then pick a unit. It will be half the price, and / or obsolete in a few years anyway.Paper Charts and Two Handhelds???
We hardly used our GPS under most conditions. You need paper charts anyway and can enter waypoints when position is critical. Usually when coastal sailing a depth sounder ,a compass and a pair of binoculars is all that is really needed. Of course bells and whistles can be nice as long as you don't need them to be safe. If you get used to looking at a chart plotter to know where you are located it might be rough if(when) the plotter dies. But if you have your piloting skills up to speed a dead GPS is a non-event.
We hardly used our GPS under most conditions. You need paper charts anyway and can enter waypoints when position is critical. Usually when coastal sailing a depth sounder ,a compass and a pair of binoculars is all that is really needed. Of course bells and whistles can be nice as long as you don't need them to be safe. If you get used to looking at a chart plotter to know where you are located it might be rough if(when) the plotter dies. But if you have your piloting skills up to speed a dead GPS is a non-event.
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