I am thinking of adding a GPS to my late model Hunter 25. I mainly sail the Intercoastal and within sight of land when off the coast in the ocean as I feel that the boat is too tender for anything more challenging. I have a pedestal with a wheel and I am looking for something that will provide me with location to find and estimate distance to my home port, without pulling out my charts and would like to add the DSC option for connecting a VHF, (but only as a nice to have). Also, I currently have a handheld VHF which has DSC capability when in it's cradle charger, but I am not opposed to adding a permanent mount VHF and using the handheld as a backup. I know that VHF is line of sight, so we don't have to get into that discusssion. I have beeen to local marine stores and they made recommendations to purchase a chartplotter, i.e. Garmin 478, which I think is overkill. I would like some recommendations as to what GPS unit you think I should consider buying and also how to mount the GPS. Would you house the instrument in a Navipod? Pictures from people who have already done similar would be very helpful to decide. Thanks, Barry
GPS Selection & Mounting
- Thread starter Barry14722
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Do not under emphasize the need...
...of a chart plotter. It will afford you the necessary ability to "stretch" your cruising grounds and destinations. You will primarily use it whenever you are underway and you won't need it as much offshore as you will inshore where there are more obstacles to be aware if. Once you decide which one you need/want you will be more than pleased with it. Just don't get one that doesn't meet your needs. But always leave some room for growth.
...of a chart plotter. It will afford you the necessary ability to "stretch" your cruising grounds and destinations. You will primarily use it whenever you are underway and you won't need it as much offshore as you will inshore where there are more obstacles to be aware if. Once you decide which one you need/want you will be more than pleased with it. Just don't get one that doesn't meet your needs. But always leave some room for growth.
Barry
I have a handheld Garmin 76 GPS mounted to the pedestal on the H28.5. I mounted it with an Autohelm bracket mounting. I normally connect it to ship's power with a plug to a cockpit receptable. This device will tell you distance to your homeport, or any waypoint you have in your database, or in the internal database, among another thousand or so features of this nifty little device.
I have a handheld Garmin 76 GPS mounted to the pedestal on the H28.5. I mounted it with an Autohelm bracket mounting. I normally connect it to ship's power with a plug to a cockpit receptable. This device will tell you distance to your homeport, or any waypoint you have in your database, or in the internal database, among another thousand or so features of this nifty little device.
Thanks for the help
Thanks to everyone for their advice. I think I will start with a G76 or similar model and work my way up if I want more features. I appreciate the advice on the Ram mounts. The magnifier eliminates some of my concerns of the small screen. However, there should be a way to connect a 7 inch DVD player screen and have the best of both worlds. Barry
Thanks to everyone for their advice. I think I will start with a G76 or similar model and work my way up if I want more features. I appreciate the advice on the Ram mounts. The magnifier eliminates some of my concerns of the small screen. However, there should be a way to connect a 7 inch DVD player screen and have the best of both worlds. Barry
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