GPS..what would you choose?

[Bad Obsession]

I am thinking about purchasing a GPS. If you had up to $900 to spend on a Chartplotting GPS what would you buy? What features do you like the most? What problems are there with the unit? What are its limitations? Where would you mount it? Here is some background on my boat and my sailing. I have a 1990 Catalina 30. It is used for coastal cruising in the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay area. I do a lot of weekend trips (around 2 a month for 3 days) and I take at least one extended vacation a summer (around 10-14 days). My boat is equipped with a Raymarine S1 wheel pilot. I currently own a Garmin GPS Map 76S (I really like my Garmin). The GPS will actually be a gift from a family member to me (long story). Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Waffle]

Get a cheap hand held and good paper charts

Maybe by a cheap chart plotter too. Nothing beats paper charts!

 

[Ross]

Well I cruise the upper bay and use an ADC

chart book for about fifty bucks, A Garmin 72 GPS for about 150 and a depth sounder that I bought so long ago it doesn't matter. I would take the balance and buy good ground tackle.

 

[Larry Wilson]

Garmin 540 with G2 charts

Garmin GPS Map 540. About $800. Add Garmin G2 Vision charts with auto guidance for the bay.$199.http://www.garmin.com/cartography/g2vision/ Great value, super system. Interface with a DSC enabled vhf..for instant distress messaging and location. Will also interface with your wheel pilot.See the Garmin website for info. Or for alot less, a GPS 492, on clearance in store at West Marine that uses the older G2 Charts.About $499

 

[Stu Jackson]

Bad, why not

put that $900 to better use? You have all the equipment you need to navigate already, and you already like it! There's much to be said about the downside of sailing a boat like it's a video game.

 

[Joe]

Navman

I have a Navman Chart plotter and like it a lot. Check them out before you buy. I got mine at Defender Marine.

 

[Terry Cox]

I'm very happy with the Garmin GPS 178C...

that the fam got me for my birthday two seasons ago. I picked up a 32 meg data card for it that holds two chart regions equal to about 250 paper charts. Everything is right there at the helm including tide information, marine services, etc.Terry

 

[kd4ao13295]

Garmin GPSMAP 492/498

makes a great choice, charts built in and if you don't have a functional depth indicator the 498 with in-hull transducer works quite well. The color display works very well even in bright sun. WM was/is reducing prices.

 

[Al]

give the Standard Horizon 180 a look

This is the unit I'm buying next week for my 30' boat and with the addition of the black box I'll also have the depth sounder feature. it will tie in with my autopilot. There is a web site if your interested, that has a really reasonable price.

 

[NautiDuck]

Garmin 492 on sale

www.thegpsstore.com has the Garmin 492 on sale for $450 so you get a fine plotter with all USA coastal maps and save half your $.Even with the 492 you wont be able to sail like a video game. ;-)

 

[Nice N Easy]

Garmin 492/498

I would second those who recommend the Garmin 492/498 units. I have a 498 and love it. Had a 182 on previous boat and it was also very good. Biggest advantage of the 498 is the built in charts. Check the prices on buying the cards and you will see why the 498 looks so good. Also all you need to add depth is a 50 buck transducer. Not at all familiar with the Nav man, but am with Ray marine stuff, and the Garmin to me is much more user friendly.