Hello, Have a 94 H 29.5. Looking to add a GPS. Have a few questions. Looking at Garmin 176(bw/c?). Any other models to consider? What about chips or discs for depth accuracy? How to add a power outlet, or plug in to the cockpit? How much boat battery can be drained? somedaycame.
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I just bought my first GPS
It is a Magellan Sportrak Pro handheld. Waterproof and it floats. Runs on two AA batteries for about 15 hours. Has a power extension to plug into a cigarette lighter on car or boat. Cost me $108 brand new from a store going out of business. The CDROM with marine charts cost $170 but is available for less. The unit hyas a built in base chart for land use and a database full of waypoints for all sorts of marine things like ATNs and marinas. You can upload to the unit one marine chart at a time from the CDROM. hese charts are highly detailed but not the equalk of paper charts. And of course you get to see a pretty small bit of it on the tiny screen. But useful nonetheless. I currently have loaded the chart from New Haven to Sandy Hook. If I go outside that are then I have to load a different chart, which means I will now have to buy a computer for the boat. The GPS does output NMEA data so you can hook it to your autopilot or other things. But I also have LORAN which is driving the autopilot and I see no reason to change that.
It is a Magellan Sportrak Pro handheld. Waterproof and it floats. Runs on two AA batteries for about 15 hours. Has a power extension to plug into a cigarette lighter on car or boat. Cost me $108 brand new from a store going out of business. The CDROM with marine charts cost $170 but is available for less. The unit hyas a built in base chart for land use and a database full of waypoints for all sorts of marine things like ATNs and marinas. You can upload to the unit one marine chart at a time from the CDROM. hese charts are highly detailed but not the equalk of paper charts. And of course you get to see a pretty small bit of it on the tiny screen. But useful nonetheless. I currently have loaded the chart from New Haven to Sandy Hook. If I go outside that are then I have to load a different chart, which means I will now have to buy a computer for the boat. The GPS does output NMEA data so you can hook it to your autopilot or other things. But I also have LORAN which is driving the autopilot and I see no reason to change that.
Portable
Not sure you want to mount it, which requires drilling holes and such. Portables are easily stored below for security, and they make a mount that screws into the cupholder for when you need it up on deck. Easier, cheaper, safer.
Not sure you want to mount it, which requires drilling holes and such. Portables are easily stored below for security, and they make a mount that screws into the cupholder for when you need it up on deck. Easier, cheaper, safer.
Hand-held and Laptop
Get a hand-held GPS and a laptop. You'll get a VERY small screen on most GPS's unless you're laying out BIG bucks! A laptop gives you a color 13" screen and can couple to your GPS with a cable. Get software for about $170 and you're set! Well, maybe - you'll probably want a holder for your GPS, too. Suggestion - check out ebay for a Panasonic Toughbook. They're the computers used by highway patrol, construction workers, etc. Spill proof boards, you can drop 'em, etc. Made for "unkind" environments...........like a boat! A good used one will cost you $150-$300. Get at least 366 mhz, 128 megs Ram, and a CD drive. A bonus would also be a floppy, a modem, lotsa' hard disk space (4-6 gig), and software! Good luck! Michael O'
Get a hand-held GPS and a laptop. You'll get a VERY small screen on most GPS's unless you're laying out BIG bucks! A laptop gives you a color 13" screen and can couple to your GPS with a cable. Get software for about $170 and you're set! Well, maybe - you'll probably want a holder for your GPS, too. Suggestion - check out ebay for a Panasonic Toughbook. They're the computers used by highway patrol, construction workers, etc. Spill proof boards, you can drop 'em, etc. Made for "unkind" environments...........like a boat! A good used one will cost you $150-$300. Get at least 366 mhz, 128 megs Ram, and a CD drive. A bonus would also be a floppy, a modem, lotsa' hard disk space (4-6 gig), and software! Good luck! Michael O'
Garmin GPSMap76S
Its a handheld, but one that can mount on a rail via 20 kit from your Garmin Dealer (Boat US, West Marine, etc. Power: works off two AA batteries, or adapter works on cigaratte lighter outlet all day with virtually no drain to your 12 volt battery. Or, you can hard wire it, if you like. It probably will also interface to your autopilot depending on what kind you have. You can download Garmin Mapsource Charts from a PC (requires cable) that are specific to your area, or you can buy the mroe expensive charts for it, too. Chances are in Deltaville, the Mapsource are going to be fine. As you zoom in, you get more detail. If you want to get an idea of the charts, go to the Garmin.com site and see a sample.
Its a handheld, but one that can mount on a rail via 20 kit from your Garmin Dealer (Boat US, West Marine, etc. Power: works off two AA batteries, or adapter works on cigaratte lighter outlet all day with virtually no drain to your 12 volt battery. Or, you can hard wire it, if you like. It probably will also interface to your autopilot depending on what kind you have. You can download Garmin Mapsource Charts from a PC (requires cable) that are specific to your area, or you can buy the mroe expensive charts for it, too. Chances are in Deltaville, the Mapsource are going to be fine. As you zoom in, you get more detail. If you want to get an idea of the charts, go to the Garmin.com site and see a sample.
Love my 176!!!!
I purchased a Garmin GPS Map 176 and love it. I actually purchased the 176C but had to retun it! The 176C is NOT sunlight viewable. The screen is not the same as in their higher end models. I was using the 176C at my pedestal and could not even see the screen on a sunny day!!! The b&w unit works fine. I love the fact that this is a full fledged chartplotter that will run my auto pilot and will also run on AA batteries. I even bring it on freinds boats! They are blown away that my $500.00 chart plotter will do as much or more than their $3000.00 Raymarine set ups. If you want a small color unit consider the Standard Horizon CP150C. This unit has great sunlight vis and is only 799.00 compared to the Garmin 182C at 999.00....Good luck! I recommend the 176!!!! -Rodd C.
I purchased a Garmin GPS Map 176 and love it. I actually purchased the 176C but had to retun it! The 176C is NOT sunlight viewable. The screen is not the same as in their higher end models. I was using the 176C at my pedestal and could not even see the screen on a sunny day!!! The b&w unit works fine. I love the fact that this is a full fledged chartplotter that will run my auto pilot and will also run on AA batteries. I even bring it on freinds boats! They are blown away that my $500.00 chart plotter will do as much or more than their $3000.00 Raymarine set ups. If you want a small color unit consider the Standard Horizon CP150C. This unit has great sunlight vis and is only 799.00 compared to the Garmin 182C at 999.00....Good luck! I recommend the 176!!!! -Rodd C.
Garmin 76S
Purchased a 76S last season and it only gets better each time it gets used. Very portable, very little power drain, and with the greater memory, 24mb, can handle the entire set of maps for the Chesapeake bay. Couple that with the ability to connect to a computer for setting waypoints and routes when armchair sailing it makes for a very functionable unit. As for map details you can set the amount of chart detail that you feel is necessary. It also makes for a great toy for car trips.
Purchased a 76S last season and it only gets better each time it gets used. Very portable, very little power drain, and with the greater memory, 24mb, can handle the entire set of maps for the Chesapeake bay. Couple that with the ability to connect to a computer for setting waypoints and routes when armchair sailing it makes for a very functionable unit. As for map details you can set the amount of chart detail that you feel is necessary. It also makes for a great toy for car trips.
Don't let the smooth taste fool you
Not to rain on your parade but there are two issues that haven't been raised in this thread. First, your actual position provided by the GPS may not match the chart. GPS is extremely accurate, but the survey techniques that were used to prepare the original paper chart (from which the chartplotter image was developed) were not. The plotter may not be telling you where you really are. This problem also exists with paper charts, but it is easy to forget when you are watching the little icon on the chartplotter screen. Second, I wouldn't rely 100% on depth info from the plotter. The 3-D nav data looks cool on the display, but again, you're looking at depth information taken from the chart. The chart may not be accurate, your plotted position on the display may not be accurate and even if they are, water depths sometimes change over time. I'd think about adding a depthsounder as an independent cross-check of the plotter. Just my two cents (which I earned by running aground). Peter H23 "Raven"
Not to rain on your parade but there are two issues that haven't been raised in this thread. First, your actual position provided by the GPS may not match the chart. GPS is extremely accurate, but the survey techniques that were used to prepare the original paper chart (from which the chartplotter image was developed) were not. The plotter may not be telling you where you really are. This problem also exists with paper charts, but it is easy to forget when you are watching the little icon on the chartplotter screen. Second, I wouldn't rely 100% on depth info from the plotter. The 3-D nav data looks cool on the display, but again, you're looking at depth information taken from the chart. The chart may not be accurate, your plotted position on the display may not be accurate and even if they are, water depths sometimes change over time. I'd think about adding a depthsounder as an independent cross-check of the plotter. Just my two cents (which I earned by running aground). Peter H23 "Raven"
Yes but...
The results you get from dead recconing also will not match the charts. Updates to charts are now obtained using GPS and usually will be a little more accurate than your GPS. My point is that a movemnent towards a more accurate method of charting is a good thing. I think everyone should be well versed in manual charting because the GPS or the power source or the antenna or something is bound to break in the harsh conditions of salt water sailing. I use a 182c with external antenna. I carry an Etrex Legend as a backup. Both have my charts loaded on them. I also plan on taking an advanced piloting course to back this up. I agree on using a depthsounder to augment your GPS. Just remember that angles of heel could misrepresent the actual depth. I have mine calibrated from the bottom of the keel for an extra bit of comfort. Between a good GPS, a depthsounder and a chart you should be in good shape. Just my .02 and so far have not grounded. Knocking as I write this ;-) Tim Reilley Portland, Maine
The results you get from dead recconing also will not match the charts. Updates to charts are now obtained using GPS and usually will be a little more accurate than your GPS. My point is that a movemnent towards a more accurate method of charting is a good thing. I think everyone should be well versed in manual charting because the GPS or the power source or the antenna or something is bound to break in the harsh conditions of salt water sailing. I use a 182c with external antenna. I carry an Etrex Legend as a backup. Both have my charts loaded on them. I also plan on taking an advanced piloting course to back this up. I agree on using a depthsounder to augment your GPS. Just remember that angles of heel could misrepresent the actual depth. I have mine calibrated from the bottom of the keel for an extra bit of comfort. Between a good GPS, a depthsounder and a chart you should be in good shape. Just my .02 and so far have not grounded. Knocking as I write this ;-) Tim Reilley Portland, Maine
Electronic Charts
Very few updates to current U.S. coastal charts reflect current GPS positioning, other than ATONs (and then only when placed, as even they tend to move around). Most new chart editions are derived from mensurated satellite imagery. The digital charts (raster-scan and digitized vector varieties) used today by Garmin, etc. typically are sourced from the original paper charts. So the original errors plus new ones are propagated through these products. Many companies (e.g., MapTech, C-Map, etc) attempt to keep them updated to LNMs and issue annual upgrades. but if it isn't in an LNM, it isn't put into their product. Yes, GPS tells you where you are with amazing precision, but it's relative to a specific datum/geodetic model (i.e., WGS-84). Your chart may be relative to a different datum/geodetic model -- so cross-check! Dead-reckoning & coastal piloting isn't an exact science but it's pretty good if done by an expert. One important factor is that these techniques involve the full attention of the navigator to wind, current, depth, compass, speed log, landmarks, ATONs, birds, whatever. Also, it can be done with the simplest & most reliable instruments. Sticking your face into a GPS chartplotter is OK, but do it with the same overall situation awareness of the dead-reckoning navigator. It should be just one more tool, not THE tool. --RonD
Very few updates to current U.S. coastal charts reflect current GPS positioning, other than ATONs (and then only when placed, as even they tend to move around). Most new chart editions are derived from mensurated satellite imagery. The digital charts (raster-scan and digitized vector varieties) used today by Garmin, etc. typically are sourced from the original paper charts. So the original errors plus new ones are propagated through these products. Many companies (e.g., MapTech, C-Map, etc) attempt to keep them updated to LNMs and issue annual upgrades. but if it isn't in an LNM, it isn't put into their product. Yes, GPS tells you where you are with amazing precision, but it's relative to a specific datum/geodetic model (i.e., WGS-84). Your chart may be relative to a different datum/geodetic model -- so cross-check! Dead-reckoning & coastal piloting isn't an exact science but it's pretty good if done by an expert. One important factor is that these techniques involve the full attention of the navigator to wind, current, depth, compass, speed log, landmarks, ATONs, birds, whatever. Also, it can be done with the simplest & most reliable instruments. Sticking your face into a GPS chartplotter is OK, but do it with the same overall situation awareness of the dead-reckoning navigator. It should be just one more tool, not THE tool. --RonD
GPS gets really good
when you've been there before. The most usefull information I have are my previous waypoints, marked on my paper charts. OMO
Gord
when you've been there before. The most usefull information I have are my previous waypoints, marked on my paper charts. OMO
GordHow close do ya wanna be?
I always corroborate the use of my gps with DR navigation and with keeping my eyes open. HOWEVER, I can usually tell which slip I'm in in a marina with my gps/laptop combination using The Cap'n software. How much closer do ya wanna be? Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
I always corroborate the use of my gps with DR navigation and with keeping my eyes open. HOWEVER, I can usually tell which slip I'm in in a marina with my gps/laptop combination using The Cap'n software. How much closer do ya wanna be? Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
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