I am considering purchasing a handheld GPS for costal cruising. Any recommendations or suggestions ? Thanks
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Michael Cohn
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Steve Cook
I 2nd that!!!!
I have a Garmin III+ w/mapping.($369.00 at West Marine) I love it. Steve, H310 s/v The Odyssey....
I have a Garmin III+ w/mapping.($369.00 at West Marine) I love it. Steve, H310 s/v The Odyssey....
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SteveC
Garmin 12XL
I've got this model. Terriffic..... Decided to hook it into a CO with charting software... Extra Terriffic....
I've got this model. Terriffic..... Decided to hook it into a CO with charting software... Extra Terriffic....
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Jay Hill
Garwin with one exception
Be sure to buy one that has a definite antenna. don't get one of the models where the antenna is built into the face plate. Hmmmm...how to explain. You want one with a movable or at least protruding antenna. An antenna that is completely flush with the unit does not work very well in hand-held mode and it is very difficult to maintain a good fix on the number of satellites required. On the other hand, SteveC said he loves his 12XL which is the no-external-antenna type. See http://www.garmin.com/gps12XL.html I prefer the external types: See http://www.garmin.com/gpsII.html
Be sure to buy one that has a definite antenna. don't get one of the models where the antenna is built into the face plate. Hmmmm...how to explain. You want one with a movable or at least protruding antenna. An antenna that is completely flush with the unit does not work very well in hand-held mode and it is very difficult to maintain a good fix on the number of satellites required. On the other hand, SteveC said he loves his 12XL which is the no-external-antenna type. See http://www.garmin.com/gps12XL.html I prefer the external types: See http://www.garmin.com/gpsII.html
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Gail Moorehead
Go Cheap
I have two. One is installed at the nav station the other is hand held. The handheld is a very cheap Magellan, paid $79, The other is a mid cost Garmin. The accuracy is the same. There is a world of difference in the bells and whistles. Both are easy to use. If all you want to know is where you are, how to get somewhere, what track you are on and how fast you are going, the cheap handhelds are fine.
I have two. One is installed at the nav station the other is hand held. The handheld is a very cheap Magellan, paid $79, The other is a mid cost Garmin. The accuracy is the same. There is a world of difference in the bells and whistles. Both are easy to use. If all you want to know is where you are, how to get somewhere, what track you are on and how fast you are going, the cheap handhelds are fine.
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Mike Epp
Eagle map guide Pro
I've got an Eagle Map Guide Pro with IMS Smart Maps CD. I love it and it's very good for coastal and lake maps. It has a built in antennae. Cost was around $350. I think it's made by Lowrance.
I've got an Eagle Map Guide Pro with IMS Smart Maps CD. I love it and it's very good for coastal and lake maps. It has a built in antennae. Cost was around $350. I think it's made by Lowrance.
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Jon Bastien
I have...
A Garmin GPS 48; It was a Christmas gift in '98. I think they go for around $260 these days at West Marine. I love it- Comes with a database of marine lights built in (updates are on the 'net), it's water resistant (though I'm doing my best not to test this feature), it's easy to use, has decent battery life (24 hours on 4 AA's), can be plugged into an external antenna, and is handheld, so I don't have to leave it aboard when I'm not there. Plenty of accessories available for the Garmin units, too. --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind'
A Garmin GPS 48; It was a Christmas gift in '98. I think they go for around $260 these days at West Marine. I love it- Comes with a database of marine lights built in (updates are on the 'net), it's water resistant (though I'm doing my best not to test this feature), it's easy to use, has decent battery life (24 hours on 4 AA's), can be plugged into an external antenna, and is handheld, so I don't have to leave it aboard when I'm not there. Plenty of accessories available for the Garmin units, too. --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind'
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