I'm looking to buy a GPS. I'm a private pilot so had my experience with Aviation (Magellan) GPS (lost medical)so now sail a Mac 26X. Didn't like the way Magellan quit/raised price to outragous for customer support on their Aviation units. I like the reputation of Lowrance, been looking at the Lowrance Global Map 100 Plus, and the Lowrance iFinder Atlantis. I still fly a little with my son and would like the GPS to find airports(without airport data is okay),cites, highways, etc, along with USA waterways. Can anyone who had/has either give a little info on both and maybe suggest which would fill the bill? Thanks
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Jim Quibell
In my humble opinion - Magellan is excellent
Last year I had a problem with the holding prongs on my Magellan antennae. Since 1995 (the date of purchase) I had somehow lost a number of the little prongs that hold the antennae on to the side of my GPS unit . I sent them an e-mail asking if I could order a replacement. They replied back asking for the serial number of my unit. I sent them their answer, and they responded by saying that a new antennae would be sent to me that day via UPS - prepaid, to Canada, No Charge. That to me was excellent service, and worthy of my future support.
Last year I had a problem with the holding prongs on my Magellan antennae. Since 1995 (the date of purchase) I had somehow lost a number of the little prongs that hold the antennae on to the side of my GPS unit . I sent them an e-mail asking if I could order a replacement. They replied back asking for the serial number of my unit. I sent them their answer, and they responded by saying that a new antennae would be sent to me that day via UPS - prepaid, to Canada, No Charge. That to me was excellent service, and worthy of my future support.
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J.B. Dyer
Garmin GPSMAP76
I went with the Garmin 76 Map, costs about 350.00. It comes preloaded with all major highways, interstates, major cities and it also has all airports and waterways in the US. It is computer programable and additional programs, marine and land based, can be purchased. It has too many functions to mention here but most importantly, it's user friendly and Garmin provides updates on a regular basis that can be downloaded off of their site. I've been using mine for two years now, primarily for marine use and couldn't be happier. I know that there are several good GPS's on the market, but this one is certainly worth looking at and considering before your final purchase.
I went with the Garmin 76 Map, costs about 350.00. It comes preloaded with all major highways, interstates, major cities and it also has all airports and waterways in the US. It is computer programable and additional programs, marine and land based, can be purchased. It has too many functions to mention here but most importantly, it's user friendly and Garmin provides updates on a regular basis that can be downloaded off of their site. I've been using mine for two years now, primarily for marine use and couldn't be happier. I know that there are several good GPS's on the market, but this one is certainly worth looking at and considering before your final purchase.
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Warren
Garmin - Industry Leader
I use a Garmin 48 on my sailboat & a 250XL in my Cessna. Both do more than I'll ever know! Recommend Garmin Good Luck
I use a Garmin 48 on my sailboat & a 250XL in my Cessna. Both do more than I'll ever know! Recommend Garmin Good Luck
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Tim
Garmin for me too
I love my 182c. I worked a great deal to get it, maps, a card programmer and a 16mb card for about a grand. I can read it in direct sunlight and it has great features. I use an Etrex Lengend with the same maps loaded as backup. Garmin allows you to load it's maps into a maximum of 2 units. Tim
I love my 182c. I worked a great deal to get it, maps, a card programmer and a 16mb card for about a grand. I can read it in direct sunlight and it has great features. I use an Etrex Lengend with the same maps loaded as backup. Garmin allows you to load it's maps into a maximum of 2 units. Tim
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Alan Douglass
Garmin 176C
I am too and aviator. I have the Garmin 176C. If you still read airplane magazines, you'll likley see ads for the newest/best aviation unit which is a takeoff of the 176C. The aviation unit has aviation waypoints, cdi,etc.and is only available in black&white. The 176C is useable for boating or on land. It comes in black&white (176) or the color model 176C. I found the color version better to see depth contours. It gives you tide tables that are accurate to your postition, color and number of depth contours, anchor alarm, and many other bells and whistles. Get it, you'll be glad you did.
I am too and aviator. I have the Garmin 176C. If you still read airplane magazines, you'll likley see ads for the newest/best aviation unit which is a takeoff of the 176C. The aviation unit has aviation waypoints, cdi,etc.and is only available in black&white. The 176C is useable for boating or on land. It comes in black&white (176) or the color model 176C. I found the color version better to see depth contours. It gives you tide tables that are accurate to your postition, color and number of depth contours, anchor alarm, and many other bells and whistles. Get it, you'll be glad you did.
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dan
garmin
I got a Garmin too, as soon as I figure out how to use it Im sure Ill love it. in the mean while I just ask my girlfriend for the info, she is a wiz at it!
I got a Garmin too, as soon as I figure out how to use it Im sure Ill love it. in the mean while I just ask my girlfriend for the info, she is a wiz at it!
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Ron
Magellan MapSend Unreliable
I bought a Meridian Gold - looked good and price was attactive, but ... Magellan's "MapSend Streets & Destinations in the US" is useless for navigation. Points on map might be up to 1/4 mile out of synch with real world! Thales knows they have a problem (I called) and are promising more accurate maps soon, but I would not buy without being sure the maps are accurate enough to supplement a GPS receiver. What they have now are less useful than a paper road map. and the information is several years old. One would hope their BluNav charts are more accurate, but I don't know. And they are available for Coastal and Great Lake areas only.
I bought a Meridian Gold - looked good and price was attactive, but ... Magellan's "MapSend Streets & Destinations in the US" is useless for navigation. Points on map might be up to 1/4 mile out of synch with real world! Thales knows they have a problem (I called) and are promising more accurate maps soon, but I would not buy without being sure the maps are accurate enough to supplement a GPS receiver. What they have now are less useful than a paper road map. and the information is several years old. One would hope their BluNav charts are more accurate, but I don't know. And they are available for Coastal and Great Lake areas only.
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Mel
Garmin it is
Looks like the Garmin is the one. We still travel the USA in our Cessna 182 (my wife's med and lic is current)traveling from Oregon to Montana, Las Vegas, Iowa, for School Reunions, etc. It was just that Magellan (SkyBlazer XL) quit, or raised the price to over $300 for updates on Air Nav Aids, that we wouldn't consider them. My son still uses it in our Cessan 170, but without current Airport Info. Thanks for the feedback everyone.
Looks like the Garmin is the one. We still travel the USA in our Cessna 182 (my wife's med and lic is current)traveling from Oregon to Montana, Las Vegas, Iowa, for School Reunions, etc. It was just that Magellan (SkyBlazer XL) quit, or raised the price to over $300 for updates on Air Nav Aids, that we wouldn't consider them. My son still uses it in our Cessan 170, but without current Airport Info. Thanks for the feedback everyone.
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