I am in the market for a handheld GPS. I don't want to spend over $200. I am considerng Garmin Legend series as a possiblility. Anyone know a good handheld unit for coastal cruising?
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GPS
If you are into coastal cruising you might consider buying a handheld which has the capability of uploading charts from a nav program like Fugawi or NavTech etc. It is a feature which is invaluable particularily if you only have a handheld on board. Garmin 76S and the Lorance Pro are two units you might want to consider. A little more money but in the long run very much worth the extra cost.
If you are into coastal cruising you might consider buying a handheld which has the capability of uploading charts from a nav program like Fugawi or NavTech etc. It is a feature which is invaluable particularily if you only have a handheld on board. Garmin 76S and the Lorance Pro are two units you might want to consider. A little more money but in the long run very much worth the extra cost.
I vote for Magellan
I bought the Magellan Meridian with the navigation charts on CD last year and loved it. More than $200 though.
I bought the Magellan Meridian with the navigation charts on CD last year and loved it. More than $200 though.
eTrex Legeng
Hello, I got the legend for Xmas. I haven't used it on the boat yet (there is a small matter of 1' of snow, cold weather, etc.). The legend comes with marine points of interest (bouys and other navaids). I think the unit will work well for a boat. I am not ready to give up paper charts, but at least I will know where I am and where I should head! I got my unit from Walmart.com. It was about $170 with shipping. You may want some accessories, like rail mount, 12V power cord, etc. I also bought Mapquest Metroguide, which is NOT good for marine use, but is good for land navigation. If you can spend a little more money, the GPSMAP76 might be a better choice. It has a larger screen and more dedicated buttons. It will be closer to $300 than $200. Barry
Hello, I got the legend for Xmas. I haven't used it on the boat yet (there is a small matter of 1' of snow, cold weather, etc.). The legend comes with marine points of interest (bouys and other navaids). I think the unit will work well for a boat. I am not ready to give up paper charts, but at least I will know where I am and where I should head! I got my unit from Walmart.com. It was about $170 with shipping. You may want some accessories, like rail mount, 12V power cord, etc. I also bought Mapquest Metroguide, which is NOT good for marine use, but is good for land navigation. If you can spend a little more money, the GPSMAP76 might be a better choice. It has a larger screen and more dedicated buttons. It will be closer to $300 than $200. Barry
I like Magellan Hand helds
Matt, I have a Magellan 315 which is a pretty compact hand held model. The 320 model was the marine version with preloaded nav aids. Its a good unit that I also use for overnight sea kayaking trips and hiking, as well as on the boat. The equivalent Garmin at the time I bought it was the 212. The advantages over the Garmin were the screen is on the top, where it should be for one handing it, and it only uses 2 batteries vs. 4 hence its a bit lighter and more compact. There is a lot of talk about using handheld GPS units that can display charts but personaly I don't think the small screens make them all that practical to use. Kevin
Matt, I have a Magellan 315 which is a pretty compact hand held model. The 320 model was the marine version with preloaded nav aids. Its a good unit that I also use for overnight sea kayaking trips and hiking, as well as on the boat. The equivalent Garmin at the time I bought it was the 212. The advantages over the Garmin were the screen is on the top, where it should be for one handing it, and it only uses 2 batteries vs. 4 hence its a bit lighter and more compact. There is a lot of talk about using handheld GPS units that can display charts but personaly I don't think the small screens make them all that practical to use. Kevin
GPS Choices
I'm not familiar with all the hand held models of GPS out there, but I am familiar with the Garmin 76. I recently replaced my first generation Garmin 45 ( a great unit!) with the 76 and continue to be impressed with Garmin quality. For around $200 (or $160 for the very similar 72 model), you get a unit that does just about anything, and more, a coastal cruiser could need. It's easy to buy, operate, and mainatain. I do think this series of Garmins beats the eTrex series in terms of screen size and a number of features that the 76/72 series have.
I'm not familiar with all the hand held models of GPS out there, but I am familiar with the Garmin 76. I recently replaced my first generation Garmin 45 ( a great unit!) with the 76 and continue to be impressed with Garmin quality. For around $200 (or $160 for the very similar 72 model), you get a unit that does just about anything, and more, a coastal cruiser could need. It's easy to buy, operate, and mainatain. I do think this series of Garmins beats the eTrex series in terms of screen size and a number of features that the 76/72 series have.
get the Garmin gps76 or 72
they are designed for marine use. They float and only use 2aa batteries. Lots of features. you can hook it to your computer or other electronics for more extensive navigation applications. Like Warren, I upgraded from the old 45 about a year ago and I am very pleased. I have a hard wire set up, but often pull it out of the cradle and lay it on the seat next to me when making adjustments. See attached photo
they are designed for marine use. They float and only use 2aa batteries. Lots of features. you can hook it to your computer or other electronics for more extensive navigation applications. Like Warren, I upgraded from the old 45 about a year ago and I am very pleased. I have a hard wire set up, but often pull it out of the cradle and lay it on the seat next to me when making adjustments. See attached photo
Attachments
Internal Memory
In looking at the different brands, I notice a big difference in the size of the memory inside the units. How useful is the memory? The Garmin 76 Has only 1 meg. The Garmin Etrex Lengend has much more. How much is the memory used?
In looking at the different brands, I notice a big difference in the size of the memory inside the units. How useful is the memory? The Garmin 76 Has only 1 meg. The Garmin Etrex Lengend has much more. How much is the memory used?
E-trex Vista
You might also want to consider the Garmin etrex Vista model. I've had one for about two years now and am very happy with it. While I still prefer to use paper charts, the built-in maps have come in handy a number of times and with 24 megs of memory there's plenty of space for downloads. The compass function can also be pretty handy. IMHO, a pretty good value in a handheld GPS.
You might also want to consider the Garmin etrex Vista model. I've had one for about two years now and am very happy with it. While I still prefer to use paper charts, the built-in maps have come in handy a number of times and with 24 megs of memory there's plenty of space for downloads. The compass function can also be pretty handy. IMHO, a pretty good value in a handheld GPS.
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