Hand Held GPS - Help Me Pick One

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D

Ducati

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Nov 19, 2008
380
Boatless Boatless Annapolis
Gone is my plan to purchase an expensive chartplotter.

I now have decided to buy a handheld GPS.

I require reading glasses so one which has a large clear screen in sunlight is best for me.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
 
Jeff

Jeff

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Sep 29, 2008
195
Hunter 33.5 Carlyle Lake in Central Illinois
I love my Garmin 76Cx. Easy to read in the sun with the color display. You will need your glasses to read the small print (as I do) but most of the information is fair sized.
 
F

fifedog

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Jun 21, 2009
110
Hunter 27 Sparrows Point
Garmin COLORADO 400c. Mine fits in my cargo pocket, can be controlled with a thumbwheel, so I don't even have to take my hand off the tiller.
I believe WEST MARINE bought the whole remaining inventory last year, so watch for sales.
Garmin's OREGON is the newer model, but with touch screen.
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

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Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
76cx

76CX is great and use when kayaking mostly,I have a C-80 at the helm which can't be beat but I carry the 76cx as backup.
Nick
 
Paul Brinkley

Paul Brinkley

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Oct 18, 2007
707
Macgregor 26S Lucama, NC
I bought a Garmin Colorado 400C over a year ago. Works great. Comes with all coastal charts, easy to use. -Paul
 
Shooter II

Shooter II

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Jan 22, 2009
133
Hunter 31 '83_'87 Blue Water Marina
because i have bad eyes, i had to spend a little more and went with the Garmin 440.
i don't have a transduer because i have a raymarine bidata for that.
i wanted the charts and the slightly larger screen.

love it.
 
T

Todd Smith

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Dec 4, 2008
264
Other people's boats - Milford, CT
About the Garmin, it appears that Garmin is selling a microSD card for the entire US for about $160.

Does anyone know how detailed this card is ?

Thanks
Todd
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
How many bells and whistles do you want. A Garmin 72 is basic but will provide everything you "need".
 
Brian D

Brian D

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Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
I use a very old Garmin GPS12. All it gives me is lat/long, heading, and SOG. It is powered by batteries on my boat and also holds 4 AA just in case the boat batteries die. That is all I need. Anything else requires upgrades of some type. KISS principle applies. It mounts on my pedestal and is within arms reach. I too need glasses but when I sail, I use regular sunglasses with stick on magnifiers for makeshift bifocals. Works like a champ.
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

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Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
I'd recommend the Oregon or the Colorado. These are available in models with either the Coastal US charts or the Inland Waters US charts pre-loaded and are going to be far better a choice if you want to use it as a chartplotter. I have the Garmin 76CSx, and think it is a great unit, but the cost of the charts will kill you.
 
T

Todd Smith

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Dec 4, 2008
264
Other people's boats - Milford, CT
I just went and bought the Garmin 76Cx and the micro SD card with charts for the entire US for $200/gps +$150/chart at West Marine. I loaded up the chart and it seems to have pretty good detail around my home port. Having to spend a LOT of money on charts had prevented me from buying before.

Todd
 
Brian D

Brian D

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Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
Allow me to add one more thought. Why even get a GPS when a laptop running free charting programs with free charts from NOAA will do as well if not better? Not saying that a handheld GPS is not a good idea, it is, but it seems like we are spending money on technology that requires it be updated, at usually a very high cost (read: Garmin Charts).

Paper charts are always the best choice; no batteries required. (^_^)
 
1977oday22

1977oday22

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Dec 26, 2009
211
Oday 22 cleveland
Brian D said:
Allow me to add one more thought. Why even get a GPS when a laptop running free charting programs with free charts from NOAA will do as well if not better? Not saying that a handheld GPS is not a good idea, it is, but it seems like we are spending money on technology that requires it be updated, at usually a very high cost (read: Garmin Charts).

Paper charts are always the best choice; no batteries required. (^_^)
Click to expand
There was a laptop thread not too long ago. From what I understand, all you really need is a gps puck and some free software. That would be cool for me, but I also see the desire for a hand held unit. I'm thinking the laptop set up would be good for me. After all...how often do you need to look at it? maby every half hour?
"Sea Clear" is one of the programs I've heard about, I'm really interested in the lap top thingy.
Brian, do you have some insight that could help us un-tech-savy folks?
Night-time navigation is always a killer for me. (the eyes are getting old).
Fortunately I take my time and still get there with charts.
Thanks!
 
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