Looking to get a hand-held GPS for use on the Chesapeake.
Anybody have any recommendations for brand and model?
Thanks!
Anybody have any recommendations for brand and model?
Thanks!
Hand Held GPS
- Thread starter Shooter II
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I have a Garmin 76 handheld that I kept from my previous boat. I still use it for all of my old waypoints and ability to hold it so the sun doesn't fade out the display. Mine is an older black and white model many years old works fine. Has basic land contours and markers which I find sufficient with a chart.
I recently got a Garmin 76csx, I also looked at the Colorado and Oregon by Garmin and some of the other 76 models. at the end of the day I choose based on a combination of cost and features. Do keep in mind with Garmin you will need to purchase the maps you need also which is about $100 per region. here is a couple of links with comparisons that may be helpfull.
http://shopping.yahoo.com/t-GPS/hand-held-marine-gps
http://www.gpscentral.ca/products/handheldgpscomparison.htm
http://shopping.yahoo.com/t-GPS/hand-held-marine-gps
http://www.gpscentral.ca/products/handheldgpscomparison.htm
Garmin 76csx + Chesapeake Blue Chart chip
I bought this Had the black and white on mentioned above and it is fine and still working but this litle unit is great the scren is small but when you blow up to say a 50-100 foot radius is is amazing depths channels humps and bumps all of those wondeful Chesapeake features are cleartly visable and avoidable Do internet search this is out there for very reasonable prices
I bought this Had the black and white on mentioned above and it is fine and still working but this litle unit is great the scren is small but when you blow up to say a 50-100 foot radius is is amazing depths channels humps and bumps all of those wondeful Chesapeake features are cleartly visable and avoidable Do internet search this is out there for very reasonable prices
If you just want Lat/Long go to E-Bay and pick up an older model for less than $100. However, if you want the latest technology you cannot go wrong with the Garmin 76 Series. The G7scx is the most recent and very successful evolution of this product and now can be had for less than $300. Garmin has recently released the Colorado and Oregon series but I think the jury is still out on thse newer and more expensive versions.
Check out the Practical Sailor reviews on this subject http://www.practical-sailor.com/. The forum archives have tons of information on handheld GPS units. Also check this link for more on the G76 http://h260.com/gps/gps1.html
A very nice recently released product is the G640 which has both city street software and marine software included. More money, but intended for intensive water and highway/city use.
Also, don't forget about a holder. RAM makes very a very sturdy product.
Check out the Practical Sailor reviews on this subject http://www.practical-sailor.com/. The forum archives have tons of information on handheld GPS units. Also check this link for more on the G76 http://h260.com/gps/gps1.html
A very nice recently released product is the G640 which has both city street software and marine software included. More money, but intended for intensive water and highway/city use.
Also, don't forget about a holder. RAM makes very a very sturdy product.
Another vote for the Garmin 76 series
I have the gpsmap 76 (I think that's the model) and it came pre-loaded with basic maps. It shows all the buoys and rough outline of the water plus bridges, etc. I've been more than happy with it and I still haven't even used a quarter of the features. I also found a bicycle mount for it online for about $20 that was a perfect fit for the pedestal guard. Attached is a shot showing the mount.
Manny
BTW- works great in the car, the street maps are pretty good.
I have the gpsmap 76 (I think that's the model) and it came pre-loaded with basic maps. It shows all the buoys and rough outline of the water plus bridges, etc. I've been more than happy with it and I still haven't even used a quarter of the features. I also found a bicycle mount for it online for about $20 that was a perfect fit for the pedestal guard. Attached is a shot showing the mount.
Manny
BTW- works great in the car, the street maps are pretty good.
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I have a Garmin GPS 60CS and love it for work or play. Loaded the Garmin maps for my areas. Keep them on laptop and handheld. Also have chartplotter on my boat but this Garmin is a backup on the boat.
GPS
Thanks for all the feed back, guys!
The guy at West Marine is recommending the Garmin Colorado because it has a bigger screen than the 76csx and comes preloaded with the marine maps. After adding in the cost of maps, the two cost about the same, the Colorado has a bigger screen but is early generation and has "issues". The 76 gets raves from you guys but the screen is smaller.
My wife thiinks my poor eyes will have trouble with the 76 She thinks I should look into a plotter. West Marine suggests the Garmin 440. Screen is good size and it does a lot of "stuff". Price wise about a hundred more.
Any thoughts, guys?
Any feedback is welcome.
Thanks!!
Thanks for all the feed back, guys!
The guy at West Marine is recommending the Garmin Colorado because it has a bigger screen than the 76csx and comes preloaded with the marine maps. After adding in the cost of maps, the two cost about the same, the Colorado has a bigger screen but is early generation and has "issues". The 76 gets raves from you guys but the screen is smaller.
My wife thiinks my poor eyes will have trouble with the 76 She thinks I should look into a plotter. West Marine suggests the Garmin 440. Screen is good size and it does a lot of "stuff". Price wise about a hundred more.
Any thoughts, guys?
Any feedback is welcome.
Thanks!!
My vote is for the chartplotter. The 440 looks like an excellent unit and is well priced. The obvious difference with the handheld is where and how to mount it. It will have a relatively heavy wire that needs to be routed and at least tied to a 12 volt supply.
Consider a crossover
Why not have a look at the Magellan Maestro 4220. You can remove the streets maps that are loaded onto the SD card and insert another SD card with your nautical charts on. You get a unit you can use use it in your car or boat, you just need to keep it dry.
Why not have a look at the Magellan Maestro 4220. You can remove the streets maps that are loaded onto the SD card and insert another SD card with your nautical charts on. You get a unit you can use use it in your car or boat, you just need to keep it dry.
I have a garman 60csx with the inland lakes topo lines for water depth. I'm not sure if it is a common feature for a hand-held but it has an anchor drag alarm. I'm not overly impressed with the routing system. It doesn't seem to understand that no matter where I am I have to go to mark number 1 and no matter which is closest I can't skip from mark 1 to mark 3. 
I'm planning to mount it on the binnacle. I want to mount it at 45 degrees but it doesn't seem to work correctly in "track up" mode unless it's level.
I'm planning to mount it on the binnacle. I want to mount it at 45 degrees but it doesn't seem to work correctly in "track up" mode unless it's level.
After a year of research I just bought the Garmin Colorado 400. It is on sale at West Marine for $339.00. I was leaning towards the Garmin 76csx, but the sale was the closer.
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