I'm going to break down and get a handheld GPS for use on my daysailer which I use along the central NJ coast. Money is a factor but I want a reliable unit. What are the pros and cons of units which can add additional maps? Also, whara is the best place to buy? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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I like Gamren, but
there are other good brands too. Garmen makes a good one that has all maps built in both land and marine, plus mavigational aids built in. It also floats and is 100% waterproof! Its not to much wither i think 200 or 250 at west marine, if you call west marine they can help you pick one out thats perfect for you! Good luck -Jeff
there are other good brands too. Garmen makes a good one that has all maps built in both land and marine, plus mavigational aids built in. It also floats and is 100% waterproof! Its not to much wither i think 200 or 250 at west marine, if you call west marine they can help you pick one out thats perfect for you! Good luck -Jeff
garmin 72
Personally, I think all you need is the Garmin model 72 black and white screen with out mapping. Its under $120 from Amazon with free shipping. Durable fairly waterproof and a big enough screen to read for a handheld. A great intro unit that you can use as a back up if you ever decide you need more bells and whistles.
Personally, I think all you need is the Garmin model 72 black and white screen with out mapping. Its under $120 from Amazon with free shipping. Durable fairly waterproof and a big enough screen to read for a handheld. A great intro unit that you can use as a back up if you ever decide you need more bells and whistles.
Garmin GPS Map 76
I have this unit and I have navigated all over the Chesapeake bay with it. It is simple to use, has a pre-loaded base map with nav markers, and it is very accurate. You can find them on sale for around $200 (West Marine and Boat US fequently puts them on sale for this price). It is well worth the price. It is also capible of using bluecharts.
I have this unit and I have navigated all over the Chesapeake bay with it. It is simple to use, has a pre-loaded base map with nav markers, and it is very accurate. You can find them on sale for around $200 (West Marine and Boat US fequently puts them on sale for this price). It is well worth the price. It is also capible of using bluecharts.
I like Magellan Merdians, Garmens good too
I looked at both, and in the end I chose a Magellan Meridian (now discontinued, but available on ebay). I chose it primarily because the buttons for controlling the GPS are below the screen, so I can hold it on the bottom with one hand while I'm steering and push the buttons with my thumb. All the Meridians float and accept marine maps, so you don't have to specifically find a Meridian Marine. I tried using the Garmins, including the 76, but I couldn't get the hang of holding the unit from the top or side to push the buttons. But that's just me.
Either way, once you get a handheld GPS you'll be hooked! Mike
I looked at both, and in the end I chose a Magellan Meridian (now discontinued, but available on ebay). I chose it primarily because the buttons for controlling the GPS are below the screen, so I can hold it on the bottom with one hand while I'm steering and push the buttons with my thumb. All the Meridians float and accept marine maps, so you don't have to specifically find a Meridian Marine. I tried using the Garmins, including the 76, but I couldn't get the hang of holding the unit from the top or side to push the buttons. But that's just me.
Either way, once you get a handheld GPS you'll be hooked! Mike76C or 76CX - Highly Recommend Them!
What's nice is, as mentioned previously, the unit's been on sale recently. I use mine in my car, on hikes, mountain biking and day sailing. I bought the extra Bluecharts disk with very accurate charts of the Bay and east coast, and the additional car kit. It's saved me from running aground many times! Very worth while, but I wish it had voice navigation, it only makes specific sounding beeps for up coming turns. The best part is that it's water tight for 2 meters and it floats. But I wouldn't recommend testing this... Good luck.. -Sean
What's nice is, as mentioned previously, the unit's been on sale recently. I use mine in my car, on hikes, mountain biking and day sailing. I bought the extra Bluecharts disk with very accurate charts of the Bay and east coast, and the additional car kit. It's saved me from running aground many times! Very worth while, but I wish it had voice navigation, it only makes specific sounding beeps for up coming turns. The best part is that it's water tight for 2 meters and it floats. But I wouldn't recommend testing this...
Good luck.. -Sean
I have a garmin 72 and it is capable of more
than I have been able to comprehend so far. But you must be careful! I entered my slip as a waypoint and went sailing, when i asked for a route back to the slip it was bang on and direct, straight across garrett island. Same thing from our anchorage back to the slip. It didn't even know that the Amtrak bridge was in the way. But in its favor it knew the numbers of the buoy-age in the area and when the wind went glassy calm it knew how fast we were drifting with the tide. It also knows where we are when I ask about the state of the tide and it shows just what i can expect of the tides for the next few hours. I can't tell me when to heave-to and cook supper and doesn't seem to care if I am sailing or motoring when telling me how fast or slowly(this is a sailboat) I am going.
than I have been able to comprehend so far. But you must be careful! I entered my slip as a waypoint and went sailing, when i asked for a route back to the slip it was bang on and direct, straight across garrett island. Same thing from our anchorage back to the slip. It didn't even know that the Amtrak bridge was in the way. But in its favor it knew the numbers of the buoy-age in the area and when the wind went glassy calm it knew how fast we were drifting with the tide. It also knows where we are when I ask about the state of the tide and it shows just what i can expect of the tides for the next few hours. I can't tell me when to heave-to and cook supper and doesn't seem to care if I am sailing or motoring when telling me how fast or slowly(this is a sailboat) I am going.
Tim, what do you want it to do for you?
Seriously, all of the GPS units sold are reliable. The thing is, do you want to use it on the boat only or for biking, camping, in the car? Can you or do you navigate with charts: if so, the basic model suggested by Richard is fine (we have an eight year old Magellan 300 with only numbers, no chart display AT ALL). Do you want or need a chart-plotter or simpler built in database of buoys, then the G76 or G76 Map is what you'll want. Do you want to use the hosue battery, or rely on AAs? We just don't know, so all we can tell you is how much we each like ours, which doesn't really answer your question. I recommend you read West Marine's catalog or Advisors online about GPS units and figure out what you need and what you can or will afford, first. Then, once you've narrowed it down, I'll bet there's lotsa folks who'll help you find a great deal on the purchase! I love my Magellan, because it has a simple GO TO button. The Garmins all require you to scroll through a menu in three steps to get there. Can you learn how to use it, you betcha. The downside, to me, of my friend's Garmin 76, which has the preprogrammed buoys, is that the screen is too small to see anything worthwhile, and when you zoom in, the preprogrammed stuff obliterates your own data. That's the advantage of the G72, less screen clutter. I think you should also go to a store and try some out. So much of this stuff is personal preference.
Seriously, all of the GPS units sold are reliable. The thing is, do you want to use it on the boat only or for biking, camping, in the car? Can you or do you navigate with charts: if so, the basic model suggested by Richard is fine (we have an eight year old Magellan 300 with only numbers, no chart display AT ALL). Do you want or need a chart-plotter or simpler built in database of buoys, then the G76 or G76 Map is what you'll want. Do you want to use the hosue battery, or rely on AAs? We just don't know, so all we can tell you is how much we each like ours, which doesn't really answer your question. I recommend you read West Marine's catalog or Advisors online about GPS units and figure out what you need and what you can or will afford, first. Then, once you've narrowed it down, I'll bet there's lotsa folks who'll help you find a great deal on the purchase! I love my Magellan, because it has a simple GO TO button. The Garmins all require you to scroll through a menu in three steps to get there. Can you learn how to use it, you betcha. The downside, to me, of my friend's Garmin 76, which has the preprogrammed buoys, is that the screen is too small to see anything worthwhile, and when you zoom in, the preprogrammed stuff obliterates your own data. That's the advantage of the G72, less screen clutter. I think you should also go to a store and try some out. So much of this stuff is personal preference.
More Detail On My GPS Needs
Thanks for all of the information so far. A little more about my anticipated needs. I was out this summer using my trusty chart and local knowledge when the fog rolled in. Then I realized that I really didn't know my position and it would have been handy to know that so I didn't end up hard on the bank or anchored oi the middle of a busy channel! I've also pretty much covered the area I sail within about 3-4 hours from my slip - so I'm looking to go further and will definitely want to know my position - ideally shown on some form of chart which also shows navaids. I also do not have any reliable way to tell my speed underway and the GPS could do that. I've also looked at Garmins and Magellans in some stores however I need to get more serious before spring. Just by look and feel the Magellan seems more user friendly to me. Does it have the same reliability as Garmin? As far as car use I might want to use it there but primatily boat use. Could possibly use it for hiking also. Any thoughts on these points would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Thanks for all of the information so far. A little more about my anticipated needs. I was out this summer using my trusty chart and local knowledge when the fog rolled in. Then I realized that I really didn't know my position and it would have been handy to know that so I didn't end up hard on the bank or anchored oi the middle of a busy channel! I've also pretty much covered the area I sail within about 3-4 hours from my slip - so I'm looking to go further and will definitely want to know my position - ideally shown on some form of chart which also shows navaids. I also do not have any reliable way to tell my speed underway and the GPS could do that. I've also looked at Garmins and Magellans in some stores however I need to get more serious before spring. Just by look and feel the Magellan seems more user friendly to me. Does it have the same reliability as Garmin? As far as car use I might want to use it there but primatily boat use. Could possibly use it for hiking also. Any thoughts on these points would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Handheld GPS
Sounds like you could benefit from a short course on use of GPS. The US Power Squadron has a new course that focuses on the use of GPS and how it relates to traditional dead reckoning navigation methods. Highly recommended. Check the USPS website for a local power squadron in your area. Go to: Go to this link to find the closest US Power Squadron near you: http://www.abseconislandps.org/
Sounds like you could benefit from a short course on use of GPS. The US Power Squadron has a new course that focuses on the use of GPS and how it relates to traditional dead reckoning navigation methods. Highly recommended. Check the USPS website for a local power squadron in your area. Go to: Go to this link to find the closest US Power Squadron near you: http://www.abseconislandps.org/
color vs mono, charting
Hello, I have a Garmen Etrex Legend. It's a monochrome unit that comes with a built in map of the US with all marine nav aids. It works well, is reliable, cheap, etc. I also have a Lowrance color unit with a 3.5" color display. If you have the budget, a color display is much easier to use. The marine nav aids are displayed in color (red and green), it's easier to tell water from land, and the screen is just easier to red. If you don't have the budget for that, at least get a unit that displays maps. The cost is not much more than for a unit that just displays your position. Good luck, Barry
Hello, I have a Garmen Etrex Legend. It's a monochrome unit that comes with a built in map of the US with all marine nav aids. It works well, is reliable, cheap, etc. I also have a Lowrance color unit with a 3.5" color display. If you have the budget, a color display is much easier to use. The marine nav aids are displayed in color (red and green), it's easier to tell water from land, and the screen is just easier to red. If you don't have the budget for that, at least get a unit that displays maps. The cost is not much more than for a unit that just displays your position. Good luck, Barry
Not Magellan
I have both a Garmin and a Magellan (Meridian). Both are very good at what they are designed to do, but very different in company support. The Garmin excelled at after market service/repairs, I seriously damaged it (crushed between the tiller and bulkhead) during a midstorm crisis. I contacted Garmin and within 2 weeks I had my GPS back and fully operational for under $100.00. The Magellan just up and quit about a month ago (my electronics training tells me I have a/several fried components). So far they have ignored my comunications with them (why have that fancy on-line form and service site if you are going to ignore it) The rumour I got was that their marine division was losing money so they are trying to get out of it. Whatever their reasoning, I have lost confidence in them and their products and would not recommend them to anyone. EG.
I have both a Garmin and a Magellan (Meridian). Both are very good at what they are designed to do, but very different in company support. The Garmin excelled at after market service/repairs, I seriously damaged it (crushed between the tiller and bulkhead) during a midstorm crisis. I contacted Garmin and within 2 weeks I had my GPS back and fully operational for under $100.00. The Magellan just up and quit about a month ago (my electronics training tells me I have a/several fried components). So far they have ignored my comunications with them (why have that fancy on-line form and service site if you are going to ignore it) The rumour I got was that their marine division was losing money so they are trying to get out of it. Whatever their reasoning, I have lost confidence in them and their products and would not recommend them to anyone. EG.
Garmin 76C
Recently got this model from http://www.gpsonsale.com for $276 and added bluechart. Friend had the model 76 greyscale. Go with the color. The difference is very significant. Best price i found. Retails around $400
Recently got this model from http://www.gpsonsale.com for $276 and added bluechart. Friend had the model 76 greyscale. Go with the color. The difference is very significant. Best price i found. Retails around $400
Garmin buttons
< Climb on soap box> Why are the buttons on the top of the Garmin handhelds? I have wanted to get a GPS for a long time now, and know that Garmin is the best, but I can't get past the buttons on the top! My ipod has the screen on the top/buttons on the bottom. My calculator has the screen on the top/buttons on the bottom. My universal remote has the screen on the top/buttons on the bottom. I can easily use all of the above with one hand tied behind my back. I have tried to use the Garmin's, but it is awkward. I can't seem to contort my hand so that I don't block the screen, while I push buttons with my thumb. Anyway, I guess they want to be different, and sales are good enough to warrant their uniqueness. < Climb down> Thanks.
< Climb on soap box> Why are the buttons on the top of the Garmin handhelds? I have wanted to get a GPS for a long time now, and know that Garmin is the best, but I can't get past the buttons on the top! My ipod has the screen on the top/buttons on the bottom. My calculator has the screen on the top/buttons on the bottom. My universal remote has the screen on the top/buttons on the bottom. I can easily use all of the above with one hand tied behind my back. I have tried to use the Garmin's, but it is awkward. I can't seem to contort my hand so that I don't block the screen, while I push buttons with my thumb. Anyway, I guess they want to be different, and sales are good enough to warrant their uniqueness. < Climb down> Thanks.
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