For a smaller sailboat. What would people think about handheld GPS. Specifically the Magellen. They seem like a great value and offer most of the fetures of the mounted units at less money. Am I missing some benifit here? Whats your opinion?
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Great stuff
I keep my 98 hand-held Garmin because it has all my waypoints in it. The best (and last) thing Clinton did was take the 300-meter limit down to 20 or so meters, making them incredibly accurate for all us boaters.
I keep my 98 hand-held Garmin because it has all my waypoints in it. The best (and last) thing Clinton did was take the 300-meter limit down to 20 or so meters, making them incredibly accurate for all us boaters.
G P S
I have a Garmin 2 handheld gps (not in production anymore). I like it alot. I bought a bracket to mount in in the companion way. It still has pretty good reception with companion way closed. I can change mine to external antenna if I wanted. I did find the battery die fast, so I got a power cord for it. Power cord and bracket were not cheap.
I have a Garmin 2 handheld gps (not in production anymore). I like it alot. I bought a bracket to mount in in the companion way. It still has pretty good reception with companion way closed. I can change mine to external antenna if I wanted. I did find the battery die fast, so I got a power cord for it. Power cord and bracket were not cheap.
I think the Garmins are easier
to use than the Magellans are but I have to say that I haven't used Magellans all that much. I have a Gekko 201 which is real small. It has three games built in but I must confess that I haven't used them either. Might be fun for the kids.
to use than the Magellans are but I have to say that I haven't used Magellans all that much. I have a Gekko 201 which is real small. It has three games built in but I must confess that I haven't used them either. Might be fun for the kids.
I like Magellan
I use a handheld Magellan Meridian Platinum with BlueNav software and really like both products. I find the Meridian really easy to use and it is very easy to add waypoints and routes using the BlueNav software. One of the really big advantages to this unit is the ability to us SD cards to load maps, waypoints, and routes. With all that said I do think that Garmin has better customer support than Magellan. Magellan can be pretty slow to respond to questions. However, I think Meridians represent a very good value for the money. My .02, Jim R.
I use a handheld Magellan Meridian Platinum with BlueNav software and really like both products. I find the Meridian really easy to use and it is very easy to add waypoints and routes using the BlueNav software. One of the really big advantages to this unit is the ability to us SD cards to load maps, waypoints, and routes. With all that said I do think that Garmin has better customer support than Magellan. Magellan can be pretty slow to respond to questions. However, I think Meridians represent a very good value for the money. My .02, Jim R.
Garmin etrex
I use a handheld Garmin etrex. it doesn't have a pretty display, but its all you need. I even use in on my bike and rowing shell
I use a handheld Garmin etrex. it doesn't have a pretty display, but its all you need. I even use in on my bike and rowing shell
Etrex Legend
Our little ETrex was the only indicator we were making forward progess for an hour of motoring upwind in 30+ winds and 5+ seas on Sunday. It said 4-5 kts and we believed it. Kept us on course perfectly too. Remember smaller boats often do not have 3-4 batteries and a generator like larger boats. Knowing that you can run on a pair of AA's for 12 hours is another reassurring thing.
Our little ETrex was the only indicator we were making forward progess for an hour of motoring upwind in 30+ winds and 5+ seas on Sunday. It said 4-5 kts and we believed it. Kept us on course perfectly too. Remember smaller boats often do not have 3-4 batteries and a generator like larger boats. Knowing that you can run on a pair of AA's for 12 hours is another reassurring thing.
garmin 76
I use a garmin hand held along with my charts, compass, radar, depth, and dead reckoning. The garmin works well, however in a heavy fog I've lost reception once for over an hour. I used this mount, other than that, nothing fancy, no color, just an arrow pointing me in the right direction. Easy to use, great mob feature, very accurate.
I use a garmin hand held along with my charts, compass, radar, depth, and dead reckoning. The garmin works well, however in a heavy fog I've lost reception once for over an hour. I used this mount, other than that, nothing fancy, no color, just an arrow pointing me in the right direction. Easy to use, great mob feature, very accurate.
- Jan 22, 2008
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I sail a daysailer II (17')
and use an eTrex for navigating. I have the docks, ramps, points and 6 rocks on my lake as waypoints. I mostly use it as a knotmeter to ensure that I am sailing to the best ability for the conditions. I have also used it to determine the amount of time reguired to get back to the dock etc. I mount it to the cb trunk top with a patch of velcro (hook and loop fastener).
and use an eTrex for navigating. I have the docks, ramps, points and 6 rocks on my lake as waypoints. I mostly use it as a knotmeter to ensure that I am sailing to the best ability for the conditions. I have also used it to determine the amount of time reguired to get back to the dock etc. I mount it to the cb trunk top with a patch of velcro (hook and loop fastener).
Purchased a Magellan Meridian Gold
in earl December last year. I have it mounted on the pedestal with the bike mount and connected to the 12V battery. All the Meridian models run the same software and filmware so they are virtually the same GPS inside. I found Magellan's telephone support to be good.
in earl December last year. I have it mounted on the pedestal with the bike mount and connected to the 12V battery. All the Meridian models run the same software and filmware so they are virtually the same GPS inside. I found Magellan's telephone support to be good.
Garmin 76
The Garmin 76 is recommened by Practical Sailor magazine. If you have not heard of them, sort of a Consumer Reports for sailors. They do not accept any advertising. They have a website.
The Garmin 76 is recommened by Practical Sailor magazine. If you have not heard of them, sort of a Consumer Reports for sailors. They do not accept any advertising. They have a website.
Garmin GPS72
This is the cheapo model but I love it. No map capabilities but a good size read out, lots of waypoint storage, good tide info, and it floats. What else do you need in a handheld on a small boat?
This is the cheapo model but I love it. No map capabilities but a good size read out, lots of waypoint storage, good tide info, and it floats. What else do you need in a handheld on a small boat?
I like my Magellan
I have owned the Magellan Meridian for over a year, adding the U.S. Street maps. For sailing, I have it mounted to the steering pedestal with the bicycle mount, but haven't hooked up the 12 VDC yet. Instead, I use the Energizer e2 Titanium Technology batteries. They last a good long time but cost a little more than plain alkaline. For shore use, I take the GPS with me and do a little GEO Caching. That is great fun when traveling by boat or car. Check out their website at http://www.geocaching.com/. I finally learned how to display the GPS live on the lap-top screen. NEAT!
I have owned the Magellan Meridian for over a year, adding the U.S. Street maps. For sailing, I have it mounted to the steering pedestal with the bicycle mount, but haven't hooked up the 12 VDC yet. Instead, I use the Energizer e2 Titanium Technology batteries. They last a good long time but cost a little more than plain alkaline. For shore use, I take the GPS with me and do a little GEO Caching. That is great fun when traveling by boat or car. Check out their website at http://www.geocaching.com/. I finally learned how to display the GPS live on the lap-top screen. NEAT!
Magellan Pro Sport
I bought a Magellan Pro Sport at radio shack for $199.99. West Marine said they don't know haow they could afford to sell it that cheap! It came with Map Send topographical software for the U. S. I only sail in an inland lake, but also use it for driving in my car. The maps are very accurate, and it has even the smallest streets, correctly named, in the right locations. I am truly amased withthe amount of work that had to be done to compile the information for the software. That has to be the biggest part of the cost of these units.
I bought a Magellan Pro Sport at radio shack for $199.99. West Marine said they don't know haow they could afford to sell it that cheap! It came with Map Send topographical software for the U. S. I only sail in an inland lake, but also use it for driving in my car. The maps are very accurate, and it has even the smallest streets, correctly named, in the right locations. I am truly amased withthe amount of work that had to be done to compile the information for the software. That has to be the biggest part of the cost of these units.
Magellan 330M
I have an old Magellan 330M and use it both on my boat, bicycle, and airplane. I have the mount that clamps to a tube and a keystroke changes it from land to marine and MPH to knots. Has map functions and lots of displays. You can find them on ebay for around $100. Also the Magellan people are easy to work with and their repair facility is located in Tulsa Okla. I screwed up a download one time and sent it in to be reloaded at the factory. Turned it around in less that a week.
I have an old Magellan 330M and use it both on my boat, bicycle, and airplane. I have the mount that clamps to a tube and a keystroke changes it from land to marine and MPH to knots. Has map functions and lots of displays. You can find them on ebay for around $100. Also the Magellan people are easy to work with and their repair facility is located in Tulsa Okla. I screwed up a download one time and sent it in to be reloaded at the factory. Turned it around in less that a week.
Magellan 315 - 3 years
Steve, I have been using a Magellan 315, which I believe is no longer sold, for 3 years on my 27 foot sailboat as well as for my multi day sea kayaking trips. It is a pretty basic model but has worked well and has all the features you need. When I was shopping Magellan was cheaper than Garmin; sounds like you are still finding that to be the case. One thing I disliked about the Garmins when I bought was they had the screen on the bottom which seems odd considering most of us had already learned how to "one-hand" a cell phone using the buttons on the bottom and the screen on the top. Check the price of options such as a 12 VDC power cord, which you will find very useful on the boat, as GPS units eat up batteries. Kevin
Steve, I have been using a Magellan 315, which I believe is no longer sold, for 3 years on my 27 foot sailboat as well as for my multi day sea kayaking trips. It is a pretty basic model but has worked well and has all the features you need. When I was shopping Magellan was cheaper than Garmin; sounds like you are still finding that to be the case. One thing I disliked about the Garmins when I bought was they had the screen on the bottom which seems odd considering most of us had already learned how to "one-hand" a cell phone using the buttons on the bottom and the screen on the top. Check the price of options such as a 12 VDC power cord, which you will find very useful on the boat, as GPS units eat up batteries. Kevin
What will you use it for?
Before you choose, carefully consider how you plan to use a GPS. If its main function will be as a knotmeter and an emergency system to find your way back in a fog, then one of the smaller and cheaper etrax units would be fine. If you intend to use it for real navigation purposes, then you will want to explore one of the units capable of downloading and storing charts. I have an older Magellen, and I don't use it for navigation. I daysail and overnight cruise in familiar areas, always within site of land. I have several waypoints stored so that I can find my way back in the fog, but other than that, the unit is mostly used to give me an idea of how fast I am moving.
Before you choose, carefully consider how you plan to use a GPS. If its main function will be as a knotmeter and an emergency system to find your way back in a fog, then one of the smaller and cheaper etrax units would be fine. If you intend to use it for real navigation purposes, then you will want to explore one of the units capable of downloading and storing charts. I have an older Magellen, and I don't use it for navigation. I daysail and overnight cruise in familiar areas, always within site of land. I have several waypoints stored so that I can find my way back in the fog, but other than that, the unit is mostly used to give me an idea of how fast I am moving.
Mike asked the right question!!!
We have an old LORAN and a handheld GPS that we hardly ever use. When going somewhere new or a longer passage of 20-30 miles we cehck the paper charts but when sailing around Andrews Bay (panama city) and just offshore the best way to know your location is to look around and maybe take a compass bearing usually with the boats compass sometimes with the compass n the binoculars. Unless you have a GPS with a built in map plotting a GPS position is harder than comparing the map to what you see. Depth usually confirms a given location. If all else fails look at the number on the nearest bouy!!! Fog is rare around Panama city but we do have critical waypoints in our GPS just is case!! For me half the fun of sailing is studying charts and knowing my location. The other half is getting somewhere without starting the motor.
We have an old LORAN and a handheld GPS that we hardly ever use. When going somewhere new or a longer passage of 20-30 miles we cehck the paper charts but when sailing around Andrews Bay (panama city) and just offshore the best way to know your location is to look around and maybe take a compass bearing usually with the boats compass sometimes with the compass n the binoculars. Unless you have a GPS with a built in map plotting a GPS position is harder than comparing the map to what you see. Depth usually confirms a given location. If all else fails look at the number on the nearest bouy!!! Fog is rare around Panama city but we do have critical waypoints in our GPS just is case!! For me half the fun of sailing is studying charts and knowing my location. The other half is getting somewhere without starting the motor.
10 YO Garmin GPS III, don't really use the
mapping screen much. Usually navigate with charts and by "seaman's eye" (looking around at points noted on chart and bearing). They suck batteries dry, I keep mine in the cabin and plugged in to the boat. Use the trip computer as a type of log, get SOG, Distance over ground, true course ( with leeway etc.)as opposed to speed & distance thru water from knotmeter. Used as a DR fix when coastal landmarks not available & as check for a DR or Celestial fix. So, I find that position data and the ability to fix waypoints for purposes of speed, time & distance calculations of more importance that the mapping. Going into an unknown harbor I feel better with the paper chart in hand.
mapping screen much. Usually navigate with charts and by "seaman's eye" (looking around at points noted on chart and bearing). They suck batteries dry, I keep mine in the cabin and plugged in to the boat. Use the trip computer as a type of log, get SOG, Distance over ground, true course ( with leeway etc.)as opposed to speed & distance thru water from knotmeter. Used as a DR fix when coastal landmarks not available & as check for a DR or Celestial fix. So, I find that position data and the ability to fix waypoints for purposes of speed, time & distance calculations of more importance that the mapping. Going into an unknown harbor I feel better with the paper chart in hand.
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