I've been looking to buy a color screen handheld GPS under $400.00,could any sailors owning a Magellan or Garmin send me their thoughts and experiences about these devises. Thank you. Philippe Edgewater,MD
Handheld GPS
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Garmin
I oun a Garmin 76c. Never have used the Magellan. Couldn't give you a comparrison. The Garmin is very easy to use. It has more features than I would ever use. If I were to do it over again I would, for the same $$, buy 3 or 4 basic black and white units instead. The reason is that all I really use the GPS for is speed and distance back-up and to get Lat-Lon numbers. I prefer to actually do my plotting on real paper charts so all I need the GPS for is to get lat-lon numbers to verify and cross reference my DR. This unit runs about 15 hours on two AAA batteries. I installed a mount at the nav station and use auxillery 12volt instead of batteries. The internal antenea has no problem "seeing through the deck" and works just fine inside the boat (fiberglass w/wood core deck). Good luck.
I oun a Garmin 76c. Never have used the Magellan. Couldn't give you a comparrison. The Garmin is very easy to use. It has more features than I would ever use. If I were to do it over again I would, for the same $$, buy 3 or 4 basic black and white units instead. The reason is that all I really use the GPS for is speed and distance back-up and to get Lat-Lon numbers. I prefer to actually do my plotting on real paper charts so all I need the GPS for is to get lat-lon numbers to verify and cross reference my DR. This unit runs about 15 hours on two AAA batteries. I installed a mount at the nav station and use auxillery 12volt instead of batteries. The internal antenea has no problem "seeing through the deck" and works just fine inside the boat (fiberglass w/wood core deck). Good luck.
Garmin GPSMAP 76C
I have the Garmin GPSMAP 76 (non color version) and I love it. You can get the color version for less than $400, but the maps will cost you another $100-$150. Good Luck! -- Jeremy
I have the Garmin GPSMAP 76 (non color version) and I love it. You can get the color version for less than $400, but the maps will cost you another $100-$150. Good Luck! -- Jeremy
Mine is not color...
I know you specifically asked for color, but don't discount a B&W video display. I am sure you have intentions of using the GPS for other things than boating. But I am like Liam, I use the GPS for Lat-Long data and direction for my autopilot. I use paper charts but if I get a Laptop for the boat, I will use the free charts from Maptech for plotting my runs. Trying to keep "replacement" cost to a minimum. I use the Garmin GPS12 with current firmware. Good luck.
I know you specifically asked for color, but don't discount a B&W video display. I am sure you have intentions of using the GPS for other things than boating. But I am like Liam, I use the GPS for Lat-Long data and direction for my autopilot. I use paper charts but if I get a Laptop for the boat, I will use the free charts from Maptech for plotting my runs. Trying to keep "replacement" cost to a minimum. I use the Garmin GPS12 with current firmware. Good luck.
Garmin 76C
I also use the Garmin 76 Color, as I got it at a boat show deal for less than the cost of the B&W version. I use paper charts and the GPS for 'fixes', distance run and heading, plotting on paper.
I also use the Garmin 76 Color, as I got it at a boat show deal for less than the cost of the B&W version. I use paper charts and the GPS for 'fixes', distance run and heading, plotting on paper.
Garmin 76C
This was my first handheld GPS, and I love it. It will cost more than 400 depending on the maps you purchase as the previous response mentioned. I purchased the handheld for both sailing as well as driving(needed two different add on map packages - total about $220 extra) and it works great. I've started to use some of the "additional" features and they really have come in handy. As in you would be surprised how many stores, marinas, restaurants, gas stations, have provided their location to garmin or garmin has pooled addresses on their own. This way you can find the closest facilities to you when out and about.(this came in handy once when I was looking for some good seafood in a remote location!) I don't plot my charts by hand, however I use the waypoints feature to plot out my rout on my pc and then upload the waypoints to the handheld, and off we go. At some point though I might try using the paper charts, but when you have technology on your side......(I know this isn't the norm for this forum) but I just finished reading a series of posts about roller furlings, so who said making technology your friend is a bad thing.. and it floats! At some point I'm also thinking of adding the garmin depth finder which will link up with the 76C and take advantage of the larger screen.(too many toys!) Good luck! -Sean
This was my first handheld GPS, and I love it. It will cost more than 400 depending on the maps you purchase as the previous response mentioned. I purchased the handheld for both sailing as well as driving(needed two different add on map packages - total about $220 extra) and it works great. I've started to use some of the "additional" features and they really have come in handy. As in you would be surprised how many stores, marinas, restaurants, gas stations, have provided their location to garmin or garmin has pooled addresses on their own. This way you can find the closest facilities to you when out and about.(this came in handy once when I was looking for some good seafood in a remote location!) I don't plot my charts by hand, however I use the waypoints feature to plot out my rout on my pc and then upload the waypoints to the handheld, and off we go. At some point though I might try using the paper charts, but when you have technology on your side......(I know this isn't the norm for this forum) but I just finished reading a series of posts about roller furlings, so who said making technology your friend is a bad thing.. and it floats! At some point I'm also thinking of adding the garmin depth finder which will link up with the 76C and take advantage of the larger screen.(too many toys!) Good luck! -Sean
Magellan
Have a Meridian, It has worked great. Easy to use and color display is easy to read even in the bright sun. It has got me thru some very tight inlets in bad weather. Bought it from TigerGPS.com Got a great deal from them. Was sent out the same day I ordered it.
Have a Meridian, It has worked great. Easy to use and color display is easy to read even in the bright sun. It has got me thru some very tight inlets in bad weather. Bought it from TigerGPS.com Got a great deal from them. Was sent out the same day I ordered it.
Color Gps
Phille- Just buy the Garmin GPS76C. Im in the business and have 3 units $339.99 all with the warranty. Rhessenius@new.rr.com
Phille- Just buy the Garmin GPS76C. Im in the business and have 3 units $339.99 all with the warranty. Rhessenius@new.rr.com
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