I'm curious as to how many use, or bring on board, a back up GPS in case the main unit goes defunct for whatever reason. I am also curious as to what your secondary GPS is.
How many bring a secondary GPS on board as back up
- Thread starter rsn48
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No GPS needed
I guess I'm old fashioned, because I don't have a GPS. I just use my eyes and brain to get were I need to go. If I get confused, then I pull out the chart.
I guess I'm old fashioned, because I don't have a GPS. I just use my eyes and brain to get were I need to go. If I get confused, then I pull out the chart.
Actually have two spares
One is in the nav table, the other is in the we are leaving here NOW! bag. and batteries Jim S/V Java
One is in the nav table, the other is in the we are leaving here NOW! bag. and batteries Jim S/V Java
We Have Four
We have four on board. Our primary navigation is done with a Garmin hand held unit interfaced with a laptop computer running First Mate software from the Cap'n. We have a backup handheld and when we're doing serious cruising, we have a backup laptop as well. Our boat came with a GPS installed on the bulkhead in the cockpit and another one with a Standard Horizon chartplotter that I don't like but which is on board for emergencies. This is overkill, but we cruise to some pretty remote places. Hope this helps. Gary Wygarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
We have four on board. Our primary navigation is done with a Garmin hand held unit interfaced with a laptop computer running First Mate software from the Cap'n. We have a backup handheld and when we're doing serious cruising, we have a backup laptop as well. Our boat came with a GPS installed on the bulkhead in the cockpit and another one with a Standard Horizon chartplotter that I don't like but which is on board for emergencies. This is overkill, but we cruise to some pretty remote places. Hope this helps. Gary Wygarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
Garmin Hand Held Etrex
Hi, I bought a Garmin Etrex Legend for my first boat (Catalina 22). When I sold that and bought my Newport 28, I decided to upgrade the instruments on the boat. I bought a Lowance compo GPS / Fishfinder. So now the Garmin is a back up. Since basic hand held models are about $100, if you think it would help you might as well buy one. One thing I like about the hand held is that I can easily download my track to my PC. At this time of the year (winterin NY) it's nice to be able to review my trips Barry
Hi, I bought a Garmin Etrex Legend for my first boat (Catalina 22). When I sold that and bought my Newport 28, I decided to upgrade the instruments on the boat. I bought a Lowance compo GPS / Fishfinder. So now the Garmin is a back up. Since basic hand held models are about $100, if you think it would help you might as well buy one. One thing I like about the hand held is that I can easily download my track to my PC. At this time of the year (winterin NY) it's nice to be able to review my trips Barry
I sure do now!
Back in October we were out for a Sunday afternoon race (with about 45 other boats) when all at once the fog rolled in. It took only about 5 minutes to turn a clear day into a fog so dense you couldn't see 10 feet. They called the race immediately, and everyone started their fog horns and headed for the harbour. My usually trusty 1995 Magellan Meridian XL must have lost it's moisture seal, because the screen turned so foggy that up you couldn't read a thing. I asked my crew to steer a course of 180 which I felt would take us to the harbour mouth. I should have said 170, as we ran aground about a quarter mile west of the harbour. No damage, and we got off in time to warn 3 other boats who had been following us. I have just installed a new Garmin 172 Chartplotter, and have the old Magellan resealed and in a plastic bag below ready for backup.
Back in October we were out for a Sunday afternoon race (with about 45 other boats) when all at once the fog rolled in. It took only about 5 minutes to turn a clear day into a fog so dense you couldn't see 10 feet. They called the race immediately, and everyone started their fog horns and headed for the harbour. My usually trusty 1995 Magellan Meridian XL must have lost it's moisture seal, because the screen turned so foggy that up you couldn't read a thing. I asked my crew to steer a course of 180 which I felt would take us to the harbour mouth. I should have said 170, as we ran aground about a quarter mile west of the harbour. No damage, and we got off in time to warn 3 other boats who had been following us. I have just installed a new Garmin 172 Chartplotter, and have the old Magellan resealed and in a plastic bag below ready for backup.
Backups
When I bought my current handheld Garmin GPS, I sold a fully functional older model. I now regret that decision. While I have never really needed a backup GPS as the current one works well, I would like to have the security of knowing that if I needed one it was there. As a result, I'll probably pick up an inexpensive second unit as a backup. I've been in fogs somewhat like what Jimq26 described below, and it was no fun and certainly not suitable for eyeball navigation.
When I bought my current handheld Garmin GPS, I sold a fully functional older model. I now regret that decision. While I have never really needed a backup GPS as the current one works well, I would like to have the security of knowing that if I needed one it was there. As a result, I'll probably pick up an inexpensive second unit as a backup. I've been in fogs somewhat like what Jimq26 described below, and it was no fun and certainly not suitable for eyeball navigation.
2 plus charts
I could see have a decent chartplotter/gps as I do as well as a battery powered handheld (my first Garmin unit). You should really make sure you have good/updated paper charts and know how to read them...as well as a compass. Power failure or a lightning strike will render all back-up GPS unit useless. Good luck - Rob
I could see have a decent chartplotter/gps as I do as well as a battery powered handheld (my first Garmin unit). You should really make sure you have good/updated paper charts and know how to read them...as well as a compass. Power failure or a lightning strike will render all back-up GPS unit useless. Good luck - Rob
I do
Initially because I had the small hand-held before I bought the boat. Now I find it handy to have the small unit at the helm, and as a backup offshore. I do not use it for much more than where am I and how fast am I moving info, but it certainly will do more. S.
Initially because I had the small hand-held before I bought the boat. Now I find it handy to have the small unit at the helm, and as a backup offshore. I do not use it for much more than where am I and how fast am I moving info, but it certainly will do more. S.
Me too
I have gotten an inflatable PFD/fishing vest to fill up with survival gear and one pocket is for a GPS. Another pocket is for a VHF. Dye marker, flares, small first aid kit, etc. go in other pockets. I am thinking about an EPIRB, too if I can find one small enough. The vest is a Stearns from easternmarine or something like that on eBay new for $70 or so.
I have gotten an inflatable PFD/fishing vest to fill up with survival gear and one pocket is for a GPS. Another pocket is for a VHF. Dye marker, flares, small first aid kit, etc. go in other pockets. I am thinking about an EPIRB, too if I can find one small enough. The vest is a Stearns from easternmarine or something like that on eBay new for $70 or so.
GPS Failures
I have had three (major) GPS failures (and a couple of Loran). The Loran's failures were from signal degradation near airports and military centers. One of the GPS failures may have been related since it was near a frigate patrolling Los Angeles harbor following the London bombings. It cleared up after five miles. Anyhow, I have also had an antenna failure and an internal battery failure in two different GPS's. I keep my old Magellan as a back up even though it was not supposed to be Y2K compliant. It works fine. I also have a GPS engine for my laptop. Rick D.
I have had three (major) GPS failures (and a couple of Loran). The Loran's failures were from signal degradation near airports and military centers. One of the GPS failures may have been related since it was near a frigate patrolling Los Angeles harbor following the London bombings. It cleared up after five miles. Anyhow, I have also had an antenna failure and an internal battery failure in two different GPS's. I keep my old Magellan as a back up even though it was not supposed to be Y2K compliant. It works fine. I also have a GPS engine for my laptop. Rick D.
extra gps
a garmin 3010c, a garmin map 76, and plenty of batteries. also two vhf's. of course, waterproof charts also.
a garmin 3010c, a garmin map 76, and plenty of batteries. also two vhf's. of course, waterproof charts also.
Multiple GPS
My primary gps/charplotter system is Raymarine. I also carry an old Magellan hand held, an old Garmin 176C (weak screen) and a USB gps receiver that works with my laptop. I also have a compass and paper charts. When chartering off-shore, we use the boat system and have a 176c and the laptop running Raytech 5.0 with the usb gps receiver. You can buy Microsoft Streets and Trips with a USB GPS receiver for about $90 off the internet - including the GPS. The GPS picks up through the fiberglas deck while the laptop is secure down below. It not only works with Streets and Trips but works with my Raytech 5.0 software using the NEMA 183 output.
My primary gps/charplotter system is Raymarine. I also carry an old Magellan hand held, an old Garmin 176C (weak screen) and a USB gps receiver that works with my laptop. I also have a compass and paper charts. When chartering off-shore, we use the boat system and have a 176c and the laptop running Raytech 5.0 with the usb gps receiver. You can buy Microsoft Streets and Trips with a USB GPS receiver for about $90 off the internet - including the GPS. The GPS picks up through the fiberglas deck while the laptop is secure down below. It not only works with Streets and Trips but works with my Raytech 5.0 software using the NEMA 183 output.
Love backups
Having "lost' the radar, as in lockup/out in bad weather while using my Raymarine SL72RC or, now, the SL 70 RC, the problem effectively denied me the use of the chart plotter as well. Fortunatley, I had a backup handheld and now carry two handhelds plus lots of batteries as cold temps severely degrades battery life. But, the ultimate back up is/are charts and a running DR
Having "lost' the radar, as in lockup/out in bad weather while using my Raymarine SL72RC or, now, the SL 70 RC, the problem effectively denied me the use of the chart plotter as well. Fortunatley, I had a backup handheld and now carry two handhelds plus lots of batteries as cold temps severely degrades battery life. But, the ultimate back up is/are charts and a running DR
usually 4 here...
helm built-in, nav built-in, and usually 2 handhelds. Like others, I have had failures...unexplained as if something fried the antennas. I can do manual charts if necessary, but the GPS makes cruising manageable, particularly when I'm solo. Extras are cheap insurance.
helm built-in, nav built-in, and usually 2 handhelds. Like others, I have had failures...unexplained as if something fried the antennas. I can do manual charts if necessary, but the GPS makes cruising manageable, particularly when I'm solo. Extras are cheap insurance.
Always Two
Garmin 60C is my backup, to a Garmin 76CS. I like the 76CS better because it has built in tide tables.
Garmin 60C is my backup, to a Garmin 76CS. I like the 76CS better because it has built in tide tables.
always 2
Always two, one handheld one mounted. Both are chartploters so my charts are there, and if I have radar problems (it failed in the fog), at leat I am doubly sure of my position.
Always two, one handheld one mounted. Both are chartploters so my charts are there, and if I have radar problems (it failed in the fog), at leat I am doubly sure of my position.
I have a backup one...
I use a Garmin GPSmap76C, and keep the older Magellan Pioneer as backup for no other reason than because I have'nt had a chance to sell it on ebay yet! We always have charts and rarely venture out in the fog. Of course we have been caught in the stuff, but I have just found that we don't need the backup. (Yet!) Cheers! -Rob
I use a Garmin GPSmap76C, and keep the older Magellan Pioneer as backup for no other reason than because I have'nt had a chance to sell it on ebay yet! We always have charts and rarely venture out in the fog. Of course we have been caught in the stuff, but I have just found that we don't need the backup. (Yet!) Cheers! -Rob
I've got Two
I won one of them at a boat show, so I put it on board as a second backup. I also bought a Chart Plotter and sold my LORAN on eBay. So I have a total of three GPS's. In the case of electronic navigation, a spare is always handy. Like redundant radios (H/H and the Desk Radio), I keep a redundant GPS fired up. I always use one of my handheld GPS's to verify the Chart Plotter. And run them simutaneously. I also keep a full set of charts on board for the enevitable... and I always chart my longer courses on the charts before I enter it on the GPS. This makes my plots always available to serve as a manual backup.
I won one of them at a boat show, so I put it on board as a second backup. I also bought a Chart Plotter and sold my LORAN on eBay. So I have a total of three GPS's. In the case of electronic navigation, a spare is always handy. Like redundant radios (H/H and the Desk Radio), I keep a redundant GPS fired up. I always use one of my handheld GPS's to verify the Chart Plotter. And run them simutaneously. I also keep a full set of charts on board for the enevitable... and I always chart my longer courses on the charts before I enter it on the GPS. This makes my plots always available to serve as a manual backup.
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