Need advice on handheld GPS

[Tom]

I need to get up to speed on what's available in handheld GPS. I recall a recent comparison article in either SAIL or CRUISING WORLD, but I can't remember which, or the date. I'm also interested in other's experience/recommendations, including pros & cons of handheld vs mounted. I am also interested in having some type of laptop interface in the future (I don't currently own charting software.)Thanks in advanceTom

 

[tom]

I just got a Garmin gpsmap 76

I'm really happy with the latest Garmin handheld... gpsmap 76... i's got all the bells and whistles... We also have a fixed mount gps with map... I feel that any gps you choose should have a map as it's easy to use. tom

 

[Warren]

Garmin 48

I have had a Garmin 48 for 3 years. It does more things than i will ever use.The "48" has more or less become the "standard" to which all others are compared. Gramin has replaced the "48" with a newer model. Newer maybe, but is it better? Currently you can purchase a "48" for under $150.00. (try Defenders @ 800-628-8225 or www.Defenders.com). I suggest you pick-up a "48" to learn on, you can alway spend more $$$ later.Good Luck!Warren

 

[Bryan C.]

What's your budget?

Navigation with GPS is so far advanced from what it was 10 years ago it seems almost decadent to talk about features that give you more than you exact lat/long.A handheld will give you everything you need to navigate sucessfully, easily (at least until it breaks down). The Garmin 48 has a history of satisfied users, many pepole swear by it. It is or soon will be going out of production, as the new WAAS receivers (like the 76) have come on the market. WAAS provides a little higher degree of accuracy (from ~30' to ~10') which isn't that critical for navigation, IMHO. Picking up a 48 for $150 is an excellent buy, I am getting one. Many people like GPS units with a built in map. If you want to get any useful accuracy, you need to buy map modules. The result is the map units cost a few hundred $$ more. Even then you need paper maps unless you want to take the risk of being mapless if your electronics go out. So to me it isn't worth it. But if you got an extra grand to blow, what the heck?

 

[P&J]

My 2 cents worth

We have a new Catalina 270 and went through the same dilema as you. After looking at all the handhelds, fixed mounted,plotting vs.non plotting,we settled on a choice of two.Both are made by Garmin-they have the best software,are easy to use and have good customer support. Based on the size of our boat(similar to yours),ease of portability,being able to be interfaced with either an autopilot or computer,we chose the Garmin GPS Map76 or the GPS 176C(which is what we bought) The 176c has a larger screen than the 76. It has a greater picture defination with more pixels displayed than the 76. Will accept Garmins new "Bluechart" chip or you can download from their CD roms. Has 8mb of mem. Has all the whistles and bells from anchor drag alarm to alams for offcourse,etc. Is portable so not only can it be used on the boat,but also in the car,and can be either used with batteries or wired onto your boat. It has the new WAAS GPS technology as does the 76. It does cost more than the 76, but I felt I was getting more for my money and the 176c had greater versatility than the 76. Check out Garmins web site. Raytheon,Magellean,Lowarce, all were a distant second to what Garmin offers.Good luck and fair winds.