I sail in coastal waters in New Jersey. I'm looking at buying a handheld GPS. Does anyone have suggestions? Any successful models which someone recommends? Where should I buy it? Where can I get the best price? Appreciate any information and/or suggestions will be appreciated.
Recommendations For Handheld GPS
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Handheld GPS
Check the archives for this subject. You'll find many people like the Garmin 76 series. The new color versions, have a color screen, lots of memory and long battery life.
Check the archives for this subject. You'll find many people like the Garmin 76 series. The new color versions, have a color screen, lots of memory and long battery life.
Garmin 76
I've been using Garmin GPS's for years due to their simplicity and rugged design. In fact, I use two of the exact same units for my longer trips, if one breaks than we all know how to use the back-up since it's identical. I agree, the newer units are even better but overall I strongly recommend one of the Garmin products. No, I don't work for Garmin......
I've been using Garmin GPS's for years due to their simplicity and rugged design. In fact, I use two of the exact same units for my longer trips, if one breaks than we all know how to use the back-up since it's identical. I agree, the newer units are even better but overall I strongly recommend one of the Garmin products. No, I don't work for Garmin......
Garmin
I too use a Garmin GPSMAP76. I jury rigged it and it is velcroed outside next to the hatch. the only problem with the handheld is that if you want the neat features of marine waypoints and navs, you will have to get the software that's approx $100. Otherwise, the base software is not detailed. I like it anyways.
I too use a Garmin GPSMAP76. I jury rigged it and it is velcroed outside next to the hatch. the only problem with the handheld is that if you want the neat features of marine waypoints and navs, you will have to get the software that's approx $100. Otherwise, the base software is not detailed. I like it anyways.
Garmin
I bought my Garmin 45 ages ago. I can't really remember how long ago, but must be around 10 years at least. I have never had a problem with it. I have also connected it to my Autohelm ST4000 autopilot, but I don't use it that way too often. Over the years I have downloaded PC software that interface with it, and purchased custom PC cables and other accessories for it. I think because Garmin product is well built, easy to use, and so popular, there are just so many things people have done with these units, and you can do the same. I thought about buying a new unit with all the frills, but my old 45 is still working just great, and I don't really want to read the tiny maps on the tiny LCD display. So, I will be keeping the 45 for quite a while.
I bought my Garmin 45 ages ago. I can't really remember how long ago, but must be around 10 years at least. I have never had a problem with it. I have also connected it to my Autohelm ST4000 autopilot, but I don't use it that way too often. Over the years I have downloaded PC software that interface with it, and purchased custom PC cables and other accessories for it. I think because Garmin product is well built, easy to use, and so popular, there are just so many things people have done with these units, and you can do the same. I thought about buying a new unit with all the frills, but my old 45 is still working just great, and I don't really want to read the tiny maps on the tiny LCD display. So, I will be keeping the 45 for quite a while.
Magellan
I have a Magellan SportTrak Pro. Not only is it waterproof, but it floats. It saved me when the fog rolled into Boothbay Harbor, ME while I was singlehanded. I just followed my track back in. One note: I just finished reading The Weekend Navigator by Bob Sweet. Not only did it teach me quite a bit about navigation, I learned more about my GPS from this book than any other I have read.
I have a Magellan SportTrak Pro. Not only is it waterproof, but it floats. It saved me when the fog rolled into Boothbay Harbor, ME while I was singlehanded. I just followed my track back in. One note: I just finished reading The Weekend Navigator by Bob Sweet. Not only did it teach me quite a bit about navigation, I learned more about my GPS from this book than any other I have read.
magellan meridian
We bought the Magellan Marine.It came with all navigation aids built in .This includes underwater hazards,marinas and it has more capability than we will ever use.A big plus is that it is very easy to understand.
We bought the Magellan Marine.It came with all navigation aids built in .This includes underwater hazards,marinas and it has more capability than we will ever use.A big plus is that it is very easy to understand.
Get the manuals first . . .
Go to the manufacture's site and download the manuals for any you might like. Even the cheapest will do most of what you may want, but if you can't figure out how to do it - what good is it. If you can, borrow at unit from a friend to paly with (you actually have a chance during the winter). You might also go find Peter Bennett's site http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter/ and then dig around a little more, there were others like GPS Nuts out there. Matt Colie
Go to the manufacture's site and download the manuals for any you might like. Even the cheapest will do most of what you may want, but if you can't figure out how to do it - what good is it. If you can, borrow at unit from a friend to paly with (you actually have a chance during the winter). You might also go find Peter Bennett's site http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter/ and then dig around a little more, there were others like GPS Nuts out there. Matt Colie
LORAN
How many people still use LORAN? I still have a hand held unit I use as a backup to my GPS. It takes about 15 minutes to acquire a signal but it still works. Battery terminals corroded but I cleaned them up and kept it going. Government is supposed to maintain LORAN for a while longer. Dave
How many people still use LORAN? I still have a hand held unit I use as a backup to my GPS. It takes about 15 minutes to acquire a signal but it still works. Battery terminals corroded but I cleaned them up and kept it going. Government is supposed to maintain LORAN for a while longer. Dave
Download Garmin chart s free ????
Landsend, how do you download Garmin Mapsource charts from a P2P product? You still need to get them unlocked to load to your Garmin GPS. Unless you are saying that by downloading from a P2P source to your PC it is somehow loadable (unlocked) to the Mapsource software and therefore uploadable to the Garmin GPS. I don't get it! Rich
Landsend, how do you download Garmin Mapsource charts from a P2P product? You still need to get them unlocked to load to your Garmin GPS. Unless you are saying that by downloading from a P2P source to your PC it is somehow loadable (unlocked) to the Mapsource software and therefore uploadable to the Garmin GPS. I don't get it! Rich
me too
i just purchaced a GPSMAP 76 and need the sw florida charts also so i would like to know how to do this also or is ther someone out there that wants to rent/ loan me there copy to download thanks 1keladi@msn.com
i just purchaced a GPSMAP 76 and need the sw florida charts also so i would like to know how to do this also or is ther someone out there that wants to rent/ loan me there copy to download thanks 1keladi@msn.com
Is it legal?
Are these free charts really free and are they in public domain? or have they been hacked in some way so they would work for free, which is illegal. IMHO, It would be great if they are public domain, but if not, then I really don't think we should promote illegal actions on this forum. I do agree the electronics charts are way too expensive compared to the paper chartkits. I think they would make a lot more money and sell more copies if they would sell the electronic charts at the same price as the paper chartkits.
Are these free charts really free and are they in public domain? or have they been hacked in some way so they would work for free, which is illegal. IMHO, It would be great if they are public domain, but if not, then I really don't think we should promote illegal actions on this forum. I do agree the electronics charts are way too expensive compared to the paper chartkits. I think they would make a lot more money and sell more copies if they would sell the electronic charts at the same price as the paper chartkits.
limewire is the new napster
for those who don't know, limewire is a music sharing site similar to the old napster-I doubt any copies of garmin charts posted there are legal, and if you sign up and download them, Garmin may eventually start prosecuting people the way the music industry is now
for those who don't know, limewire is a music sharing site similar to the old napster-I doubt any copies of garmin charts posted there are legal, and if you sign up and download them, Garmin may eventually start prosecuting people the way the music industry is now
My wish, but probably just a dream
I sure wish that when you buy a Chartkit, you get a CD of the same area included in the Chartkit. Won't that be great? But I am not holding my breath. ;d
I sure wish that when you buy a Chartkit, you get a CD of the same area included in the Chartkit. Won't that be great? But I am not holding my breath. ;d
chartkit cds!
JC, your wish is granted! the new chartkits contain a cd with the charts in electronic form for your pc
JC, your wish is granted! the new chartkits contain a cd with the charts in electronic form for your pc
You are not kidding, are you?
That's terrific. Now I have a question. What level of details are on the CD? The same as the paper charts? I assume the files are raster charts. Also, what do I need on the PC to view these charts?
That's terrific. Now I have a question. What level of details are on the CD? The same as the paper charts? I assume the files are raster charts. Also, what do I need on the PC to view these charts?
Free Charts for GPS
NOAA makes charts that can be uploaded to a capable GPS...like the Garmen 76. The charts are free...but you need to get a reading program that may not be. The charts are not proprietary, but it helps to have a nice program like Fugawi ENC to print out charts, waypoints, routes, etc. The NOAA charts are of a compatible format that most GPS units can handle. It took me a few days to figure out how to use the program and about 30 seconds to load a waypoint route complete with chart into my Garmin 76CS! Amazing stuff.... Regards, David
NOAA makes charts that can be uploaded to a capable GPS...like the Garmen 76. The charts are free...but you need to get a reading program that may not be. The charts are not proprietary, but it helps to have a nice program like Fugawi ENC to print out charts, waypoints, routes, etc. The NOAA charts are of a compatible format that most GPS units can handle. It took me a few days to figure out how to use the program and about 30 seconds to load a waypoint route complete with chart into my Garmin 76CS! Amazing stuff.... Regards, David
chartkits with cds
no,JC, I'm not kidding, but I haven't seen them yet-they say that all the charts in the book are on the cd in electronic form, so i assume they have full details
no,JC, I'm not kidding, but I haven't seen them yet-they say that all the charts in the book are on the cd in electronic form, so i assume they have full details
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