i'm new to the handheld GPS market and was hoping to gather some feedback on recommended waterproof models.. anyone have strong opinions?
Recommended handheld GPS device?
- Thread starter csommers79
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I just got my new one...
There are a lot of good ones out there... I think that I looked at them all before I purchased my Lowrance H20C handheld. The color screen is great, grabs a hold of satelite quickly and is easy to use. Instructions were very thorough, and with the additional chip, it has all the information right at my finger tips. It is rubber armored so it will take some significant bumps in the cockpit. All in all, it is worth the look, I recommend it.
There are a lot of good ones out there... I think that I looked at them all before I purchased my Lowrance H20C handheld. The color screen is great, grabs a hold of satelite quickly and is easy to use. Instructions were very thorough, and with the additional chip, it has all the information right at my finger tips. It is rubber armored so it will take some significant bumps in the cockpit. All in all, it is worth the look, I recommend it.
My vote for Lowrance also
Ross is right on Lowrance. The extra Navionics chip that you can get is only $99. The chip contains complete charts all of North America along with tide data for most reference and subordinate stations. There is even marina and waterway facility data.
Ross is right on Lowrance. The extra Navionics chip that you can get is only $99. The chip contains complete charts all of North America along with tide data for most reference and subordinate stations. There is even marina and waterway facility data.
Garmin 76cs
I just got one for a present from the kids. I'm impressed so far but I haven't added the navigation yet (not much need for it where I am).
I just got one for a present from the kids. I'm impressed so far but I haven't added the navigation yet (not much need for it where I am).
One of the problems that I see with
GPS is that you can know exactly where you are but still have no idea of where that is relative to the rest of the world. The position shown on a GPS when plotted is smaller than the point of your dividers. A sharp pencil makes a line 133 feet wide on an 1:80000 chart. I always try to plot my GPS fix on my chart. That way I know where the land is in three directions.
GPS is that you can know exactly where you are but still have no idea of where that is relative to the rest of the world. The position shown on a GPS when plotted is smaller than the point of your dividers. A sharp pencil makes a line 133 feet wide on an 1:80000 chart. I always try to plot my GPS fix on my chart. That way I know where the land is in three directions.
GPS Mount
Ross, I use a large winch handle holder which I attached to the pedestal handle loop (sorry I don't know the real name of the thing) with a stainless hose clamp. I cut down the face of the holder so I can see the GPS screen. It works well and costs about $20. If you prefer teak, I have a friend who uses a holder intended for liquid soap. Both are available through West Marine.
Ross, I use a large winch handle holder which I attached to the pedestal handle loop (sorry I don't know the real name of the thing) with a stainless hose clamp. I cut down the face of the holder so I can see the GPS screen. It works well and costs about $20. If you prefer teak, I have a friend who uses a holder intended for liquid soap. Both are available through West Marine.
gps backup
csommers -- i have an older Garmin unit that can handle waypoints. Being waterproof is one thing, as i don't really plan to go swimming with it, but also if you plan to use it as a back up find a faraday cage to put it in for safety in the event of a lightening strike. We actually got hit on the backside of the Bahamas with the lose of all electrical on the boat and used the handheld to get back to miami. chuck and soulmates
csommers -- i have an older Garmin unit that can handle waypoints. Being waterproof is one thing, as i don't really plan to go swimming with it, but also if you plan to use it as a back up find a faraday cage to put it in for safety in the event of a lightening strike. We actually got hit on the backside of the Bahamas with the lose of all electrical on the boat and used the handheld to get back to miami. chuck and soulmates
garmin
Garmin 76 is the least expensive, not a chart plotter, is waterproof and floats (so you can watch it float away). the 76c and other Garmin models are chart plotters and waterproof. Garmin is far and away the best handhelds.
Garmin 76 is the least expensive, not a chart plotter, is waterproof and floats (so you can watch it float away). the 76c and other Garmin models are chart plotters and waterproof. Garmin is far and away the best handhelds.
Navionics?
Which Navionics chip gives full USA coastal marine coverage for $99? All I could find were charts of areas like Southern California for $137 or so - adds up for full coverage. Please - what Navionics p/n were you refering to? Thanks, Oldcat
Which Navionics chip gives full USA coastal marine coverage for $99? All I could find were charts of areas like Southern California for $137 or so - adds up for full coverage. Please - what Navionics p/n were you refering to? Thanks, Oldcat
Opinions?
Everyone has them (smile). The "problem" with most GPS units is that they actually have far more features than most users need. The key is finding the "right" one with only the features you really will use. So the first step is for you to inventory your own needs and how a GPS fits into them. Once you know that you'll find it a lot easier to make an informed buying decision. In my own case, I still have (and use as a backup) a first generation Garmin handheld model 45. It does all the basics -- and more. I also have a newer Garmin 76 which is much faster and uses a lot less battery power (although I can run either on the ship's battery). My guess is that I use about 10 per cent of the features of the Garmin 76. Yet it's price was right and I'm sold on Garmin quality.
Everyone has them (smile). The "problem" with most GPS units is that they actually have far more features than most users need. The key is finding the "right" one with only the features you really will use. So the first step is for you to inventory your own needs and how a GPS fits into them. Once you know that you'll find it a lot easier to make an informed buying decision. In my own case, I still have (and use as a backup) a first generation Garmin handheld model 45. It does all the basics -- and more. I also have a newer Garmin 76 which is much faster and uses a lot less battery power (although I can run either on the ship's battery). My guess is that I use about 10 per cent of the features of the Garmin 76. Yet it's price was right and I'm sold on Garmin quality.
How can there be more comments?
Just as there is a plethora of GPS's, there are just as many comments. Mine is that I love my GPS Map 76 C. Kids gave it to me 30 months ago. I bought the BlueChart disk and the City Select Disk at $250 extra: not sorry at all!! I put in all waypoints (from car-trip-vacations, fishing sites and gunkholes) and wax nostalgic in mid-winter revisits via desktop computer. Stored tide data and motel data are equally valuable. The only bother is when/if I change computers: then it is a real hassle to encode three different 25 digit codes. ugh! but small price to pay. Mine was over $500, now can be had for $300. Enjoy, Joe
Just as there is a plethora of GPS's, there are just as many comments. Mine is that I love my GPS Map 76 C. Kids gave it to me 30 months ago. I bought the BlueChart disk and the City Select Disk at $250 extra: not sorry at all!! I put in all waypoints (from car-trip-vacations, fishing sites and gunkholes) and wax nostalgic in mid-winter revisits via desktop computer. Stored tide data and motel data are equally valuable. The only bother is when/if I change computers: then it is a real hassle to encode three different 25 digit codes. ugh! but small price to pay. Mine was over $500, now can be had for $300. Enjoy, Joe
Another vote for Garmin
I just bought a Garmin 72 to replace a 10 year old Magellan handheld that came with the boat. The Garmin 72 is the "entry level" unit, meaning it is the cheapest and has the fewest features. For me, it has far more features than will ever use, and it was easy to learn to operate. Think about what you will be using the unit for before you choose. Me, I actually "use" my gps only as a knotmeter, and to make sure I have a way to navigate around the significant number of rocks and islets in case of fog. All other functions are really gravy; I have used it to map waypoints for a cruise, but since I only daysail within site of land, this was more of a bonus than a necessary function. The Garmin 72 is not capable of showing charts, however, it did come pre-loaded with the positions of all navaids in my area. This is more than good enough for me. If this is enough for you, then you don't have to spend the bucks on a mapping unit. New, the 72 lists for $149, although a search on the internet shows you can buy it for less than that. I bought mine used on ebay; it came with a RAM mount, case and 12 volt adapter (about $40 worth of accessories). With shipping: $88.
I just bought a Garmin 72 to replace a 10 year old Magellan handheld that came with the boat. The Garmin 72 is the "entry level" unit, meaning it is the cheapest and has the fewest features. For me, it has far more features than will ever use, and it was easy to learn to operate. Think about what you will be using the unit for before you choose. Me, I actually "use" my gps only as a knotmeter, and to make sure I have a way to navigate around the significant number of rocks and islets in case of fog. All other functions are really gravy; I have used it to map waypoints for a cruise, but since I only daysail within site of land, this was more of a bonus than a necessary function. The Garmin 72 is not capable of showing charts, however, it did come pre-loaded with the positions of all navaids in my area. This is more than good enough for me. If this is enough for you, then you don't have to spend the bucks on a mapping unit. New, the 72 lists for $149, although a search on the internet shows you can buy it for less than that. I bought mine used on ebay; it came with a RAM mount, case and 12 volt adapter (about $40 worth of accessories). With shipping: $88.
Garmin good .. BUT!!!
While Garmin seems to be one of the more popular GPS manufacturers I have avoided their charting GPS products. I was in the marine retail business and every time Garmin updated their charting technology, they neglected to make their new equipment compatible with previous charts. so if You had several hundreds of dollars tied up in chart chips, your old chips were usless with new plotters. Pretty nifty marketing ploy I suppose but with multi-reader capabilities as they are, why not make use of it? Oh yeah ... because you want to sell all those new charts again and again and again. I would use a more standard charting format such as Cmap or Navionics which are available for use in a variety of other manufacturers. So when Acme electronics comes out with a new widget, your charts are more likely to be usable with it and not destined for the marine swap meet.
While Garmin seems to be one of the more popular GPS manufacturers I have avoided their charting GPS products. I was in the marine retail business and every time Garmin updated their charting technology, they neglected to make their new equipment compatible with previous charts. so if You had several hundreds of dollars tied up in chart chips, your old chips were usless with new plotters. Pretty nifty marketing ploy I suppose but with multi-reader capabilities as they are, why not make use of it? Oh yeah ... because you want to sell all those new charts again and again and again. I would use a more standard charting format such as Cmap or Navionics which are available for use in a variety of other manufacturers. So when Acme electronics comes out with a new widget, your charts are more likely to be usable with it and not destined for the marine swap meet.
Correct - Garmin makes old charts obsolete
Try and find any E-Charts today. Just moved my boat to Galveston Bay, and guess what - Garmin has discontinued the E-Chart line, making my Garmin chart plotter useless. According to several electronics supply places I've been, it's the way Garmin does business. I'll avoid them at all costs in the future.
Try and find any E-Charts today. Just moved my boat to Galveston Bay, and guess what - Garmin has discontinued the E-Chart line, making my Garmin chart plotter useless. According to several electronics supply places I've been, it's the way Garmin does business. I'll avoid them at all costs in the future.
Another reason to avoid Garmin...
The got the latest version WRONG for my area, and not only won't make good on it, they refuse to admit it. And, once you update a chart, you can't revert to a previous version. For example, see Garmin's cartography that corresponds to NOAA chart 13228., and compare it to the BBS or ENC from NOAA or Maptech. Westport harbor was re-buoyed. Garmin had the new data correct on the previous version, and somehow lost it on the latest. Who knwos what else they got wrong?
The got the latest version WRONG for my area, and not only won't make good on it, they refuse to admit it. And, once you update a chart, you can't revert to a previous version. For example, see Garmin's cartography that corresponds to NOAA chart 13228., and compare it to the BBS or ENC from NOAA or Maptech. Westport harbor was re-buoyed. Garmin had the new data correct on the previous version, and somehow lost it on the latest. Who knwos what else they got wrong?
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