Recommended handheld GPS device?

[Matt]

Lowrance

I have the Lowrance Go2. It's not as fancy as some of the Garmin models but for 99 bucks it does have near coastal nav-aids which is more than adequate for me. My only complaint so far is the 2.2" screen size. I would never rely on it (or any GPS) as my only method of navigation but it helps to double check my position, etc.. Hope that helps.Matt

 

[jviss]

Duh!

Well, thank you very much Ross, I can't imagine why I didn't think of that! That's such a helpful, thoughtful suggestion! Maybe when my car doesn't work, I'll just walk! Perfect solution!Meanwhile, I'm not going to spend my money on a chart-plotter and just bend over and take it when they screw it up and don't own up to it.

 

[chuckr]

what???

jviss -- not sure what you are talking about, but we run a raymarine chartplotter with a basic garmin handheld as a backup. We always keep the charts handy but rarely chart our course unless we lose the raymarine. We do log our lat and lon periodically - When we were on the backside of the Bahamas and got hit by lightening i used the handheld to give me the lat and lons which i plotted hourly to get to first an overnight anchorage and then across the gulfstream in high ne winds and seas in excess of 7' to miami. i would not plan on going anywhere without paper charts as a backup nor would i go without the hand held as both working together i can go almost anywhere. chuck and soulmates

 

[George]

Handheld GPS

Much discussion on this subject in the archives.Lots of votes for the Garmin 76 Series but the new Garmin 276/376 is getting a lot of attention. A little bulky but you get a nice screen and for $400 extra weather and XM radio. What a way to go when you only want the best!More on this at: http://kobernus.com/hunter260/gps/gps1.html

 

[Art]

I like the garmin too but it has some problems

Garmin is good but it can drop waypoints on occasion.

 

[Alan Russell]

Garmin GPSMAP 76

I like my Garmin GPSMAP 76. I has the features I wanted.Anchor AlarmDigital CompassLots of waypointsBasemap with naviads and highways.I would never buy any charts for it, though. Garmin's charts are a bit more money than I am willing to spend. I generally use a free charing program to make a track, and then upload it. I may also mark some of the hazards, marinas and such with points as well. I like having an electronic chart for those times when the boat it closed up due to weather, I don't wan't my charts on deck at that point.

 

[jviss]

to chuckr

What I was talking about was spending any money on a Garmin unit with cartography. Sure, for a basic Lat/Lin unit they are a fine backup. But it's not worth spending hte money on Garmin cartography because they have mistaked out there and don't own up to them.Second, I never advocated or suggested goign without paper charts. On the other hand, I'll bet money that most folks with paper charts do not update them per the Notices to Mariners. Do you know how far out of date even newly purchased charts can be, where to find the pertinent updates, and how to apply them? Have you ever? The Maptech (freely downloadable) are up to date, and correct. So, of course are the NOAA BSB's and ENC's.

 

[jviss]

re: Jviss, Do they get lat's and lon's correct?

Plotting positions on paper defeats the purpose of cartography in a chart plotter, and the point of my reply. One can purchase on of the best non-cartography GPS receivers from Furuno for $300; if you sepnd the extra money on one with charting, you shoudl expect accurate charts, and honesty from the vendor.