I would like to know which brand of handheld GPS is best costing about $200.00. I've looked at Garmin and Lowrance and I figure out which one is better.
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Garmin Legend
Get the Garmin Legend. It comes pre-loaded with coastal markers, streets and road information. Its right at $200 retail. I got the model just below it and regret it because you can't load the great software the Legend comes with.
Get the Garmin Legend. It comes pre-loaded with coastal markers, streets and road information. Its right at $200 retail. I got the model just below it and regret it because you can't load the great software the Legend comes with.
about garmin legend...
Tim, I'm also in the market for a handheld but would like something with map detail. Does the legend come with this? Brian Conneely H23 kickin' back
Tim, I'm also in the market for a handheld but would like something with map detail. Does the legend come with this? Brian Conneely H23 kickin' back
Yes, Legend has details
Brian, yes. The Legend does also have map detail. Its really a pretty great device rolled up into a very small package.
Brian, yes. The Legend does also have map detail. Its really a pretty great device rolled up into a very small package.
Garmin GPS76
The garmin GPS 76 is a great value for the $ (close to $200.00) . I much prefer it to the Legend. Garmin has upgraded the GPS76 with two mapping units: The GPS Map76 and the GPS Map76S(? - at least I think that's the designation). They both are mapping units with the more expensive GPS Map76S having more memory. If I were interested in a mapping unit I don't think I would look at the 76 series. The larger screened fix mounted units like the 176 and the 176C(!) are far more suitable albeit more expensive. I am useing two Gps 76 units on my current trip from Barnegat NJ to the Bahamas via the Florida Keys----they have worked flawlessly. And, if you have a PC as does a friend of mine, downloading route/waypoint information from Maptech software is a snap.
The garmin GPS 76 is a great value for the $ (close to $200.00) . I much prefer it to the Legend. Garmin has upgraded the GPS76 with two mapping units: The GPS Map76 and the GPS Map76S(? - at least I think that's the designation). They both are mapping units with the more expensive GPS Map76S having more memory. If I were interested in a mapping unit I don't think I would look at the 76 series. The larger screened fix mounted units like the 176 and the 176C(!) are far more suitable albeit more expensive. I am useing two Gps 76 units on my current trip from Barnegat NJ to the Bahamas via the Florida Keys----they have worked flawlessly. And, if you have a PC as does a friend of mine, downloading route/waypoint information from Maptech software is a snap.
Garmin GPSMAP 60CS
You might want to consider the new Garmin 60C. The color display is supposed to be sunlight readable. Its twice as much as the 76 but has 58MB of built-in memory vs. 24MB. See link below.
You might want to consider the new Garmin 60C. The color display is supposed to be sunlight readable. Its twice as much as the 76 but has 58MB of built-in memory vs. 24MB. See link below.
Handheld GPS
Matt, If the budget isn't firm, take alook at the agellan Meridian (marine version). It's a little over $300 and comes pre-loaded with costal charts and markers. It also takes memory cards so detailed charts or maps can be down-loaded and has a 12-volt adapter. Does most of the tricks the fixed-mount units do.
Matt, If the budget isn't firm, take alook at the agellan Meridian (marine version). It's a little over $300 and comes pre-loaded with costal charts and markers. It also takes memory cards so detailed charts or maps can be down-loaded and has a 12-volt adapter. Does most of the tricks the fixed-mount units do.
Garmin 72
You can't find a better boating GPS for 150 bucks than the Garmin 72. It has coastal navigation aids (not very handy though), backlit screen, speed in MPH and Knots, 500 waypoints, WAAS, 8 mgs of memory (not much but good to store a few trips) and a very handy trip computer. Some of the really helpful features are a tide chart (this book itself costs 20 bucks) and a anchor alarm- if your sleeping on the hook and your anchor lets go, an alarm will go off to let you know. Very good stuff for 150 small ones.
You can't find a better boating GPS for 150 bucks than the Garmin 72. It has coastal navigation aids (not very handy though), backlit screen, speed in MPH and Knots, 500 waypoints, WAAS, 8 mgs of memory (not much but good to store a few trips) and a very handy trip computer. Some of the really helpful features are a tide chart (this book itself costs 20 bucks) and a anchor alarm- if your sleeping on the hook and your anchor lets go, an alarm will go off to let you know. Very good stuff for 150 small ones.
Finally Made A Decision
Well, I went to West Marine today and I finally got a unit. I was going to get the Garmin 76 GPS until I started talking with the sales person. They showed me the Garmin GPS Map 76. I ended up buying that one. The reason that I went with the Garmin GPS Map 76 is simple. It had a detailed base map already in the system. It also has 8 Megs so I can download the blue charts program. It is very impressive and I felt better about navigating with the unit. There are a lot of nice features on this unit (it is going to take a while to learn the unit). I have been playing with it and I am extremely happy and I am glad I spent the extra money! If anyone is looking for a handheld GPS, I would higly reccomend this one.
Well, I went to West Marine today and I finally got a unit. I was going to get the Garmin 76 GPS until I started talking with the sales person. They showed me the Garmin GPS Map 76. I ended up buying that one. The reason that I went with the Garmin GPS Map 76 is simple. It had a detailed base map already in the system. It also has 8 Megs so I can download the blue charts program. It is very impressive and I felt better about navigating with the unit. There are a lot of nice features on this unit (it is going to take a while to learn the unit). I have been playing with it and I am extremely happy and I am glad I spent the extra money! If anyone is looking for a handheld GPS, I would higly reccomend this one.
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