Car GPS On boat

[edu01jose]

Could not find much info but can I use my car GPS for my boat? I don't believe so but before I buy a marine one I thought I would ask to be sure :redface:

Thanks

 

[southkogs]

Re: Car GPS On boat

I use mine in an "off road" mode here on the inland lakes and impounds in Tennessee, but I'm not sure I'd want to rely on it for big water (I see you're in Puerto Rico, so I'm guessing it's ocean use). I would think it's okay for keeping a fix on the pier, but as a NAV aid I would think it's pretty sketchy.

What kind of water are you running on?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Car GPS On boat

Sure. Some have a marine mode like my nuvi. Not the most detailed maps in the world and I'm just on a lake.

 

[edu01jose]

Re: Car GPS On boat

I also have a Nuvi, well I guess I'll find out tomorrow if it works.

Southkogs, I run on the ocean going to the little islands around here, don't really need one but later on when going to other further islands.
Thanks guys

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Car GPS On boat

I have a Nuvi also. You can buy nautical maps from Garmin you can download and install.

 

[edu01jose]

Re: Car GPS On boat

I have a Nuvi also. You can buy nautical maps from Garmin you can download and install.

i was searching Garmin but could only find maps for lakes.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Car GPS On boat

My bad, I missed your location.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Car GPS On boat

I would think if you're familiar with the waters, the Nuvi will help keep your orientation (that's basically the way I use it ... "Oh yeah, the dock is THAT way!"). When you start looking at venturing out in places you don't know I would (especially on the ocean) think that a device designed to work in that environment would be better. I've run once on the Pacific off shore without anything, but it was just off San Diego Bay and it was easy to find my way without. Had I not asked questions though, I would have run smack into an area that I was told to avoid (I can't remember exactly what for, but it had something to do with depth vs. the swells the water took at that point) and a Nuvi wouldn't have given me any warning. That's the kind of thing I would think the actual marine GPS units would be helpful with.

I hope I get to come down and test your waters out someday. We've got some acquaintances down in Puerto Rico and have a standing invitation to visit.

Enjoy the ocean!

 

[gtochris]

Re: Car GPS On boat

I brought mine along just for the speedometer! I think mine is a lower end unit as it just showed the "car" in the middle of the lake with no option

 

[ssobol]

Re: Car GPS On boat

I use a Magellan Explorist 500 on my boat. The unit is about the size of a cell phone (hand held unit) and is fairly waterproof (IP-7). I have it on a holder on the console and use the boat's power to run it. It allows you to load maps from your PC (with the right software). There are also some memory cards preloaded you can/could buy.

The Explorist does support some marine chart formats (BlueNav XL-3).

This product is discontinued. However, units and the software can be found on the internet or in forums. There is a fair number of people who still use this device and support each other. Some third parties also produce software utilities that work with it.

A used 500 (there are several models) can be found for about US$100.

I bought my unit and the software late summer of last year.

Also note, some of the PC software will not work on Windows 7 so you need to have access to a WinXP computer.

Don't know what the coverage for PR is like, but this might be an inexpensive alternative.

 

[Lakemeadan]

Re: Car GPS On boat

It may tell you to proceed to the nearest road which you shouldn't do.

 

[wildspeed]

Re: Car GPS On boat

I used a Magellan meridian color handheld with marine and road maps, but the screen is very little ( it's now a backup unit for the boat)

I use my nuvi with Lake maps on my canoe

For the boat I have a GPSMAP 640 who also have road function.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Car GPS On boat

I use my car GPS in the boat for speed only.

 

[haley]

Re: Car GPS On boat

Waypoints. No one mentioned way points yet. I can use my car GPS to set my point of departure and set additional points as I move along. Then I can back track if need be. The speedo is good for dead reckoning as well.

Cool about lake maps. I will have to look into that.

 

[hostage]

Re: Car GPS On boat

If you have a smartphone (droid/iphone) you can download Navionics for about $15. This gives you charts, real GPS, waypoints, etc.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Car GPS On boat

If you have a smartphone (droid/iphone) you can download Navionics for about $15. This gives you charts, real GPS, waypoints, etc.

Beat me to it! This is exactly right & the app is awesome.

 

[edu01jose]

Re: Car GPS On boat

Never thought of the Iphone, do I have to have at&t service so I could use the maps or can I have it disconnected with no service at all and use the maps?

I'd figure the car GPS would show me to the nearest road. At least that's what I thought at first.

Thanks for the replies guys

 

[hostage]

Re: Car GPS On boat

Never thought of the Iphone, do I have to have at&t service so I could use the maps or can I have it disconnected with no service at all and use the maps?

I'd figure the car GPS would show me to the nearest road. At least that's what I thought at first.

Thanks for the replies guys

I think so long as you have an iphone 3Gs or a droid, you can be out of range of service or have no server and still view maps and get a satlink signal for GPS. With Navionics you can download areas onto your smartphone. I love mine, just need to get suction cup mount.

If you have an Old 3GS then u should be able to download the application using your wifi then run it, it might even work for the iphone 3.

 

[CaptNCamille]

Re: Car GPS On boat

I have a Garmin 478. It came with street maps and Blue Charts so i can and do use it in my car and on my boat.

 

[frozenhawaiian]

Re: Car GPS On boat

most car specific GPS units aren't able to use the chart data cards so using it as a true nav aid is probably out, but you can always use it as a speedo and to give you a basic heading, also keep in mind most car GPS units are designed to spend most of their life plugged into a cig lighter so with huge bright screens and small batteries the battery life is generally not more than a few hours.