GPS Question

[Catchem]

Looking to get a Gps for xmas but not sure what type or model to look for.So many different ones out there.I would primarily be using it in a 20' boat.Fish a lot out on Southern Lake Huron.wondering if any one could let me know what I should be looking for in one and ideas on whose are more reliable.I know I dont want one that can down load,just want to be able to find my favorite spots and get back home after.Thanks for any and all replies.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: GPS Question

Hi Catchem. If you don't want one with maps etc... they all have waypoints and track logs. I like Garmin personally. Lots of models to choose from starting at about $100. Their e-trex series are handheld but can be mounted on your boat too. Very reliable and easy to use.

 

[Catchem]

Re: GPS Question

Drowned rat ,which one do you think is better...portable or the fixed unit.

 

[gewf631]

Re: GPS Question

I got a Magellan Sportrak Map last year, and have been very happy with it. One of the things that sold me was that this unit floats. I also bought a cigarette lighter adapter, which cuts down on the battery expense.<br />I got the Map version, and have been very happy I did. I also like the portability - don't get me wrong, the fixed units are very nice, and have a lot to offer, but for what I needed, the Magellan fits the bill nicely.

 

[JB]

Re: GPS Question

Warning: GPS units are like boats. No matter what you thought would fit your needs you end up wanting something more.<br /><br />First you want a chartplotter with downloadable detail maps, then you want color, then you want a bigger screen, then you want to use it in your truck when you aren't in the boat. Finally, you want enough memory or downloadability to travel from Leech Lake to New Orleans or follow the ICW from Ft. Lauderdale to Bangor, ME.<br /><br />So, based on JB's experience get the best you can afford the first time.<br /><br />Others may be reliable, but my 4 Garmins have been bulletproof and the only non-Garmin I bought was replaced on warranty within a few weeks and lasted another week before croaking again. It was returned for refund.<br /><br />I now have a Garmin 276C with auto navigation kit. I wonder what I am gonna want that it can't do. Portable: small enough to put in a jacket pocket with 15hr of battery life. Bright color screen. Operates on the water from boat 12V and uses BlueChart or Fishing HotSpots cartography, operates in my truck from truck 12V with voice guided navigation. Customer Service is unmatched, including free SW updates.<br /><br />If you can't stand to spend that much, just be sure it is a Garmin.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: GPS Question

Catchem. Both portable and fixed units are equally reliable and equally accurate. Portable units usually have smaller screens, but they're also cheaper too. Most portable units, like the Garmin e-trex, can be mounted and wired to a power source so you don't have to worry about batteries. Heed JB's advice though. GPS's are addictive and you'll probably end up wanting one with more features, bigger screen, color, mapping, etc... You can hardly go wrong with a small handheld for $100 just to try it out and it will get you back and forth to your fishing holes no problem. Good luck. Let us know what ya get!

 

[Catchem]

Re: GPS Question

Ok Guys ,thanks for all the ideas.Guess i am really gonna have to decide what features and amount of money I want to spend. So many choices out there for sure.Will let you know what I decided on when I get one.<br /> thanks,

 

[swist]

Re: GPS Question

Only additional comment I would have is to get the biggest screen you can if you intend to use the cartography heavily (yeah I know just a matter of $$$). Otherwise to see details like depths you are looking at such a small section of the chart that you can't get a feel for the bigger picture. Also tough to see while underway.

 

[BillP]

Re: GPS Question

Ditto on the screen size. Maps on a tiny handheld screen are very "busy" unless you are zoomed way in. Some things to look for are numbers and letters that can be easily read in bright direct sunlight. That means big block letters and adjustable contrast. I chose a budget line Lowrance for that reason alone..but the downside is big dark letters use more battery. Another feature is do you want the screen at the top or bottom? I prefer screen on top for dash mounting and wasn't comfortable with the lower screen on my old Garmin. <br /><br />Check the database and see how easy it is to find a waypoint after you have a few hundred stored. Some page down one waypoint at a time if you don't know the number or name (which is a pain in the azz)...and others show a full page of numbers/names at a time (the way to go). <br /><br />An adjustable refresh rate is desirable in sloppy seas at trolling or paddling speeds. You can lengthen the rate and not see a course change everytime a wave moves the bow. It makes steering friendler for the captain. It also saves battery power. <br /><br />My favorite option is the plotter because I can backtrack without making waypoints.<br /><br />I'm biased toward Lowrance but have owned Garmin and Magellan handheld units...I never have used all the options on any of my units so a simple gps is also my preference. The industry changes so fast whatever you buy will be obsolete next year too. It may pay to buy a budget model to learn on and use it as a standby later.

 

[tommays]

Re: GPS Question

C<br />i would be most concerned with the mounting and power supply options that any small unit has as holding it in your hand in bad weather or dark gets old quick and the battery life is very short at nite without a power cord option<br /><br />tommays

 

[redmopar]

Re: GPS Question

IMHO buying a GPS system is like buying a computer. This is what I tell my friends and family(I'm a computer engineer so I get asked this alot.) They all work. The more money you spend the faster and feature packed it is. What speed and features you NEED forms your starting point. The primary concern is your budget. With GPS, they all work and are accurate. They all tell you where you are. Not using seperate maps with them is nice, but not at all necessary. I agree with the garmin comment by JB. Mine is a Garmin GPS76. Twas the top of my budget and had a nice mapping system.

 

[Catchem]

Re: GPS Question

Redmopar,I am actually looking at the Garmin 72 for my needs.What do you think about them?

 

[redmopar]

Re: GPS Question

Well, garmin is always nice. Good quality and durability. I did make a booboo on my last post. I have the 72, got all confused cuz i was using my friend's gpsmap76. I shopped them recently so I am fairly versed in these few models. Gps72 is the base level in a similar series. It has every essential. Speed, heading, anchor drift, audible alarms, waypoints, trails etc. You can add the points of interest cd which when we are talking about these receivers, so our budget is probably slim, it is expensive. Didn't offer much for me anyways. Seemed like a bunch of crap.<br /><br />Go up one and you get the 76 which has a higher res screen and more waypoints and routes. Blah How many do you need???<br /><br />Go up one more to the gpsmap76, and you add detailed graphic base maps and highways. Very nice. More $$<br /><br />As far as the gps76 i have I think it is a bit of a waste. I would say go with the gps72 or gpsmap76 if you like the mapping feature. It is a nice thing to have. Also they are offering a $50 main-in rebate in the map76 series which makes the price difference only about $100. Offer expires jan 15. I may upgrade, but christmas$$$ isn't over yet. I will probably not. Of course you can keep going up and you'll find color. Nice but not of any real praticality that i know of.<br /><br />Here is the rebate form for the gpsmap76 if you need it. Its from the garmin website.<br /><br /> Rebate <br /><br />And one last thing. Always carry a compass anyways. They are good but they can fail. Compasses never fail. Good luck and have fun!

 

[redmopar]

Re: GPS Question

Oh yeah, accesories. I highly reccomend a power cord and a mounting bracket. Make life much much easier for $55. Try holding a map and a gps in the wind!

 

[JB]

Re: GPS Question

I agree with everything redmopar said, except one little "yabut".<br /><br />The "Car Navigation Unit" I bought from AstroTek only worked for a few hours at a time, destroyed two expensive Flash Cards (how the heck it did that is beyond me) and finally, when the warranty replacement croaked after an hour I returned it for refund.<br /><br />Astrotek was very helpful and apologetic, the service was good, but the product is (bleep).<br /><br />That is why I went back to Garmin and will probably never consider anything else.

 

[Triton II]

Re: GPS Question

I'm with JB regarding Garmin. I've got a Garmin Pilot III for flying and a GPSMap188 for boating. Been using GPS in military aircraft since 1984 when we got the first trial units. Used Lowrance, Magellan and Garmin - they're all excellent but I like the Garmin way of doing things... once you've bought and used a Garmin everything else seems difficult. However I previously asked whether anyone's used the Blue Chart chips but didn't get a response... anyone used this system before I fork out the hard-earned?

 

[BillP]

Re: GPS Question

Triton II,<br />My experience is VERY limited but...I spent about 10 hrs behind a Garmin 2006C with a Blue Chart of the Eastern USA (Jax to Key Largo) yesterday. It appeared accurate on contours, depths, reefs, topo, etc and also showed "protected" territories 35 miles offshore. Numbers were a tad small for my preference but Garmin's clear screen helped. When you zoom in the numbers stay the same size and topo lines the same thickness. The only downside was the 2 week old Garmin developed moisture under the screen...only 20 hrs on the boat.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: GPS Question

Originally posted by BillP:<br /> ... The only downside was the 2 week old Garmin developed moisture under the screen...only 20 hrs on the boat.

Powerboat Reports dinged some handheld Garmin product for this. As I remember, it was water that was able to get into the battery compartment. I’m guessing the handheld Garmin units being discussed here (e-trex, 72, 76) don’t have that problem...lots of folks on iboats forums have/use them and surely someone would have mention something about it.

 

[Triton II]

Re: GPS Question

BillP,<br /><br />Thanks for your response... I've ordered the local area blue chart for AUS$146 (about US$110). The east coast chart is almost double the money for about three times the area coverage, so it'll have to do for now... Ms Triton is complaining! BTW, never had any problem with moisture and she's copped a few wet days on the coaming.

 

[gss036]

Re: GPS Question

I have been using a 176C Garmin for the past 2 1/2 years w/Bluechart for Puget Sound. The unit had a corrupt board in it when I got it, sent back to Garmin and they did a very quick 5 day turn around. I have not had any more problems since that time. The 176 can be used fixed or handheld w/batteries. Since I fish w/other people on a regular basis, it really works well for me. I also bought NMH AA batteries and a charger. This saves a bunch on buying batteries. I get around 8 hrs on batteries w/back light on( this uses lots of juice)It is accurate, but I don't think it finds the exact spot at good as my loran. I checked that againt pinicles where we fish for rockfish. If you are in an area where you can get good WAAS reception, your accuracy will much improved. Up here in the pacific northwest/next to Canadian boder I don't always get a signal. Once you use a bluechart system you will wonder how you ever survived without it. Especially in the fog. I like it better than radar, although radar shows you other objects(boats mostly) around you.