searching for GPS ?

[Beaux]

Re: searching for GPS ?

Several things to look at. To me, the following items make a difference. <br />1. accuracy needed (waas reciever is best if available signal in your area)<br />2. screen size/detail <br />3. color or not (big difference in cost) <br />4. software <br />5. memory (not as important as you think. as mine has 24 mb of memory and I downloaded in greatest detail setting, the entire gulf between tampa and new orleans and it was only using 8.5 mb of memory.)<br />My personal choice are garmin b/c of software and ease getting around menus on their gps models. Also the garmin CD's are great and in my opinion are much better than the data cards. Here is why. With the cards, you have information on your gps. With my garmin CD(bluechart), I can look at my maps in color on my 17" screen at home, plan my trip, add/view waypoints, download all of what I want to my gps and it is much easier to plan on the computer verses that little b/w gps screen.(much quicker as well due to speed of computer) There are chart updates available (yes you pay) but you can download any area you want for a reasonable fee from website. I needed very accurate position(WAAS) and wanted all the available chart info so I went with a higher model handheld (76s). couldn't justify color $$$. I would get someone with the fishing hotspots CD to email you a few sample pics of your area so you can check out detail/info that it offers. hope that helps. just my .02

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: searching for GPS ?

Beaux <br />Thank You very much for the info. You have given me a great picture of what I need for my needs. I will let you know what I decide. I too was looking at the Garmin. Just not sure which model I should get. Thanks Again,

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: searching for GPS ?

Beaux,<br />What's you're thoughts on this one? <br /><br />web page

 

[Reel Appeal]

Re: searching for GPS ?

Hello again,<br /> I'm going to tell all here about a slightly embarrassing,more importantly dangerous incident I had several years ago.A relative and I decided to do some night fishing for striped bass in a nearby bay.We left as the sun was setting for a 5 mile run to a fishing ground.It was calm,no wind,but extremly dark,no moon or stars(overcast).On the way out about 3/4's the way there I ran aground at about 20 mph.Luckily,I ran up onto a sandy beach.We had minor bumps and I a black eye from hitting the steering wheel.I did have a small handheld GPS on the dash which I could barely read 2"x2" screen.I had to radio a commercial towing service to drag my stupidity off the beach($200)I made this run many times at night before with no problems and felt confident about it.I admit, I made an navigational error that could have turned out alot worse.Did I mention there were rocks bigger than my boat just up the beach.Not an experience I would like to repeat.<br />The next week is when I purchased my Garmin 162 Mapping GPS....I do not rely on my GPS totally for navigation.I hope members here will learn something from my misfortune.

 

[Beaux]

Re: searching for GPS ?

Reel- point well taken, I/we definitely need to keep that in mind. <br />Rick,<br />At first, i thought that one has all the features that you would need including waas accuracy. One thing though, I don't think it is what most would consider a mapping gps . It describes mapping your track but I don't see where it talks about maps of the area incorporated into the system. Here is a sample from garmin of what I am referrring to with the gps72.

<br />As you can see, the track you are on is shown along with waypoints, but no background map. Pretty slick wording on that website, as I was about to get pissed that I ordered a 76s instead of this one for much less $$$. I think you want something else. The gps76map could be an option if you need waas accuracy. Unfortunately its a little more pricey. I havent seen a garmin 72 in person but this is what I can figure from looking online. Otherwise, I would tell you that it has every feature that you would need besides mapping and looks like a great package. Sorry it is not the answer you were looking for. <br /> I will research for you as well. Good luck

 

[Troy_from _Oz]

Re: searching for GPS ?

My advice would be to make sure that ANY GPS receiver that you buy has 12 channel parallel tracking capability. Some of the very cheap models use 2 channel multiplexing which is no good at all. I don't know how many models are like this these days but as soon as you go to 12 channel you will be alright.<br /><br />After that - see if you can get one with some sort of position averaging facility which will help you with accuracy -although this isnt such a problem now that SA (selective availability) has been switched off by the US DoD.<br /><br />If you want to spend a little more - maybe look at a model that has facility for an external antenna - but this would depend on your boat setup etc. and if you think you would ever really need to go that far in terms of gadgets (and $$$)<br /><br />Also - __please__ ensure that you use the correct datum in the receiver setup. This should be checked against your navigation charts (if you are using hardcopy versions). Even professional operators have made (fatal) mistakes with this issue. <br /><br />Other than that - happy navigating!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: searching for GPS ?

Thanks Beaux for the insight. I thought it had the true mapping also. I guess I'll keep looking until I find the one that fits my needs. If that's a Pic of the 72, it's not what I expected to see. Thanks for looking up that info for me and I will look into further also. Also want to thank Reel Appeal for that informative story. Scary!! And Troy, I will keep in mind your advice too. Most, if not all, Water that I boat in is open Water. I have gotten by over the years just by memory at night, but some of the Lakes that I am planning on going to, I have only boated at once or twice and never at night. This is why I'm looking for something to aid in my navigation. But as I said, they are mostly open water lakes. My main concern is getting 20 or 30 miles up the lake and not remembering where the heck I've come from or which arm to take to get back to the dock. Anyway, Thanks for all your help and if it takes a little more money to get what I need, then that's the way it is.

 

[Beaux]

Re: searching for GPS ?

Rick I have looked/compared and IMHO this would be best for what you want if you want a garmin product. ITs the etrex legend. It has 12 satellite waas reciever, 8mb memory for using any of garmin cd databases (more than plenty), built in map database with marine aids, nice screen detail and size, and has $50 rebate right now according to garmin website. Check it out. Gps<br />The only things I notice it doesn't have that you may want is external antenae attachment and the placement of menu buttons on sides of unit instead of the top like the gps76(on top is better to me as they are easier to read/use). As far as price, it is listed at $249 on the website you linked to earlier and the gps 76 map is $349. <br />For $100.00(150 w/rebate), the antennae and buttons may not be that important! Am not sure whether that $249 includes rebate that is included on garmin.com or not. you will have to check with the retailer. I would go down to west/etc. look at them, make sure you like it, and then find best price on net. If you dont want to wait for shipping and you want the ability to return it locally if you have trouble, west marine will match any printed off price from the net, you just have to show them the printout. I didn't know this until after I bought mine online. and anyway, got it from iboats- so felt like I was buying from good people. Hope this helps! Good luck

 

[AndyL]

Re: searching for GPS ?

Just an input from someone in the same part of the world. When I upgraded to mapping GPS a year or so ago I looked at the various systems available and found that certainly in the Channel Island area / France the mapping afforded and supported by C-map was superior to Navionics. A pity really as I have always liked the Lowrance reliability and robustness. I came to my descision by going to a dealer and zooming in on a piece of water that I am well familiar with then comparing the quality of picture/ detail across the different systems on offer. ie all the plotters in the shop looking at the same area.<br />My choice was a Simrad as it was also on special offer. Navionics may have now improved their mapping in this area as I know it is superb in the States, so the final choice will still be difficult.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: searching for GPS ?

Hi Beaux <br />I looked at the Legend and it does sound like all I need. However like you, I am not sure I would like the side buttons. I went to the West Web Site and found the GPSMAP 76 for $349.00, but they also have a coupon special for $30.00 off any purchace over $300.00. So that would get me down to $319.00 before Tax and I think I would be happier in the long run if I spend a little more now. I'm going out to the West store tonight to check them out and I will let you know what happens. I'll look at the Legend and see how it feels and operates with the side buttons. Thanks for doing the research and I appreciate your help and effort. Makes my decision between 2, as opposed to about 20, much easier. Will reply back!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: searching for GPS ?

Beaux,<br />Do you think they would take this one??<br /><br /> web page$309.95 or this one:$325.00<br /><br /> web page

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: searching for GPS ?

AndyL, you just confirmed my suspicions that the C-Map system is pretty good.<br />This last summer, I spent a couple of days exploring some side waters of the lower Columbia River. The channels, some of which are marked privately (i.e., not by the Coast Guard), are circuitous, to say the least. I navigated using my chart GPS, the printed river charts and my depth finder (depths were from 70' to 2').<br />It was great fun, and I learned a lot. The chart GPS (Navman/C-Map NT) worked great, and was very accurate: WAAS definetly works to within a couple of feet. My conclusions were: 1) chart GPS are worth the extra $ - they're actually easier to use than the non-chart types (I borrowed a small Garmin also); 2) I wished I'd stepped up to get a color version instead of B&W; and 3) you can't have too big a screen (alas, my 24' boat has no room for a bigger screen).<br />I know we're all working on budgets, but if you can swing it, the chart GPS are worth it.

 

[Beaux]

Re: searching for GPS ?

Rick, I would go to the shopping cart page that shows the $309 price and print that one out. (for that matter print out the intro/decsription page as well) The west employee that I always go in and shoot the bull with told me it was company poilicy to accept and match ANY competitor's price even if online. Only down fall is you pay sales tax at west. Of course you dont pay shipping so they sort of equal out in total bill. I am not sure if that $30 off will apply to a matched price but I would surely try and get it with some gentle persuasion. Also check out the cd map databases while you are in there. there is a $50 rebate for some of them directly from garmin. i would check into it and get samples from guys here tht have that particular program (ex. fishing hotspots, bluechart, etc). one important thing if you decide to go with used software. The CD's are locked and unlocked online for a SPECIFIC gps unit(serial number,not type). So if you buy the CD used, if you want to place the info that was already unlocked for the original owner's gps, you will have to re-unlock it again and pay for that region. It prevents people from buying one CD and all their buddies coming over and downloading the info for free into their gps. Good Luck