What do you have for a GPS?

[t4tr]

I am sure this may have been kicked around before, and I apologize if it has been. What do you folks use for a GPS? Likes? Dislikes? I have a Lowrance Ifinder H20. I wanted something handheld that I could use for hiking as well as boating. So far, I love it. My only dislike is the volume level for audibles tones does not go loud enough for my liking.

 

[RichP1269]

Re: What do you have for a GPS?

I use the Magellan Sport Trak Map. Fairly good topo map, accurate as all get out.<br /><br />Has worked well for me for both hunting and fishing. Not the smallest hand held unit, but the feature on the unit make up for the size.<br /><br />Magellan also makes a marine version with a color screen and a waterways database pre-loaded.

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: What do you have for a GPS?

Garmin Etrex legend. Handy, and accurate

 

[CntrySngr]

Re: What do you have for a GPS?

Garmin GPSMAP 60C - I just got it a little over a week ago...but I LOVE it so far! Very accurate, great color screen, and lots of maps available!

 

[kozman01]

Re: What do you have for a GPS?

Whistler Magellan 100. About two years old. MEGA memory. Can handle CF cards up to 512MB. That's over three states. It's very hard to use, eats batteries like crazy and the software is strange, but since I know how to use it now, I love it. You can sometimes find them for under a 100 bucks on Ubid.com or Overstock. Just buyt he external antenna for it. I haven't even seen anyone else with this model of GPS.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: What do you have for a GPS?

Magellan GPS 310. Don't have to worry if it falls overboard. <br />(j/k - It works great, it's just got no features whatsoever!)

 

[JB]

Re: What do you have for a GPS?

I started with a Garmin GPS38. Did the job, but I wanted a map, so I went to a Garmin GPS12MAP. Great portable, but small screen. Gave it to my SIL, who still uses it.<br /><br />Wanted a bigger screen, so I put a Garmin GPSMAP 162 on the boat and added a mount for it in my truck.<br /><br />The 162 went with the boat when I sold it.<br /><br />I wanted city/hiway navigation for my truck, a good marine GPS, portable for hiking and I wanted a color screen. Tried a couple of dash mount car navigators from the far east. Both were junk and died within weeks.<br /><br />I now have the triple threat. Garmin 276C. Navigates the truck, goes hiking in my pocket, and is a capable marine GPS, too. I particularly like to be able to shift areas by popping in another datacard.<br /><br />My only gripe, if I have one at all, is that some of the Mapsource city/country maps are several years out of date. I have been directed to use a street that has been replaced by a WalMart and I have been told that the street or road that I am on doesn't exist.<br /><br />On the whole, I don't think another GPS exists that can do all of the things the 276C can do. When new maps and software become available, all I have to do is download them.

 

[QC]

Re: What do you have for a GPS?

I have a Garmin 172C. I bought it with the Land and Sea kit which has made it perfect for both the boat and the truck. It even came with a non-skid mount that I used when we rented a Houseboat.<br /><br />The only gripes I have are that the reception is not quite as good as my old GPS12XL, and the screen could be brighter (newer models like JBs are better). Not as portable as JBs either, but you can get them for a pretty reasonable price.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: What do you have for a GPS?

Have one of the old Garmin e-trex vistas (monochrome). Love it, but want color. I also have the Garmin Foretrex which is a fully functional GPS you wear on your wrist like a watch. I love it, and it's the only thing I take with me when I hike now.

 

[Boatist]

Re: What do you have for a GPS?

JB<br />Are the new maps a free download or do you need to buy them or buy a unlock code??

 

[Boatist]

Re: What do you have for a GPS?

I have a GPSMAP 76 and the unit works great. Took a while to set up the way I want it.<br /><br />Only real complant is the screen is hard to see in many lighting conditions.<br /><br />I use it as a back up to my Loran C on the boat. <br /><br />Use it anytime I go on a party boat to capture the best places we fished.<br /><br />I also set waypoints for turns on roads to warn of up coming turn.<br /><br />Would love a bigger color screen in the same size package but the color unit actually has a smaller screen in the same case.

 

[JB]

Re: What do you have for a GPS?

Boatist.<br /><br />If the new map is an update of one you bought, the replacement is free, I think. They replaced my City Select CD with an updated version.<br /><br />Updated operating software is always free.

 

[gewf631]

Re: What do you have for a GPS?

Like RichP1269, I also have a Magellan Sport Trak Map. Was up in the air between Garmin and Magellan, but have been very happy with the decision. I also purchased a tilt/swivel mount, as well as a cigarette lighter adapter.<br /><br />I boat mostly inland waterways (lakes), but went handheld for portability. I purchased the software, and have used the unit while driving, cycling, motorcycling, hiking, and boating/fishing.<br /><br />A neat resource is USA Photo Maps

 

[DangerDan]

Re: What do you have for a GPS?

I have a Magellan FX324C. I really don't know much about this unit or Magellan except it's easy to use and get's me back to port on cruddy days. I havent had the time to learn how to use all of the features yet.

 

[demsvmejm]

Re: What do you have for a GPS?

I have a Lowrance iFinder PhD. I find it very accurate, but the topo maps leave some to be desired in accuracy of POI's and highways. Your H2O is very similar. I considered it but opted for the PhD instead. I find the only times I lose positions is inside, or under heavy cover. Under cloudy skies it is a little more fragile on the satellite lock.

 

[boling]

Re: What do you have for a GPS?

I've had a Megellan Meridian Color w/256 mb card for a couple of years. Accurate in very heavy cover, even when placed in my backpack. Battery life could be improved, and the color tends to wash out in the sun, so when it came to the boat, I got the Lowrance LMS480 and a 512 mb card. It will find my position even when parked under the shelter. Both have software to purchase for more more detailed maps. On most readings, both these units are within 10 feet of showing the same position. The meridian will even track through an airliner window.

 

[seamegr]

Re: What do you have for a GPS?

My first GPS was a Magellan Platinum and it was ok but it is now my spare. I too bought the Garmin GPSMAP 276C and I have used it for just over a year. You won't go back to black and white after using a colour screen.<br /><br />Autoroute for the truck and chartplotter for the boat. For me Garmin had the best Canadian data. It knows where the Beer Stores are in unfamiliar cities!<br /><br />I also use the Bluechart software. I have just ordered a GSD20 sounder module and in hull transducer so that I can use the sounder feature.<br /><br />Highly recommended.<br /><br />Greg

 

[Joenic]

Re: What do you have for a GPS?

Greg, I just got a 276c yesterday and am busy at work trying to get familiar with it . I also bought the car accessory kit and the bluechart cd. Would you know if you can download a specific bluechart region and a specific city map onto the same chip? I plan to use it both in car and in boat and want to use it this weekend. Thanks.

 

[seamegr]

Re: What do you have for a GPS?

Joenic, I don't believe you can do that. I have 2 cards and keep my Blue Charts on one and my Metro guide on another. When I get the TOPO maps I'll get another card.<br />It is really convenient to hot swap the cards to change maps.<br /><br />I do prefer the way Magellan allows the use of standard SD memory cards and the option of storing several maps on one card. But I think that Garmin's mapping products are more detailed. I'm used to Garmin now and would not change back.<br /><br />Greg

 

[reka12]

Re: What do you have for a GPS?

Magellan Sportrak Color. I have the original unit that still has the tides. I have not updated to the newer firmware that for some strange reason has deleted the tide function. <br /><br />As a handheld it has 28mb of memory, downloads maps (BlueNAV and TOPO) pretty quickly, has compass, barometer, crossection and a color screen. My only complaint is that the screen could be a little brighter. Mike