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Handheld GPS

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/18/2006 : 14:45:31

I was wondering what handheld gps to buy. There are so many and the price difference is quite a bit. Any recommendations. Garmin vs Magellan. Specific models? Thanks.

Previous Owner
PiSeas II
2003 C250 WK #692
Newport Beach, CA

Edited by - on

saribella
Captain

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USA
286 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2006 : 16:10:27

I have had garmin and others in the past, but I currently use the Magellan Sportrak Map. I beleive it is a discontinued item with Magellan, but you can find good deals on ebay and even at your local Walmart. It will run you around $89-$149 depending on the deal. The unit is waterproof (resistant), has a backlit display and floats if dropped overbaord. I find the software extremely easy to use, plot, upload, and download; not to mention the myriad of functions it provides. I have the unit mounted near the helm in the cockpit for easy accessibility and visability, and remove it after each sail or cruise to upload tracks and speed information to save to my computer. I have every sail from since this past may saved. The cons are the size and limited greyscale color of the display, but this is why it is a handheld. If you want JUST a GPS you can find one rather cheap, but if you want more from a handheld at a very reasonable and replaceable cost then my recommendation is the Magellan Sportrack Map.

Edited by - saribella on 10/18/2006 16:14:09

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2006 : 04:38:40

Its nice to have one with a anchor alarm ,
if you sleep on the hook .
gives piece of mind while you sleep.

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frankr
Captain

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256 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2006 : 09:50:57

I use the Garmin GPSMAP 76 - it good on the water and in the forest. It has a lot of the Aids to navigation programmed into it and the batteries will last all day.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2006 : 11:01:36

I love my Garmin 276C with the beanbag mount. I use it in the boat and the car--color charts on a decent-sized screen, and detailed street maps with voice directions ("In .2 miles, turn left") and data on how far to your next turn, ETA for your destination, etc. Since I no longer have a full-time navigator, this is it.

Take a look at GPSDiscount.com for some good deals.

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Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2006 : 12:36:54

From the November '06 Practical Sailor:

CONCLUSION
It’s difficult to pick a standout winner in this test. In our view, the Garmin 76 CSx is an excellent performer with memory-expansion capability that’s nice to have, if you need it. The global cruiser might find this feature very attractive.

The West Marine 76 CS [made by Garmin](sans the memory-card expandability) includes the requisite internal memory to store enough chart data to cover the vast majority of a cruisers’ needs. It also offers the customized functionality for both powerboaters and sailors, with a proper countdown timer among other features. It doesn’t acquire satellites quite as quickly or hold the fix quite as well as its Garmin counterpart when the overhead view of the sky is limited, but since boaters are generally out in the open—and in light of the fact that an external antenna can be added for below-deck use at a navigation station—these can be viewed as minor shortcomings.

In the final analysis, West did its homework and identified what sailors and boaters really need, and Garmin delivered a solid unit that met those specifications. The collaboration worked. The West Marine 76 CS is our pick as the best marine handheld GPS.

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2006 : 22:04:24

Thanks everyone for the input. I am trying out a Magellan. It does have an anchor alarm and memory card and so other useful features. I will follow up with an update.

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