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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
 GPS Garmin 78sc ?		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts
Initially Posted - 05/01/2022 :  09:00:06  Show Profile  Visit Peregrine's Homepage
Anyone using the Garmin 78sc handheld gps?
Likes and dislikes? Is there a better one near the same price point?
Thanks in advance.

John Gisondi
Peregrine #4762

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5895 Posts
Response Posted - 05/01/2022 :  09:27:33  Show Profile
I have one, John. I've used it for racing and cruising. I once used it on a yacht delivery from near Block Island to Baltimore. The onboard electronics were out and the 78sc got us there. Batteries last fairly well, but it took a few batteries for a long trip. Whenever I crew for someone, I usually take it and a handheld vhf radio in case the onboard electronics fail. It's more common for an onboard vhf to fail than an onboard gps.
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5352 Posts
Response Posted - 05/01/2022 :  21:32:05  Show Profile
Same here, I carry it with me if I ever travel on another person’s boat. I downloaded all my saved waypoints from older units into this one.
Whenever I crew or cruise on someone else’s boat I always set it into track mode for a few reasons. 1. It’s a trail of breadcrumbs to follow if you have to get back, 2. You know how far out you’ve come so you’ll know how long to get back, 3. If you run into fog, you know where you are.
Not everyone is as careful as you may be so it’s good to bring along.
I use it on my boat as a connected GPS for the VHF radio. My DSC radio requires a GPS, so I plug it in for signal and for continuous 12VDC power, so I’m not reliant solely on batteries. I use AA rechargeable NiMH batteries in the unit, and a setting in the menu accounts for the lower battery voltage of a rechargeable.
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts
Response Posted - 05/02/2022 :  08:32:15  Show Profile  Visit Peregrine's Homepage
Steve, Bruce, Thank you both.
I sail alone and sail out of Oyster Bay where I can see both the New York and Conn. Shores most of the time. Sailing SOP with just a chart is fine on most days but getting into coves or behind islands can be tricky and of course getting back to the Oyster Bay mooring in weather is always a concern. This will be my only GPS on Peregrine so it will be an important backup to me and it to be reliable.
Bruce, great tip on using it to track a sail. Love the “bread crumbs” analogy.
Many thanks

John Gisondi
Peregrine #4762

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5895 Posts
Response Posted - 05/02/2022 :  09:24:24  Show Profile
I think the instrument is reliable, but the software isn't always, because navigational marks get moved on purpose or by storms, and bottom shoaling changes. Keep the software updated, use your depth gauge and don't completely trust the depths shown on the charts and gps. That's the best you can do in a changing environment. My first gps was a little black & yellow Garmin that I paid $79. for on sale in an Aldi grocery over 20 years ago, and it still works perfectly.
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5352 Posts
Response Posted - 05/02/2022 :  10:12:42  Show Profile
Steve, you bring up a good point, you can never fully trust just one source 100%. I certainly don’t.

I generally use the C-Map app on my iPad for trip planning since it provides up-to-date charts (mostly).

I also check the USCG “Updates for Mariners” if going someplace that has skinny water or tricky channels and currents. Examples in LI Sound include the Norwalk Islands, Fishers Island Sounds, Mystic and Watch Hill RI or any rocky spots. I hear that the Chesapeake, Barnegat and Narragansett Bays’ bottoms can also be shifty.

Having a GPS with updated charts, paper charts and an app on your smartphone can assist your judgment of the situation. Nothing is perfect but having more than one data point is very handy.
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.