Need portable GPS recommendations

[imported_Captain Morgan]

I'm considering purchasing a portable GPS for 3 reasons:

1. Safety
2. Geocaching
3. To verify speedometer in boat

I don't want to get lost on a big lake like Shasta. Also, I have friends who go geocaching on camping trips and I'd like to do that too. I'd like to verify my boat's speedometer and have been advised to use a gps. I didn't even know these things had a speedometer in them. I'd like to get one with a color screen, but that's not critical. It should be portable, have decent battery life, and be water-resistant.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[whiteman]

Re: Need portable GPS recommendations

1. vital to navigate around dangerous spots and finding your way home in rain/fog (unless you can accurately read charts). Pretty handy if you need to tell a rescue crew where you are located.
2. Yes, GPS required
3. Speed is a basic read-out and rather useful! Also time/distance to destination are also useful.

Lots of quality hand-helds on the market. I've used Garmin for my handhelds for some years without fault (my chartplotter is a Navman). They are robust and the latest models are lightweight.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Need portable GPS recommendations

I suggest going to a store like REI that carries the Garmin hiking and mapping GPS units and see if those would fill your needs. For what you are using it for, you probably don't need mapping capability. You can also go to a West Marine store to see some that are more tailered to marine use.

Not sure if you have ever been to Shasta but it is pretty hard to get lost on it. On the other hand, trying to find your campsite on Lake Powell can be interesting sometimes.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: Need portable GPS recommendations

I have a Garmin Etrex Legend and love it. My dad has a Garmin Quest and it's great as well.

If memory serves me the Quest is around $600 - $700. The Legend is less than $200. Here are some quick differences from top of head...

Quest
Color screen
much more memory for maps
comes with mapping software
ability to audibly tell you were to exit and such while driving with the cigarette lighter adapter plugged in.
not waterproof
automotive mount
computer cable

Legend
No mapping software, but does come with fishing hotspots and possibly even some basic lake maps
very user friendly
waterproof
black and white screen (some for more $$ are color with different features)
no computer cable
no automotive mount

For what you say you want, I'd almost just suggest the Legend as it is fairly small, about size of a candy bar cell phone, and waterproof, which is better for marine use. If you want the mapping software, it can be purchased later, as well as computer cables and auto mount or even a handlebar mount. Accessories are plentiful and reasonable on ebay.

Just realize, you'll spend close to another $200 for the same accessories that come with the quest, so if those are needed up front, you might look into a unit that has them included.

The quest will speak your turns when connected to the cigarette lighter adapter. If you want a similar feature with the legend, you can DL a navigator program (for free) from garmin's website and turn your laptop into the screen and verbally navigate and just use the GPS unit as a GPS antenna.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Re: Need portable GPS recommendations

I've used Magellan Meridian Color for past 3 years in boat and in car. Does everything I need. I even have an SD card with my lake topo in it.

 

[JB]

Re: Need portable GPS recommendations

I have my fourth Garmin unit (276C). All have been excellent, though the 276C is probably bigger and more expensive than your immediate needs.

Probably the best pocket portable I had was a GPS12MAP. Obsolete now, but there are modern equivalents..

Warning: There is a GPS equivalent of "2 foot fever". You are regularly going to "discover" that you really need a bigger, or color, or more sophisticated unit.

That is why I went from a GPS38 to a GPS12MAP to a marine only (GPSMAP 162) to a marine/auto navigator/portable.

I only stopped upgrading because the 276C is the biggest portable I can get in a pocket and navigate either my vehicle or my boat.

I also had a couple of other brand units that were #$%^ and which I returned for refund.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: Need portable GPS recommendations

I just noticed that Gander Mountain has the Garmin Legend on sale (refurbished w/ one year warranty) for $99! That looks to be a pretty good deal!!

http://gandermountain.shoplocal.com...rge&storeid=2489523&rapid=314490&pagenumber=1

not sure if that's a local sale or not!!

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Need portable GPS recommendations

H2O has about 10 hour battery life and comes with a 12 volt battery adaptor for $170. For $120 you can either get map create or navonics chip for lakes. H20C is more expensive and sucks batteries a lot faster. The H20 is awsome. You cant get lost as long as you have it on. It constantly leaves a trail on the GPS that shows you the route you took so all you have to do is follow it back. It is nice for lakes that have land in the way and where you have to navigate a bunch of turns.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Need portable GPS recommendations

I like the Lowrance H20 C for color. The Lowrance H20 is mono but very easy to see. The Lowrance units have a much brighter screen. The base maps are much better, show all the buoys and better shore line. With their base map I have had no need for a more detailed map. They come with a Power cord with a lighter plug.

I have a Garmin GPSMAP 76 and the unit works very good but is very hard to see the screen when in the car and driving. It is just too dim in many conditions. The color unit GPSMAP 76C is a little better to see but still not near as bright as Lowrance H20 C. To get a power cord for the car it is another $29.