GPS Question - What's the better unit?

[demsvmejm]

Here we go again. After reading the posts my search of GPS came up with, I deduce Garmin is the best GPS unit. However I still want to ask my question. I am looking at getting a GPS for the upcoming boating season. I will use it alot on my boat(19'er), some in my truck and play with it while camping, so a handheld unit is what I wnat. After reading a post about a couple boneheads setting course for a coordinate at full throttle and finding out (the hard way) there was a peninsula in the way, I think I want a mapping unit. I am really not interested in color, at least not for an extra $100. I am not really a fisherman, but would like to start (something to do with my 15 yo son).<br /><br />So here's my Q's<br />- Which is the best unit to buy, in the $350.00 range? I've been eyeballing a Garmin GPSMAP 76 S. I've found it online for $274.00(??), I also considered a Magellin Meridian Marine. And I've seen the Lowrance iFinders (nice inexpensive units or just CHEAP?). <br />- What features are nice to have, and what aren't worth paying extra for, unless you're sure you want them? I try to buy more than I anticipate needing, because you never really know until you don't have it. I look at it this way, if I buy less than I want/need and then upgrade, my (whatever) costs me even more than if I had just bought the better (whatever) to start with. <br /><br />I don't have to have the biggest and best, I don't feel the need to compensate (no slight intended to anyone). But I do want to spend my money wisely and get the best unit for MY needs. Any other info or opinions you can offer will be greatly appreciated. Thank to all.

 

[Boatist]

Re: GPS Question - What's the better unit?

I have a GPSMAP 76 and the unit works well and has basic navigation aides. (Lights and Buoys) The 76 S you suggested is the same unit with a electronic compass and altimeter. The 76 has no electronic compass so need to take 2 steps before you get a compass heading. Also the 76 has no altimeter so need to recieve 4 satellites before you get a elevation reading. I say it is accutate to about 100 feet. With the 76S altimeter I think is a little more acurate if you set your barometic pressure to calibrate the unit.<br /><br />My GPSMAP 76 works well on the boat under my soft top, also works well in the car and hiking. My dislikes are very hard to read with low light conditions riding in the car. As a passanger not bad but as the driver hard to find your position in time you can takes eyes off the road ahead. Simple lighter power adapter $30. It has no way to copy Waypoints to a computer to store or sort out unless you spend big bucks for the detailed maps. Maps and unlock code cost more than the Unit does.<br /><br />IFinder I have not seen yet but pictures I have seen it appears to be brighter which would be a big help in the car at low light. It comes with navigation aids built in. It comes with a lighter power adapter. Some ifinder models come with better maps. In general looks like a better value. Another like of Lowrance is you can download a emulator to your computer for free and see if you like it.<br /><br />Bottom line I would go look at both types before you make your selection. I finder is newer so may still have some bug to work out. I think Garmin has more then 10 firmware upgrades to fix bugs.<br /><br />I think any of these units are good Quality but look at both before you make your choice.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: GPS Question - What's the better unit?

I have the ifinder H20. It is a waterproof version of the ifinder pro. The screen is easy to read inside and outside. For low-light or if you just prefer, it has a nice white backlight.<br /><br />The base map is good. If you get the "plus" package, you also get he Lowrance MAP create software, a 32mb memory card (MMC, but it also can use SD cards) and a USB card reader . You use the chip to transfer maps and other data to and from your ifinder. Once a map is loaded from map create, you have a fairly good points of information (POI) database at your disposal. You cand find address, intersections, restaurants, churches, etc. Searching is easy. I assume the others offer this as well with optional software.<br /><br />The gps receiver has worked well in and out of a car. The map refresh is fairly quick for a hand-held. The unit has to processors in it. <br /><br />It is also compatible with pre-loaded maps from Lowrance and Navionics. If you are a coastal boater, Lowrance just release a single map card that covers all of the coastal us and the great lakes (big savings if it is any good).<br /><br />The ifinder can also store a ton of data objects; routes, tracks, waypoints, etc. <br /><br />As I said earlier, the screen is good and you can see a lot of detail. The unit can bury you in detail and info if you load everything and display it all. <br /><br />Overall, I think it is a good value and I found it to work very well.<br /><br />Good luck with your choice.

 

[SeaTrek]

Re: GPS Question - What's the better unit?

....<br /><br />"After reading a post about a couple boneheads setting course for a coordinate at full throttle and finding out (the hard way) there was a peninsula in the way, I think I want a mapping unit. I am really not interested in color, at least not for an extra $100. I am not really a fisherman, but would like to start (something to do with my 15 yo son)."<br /><br />Sorry to say this...but.....<br />I would suggest an actual printed chart of the area where you expect to be navigating and then to study it, joining local knowledge of the area and then purchase an entry level GPS without all the bells and whistles.<br />Not all GPS Nav aids (be it hand or fixed) come with pre-loaded charts. You can expect to pay $$ for these and when you get them, they are "as is" with current USCG LNTM's of the same date as the software much like the printed charts and require updates.<br />On a hand held unit, the display and resolution on a GSMAP unit is hard to read unless you are an accomplished user. The same holds true for the larger fixed consumer units but while the display is larger, the input and knowlede of the user determines the usefullness of the aid.<br />If you'd like the ultimate, you can expect to fork out 40K for a RTSN system.<br />A good lesson in Navigation was unfortunately missed by the "Boneheads".<br />I hope it does not happen on your vessel.

 

[cjones4@hvc.rr.com]

Re: GPS Question - What's the better unit?

I recently was in the same position as you and came to the same conclusion. Bought the Garmin 76S for $299 online. I got it right after Christmas so I havn't used it on the boat yet. Works great in car even though only major roads are on basemap. I've gone geocaching with it and it took me to within 4' of the cache... a mile from the nearest road. Pretty cool. I also used it to mark my most productive ice fishing holes so I can return to the same spots. Now I'm saving up for Bluecharts software and cig adapter and ram mount for the boat. Good luck.

 

[surplusman]

Re: GPS Question - What's the better unit?

For navigation, nothing beats a chart. The GPS is simply an aid to navigation. I like to make my own "fishing maps" that may include hazards and whatnot. With that in mind I bought the Garmin 72. It has all the same key features as the higher priced 76,76S without the mapping. It only cost me 159. Works great in the car, land, and on the boat. I even get this thing to work inside my house 50% of the time. Nice thing is that it plugs right into my Humminbird Matrix 17 which has plotting software. I run catfish tourneys at night so features like anchor drag, proximity alarms, celestial charts, sunset/sunrise times and plotting (on both the gps and the matrix) were very important. The 72 has all that, as do the 76 series units, but paid a lot less. te only thing I am giving up is the preloaded mapping.

 

[Boatist]

Re: GPS Question - What's the better unit?

"For Navigation Nothing beats a Chart"<br /><br />While I agree you should have a chart but out on the water I think most times a electronic chart beats a paper chart. If you have a 3 foot by 4 foot chart table inside out of the wind and spray and a divider and parallel rule then the paper chart is great but you still have to plot your position on the chart. If your like most of us with a center console or small covered helm with a very small dash then the wind and spray will make a paper chart very very hard to use. <br /><br />Best thing is to know your area and use common sense. The night before plot your course and set up way points in your electronic chart. Do not try and cut corners or rely on tide for water depth, give youself some margins. Plot your course to also use navigation aids like buoys. This will give you some positive feedback that you are on your course.<br /><br />When you do not know the area then you do your home work and plan your course. Enter it into your GPS. I thinking mapping units give you positive feedback as to where you are. Use every thing you have on board. Your depthfinder should give you shallow water warning or confirm your in the channel. Your eyes and navigation aids should help confirm your position is where your GPS MAP unit says you are.<br /><br />For me today I would not consider a unit that does not have at least a basic map and navigation aids.<br />I am also too cheap to spend more on the maps and unlock codes than my GPS unit. One of the reason I have not purchased a Fixed Garmin GPSMAP unit. Most do not even come with basic Navigation aids, while I have not found a Lowrance unit that does not come with good navigation aids. Still many like Garmin.<br /><br />I just suggest you go see and compare any unit before you buy it. After you find unit you want shop for price or services. Some places will give you a class to help get you up to speed.<br /><br />Please report what you see and like.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: GPS Question - What's the better unit?

Check out the Navman site, $175 rebate. You'll get a 5" color screen with internal antenna for the price I paid for my handheld Magellan. Looks like they're underpricing or something to flood/get their name into the US market. Looks like a GREAT deal!

 

[cuzner]

Re: GPS Question - What's the better unit?

Hey Dave, I,ve had the gpsmap 76 for 2 years now.Great if you plan on using blue charts for the lakes, but once you put bluecharts on there useless for mapping away from the water.You can add 150- 200$ for the bluecharts.Unless you do serious fishing (bass touneys etc) the blue charts realy are not neccesary. The basemap will be good for driving, and has the outline of the great lakes( I do most of my boating in St claire and Erie). If you can get a colour unit for what you are willing to spend, I'd suggest to do that, makes reading them easier.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[fishingdan]

Re: GPS Question - What's the better unit?

Originally posted by Luna Sea:<br /> Check out the Navman site, $175 rebate. You'll get a 5" color screen with internal antenna for the price I paid for my handheld Magellan. Looks like they're underpricing or something to flood/get their name into the US market. Looks like a GREAT deal!

This is a great deal. Wish I had seen it before I bought a unit. I'm always late to the party!

 

[demsvmejm]

Re: GPS Question - What's the better unit?

Thank you to all for your wonderful input. To clarify the paper chart issue. I do not currently have, use, or know how to read a paper chart. Maybe that makes me an idiot, but hey. I plan to use the gps mainly for reassurance and as a gizmo, not serious hardcore navigation. It won't be a toy, don't get me wrong, but it won't be my primary navigation either. I'm not afraid to ask for directions, but on the water it's kinda hard to pull into the convenience store and ask. I also want to check the accuracy of my speedo (yeah like it could possibly be accurate.)<br />My first ever outing at the helm I got lost on the lake and couldn't find the small harbour where I put in. The weather wa sturning and I ended up about 5 miles past my launch. With a GPS I could find the launch faster, and with foul weather rolling in and my family on board, it would be a small price to pay fo rthe peace of mind. Since then I have selected a different launch, and have alot mor eexperience on this particular lake. But I want to explore too.<br /><br />Thanks for all the current and subsequent advice.

 

[demsvmejm]

Re: GPS Question - What's the better unit?

Originally posted by fishingdan:<br />

Originally posted by Luna Sea:<br /> Check out the Navman site, $175 rebate. You'll get a 5" color screen with internal antenna for the price I paid for my handheld Magellan. Looks like they're underpricing or something to flood/get their name into the US market. Looks like a GREAT deal!

This is a great deal. Wish I had seen it before I bought a unit. I'm always late to the party!

What unit are you guys talking about? I Google searched NAVMAN and found several hits, but all were showing large color units that you hardwire or handheld PC add-on units. I am not interested in either. But I do cetainly appreciate the input. If there's a unit similar to the one's I've mentioned I would be delighted to investigate it.<br />Thanks again.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: GPS Question - What's the better unit?

Until recently Navman only had fixed GPS units. A new range of handheld has just been released but none of them are suited to marine use and most of them are designed to be interfaced with a laptop. They are primarily designed for couriers and have voice guidance and PDAs built in.<br /><br />I don't think the 3100 is available in the U.S. yet.<br /><br /><br />

Navman 3100<br /><br />

Navman PIN 300<br /><br />Stick with the 76s, very good unit.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[kavika]

Re: GPS Question - What's the better unit?

I am looking at the Navman 6600 [$200 repate].<br /><br />Has anyone used this unit?<br /><br />Some say buy two insturments: a fish finder and a chart plotter vs a single unit. One function goes out you loose both idea. I am thinking by the time one goes out, new tech will make other function obsolete.<br /><br />What do you say?

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: GPS Question - What's the better unit?

The 6600 is their top of the range GPS/FF combo (dual frequency FF). It's a great unit BUT....<br />you only have a 7" screen, if you use it in dual mode your viewing area is 4" and 3" respectively. That's why most people (including me) suggest two seperate units.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Johnnielund]

Re: GPS Question - What's the better unit?

For what it's worth, I've had a Garmin 276C with the Fishing Hot Spots maps for about 6 months. I used it down on Kentucky Lake last year in November. It sure helped not getting lost. This unit also has maps and a speaker available for the car. I don't have the Automobile Package, so I can't say if it's good or bad, however it's a great unit out on the water. I hope this helps. Good Luck!

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: GPS Question - What's the better unit?

I have the garmin gps v.. And love it. It does bluechart, and gives driving directions!

 

[Mahoney]

Re: GPS Question - What's the better unit?

I have the garmin gps 76S and it is great, I did a lot of studying before purchasing this unit and am very happy with it. If you are able to load the bluewater charts and topgraphic maps, its great. I can even see the depth contours here in the Puget Sound.<br /><br />A nice feature is also to have the up to date tide tables right at your finger tips as well as the barometric pressure.

 

[demsvmejm]

Re: GPS Question - What's the better unit?

Mahoney, what about the expense of the mapcharts? I've read that they can easily exceed the cost of the unit itself? I'm told by the local marine store that when you buy the map, there's one code and each additional zone yo uwant needs another code purchased, and those can be expensive. I really won't need broad coverage. Any additional info would be great. I won't be making my purchase for probably another month to 6 weeks. Right now I'm leaning towards the iFinder H2O, but I can't shake the affection for the 76S.