GPS, Best Bang for your buck

[Gfriedman]

I am looking for a GPS for my boat.

I'd like something that's good quality and reliable, but wont break the bank too bad.

I'm not into the hand held ones, i am looking for something with a bit more power.

What do you recommend?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: GPS, Best Bang for your buck

We have a Lowrance H20 color screen. Had it for the last 4 years. No issues and reasonably priced.

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: GPS, Best Bang for your buck

We have a Lowrance H20 color screen. Had it for the last 4 years. No issues and reasonably priced.

Isn't that a handheld Ken?

Personally I think Garmin makes the best gps out there, but that could be a chevy/ford opinion.

Are you stuck on non-handheld? I like handheld because they are more versatile and frankly on water isn't going to make any difference. More power and antenna is good for trees and obstructions and such....shouldn't be too much of that on the water. Why limit yourself unless you want a duel use - gps/depth/fish finder.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: GPS, Best Bang for your buck

Yes it is a hand held but we have it mounted on the dash and it is virtually a permanent fixture without having to leave it on board when the boat is left alone. Powerful enough for us.
I also take it with me when I am on my world business travels (Japan, Korea, China etc) great fun to see where you actually are in the world. Use it on the plane when nobody is watching as well. I have waypoints at various points of the flights.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: GPS, Best Bang for your buck

I'm also a big fan of the handhelds. Garmin is highly recommended for ease of use, features and reliability. I take mine in the boat, car, backpack, canoe, hiking etc etc. I have complete topographical maps for all of Canada, full marine maps for North America and the latest autorouting road maps of all North America. My Garmin Vista has all the performance and MORE features than most automotive units.

By "a bit more power", do you mean bigger display, more features? GPS units don't depend on more or less power. They only receive signals. The newest receivers incorporate high sensitivity chipsets thereby improving sensitivity when in heavy bush or in confined urban areas. Out on the open water, pretty much all units (handheld or fixed mount) will perform equally well.

WHat features are you looking for? Dedicate GPS or GPS/fishfinder combo, color or B&W. What is your budget?

 

[Texasmark]

Re: GPS, Best Bang for your buck

I have a little Magellan Explorist 200 hand held. Paid under $100 for it a few years ago from here or Cabellas. It clocks me walking down my driveway at 2.4 mph while locked onto 7 satellites or my boat at 50 mph. Nothing fancy, black and white, but works ok for me, even fishing the swamps of the Louisiana coast you can find your way around the canals and bayou's.

Being portable you can take it wherever you go.

Mark

 

[Gfriedman]

Re: GPS, Best Bang for your buck

thanks for the feedback.

More power as in features, not signal strength.

I want a decent size screen, but not too big, its going on a 24' boat.

I have been looking at the Standard Horizon cp180i. Budget would be around 400 - 500 max.

 

[jhebert]

Re: GPS, Best Bang for your buck

It is hard to beat the GlobalSat receiver. For $35 you get a state of the art receiver. For a boat you would need to adapt your 12-volt battery to 5-volts to run it. Nothing comes close in terms of price and performance.

http://www.usglobalsat.com/p-57-br-355-gps.aspx

 

[Gfriedman]

Re: GPS, Best Bang for your buck

That pretty neat. Wouldn't mind buying a netbook for the boat to run it off of.

What software do you use for that? How much does that go for?

 

[searay86]

Re: GPS, Best Bang for your buck

I am looking for a GPS for my boat.

I'd like something that's good quality and reliable, but wont break the bank too bad.

I'm not into the hand held ones, i am looking for something with a bit more power.

What do you recommend?

just purchased standard horizon cp180 gps store n.c. great price,easy to use 3 year warranty check it out.

 

[riptide09]

Re: GPS, Best Bang for your buck

I am in the same situation. Want to get a GPS but don't have a lot of money. I was at Cabelas last weekend and the guy was pushing the Eagle Cuda 350 S for only $200. I also do some fishing so the idea of a combo unit has a lot of appeal to me.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...en/common/search/search-box.jsp.form23&Go.x=0