GPS cost of ownership?

[mellowyellow]

being pressured by santa to give a specific choice<br />for MY new GPS. <br />i am curious about hidden costs including s/w etc.<br />regards,<br />M.Y.

 

[JB]

Re: GPS cost of ownership?

Hi, MY.<br /><br />Software and enhancement CDs for GPS are like "options" on a new truck. <br /><br />You can actually live without them and be way ahead of where you were with no GPS, but I don't know anyone who can resist them.<br /><br />For my Garmin GPSMAP 162 the computer cable and three Mapsource CDROMs (US Roads and Rec, Canada Roads and Rec, and Fishing Hotspots with 2 unlock codes) ran a total of about $300. If I recall (which is not a sure thing) the unit was about $450 on eBay.<br /><br />I couldn't be happier with my package unless it was color and had a brighter screen in the sunlight. . . about another $500. Then, um. . .maybe a bigger screen, or a laptop that will fit my console. . . YES!! A waterproof laptop!!<br /><br />Achtung, Mein Schatz, about Christmas. . .

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: GPS cost of ownership?

thanks JB. don't know if I have been good enough<br />to get all the toys too... a nice military<br />ruggedized laptop would be cool also

 

[mattttt25]

Re: GPS cost of ownership?

jb turned me on to the 162 back when i was looking. unit was about $300. as soon as i tried it out, i knew i had to upgrade- coastline was square, no depth soundings, etc. i went with the bluecharts (i think about $100) and love it. looks like a regular old chart. plan on spending about 1/4 - 1/3 of the purchase price for software upgrades.

 

[PAkev]

Re: GPS cost of ownership?

MellowYellow,<br /><br />You didn't indicate the kind of GPS you're considering. If you are looking at any hand helds, they go through batteries fairly quick when operating in full WAAS mode or when using the screen backlighting at night. I believe my Lowrance I Finder will go for about 6 hours in WAAS signal before petering out. If you use a 12V adapter in a boat or auto, they go much longer between battery changes. Other than your initial investment for the unit and software, Uncle Sam foots the bill for it's operation.<br /><br />Kevin

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: GPS cost of ownership?

thanks for insight navy, makes the more expensive<br />version cheaper I think.

 

[Snailman]

Re: GPS cost of ownership?

I've been shopping around for a new handheld GPS. I'm hoping Santa will bring me a new one. I'm still using my old Garmin GPS38 (sorta similar to the 12 in features and size) There's no mapping feature on it. <br /><br />I've looked at the Garmin GPS76 and GPS76S. I like the 76S for its internal compass (doesn't need to be moving to show correct heading) and its larger memory.<br /><br />After checking that out I think I've now settled on the Magellan Meridian Marine. It does everything the Garmin GPS76S does but it has the added feature of accepting 16MB SD Memory Cards. Since I use a Macintosh Computer I'll rely on friends to upload the maps that I need to cards and I'll be able to switch them out as needed.<br /><br />Did I mention that it FLOATS! They have a color unit too but that's going to be a bit out of my uh.... er.... Santa's price range.

 

[msd58]

Re: GPS cost of ownership?

I just got a Garmin 162 with software less discounts and coupons $329.00 West Marine

 

[roscoe]

Re: GPS cost of ownership?

I have a Magellan Sporttrak Map. <br />I may be a good unit, if I could figure out how to use it.<br />The software was expensive, and is pretty useless, unless you want to find a diner in sw Colorado. The lake maps are terrible.<br /><br />I actually checked out a laptop gps. A guy had one on his $40,000 Ranger tourney boat. Sonar was hooked into it also. Everything was entered right into the mapping software. It used the touch pad and an onscreen menu, instead of the buttons on the gps. Very sweet. But a little tough to see the screen in the sunlight.