GPS Recommendations

[budershank]

Howdy, I was trying to use the search feature in the forums to pull up some opinions on various GPS Systems but it was unable to locate anything... so I'll start a thread on it.


Basically I'm fairly new to the boating world and need to get a GPS system for my boat. I'm familiar with how GPS Systems work but I don't know anything about the brand names and extra features I should be looking into.


Does anyone have some suggestions? I'm looking to stay on a lower end of the price spectrum which I realize will cut down my options but I'm not looking for anything super fancy, just something that works and provides the info I need for navigation. Ability to make waypoints would be nice though

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: GPS Recommendations

Hi there budershank, welcome to iboats.

You need to ask youself a few questions first.

Do you want mapping software and if so, how detailed do you want the maps to be? Do you want to use the GPS anywhere other than your boat? Do you want a handheld or fixed mount? What's the most you want to spend?

I like Garmin and if you want a mapping GPS, get a color screen. Answer the other questions first and I'm sure you'll get some great opinions.

 

[JB]

Re: GPS Recommendations

You need to search the Electrics, Electronics and Trollers forum.

Moving this there.

 

[njlarry]

Re: GPS Recommendations

For both the car and the boat, I am very happy with my Lowrance color H2O handheld. With common sd cards and the CD map create that came with it you can provide as much detail as you want for both land and sea. There is some limitation of water depth detail but all the nav aids are there. My experience with Lowrance customer support has been first class. If I could find the room I'd get a Lowrance fixed mount unit and keep the handheld for land travel. It once found it's way down a dirt road to a cabin in Maine and then found the nearest pizza resturant both of which I never could have done in the pitch black night.

 

[budershank]

Re: GPS Recommendations

Do you want mapping software and if so, how detailed do you want the maps to be? Do you want to use the GPS anywhere other than your boat? Do you want a handheld or fixed mount? What's the most you want to spend?

Well, I suppose I would like mapping software but it doesn't need to be very detailed, i just need to be able to mark down where a reef would be so I can find it, or find it again. If I don't really need mapping software for that then I suppose I can do without it.

I only need the GPS for the boat and I imagine the mounted ones would be more reliable. I base this on how much cheaper I see the handheld ones for(which I admit isn't a very good way to form an opinion).

I don't have a set price in mind. I was just browsing and noticed the cheapest seem to be about 300. If that won't get me by I guess i'd go up to 500. Anything more than that and I'll have to put the whole GPS thing on hold

 

[Boatist]

Re: GPS Recommendations

All the units you can store Waypoints and routes to get to that reef.
Mapping units I think are worth little more because they give you a Map that you can look at and see where you are. Of course it will also tell you your Latitude and Longitude and give you a Steering indicator and Range and Bearing.

If you have good Eyes then I think the Lowrance H2O C is a good unit. Screen size 2.83 so if you need glasses to read the paper you will likely need glasses to see this unit also. It is portable so can use hiking and in the car also. Has 1000 waypoints and 50 routes. also comes with a free lighter power cord.
List price is $269 but can get cheaper here on Iboats.

http://www.iboats.com/Lowrance_iFin...2483500--list_time.1201590603--view_id.359059

I have both the Lowrance H2O C and a Older Garmin GPSMAP 76 and the Lowrance is much better and cheaper.
Both units work perfect and the batteries (2AA) are easier to change on the Garmin GPSMAP 76. Every other iteam I like better on the Lowrance H2O C.
Lowrance is much brighter and easy to see in the car or under the cab of the boat. Garmin too hard to view while driving, ok if you are the passanger.
Lowrance screen redrawes 4 times faster than the garmin, because it has a dual core processor.
Lowrance base map much more detailed than the Garmin.
Lowrance screen is a little bit bigger.
Lowrance color screen is brighter than the Garmin still in direct sunlight will need the light on to see most of the time.
Lowrance has 16 Satellites channels and Garmin has 12.
Lowrance is more sensitive will sometimes pick up satelites inside my house and always outdoors under my big tree. The Garmin will never pick up anything in the house and most of the time get nothing under My big tree.
Lowrance has a free 12 volt lighter cord and Garmin it is at least $35.
If you need more detailed maps then Lowrance maps are cheaper.
Lowrance has the buttons below the screen so you can makes changes without blocking the screen. Garmins are above the screen so when changing anything the srceen is blocked.
Both work almost the same with only minor differences.

Anyway if you decide on a handheld for Boating, Hiking and Driving go to a store that has both and zoom in on an area you know and look at both. Note the screen brightness and the map details.

If you decide on the Garmin please come back and explain why.

 

[John_S]

Re: GPS Recommendations

If you have a Gander Mnt store near you, stop in and see if they have any Eagle Intellimap 502c GPS left. They clearanced them before xmas at $199. They are fixed mount, not a handheld, but have a color 3" x 4" screen. Nothing against the handhelds, but my eyes did not like the small displays, and my fingers didn't like the small closely spaced buttons. They will take one SD card. I would recommend looking into a specific navigation chip vs MapCreate. I have been using it iny car and posted this info: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=230392

PS: You didn't mention your boat type, but if you have a console that may obstruct reception, consider an ext antenea model. The 502c is internal only. I bet there are some color Garmins that meet your requirements and price, too. Best to get into a store and see whick displays and input you prefer.

 

[budershank]

Re: GPS Recommendations

Thanks for the advice everyone. I do have a center console boat with a T-Top so I imagine that would affect reception.


From the sound of it the handheld systems work fairly well. Is there an advantage to using a mounted vs a handheld?(not the portable factors)

 

[tommays]

Re: GPS Recommendations

A T-top will not cause any problems with a modern GPS ,mine works fine UNDER the full winter cover wood frame and all

Tommays

 

[Boatist]

Re: GPS Recommendations

I agree the T top should not make much difference. If it did affect anything it would be the WAAS satellites that are 23000 miles high over the equator.
The WAAS satellites are used for error corrections of the GPS satellites in low earth orbit. They will bring the accuracy down from about 30 feet to 10 feet.

The fixed mounts units will have bigger screens and most do not run off internal batteries. If you are only going to use it on the boat then fixed mount is probably better.

I have a fixed mount Loran C that I still use for my main navigation on the boat. My 2 handheld GPS units I also take on the boat to learn all the locations I have stored in my Loran C, but also take if I go fishing on a party boat to save the locations we caught a lot of fish. If I go on a buddy's boat and he has no GPS we can still find the spots.

Hicking good to know where you are just in case something happends. Can help you get out or come back with help. Also radio your position or call someone if cell works.

In the car driving into the deep woods or in the center of a big city it can help you find your way in and back out.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: GPS Recommendations

I bought a little Elplorist 200 by Magellan a couple of years ago for $99. It's ruggedized and has a strap for your wrist. You can take it anywhere. I have walked down the driveway with it at 2.4 mph. Ha. was really impressed with that. I have had it locked to 11 satellites before.

It works ok for me and you can get pretty detailed with it. Additionally, it has quite a bit of water in the map so you can navigate water as well as land.

I was running around a 1000 acre lake a while back and left it on the whole time. When I picked it up to leave, it showed all my "trails" where I ran up and down the lake and back and forth "playing".

You can pay what you want and get some real hum-dingers. Buyer's market.

Mark

 

[tommays]

Re: GPS Recommendations

Well down here we also have a lot of underwater rocks that they do NOT mark as well as a LOT of shallow water

While the shallow water is allways a bit different every year i can save a safe way through each season

While i still keep paper charts on board the Chip just has so much more usefull info like tide times ,current speed ,ect




Tommays

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: GPS Recommendations

Go to a major Boating store.(not a marina)
Most stores have knowlegable, experienced personnel,and will show you the ones on display & give you the Pros & cons on the units.
Bottom line U get what U pay for, & don't get a sma;; screen.

Start W/ yahoo & boating stores, many have "Advise" areas.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: GPS Recommendations

All the units you can store Waypoints and form routes to get to that reef.
Mapping units I think are worth little more because they give you a Map that you can look at and see where you are. Of course it will also tell you your Latitude and Longitude and give you a Steering indicator and Range and Bearing.

If you have good Eyes then I think the Lowrance H2O C is a good unit. Screen size 2.83 so if you need glasses to read the paper you will likely need glasses to see this unit also. It is portable so can use hiking and in the car also. Has 1000 waypoints and 50 routes. also comes with a free lighter power cord.
List price is $269 but can get cheaper here on Iboats.

http://www.iboats.com/Lowrance_iFinder_H2O_Handheld_GPS_Models/dm/keywords.Lowrance%20H2O%20C--**********.126661655--*******.142483500--list_time.1201590603--view_id.359059

I have both the Lowrance H2O C and a Older Garmin GPSMAP 76 and the Lowrance is much better and cheaper.
Both units work perfect and the batteries (2AA) are easier to change on the Garmin GPSMAP 76. Every other iteam I like better on the Lowrance H2O C.
Lowrance is much brighter and easy to see in the car or under the cab of the boat. Garmin too hard to view while driving, ok if you are the passanger.
Lowrance screen redrawes 4 times faster than the garmin, because it has a dual core processor.
Lowrance base map much more detailed than the Garmin.
Lowrance screen is a little bit bigger.
Lowrance color screen is brighter than the Garmin still in direct sunlight will need the light on to see most of the time.
Lowrance has 16 Satellites channels and Garmin has 12.
Lowrance is more sensitive will sometimes pick up satelites inside my house and always outdoors under my big tree. The Garmin will never pick up anything in the house and most of the time get nothing under My big tree.
Lowrance has a free 12 volt lighter cord and Garmin it is at least $35.
If you need more detailed maps then Lowrance maps are cheaper.
Lowrance has the buttons below the screen so you can makes changes without blocking the screen. Garmins are above the screen so when changing anything the srceen is blocked.
Both work almost the same with only minor differences.

Anyway if you decide on a handheld for Boating, Hiking and Driving go to a store that has both and zoom in on an area you know and look at both. Note the screen brightness and the map details.

If you decide on the Garmin please come back and explain why.

I absolutely could not have stated a word better about the Lowrance H20c. It is fantastic, I have one and I love it. It is waterproof, not resistant, proof!! In fact, in the manual, it tells you what batteries to use if you want to make sure it floats if dropped overboard!!!

I too can walk around INSIDE MY HOUSE and it will tell me my speed, location, etc. It is incredible, all with no external antenna (but one can be attached if you so desire!)

I just have to run the light all the time, as I can't see without it. Doesn't matter, it works great anyway. I'm going to use it in my plane when I get one one day.

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: GPS Recommendations

IMHO, The screen is too small. I had a similar unit from Maggelen, and while trying to track your course & watch sea conditions,stay off the sand bars ,etc, I then went to a 6" screen.
That's why I said "u get what U pay for"
When did you ever need 1000 Way points?

 

[Boatist]

Re: GPS Recommendations

When do you ever need 1000 Waypoints?
You need them when you use your unit in the ocean, In the rivers, in the lakes, when you do a lot of hicking, and when you use it in the car.

I have not used 1000 yet but bet I have over 500 waypoints in use. Your right if you just use on the boat would probably never need 1000. Still in the Pacific Ocean at Bodega bay I have 10 routes in use with average of about 9 waypoints each. Add on to that many rock piles and reefs where we have caught lots of fish or big fish.

Out of San Francisco only have 5 routes for off shore but have 13 more within San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay, and Suisun bay.

In the delta have at least 5 routes, in the Sacramento River have about 4 routes but also many waypoints where we have caught Salmon.

Folsom Lake only have 4 routes but lots of waypoints for good bass fishing spots and the lake level when they were good. Lake drops as much as 80 from Sping to late Fall.

Next is all the hicking trails we have went on.

Last all the car trips we go on form going to a boat show in San Francisco to the Hunting Camp site we go to about every 5 years. It is sure nice when headed to a ski area in the mountains to be able to just look down and know 5 miles to the next turn or the Calela's exit is 7 miles ahead. To find that unlabled dirt road that turns to the campground you like.
Duck hunting to find your favorite blind in the fog and dark of night.

 

[budershank]

Re: GPS Recommendations

Well I might have been talked into getting a Lowrance H20c! I may head to the local boating store and see if they have one opened i can play with real quick. After reading some posts here I guess it would be kind of cool to have a handheld GPS just for the heck of it.

 

[Boatist]

Re: GPS Recommendations

If they do not have all the units you want to see setup then go to another store. West marine usually has a good number units out on display with power. Cabela's also has a great number of units.

Also the boat shows you will find a lot of units. Only problem with boat shows is will have all of one brand then will have to go and find another brand. They just do not have several brands side by side.

When I compare units I always pick and area I know very well and zoom in and see what details the unit will give me. As an example the Pacific Ocean out of bodega bay I have fished for 30 years and have learned most of the popular spots that fishermen have named. None of these names are on the chart but the Lowrance M68 had all the names on the base map. Can even see them on the emulator and put the cruser on them and get exact Latitude and Longitude.

Before I bought the Lowrance H2O C I checked it out and it had all the areas named and many I did not know about. Then checked the Garmin GPSMAP 76 C and it had none of the areas I know named. Map so bad hard to reconize San Francisco bay. Even with the upgrade map did on have this information. Yes the upgrade maps has depths and other information on the charts but none of the local information. The Base map almost useless. Still at West Marine they were pushing Garmin. Only thing I can figure is they make more off of the Garmin or know you will be back to buy some maps later. I have the older Garmin GPSMAP 76 mono unit and even though it is many years older it has a much better base map than the new unit. Again I think they downgraded the map to force you to buy the upgrade map. My old garmin I did not buy the map and has worked good for me but its base map has all the buoys and much more shoreline details the the new unit.