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GPS Recommendations

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

Member Avatar

USA
1234 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/14/2005 : 13:19:29

Hi folks,

I know this has been talked about many times before, but I couldn't find anything in the archives to help me out. I'm interested in purchasing a handheld GPS that I can use in the car as well as the boat. This will get the most use in the car actually, as it will be a gift for my parents. They travel a lot, on vacation and business, and I'd like them to be able to have something that does turn-by-turn direction. It would hopefully be able to have the ability to have maps downloaded into it, and be easy enough to learn and operate.

My research has so far lead me to the Garmin GPSMap 76CS. It is in the price range ($500-$600), and appears to do everything I would need in the car as well as the boat. I looked on Magellan's website, and saw a whole bunch of stuff, but nothing that seemed to be comparable to the 76CS. I may simply have not clicked on the appropriate Magellan link.

Anyway, does anyone have any recommendations or reveiws of the 76CS or perhaps a comparable Magellan (or other brand)?

Thanks!

Ben
Beneteau 361
Viking Kitty
Columbus, Ohio

Edited by - on

cathluk
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2005 : 15:22:04

We like our Garmin 176C (which is now available as the 276C I think). We haven't used it in the car, but it has that functionality. For primarily car use; however, you might want to get one that "talks" to you. Don't want to crash while you're looking at your GPS for directions.

Edited by - on

PamC
Navigator

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171 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2005 : 15:44:43

I bought a Magellan Meridian Platinum a few years ago before taking up sailing. Primarily for hiking and geocaching. It has a nice big screen for a handheld and can take up to a 128k SD card for expansion. And it floats, so they say-haven't tested it. I've been very happy with it, but the marine world definately seems to favor Garmin and we found that the older version of Nobeltech software that we inherited with the boat doesn't interface with Magellan. So if it's for boating you may want to stay with Garmin.

Edited by - on

frogger
Navigator

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USA
184 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2005 : 21:36:59

I opted for the Garmin GPSMAP 76C last year and I love it. It provides everything I need and has performed flawlessly. Highly recommend it for both boat and auto.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2005 : 21:51:25

I bought a 76 last year, it made me feel retarded because I could only do really simple stuff with it. (It made my brain hurt.) I sold it this year and the fellow that bought it loves it. The 76 did not store maps, only Points of Interest, the 76map is not color and the 76c does not do climate tricks. I imagine the 76CS would be wonderful. However... a bigger screen is always better.

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2005 : 00:48:22

You know what they say about a fool and his money...

I just bought this [url="http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap276c/"]Garmin GPSMAP 276c plus[/url]. My two previous GPS units were small and antiques and finally failed. And I wanted something I can see in the cockpit without cheaters. Check out the [url="http://www.garmin.com/manuals/GPSMAP276C_OwnersManual.pdf"]MANUAL[/url] to see what all it does. It allows 50 routes and 3000 waypoints, and 15 saved tracks. Auto Log every 1/2, 1, 2, 4 or 8 hrs. Switches from automotive to sail or power with one button. 128 mb data card. Comes with City Select maps for all of USA and one set of Blue Charts that you pick. Also, tomorrow I will be using my $60. of coupons that came in the mail to buy the sonar sounder. You can split the screen and use navigation and sonar side by side. WAAS enabled. DSC enabled for VHF raido distress signal. Auto day/night. Auto daylight savings time. Sailboat mode has a start timer that counts down, down & repeat, or down & up. Cutomizable data screens. All the alarms like shallow water, deep water, anchor, proximity and time. And in automotive the power plug has a speaker that talks to you. I took it up to Charleston, SC when I went to the USCG Exam Center for my lic and it worked great. Save tracks to computer. And came with bean bag mount and fixed mount. Rechargable Lithum battery when not pluged in to 12v. Disadvantages are after you get your first set of charts you have to buy the rest that you want. They come in large areas. For instense, I unlocked Jacksonville to Key West with my coupon. That included 170 charts. Larger scale charts go all the way to Pamlico Sound, NC. Small scale detailed charts cover all the Atlantic coast of Florida and the St. Johns River and most of the Bahamas! There is a seperate map set included that comes with the Blue Charts for tide stations. You can put the softwhere on any number of computers you want, but it only allows you to run on maximum of two units. The unlock codes work with the unit serial numbers.
And it wasn't that hard to get used to using. The phone support got me through the first "unlock" procedure. I also purchased the 3yr warranty. It replaces anything as long as you still have the unit. If you drop it overboard, shame on you.

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2005 : 08:32:20

For boating use I highly recommend the Garmin "8" series GPS/Sounders (178, 188, and 198). I have a 168, which Garmin's web site says is discontinued. The depth sounder function is valuable even on inland lakes where you don't really need GPS for navigation. Of course if you want a GPS unit to move between a boat and a car, the GPS/depth sounder combo types maybe aren't the best choixe.

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2005 : 08:45:13

On the 276c you just unplug the data/power cable on the boat and press and hold the page/mode button and choose automotive mode on the drop down. I put mine on the dashboard with the bean bag mount. Works great. It automaticly changes from Bluecharts to City Select maps.

PS to above message, they say the lithium batteries last from 5 to 15 hrs depending on the back light intensity. But the light has to be on to see the screen as it is a color LCD. With no light it is dark.

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2005 : 15:11:30

Thank everyone. Sounds like most people have higher end GPS units. I'll do further research before I make up my mind.

Edited by - on

Keith D.
Navigator

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USA
233 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2005 : 19:42:08

Ben I have the 76s and it works great in the car or the boat. I have even used it on the kayak. It is water proof to 30 feet and floats. The only problem I have noted is street maps take precedence over the blue charts so to see the features in a harbor I have to unload the street maps. After I get away from land, which I have the street maps loaded, the blue charts take over.

Edited by - on

boatgt
Navigator

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117 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2005 : 00:22:32

Be ware of the etrex vistas water proof rating. They claim IPX7 and it is a joke. Me and a friend both bought vistas to use for kayaking and sailing. He dunked his in his kitchen sink to test the waterproof ness in 4-5 in of water, resulted in water entering behind the screen. I dunked mine in the lake while accidentally flipping my kayak and again water behind the screen. Both units are babied and kept in pelican cases while not in use, so abuse was not even an issue. They were in warranty so both were replaced but it was a hassle. Since then the screen goes in and out but thanks to the internet I found if you tap the gps on your hand it comes back on? It won’t do turn by turn but you can download blue charts, topos, and street maps to it. I love the size of the etrex vista and is very user friendly, just don’t get it wet!
Gene

Edited by - on

tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2005 : 01:31:56

I have the same Garmin 276c as Ben and love it. It works great in the car and the boat. I will run on the battery for hours, I know this because I forgot to turn on the power in the boat once. I like the way it talks to you in the car. It took a while to get the hang of it. If your parents are not too tech savy it may just sit in a box. Also it may be more than you want to spend.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2005 : 17:25:10

Once you look at the 276C screen next to a 76C, you'll be hooked! Ask me how I know...

Even if you just turn the 276C on in the car and don't ask it to navigate, it shows where you are, what you're on, what intersection or exit is how far ahead, and so forth. If your parents can learn to zoom out, move the pointer, and zoom in, they can set a destination and tell it to take them there with a few button-pushes, whereupon "Natasha" starts talking, and figures out a new route when they miss a turn or decide to free-lance. The screen is much better for our older eyes, and the bean-bag mount works great on the dashboard--steady as a rock. In the boat, the Blue Charts look like paper charts.

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 11/17/2005 : 08:52:48

Thanks again, ya'll. The 276C does seem to be a nice one, but I'm afraid it'll be too much for my budget.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5913 Posts

Response Posted - 11/18/2005 : 16:44:39

Ben, you should look at the Garmin Street Pilot i5. It comes pre-loaded with road maps that look comprehensive, and it has voice prompts, which I think is essential, because it eliminates the need for a driver to take his eyes off the road to see the map. Garmin's suggested retail price is $535., and you might be able to find it at a discount somewhere. You should call them to be sure it doesn't require any accessories. I haven't seen or used one, but it looks like it fits your needs. The following hyperlink will take you to it.

http://www.garmin.com/products/spi5/

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
5913 Posts

Response Posted - 11/19/2005 : 09:08:38

I've been doing some more scouting around and found a factory authorized Garmin dealer that discounts some Garmin products. They have the Street Pilot c330 for $439. (factory sugg. ret. price $699.) They claim the Street Pilot c330 is "ready out of the box." (doesn't need any accessories or software) You can find their website at the following hyperlink:

http://gpsnow.com/

Edited by - on

thaind
Navigator

Members Avatar

Canada
145 Posts

Response Posted - 11/20/2005 : 10:33:41

I tend to go low-end. I bought an older Magellan 330m on ebay for well under $100. The city maps and details may outdated, but I have found all the navigation markers to be 100%. I personaly have nothing to compare it with and would like to keep it that way, but am very pleased with the performance.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/20/2005 : 14:20:23

I have been very pleased with the price/performance of my Lowrance GPS/Depth unit.

For automotive turn-by-turn GPS http://www.lowrance.com/Automotive/Products/iWAY350C.asp
About $400 from web sources.. (example only) http://www.boatersland.com/iway350c.html

This model also looks pretty interesting.
http://www.lowrance.com/Outdoor/Products/iFINDERH2OC.asp

Here's a link to their overview product page.. http://www.lowrance.com/Support/gps.asp

Edited by - on

jwilliams
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2005 : 14:35:25

I bought a used Garmin 72 this summer. Works fine, BW screen, simple.

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2978
SF Bay

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1009 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2005 : 16:21:22

I have a Lowrance I-finder which works perfectly on the water with the NAuticpath chart chip. The chip is a standard mmc card that has all the charts for the US and near Bahamas. It saved my bacon this weekend. 7 hours into the trip, I did the usual scan, drink, trip to head and back to the helm. A quick look at the gps showed a shoal of 1 foot ahead. I looked forward, saw the breaking chop!!!!!! A quick 180 and all was well. The chip is only $80 or so.

They just came out with a COLOR version for around $220. You can get it with the topo maps for $300. Add the chart chip and for less than $400 you have a land and sea solution. No directions though.

Tom.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2005 : 19:49:16

Regarding your budget, take a look at GPS Discount-- http://www.gpsdiscount.com/home.html. When I bought the 276C, they gave me an even better deal than what's on the site--something they negotiated with a company for their mobile employees. Helpful folks, ready to respond to e-mail inquiries, etc.

Edited by - on

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