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GPS Newbie help

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sodonnell
1st Mate

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76 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/16/2006 : 20:09:48

First off, let me say I know NOTHING about GPS.

I sail on the Great South Bay, Long Island, NY and found last season I got caught a couple of times in heavy enough fog that I started getting nervous. Not to mention, I've started venturing further away from the river my slip is in and when returning after a sail, it's easy to mistaken one river mouth from another.

Can someone recommend a good basic GPS for this upcoming season?
I was wondering if I could find a hand held that I could use in the car as well.

Thanks in advance.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2006 : 20:56:43

There are a number of good ones. For what you describe, any base level GPS in the 70 to 100 dollar range will do the trick. Some models come with mapping capability, and those will work as well. Companies like Magellan and Garmin are the most popular and between them both there are probably over 15 different models (or more) to choose from. It is really going to come down to how much you want to spend. If you get one without mapping, you'll want to mark a spot right in the middle of the mouth of that river your slip is in and mark another spot near there so you have a frame of reference.

Most of the lower end units (and I haven't bought one in a while, so I could be wrong) are for either marine use or auto use. I haven't found one with street information and marine data on the same unit for a basic model. Higher end models have chips and cards that contain map data and are more interchangeable. Your basic car GPS won't have a anchor drag alarm and your marine GPS isn't going to have you turn left at the next intersection.

I'd suggest a web search at froogle.com for prices or a product comparison at best buy to get the basics. Then shop for price at ebay or wherever.

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2006 : 21:28:19

If you are looking for Cartography(electronic maps), Garmin charges around $100 for each area.

I purchased an I-finder by Lowance. I bought a $80 chip that has marine maps for the whole US. It is indespensible.

Any gps will show you waypoint and provide digital "breadcrumbs" to show your path. It will also allow yourself to locate yourself with in an emergency.

The digital maps are awesome as they show underwater features and can show you if you are about to run over a sandbar.

Here is a computer demo of the Ifinder. You can use it just like a real gps.

http://www.lowrance.com/Software/PCSoftware/Install/iFINDERH2O/default.asp

Tom.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2006 : 22:01:35

Hi Scott... (right?) I started with a Garmin 48 that has no real mapping, but a low-resolution screen that shows navigation aids and town locations, and you can put in waypoints that show on the screen. It was much better than nothing on the boat--I set up waypoints for the entrance of each inlet or river I was interested in, but had to use my paper charts to make sure I didn't hit a rock trying to get to one.

Last year, I bought a Garmin 276C that is great in a car or boat--it has a much nicer color screen than the "handhelds" like the Garmin 76, but is just about as portable and designed to be used in a marine environment (not true with all portable models). With the optional car plug (with speaker) and street-level maps, it can talk you through a trip, turn to turn, and show your position on a detailed street map. On the boat, with Blue Chart software, it gives you the same charts as you get on paper, but with your boat's position, speed, direction, and desired course--an absolute wonder on the water! The 76C can do about the same things, but in a car or boat, the screen is nowhere as easy to view. It all comes down to the bucks--as with everything...

Take a look at http://www.gpsdiscount.com/ for some good prices (as those things go) and model comparisons. I bought the 276C from them, and was very pleased with their service. You can see most models at any West Marine, and Garmin and Magellan have sites as well. Most people I know have chosen Garmin for one reason or another...

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 01/16/2006 22:09:38

thaind
Navigator

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Canada
145 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2006 : 22:47:31

I bought a used Magellan 330M on Ebay for about $90 delivered. It is waterproof, floats, has all of the navigation information that I have yet needed, and street maps as well. Low end by todays standards, but great for me.

Derek Thain

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 01/17/2006 : 07:50:40

Higher priced, but the garmin 192C has charts for the entire USA built in (no need to buy any extra chips which as pointed out run from $100 each area) And the unit has all the bells and whistles.
(Ok, Beeps and buttons)

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 01/17/2006 : 09:14:08

This is some good information. I may look into buying a new GPS eventually, but for now I plan to use my Garmin Forerunner 101. It's a runner's GPS, but I can still get my coordinates, speed, and a trail map of my course on it. I'll then use it combined with a chart to determine my location.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5904 Posts

Response Posted - 01/17/2006 : 09:14:31

I bought a Garmin ETrex for $79.00, and later bought a Garmin Map 276C. Being colorblind, night navigation is very difficult for me, because I can't distinguish between red and green lights. When you use it with a paper chart, the little ETrex will guide you to any mark or location on the chart. As far as I can tell, it'll guide you across the bay or across an ocean, if you have enough batteries. The good thing about the 276C is that it uses software charts. You don't need paper charts, but most people carry both. I agree with Duane that the least expensive model, like an ETrex, will probably do everything you really need. If you decide later that you want the more expensive version, the ETrex will make a good back up.

It took me awhile to learn how to use them, especially the 276C (it helps to read the owner's manual

), but, now that I have the 276C and the ETrex to back it up, I don't have to plan every trip to get in before dark. If it's dark (or foggy), the gps will get me to my destination.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 01/17/2006 : 09:59:37

Hi Scott,

I have an old Garmin 48 and though I'd love to upgrade to the Garmin 276c I think it's overkill for my GPS needs.

I also sail the GSB and I have every buoy from the Smith Point bridge to the Amityville Cut and significant river and creek waypoints entered. Makes sailing in heavy fog(my favorite pastime) an enjoyable occasion. The accuracy is fantastic and as such requires a careful watch as you countdown to your intended waypoint, especially in fog, so that you don't run into your buoy.

Problem with using a handheld unit in a car is the same as with cell phones, possibly even more so. The cells distraction is mainly while dialing or searching something in memory. The gps probably is a greater distraction.

Where are you berthed on the bay? I'm at Dockside 500 presently.

Val on the hard DAGNABIT # 3936 Patchogue, N.Y.

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 01/17/2006 : 15:11:27

Hi Val, I just drove my Dad down to Florida over the NewYears break and his new car had the built in moving map and it was very cool to have an exact fix on our postion and a voice telling me where to turn. You can also hit a Gas button and it will show you any gas station in the area. As far as a GPS for the boat, I have been playing with the laptop and there are a lot of options there. A cheap black and white non-chart type GPS will also act as the GPS receiver for your laptop. That and the free SeaClearII software and Free NOAA charts and you can have a set up for about $100.00 if you already have the laptop. You can program your entire route then put it into the handheld and use that in the cockpit. CHeers.

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