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sailing irishman
Deckhand

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USA
10 Posts
Initially Posted - 02/03/2007 :  22:03:59  Show Profile
I am planning a coastal cruise down the west coast of Florida from Tampa to Key West. I feel a GPS would be a good thing, does anyone have or have used a GPS/Chartplotter that they would recommend?
Stephen
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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts
Response Posted - 02/03/2007 :  23:07:13  Show Profile
Hi Stephen, I highly recommend the Garmin 172C. I have one and love it. Cheers.
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KD4AO
Navigator

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USA
202 Posts
Response Posted - 02/04/2007 :  07:54:23  Show Profile
I recommend the Garmin 492c/498c. They include all detail charts and are currently on sale at West Marine. I purchased the 498c in January for my C250 and its initial trip from Longboat Key to Punta Gorda. I was unfamiliar with the ICW through Sarasota and Venice and the chartplotter really helped out. Bob

(I am not associated with Garmin or West Marine, just pointing out a good deal)
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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts
Response Posted - 02/04/2007 :  10:22:20  Show Profile
I also have the 172C. The larger models of the Garmin are also nice too. I use my 172C with the chip which covers Tampa bay to Key west, it also includes Tortugas. I do not have it permanently mounted though. In the bright sun you may have to tilt the unit to get the glare off of it, also the screen is small so those of us with old eyes need to hold it closer, but I still need to wear my bifocals to read it. I do use the 12 volt adapter plug to keep it powered up as it will go through a set of batteries really quick.
Whichever model you choose, make sure you get the color version, not the black and white.
when you have it in your cockpit in the sun and not looking at it, make sure you place it face down as exposure to the sun causes the screen to get washed out and it takes a couple of hours to recover.
Don't ask me how i found this out.
Also, the antenna of the 172c is removable. I suggest you periodically remove it, clean the contacts with electronic cleaner, and put on some dielectric grease. If the contacts get dirty you will lose your lock with the satellites. Don't ask me how I learned this lesson either.
I have been looking at a larger model with an internal antenna, like the 192c, or something like that to get a larger screen. I would still use it with a power cord and not mount it, and use the 172c as backup.
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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 02/04/2007 :  11:23:26  Show Profile
I've had a Garmin 276C for a couple of years now, with Blue Charts for the boat and CitySelect street maps for the car. It has a larger screen than the "handhelds" but is very compact and portable. The beanbag mount works nicely on a dashboard or a cockpit seat, holding the screen at the most readable angle. I don't know what I'd pick if I were buying today, but the 276C (still in the product lineup) seems to be about all I need. I got it from GPSDiscount.com.
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kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts
Response Posted - 02/04/2007 :  13:19:43  Show Profile
Very happy with my Garmin 192, which is the earlier version of what is now sold as the 492.
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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts
Response Posted - 02/04/2007 :  18:21:51  Show Profile  Visit britinusa's Homepage
Agreed with Kevin, not sure what they could add to the 192C to improve it.
We keep ours off the boat when it's at the slip (along side the house in the yard ) It's easy to mount, use and the menu system is excellent.

Included to the NAV system are voltage indicator, anchor alarms (and a bunch of other alarms) and charts for the entire northern usa & bahamas.

Love it.

Paul
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.