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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

GPS - Whatcha got?

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2008 : 15:22:27

FWIW, I just found refurbished Garmin 276C's for about $360 here:
http://www.megagps.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD& ProdID=1220

Mine is a refurb as well, and I haven't had any problems with it, except the battery going stupid, which Garmin cheerfully replaced.

Edited by - on

Unsinkable2
Captain

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USA
273 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2008 : 19:21:53

I use a GPSMap 76, it's great. I have taken it on many backpacking trips, sailing trips, and even on a Pioneer Handcart Reenactment in Wyoming. It's waterproof and floats, and has survived all kinds of abuse.

I sail on a lake that does not have chart data, so I depend on my own waypoints and tracks to create a reliable chart on the gps. I also recently purchased an ATT Tilt Cell phone that has GPS on it. Because I can usually get cell reception most of the time while sailing, the phone can access the internet to download googlemaps and google satellite images to overlay on the screen, which is terrific for navigating (on inland lakes anyway.)

But I'm surprised no one has mentioned the most amazing thing to do with a handheld GPS: take it on your next airplane trip, get a window seat, and you can track all kinds of interesting stats including take off and landing speeds, etc. (Maybe I'm the only one who finds this fascinating, but having spent many years as a scoutmaster with a map and compass, wow, GPS technology is incredible.)

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2008 : 20:47:14

Have you seen the Garmin Colorado? WOW! Biggest display on the smallest marine-grade unit I've seen yet, touch-screen, high-res color charts built in, and a thumbwheel for scrolling and selecting with the same hand that's holding the unit. (Things like Nuvi are cool, too, but shouldn't be exposed to light fog.) It just keeps getting better!

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2008 : 15:42:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 Have you seen the Garmin Colorado? WOW! Biggest display <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Dave and the biggest price to match, $600! Yikes.
Steve A

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Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2008 : 18:37:00

Hello Folks,

I recently purchased a Garmin 440s because I liked the features of the device, and Garmin had a rebate promotion.
Folks at our marina have raved about the Garmins, and I developed confidence in the company based on its reputation as professed by other sailors.

My faith in the company was recenly tested after I began the process of getting my rebate and had noticed I lost the bar code from the original box. At first, several persons in Garmin's rebate department told me a copy of the bar code was unsatisfactory for my eligibility of a rebate; I had to have the cutout of the bar code. My frustration was heightened after a few transfers from department to other departments within the company.

I eventually reached a woman who was able to help me: Ashley. She listened to my story, and provided me the customer service I had hoped for. I was directed to provide documentation, and send to her attention. Ashley was diligent in executing my rebate, and in doing so represented Garmin well. My confidence was equally restored in the company's ability to provide fine customer service in addition to great products.

I am very pleased with the results of my ordeal and look forward to using the Garmin on my boat. The Garmin is my first gps device. I am glad to have a product supported by a company that is sensitive to their customers.

Moral of the story: Don't lose the bar code cutout.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2008 : 19:45:56

Deric,

I've purchased two Garmin units and have had a couple of relatively minor problems with both (both were my fault) and they have always given me excellent support.

I recently broke (accidentally) the internal wire in the XM antenna for my GPSMAP 378. I sent it in to Garmin and instead of repairing it they sent me a brand new antenna ($260.00 value) and I received the replacement in about 5 days!

Unless they change the quality of their products or their customer service, I will never purchase a different brand!

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2008 : 22:46:01

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 Have you seen the Garmin Colorado? WOW! Biggest display <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Dave and the biggest price to match, $600! Yikes.
Steve A<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Try $507.51 (shipped) with built-in Bluecharts, from [url="http://www.gpsdiscount.com/"]GPS Discount[/url]. This is not a Garmin 76c handheld--you have to see one to know.

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2008 : 16:09:44

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 Have you seen the Garmin Colorado? WOW! Biggest display <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Dave and the biggest price to match, $600! Yikes.
Steve A<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Try $507.51 (shipped) with built-in Bluecharts, from [url="http://www.gpsdiscount.com/"]GPS Discount[/url]. This is not a Garmin 76c handheld--you have to see one to know.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I stand corrected. Any member reviews yet?
Steve A

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