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Choosing a GPS- urgent!

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karentc
1st Mate

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USA
68 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/21/2003 : 14:35:05

This post probably belongs in the generic forum but I am looking for as much immediate feedback as I can get- so here goes... Was planning a 5-day cruise in Lake Michigan with our all-girl crew and voila- our borrowed Garmin GPS is unavailable (due to crew member breakup with sailor boyfriend) so now we need to buy one quickly as the boat leaves Wednesday morning. Any suggestions? I rarely sail out of Grand Traverse Bay, but do travel alot by car around the state. I JUST learned how to use the darn thing (may have been a GPS-12...) yesterday and was excited that it was programmed for our trip with all of the waypoints and now I have to go buy one and figure it out and program it myself. What is the difference between the map types (eTrex vista or legend) and the G-12 type that I learned on other than one has a map? Does the eTrex version have waypoints and that type of thing??? Hard to tell from the online ads I really need someone who has used one for cruising to direct me so I don't buy more than I need or get one that is soon to be outdated or too complicated to figure out in the short amount of time available. Thanks for any feedback!!!
Karen Christensen
Moondance 1986 C-25 FK, SR
Traverse City, Michigan

Karen Christensen
Moondance, #5465 1986 C-25, SR, FK, Honda 8
Traverse City, Michigan

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Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2003 : 15:36:11

Karen,

There was a long discussion on handheld GPS's recently. A quick search should bring up lots of helpful hints.

J.B. Manley, Antares '86 FK/SR #4849
Grand Lake O' The Cherokees, NE Oklahoma

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Kirk McKay
Navigator

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USA
111 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2003 : 15:39:03

The thread is on the General page:

http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4025

Kirk

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jsummerfield
1st Mate

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USA
96 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2003 : 19:04:20

If you want a portable and price matters, the eTrex Legend is available for around $200. Amazon had them for $149 and there were some rebates that stopped early July. With time you could consider several Internet sites but Walmart, West Marine, Boat US, etc. may have the Legend around $200. As the price increases, I like the eTrex Vista and GPSMAP 76 or 76S.

John
C25 3973 FK/SR
To be renamed "Texas Tango" 26 July 2003

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77Gypsy
Captain

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USA
356 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2003 : 22:23:43

the Garmin GPSmap 76s I LOVE IT!!!!

Steve
78 C25 SR/FK - Gypsy
<img src="http://www.websdf.com/logo_web.jpg" border=0>

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karentc
1st Mate

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USA
68 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2003 : 08:22:26

Thanks so much for the feedback! GPSMap76 was the local favorite as well... And they are on sale $50 off at Boaters World this month too.
Karen :)

Karen Christensen
Moondance, #5465 1986 C-25, SR, FK, Honda 8
Traverse City, Michigan

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2003 : 08:36:55

If you don't already have a depth sounder, I recommend you look at GPS units that incorporate a sounder, or can be upgraded with an add-on sounder. I have an older Garmin GPS 125, combination GPS/Sounder and it's really nice, although it does not have any chartplotting functions since it was designed before chartplotting GPS's were invented. Newer models have much better screen resolution, chartplotting, color display if you need that, and sonar with "look forward" capability to warn you of an approaching shoal area before you are on top of it.

Larry Charlot
Catalina 25 #1205 "Quiet Time"
Sacramento, CA

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RoofRoof
Navigator

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USA
186 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2003 : 10:34:36

Garmin 176 or Garmin 176C is THE one to get!!! $500 for the black&white 176 version, and $600 for the "C" color model.

But, it gives you depth contours of the water. Anchor alarm, and because it is Garmin, your experience with the other model will likely carry over. You won't even need the manual. It is not just a GPS, but also a Chartplotter. It has save me many times just being able to see the depth contours and channel markers. Just get it. You'll be VERY glad you did. I'd recommend the Color version. Easier to see the depth contours, but either one will show you and give you depth numbers.

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osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2003 : 13:31:58

Karen,

this will really be helpful as you prepare to leave tomorrow morning. I bought a Garmin e-trex legend last fall, super deal, at Wll-Mart for $149 with a $50 rebate. For Christmas one of my son's family gave me the mapping software, which provides a great deal of detail ($116, I think) I plot waypoints on my laptop, transfer them to the Legend, and it works great. A depth sounder would be nice, but for the bucks, I'll use my other one. color is nice, but . . ..

Good luck on your trip. have a great time. don't get lost - oh, I forgot, your going to have a gps with you, you can't get lost.

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk
The Great Sacandaga Lake, NY

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karentc
1st Mate

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USA
68 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2003 : 15:16:12

Hey Don,
Thanks for the scoop! I am pretty stuck on the GPSMAP176- (I think that the anchor slipping alarm is a really great extra for peace of mind...)I just checked the Wal-Mart website and it is priced at $298... Same low price as at Boater's World... The best price I found online is at GPS.com, for $249 plus shipping..... (for future reference for anyone, it is an awesome website with all kinds of great information) So I'm thinkin that since I don't need it today I might just order it online... ?But it would be soooo cool to use it on this trip... Thanks again for the suggestion!
Karen :)

Karen Christensen
Moondance, #5465 1986 C-25, SR, FK, Honda 8
Traverse City, Michigan

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Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2003 : 15:34:33

Karen,

By any chance did you mean the GPSMAP-76? Those prices seem really low for the 176. If you did mean the 76, then there are even better deals on Yahoo Shopping:

http://search.shopping.yahoo.com/search/all?p=gps+map+76&Y=0&mid=&did=&pf=200.00&pt=299.99&X=2&r=&f=14489115&q=&rkeys=&is=&clink=&__yltc=s:14489115,d:14489115,w:sbp-lh,x:2,k:gps+map+76,pf:200.00,pt:299.99

J.B. Manley, Antares '86 FK/SR #4849
Grand Lake O' The Cherokees, NE Oklahoma

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karentc
1st Mate

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USA
68 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2003 : 00:11:19

JB:
You got me- I meant the handheld version, GPSMAP76.
It is more versatile for my usage than the fixed version.
Happy sailing!
Karen :)

Karen Christensen
Moondance, #5465 1986 C-25, SR, FK, Honda 8
Traverse City, Michigan

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RoofRoof
Navigator

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USA
186 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2003 : 09:34:43

Yeah, those are definitely prices for the 76. Not the 176. The 176 is a handheld, but comes with a mount too. 176 has Chartplotter and anchor alarm, tide tables, many many other things you don't even know that you need. But, 176 is SO much more of a device than the 76. Get the 176, you'll be SO happy that you did. If you get the 76, you'll never know what you missed.

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osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2003 : 09:55:22

Suspect that the mapping software which is generally doable accross the Garmin line would be a good add-on, I'm amazed at the detail it presents.

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk
The Great Sacandaga Lake, NY

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