I have an older GPSMap 175 (gift from my brother - I probably wouldn't have
bought it at the time) plus the chips for most of the areas I've sailed. The
nice thing is that I can quickly transfer my position from the tiny screen to a
paper chart with a high degree of confidence.

Last year I forgot the chip for Martha's Vineyard. However, I had programmed in
so many buoys as waypoints I still had the equivalent of the handhelds that have
a map display of buoy locations, without the geographic features (such as the
GPS 76).

One feature of mapping is the "bread crumbs" that provide a safe path to return
to a spot visited before. Very handy in foggy, rockbound coasts since it means
you can exit any harbor you entered, or retreat if condition deteriorate.



"Donal" wrote in message
...

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
In fact, the only thing that I really find the map useful for, is
inputting
routes.

Yup. That works well with the mapping units. More proof that Ganzy is
wrong
again.

It really depends on your priorities.


What info is missing from your unit that makes it less than useful.

The problem is that the display is far too small. If you have all the info
shown on the display, then it becomes very cluttered.

Another way to think about, is to imagine working with a 3" paper chart.
It would be impossible, wouldn't it?





I can
display miles of water with all navaids clearly labeled....great when I
want to
pass a harbor entrance six or seven times before entering!

While you see if you find a *soft* rock?????


Regards

Donal
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