Can anyone make suggestions on what I should consider when purchasing a
hand-held GPS?

I am fairly new to sailing and don't own a boat. I charter them, and
frequently the boats either don't have GPS or I have to spend a lot of time
figuring out how to use them. I sail in So Cal and the local Channel
Islands.

I want a hand-held I can bring with me on charter boats. I am willing to go
with monochrome to save $. I am versed on coastal nav, but would
particularly like a GPS when navigating in fog. I'd like to be able to
interface with my laptop and overlay on charting software (don't own any
yet).

I started looking at some manuals for Garmin hand-helds.

Any pointers on what I should consider?

Any good articles on the basics, either on web or in a magazine?

Any special considerations of chart/map software and standards I should know
about?

Any new technologies on the horizon I should consider before purchasing?

Any "wish I would have known about this before I bought mine" kind of
stories?

Thanks,

Brien

Any "wish I would have known about this before I bought mine" kind of
stories?

Get a Garmin 76 with a built in map for under 300 bucks. It's well featured
with a good sized screen. It's also a nice size. The smaller series is easy to
drop. The 76 mapping features are also quite useful. It also floats, which
could be a plus in some situations.

RB

I've got the Garmin III-Plus and I'm very happy with it; been using it for a
few years now with no problems (primarily for sailing and motorcycling;
special adapter for handlebars). It's rugged, waterproof, easy to use, and
uploads/downloads maps and routes quickly to and from my laptop.
Scout


Brien Alkire" wrote
Can anyone make suggestions on what I should consider when purchasing a
hand-held GPS?

I am fairly new to sailing and don't own a boat. I charter them, and
frequently the boats either don't have GPS or I have to spend a lot of
time
figuring out how to use them. I sail in So Cal and the local Channel
Islands.

I want a hand-held I can bring with me on charter boats. I am willing to
go
with monochrome to save $. I am versed on coastal nav, but would
particularly like a GPS when navigating in fog. I'd like to be able to
interface with my laptop and overlay on charting software (don't own any
yet).

I started looking at some manuals for Garmin hand-helds.

Any pointers on what I should consider?

Any good articles on the basics, either on web or in a magazine?

Any special considerations of chart/map software and standards I should
know
about?

Any new technologies on the horizon I should consider before purchasing?

Any "wish I would have known about this before I bought mine" kind of
stories?

Thanks,

Brien

Get a low-end Garmin. You don't need map functions, just the basics.
I still have my 12xl. It's great. Does everything you need to do. You
don't need the 76 at this point, unless you're sure you want to drop
$300 or so.

"Brien Alkire" wrote in message
...
Can anyone make suggestions on what I should consider when purchasing a
hand-held GPS?

I am fairly new to sailing and don't own a boat. I charter them, and
frequently the boats either don't have GPS or I have to spend a lot of
time
figuring out how to use them. I sail in So Cal and the local Channel
Islands.

I want a hand-held I can bring with me on charter boats. I am willing to
go
with monochrome to save $. I am versed on coastal nav, but would
particularly like a GPS when navigating in fog. I'd like to be able to
interface with my laptop and overlay on charting software (don't own any
yet).

I started looking at some manuals for Garmin hand-helds.

Any pointers on what I should consider?

Any good articles on the basics, either on web or in a magazine?

Any special considerations of chart/map software and standards I should
know
about?

Any new technologies on the horizon I should consider before purchasing?

Any "wish I would have known about this before I bought mine" kind of
stories?

Thanks,

Brien

"Brien Alkire" wrote in message
...
Can anyone make suggestions on what I should consider when purchasing a
hand-held GPS?

I am fairly new to sailing and don't own a boat. I charter them, and
frequently the boats either don't have GPS or I have to spend a lot of
time
figuring out how to use them. I sail in So Cal and the local Channel
Islands.

I want a hand-held I can bring with me on charter boats. I am willing to
go
with monochrome to save $. I am versed on coastal nav, but would
particularly like a GPS when navigating in fog. I'd like to be able to
interface with my laptop and overlay on charting software (don't own any
yet).

I've a Garmin MAP175.

The mapping feature works well, but it really cannot display enough
information to be useful.

In fact, the only thing that I really find the map useful for, is inputting
routes.

Before you purchase any unit, find out if it comes with a cable to connect
to your laptop. Six years ago, these cables were very expensive.



Regards


Donal
--

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

RB

Except that with a GPS the map function is near useless.

Ozzy, YOU find it useless because you essentially have a BIG COLOR mapping GPS
on your boat already. With only charts aboard, the mapping GPS handheld is
nice...another level of info. It's comforting to see that the Mapping GPS
agrees with what we "think" we're seeing along with what's on the chart. As
Bill pointed out, redundancy.
I'm sure when I set up the laptop, I won't use the map feature often.

RB

And I thought your new handle was
"dip****" - now you are signing off as dumbass?

I think it's a full name....

Mr. Dip**** Scotty Dumbass, Jr.

RB

hahahahahaa... good one!

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
And I thought your new handle was
"dip****" - now you are signing off as dumbass?

I think it's a full name....

Mr. Dip**** Scotty Dumbass, Jr.

RB

"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
--