Handheld GPS - Recommendations Sought
 

Hi there,

does anyone have recommendations
which handheld GPS to get?

Any reason to prefer a specific brand,
features I should be looking for, etc.?

Thanks a lot,

Chris

get one that has expandable memory, and they offer a full range of map
software for it.


"Chris" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi there,

does anyone have recommendations
which handheld GPS to get?

Any reason to prefer a specific brand,
features I should be looking for, etc.?

Thanks a lot,

Chris

In article .com,
"Chris" wrote:

does anyone have recommendations which handheld GPS to get?

Any reason to prefer a specific brand, features I should be looking
for, etc.?

I enjoy my Garmin.

Handy feature is the light list that shows most of the navigational
aids.

Ability to hook up an external antenna is nice, but gives another place
for corrosion to creep in.

Water resistant is even nicer.

I can also fully operate the unit one-handed, which I can't do when the
buttons are below the screen.

The cheaper units don't have those features and take longer to lock on.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

"Chris" wrote in
oups.com:

does anyone have recommendations
which handheld GPS to get?


My Garmin failed, once. I sent it back for repair...out of warranty.

Garmin said my firmware was old and simply sent me a brand new one....no
charge.

Guess which brand I'll buy next time....(c;

Thanks, Garmin....

--
Larry

This jerk called my cellphone and was nasty.
Continental Warranty -- MCG Enterprises -- Mepco-
24955 Pacific Coast HWY Suite C303
Malibu California 90265
888-244-0925
Fax: 310-456-8844
Email:
Read about them he
http://www.ripoffreport.com/view.asp...3&view=printer

I've been using the Garmin "GPS72" for over a year now and really happy
with it. It was low cost (under $100), designed for marine use with
all the navigation markers needed to cruise the Florida (or any other)
waters. It's also simple to use and can be programed to show what you
like to see for your personel usage. It is waterproof with an external
connector for boat battery power. If you decide to mount it at the
helm it has a quick disconnect type bracket that allows removal but
keeps it in place during heavy weather.

Mike, Pensacola, FL.

Look for the *auto save* function in case of low battery.
You can't always be around a 12v power source or remember to change the
batteries, everyone forgets at times.

A friend has a handheld GPS that doesn't do that and we loose our track
every now and then, but only the ones you wanted to keep. You know the
routine Mr. Murphy. But other than that he has no real complaints with the
Magellan unit. It does the things other posters mentioned, including
external mount, 12v dc adapter and maps downloadable from the web or CD
depending on area of travel.

"Chris" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi there,

does anyone have recommendations
which handheld GPS to get?

Any reason to prefer a specific brand,
features I should be looking for, etc.?

Thanks a lot,

Chris

I use the Garmin iQue 3600. It's a combo GPS/PDA, so you can use it for
many different things. It's a bit high in the dollar department, but
worth every cent.

I recently bought Garmin's Outdoor Navigator software for $20.00. You
can down load any or all of their nav charts that run on it FREE. I've
downloaded all of the nav charts, but none of their topo charts. The
Outdoor Navigator program only holds 200 charts, so a 1GB (or higher)
SD Memeory Card leaves a lot of extra space for phone numbers and other
info you want to keep track of.

The iQue 3600 may be high priced, but with a $20 nav program and free
charts? Think about it.

If you check eBay you can sometimes get really good deal on the iQue.
You can also find gear to run 12vdc and computer connection it it
doesn't come with the eBay iQue.

Good luck and happy navigating.

In article .com,
"Chris" wrote:

Hi there,

does anyone have recommendations
which handheld GPS to get?

Any reason to prefer a specific brand,
features I should be looking for, etc.?

Thanks a lot,

Chris

Like everything else, it depends on how you plan to use it.

Will this back up a hard wired system? Is it a stand alone? Will you use
it just in boat or in cars too?

How many different bodies of water will it be used on?

Is connectivity to a computer (for waypoint or route back-up or synching
with another device important)?

Use should determine purchase (although price has to factor in too).

harlan

--
To respond, obviously drop the "nospan"?

garmin is nice...i use it on the boat & flying.....

Harlan Lachman wrote:
In article .com,
"Chris" wrote:
....
Like everything else, it depends on how you plan to use it.

Will this back up a hard wired system?
No.

Is it a stand alone?
Yes.

Will you use it just in boat or in cars too?
Both.

How many different bodies of water will it be used on?
Mostly Southern Californaia, occasionally elsewhere (worldwide).
I'll take it with me when I travel.

Is connectivity to a computer (for waypoint or route back-up or synching
with another device important)?
Yes.

Thanks,

Chris

Chris wrote:
Hi there,

does anyone have recommendations
which handheld GPS to get?

Any reason to prefer a specific brand,
features I should be looking for, etc.?

Thanks a lot,

Chris

With out a doubt the Garmin 76CS. It is waterproof and has enough
memory to store a lot of maps.

rick

My boat engine failed. It was diagnosed as maybe a broken crank shaft.
We sailed the boat on the Saint John river with the wind nose on and against
tidal current.
From 21:30 on the fog and darkness rolled in. We had zero visibility with
limited batteries power. With used the Magellan Meridian Gold with mapping
and 256mb SD memory card. Using velcro we fastened the Meridian Gold swivel
mount. Our route was well planned and with the screen on dim we had a good
visual on the course line, the buoys and the contours of the land. This way
we tacked our way and made VMG on the course line avoiding fixed makings and
sailing toward home port in zero visibility. By zero visibility I mean
unable to see the bow of my sailboat with no stars in sight
We got home at about 03:00 (am) the sails were all wet from the heavy fog.
The next day Bruce made a print out ( on his PC) of all 415 tack waypoints
and a color chart showing out tracking . I am very impressed with the
Meridian Gold. The heavy fog did not affect the functioning of the GPS.
The Meridian Gold is waterproof as per MIL STD. The only improvement will be
to have a USB connection in lieu of the 9 pins serial port. A build in
charger with lithium ion battery. I am glad I purchased this model.

"Rick" wrote in message
...
Chris wrote:
Hi there,

does anyone have recommendations
which handheld GPS to get?

Any reason to prefer a specific brand,
features I should be looking for, etc.?

Thanks a lot,

Chris

With out a doubt the Garmin 76CS. It is waterproof and has enough
memory to store a lot of maps.

rick

In article .com,
"Chris" wrote:

Harlan Lachman wrote:
In article .com,
"Chris" wrote:
...
Like everything else, it depends on how you plan to use it.

Will this back up a hard wired system?
No.

Is it a stand alone?
Yes.

Will you use it just in boat or in cars too?
Both.

How many different bodies of water will it be used on?
Mostly Southern Californaia, occasionally elsewhere (worldwide).
I'll take it with me when I travel.

Is connectivity to a computer (for waypoint or route back-up or synching
with another device important)?
Yes.

Thanks,

Chris

Chris, you might want to check out the top rated units noted at:

http://www.thegpsstore.com/GPS-Handheld-Mapping.asp

I have had success with Garmin and Magellan handhelds.

Regardless of what you buy, I think any boater should insist on WAAS and
I would shop for my unit on the internet. Commodity pricing lends itself
to great deals. I use Froogle, PriceGrabber and others even just Google.

I do a lot of chart plotting on my unit, have poor eyesight and had
chips that worked with my fixed mount Garmin 182 C, so I opted for the
being replaced Garmin 176C. I loved the larger color screen.

But I am not sure how this unit works with autos and I already had the
chips.. The 276C is a replacement.

Decide the size of the screen you need versus portability, whether you
need color, and how you want to upload detailed chart information for
the body of water you cruise on.

I know this is all so personal so given your needs, I WOULD check out
the Garmin Quest GPS, , Garmin GPSMAP 76C and Magellan eXplorist 600,
Garmin Etrex Vista Color Handheld. One of these should have the size and
features you need.

If this generic and personal information doesn't help, letting me know
would be helpful.

harlan

--
To respond, obviously drop the "nospan"?