GPS Advice
 

I'm in the market for a new GPS and would appreciate advice and
opinions from the group. I'm not sure what features are available and
which are important. I've done a fair amount of searching and have not
found a comprehensive listing of features for all units - only
listings by individual units. I'm more interested in knowing which
features the group finds necessary or convenient rather than
recommendations of individual units but would appreciate hearing about
favorites as well. I know I want a large screen as my eyes aren't what
they used to be - I know I want mapping - # of waypoints is
unimportant as most have thousands and I don't think I want to go to
that many places. I noticed a couple of smaller units are suitable for
auto use as well as marine and some give audible directions - this
could be handy in my travels if anyone makes a larger unit. Thanks for
your time - look forward to hearing from the group.

On Thu, 20 Jan 2005 14:12:11 GMT, (Tom) wrote:
I'm in the market for a new GPS and would appreciate advice and
opinions from the group. I'm not sure what features are available and
which are important. I've done a fair amount of searching and have not
found a comprehensive listing of features for all units - only
listings by individual units. I'm more interested in knowing which
features the group finds necessary or convenient rather than
recommendations of individual units but would appreciate hearing about
favorites as well. I know I want a large screen as my eyes aren't what
they used to be - I know I want mapping - # of waypoints is
unimportant as most have thousands and I don't think I want to go to
that many places. I noticed a couple of smaller units are suitable for
auto use as well as marine and some give audible directions - this
could be handy in my travels if anyone makes a larger unit. Thanks for
your time - look forward to hearing from the group.

==================================================

You don't say what size boat or what your budget is, but those are
both important parameters in the selection process. For a smaller
boat/lower budget, I think both the Garmin 182 and 182C are good
values. Basically the same unit but the 182C is color. I have the
182 at my lower helm and it offers decent readability, mapping and
course tracking (electronic bread crumbs). Make sure they have a
"Blue Chip" for your navigation area.

If you have the space and budget, the 10 inch displays offered by
Garmin, Furuno and RayMarine are all good solid units that can be
integrated with radar and fishfinder capability with the right
options. Practical Sailor recently rated all of these units and gave
the nod to Furuno based on slightly better screen visibility and ease
of use. All 3 are nice units however. I just installed a Furuno
1833C on my upper helm and am very happy with it.

This is one of those cases where, for many of us, simpler is better.

You don't need a hundred different functions. If you're underway, you
should be keeping watch and steering, not constantly reprogramming the
GPS to do the next whiz-bang thing on the menu. Electronics should help
you run your boat, not lull you into a false sense that they are
running it for you or distract you from the task.

My two cents: pay some attention to the interface. A larger keypad with
some space between the keys will make it easier to use underway. If you
almost feel like you need to resort to using a stylus in the marine
store, you will have no end of trouble trying to input data or commands
with a fingertip when the boat is underway and bouncing around.

In article ,
says...
I'm in the market for a new GPS and would appreciate advice and
opinions from the group.

I think Chuck is dead on. Once you've found a screen size and
resolution you like, look at the unit as you would a software purchase.

What are the routines I'm most likely to employ at the dock and
underway? Are the processes intuitive and will I remember them or is
the process convoluted and difficult to recall?

There's a lot of viable GPS' on the market. It's going to be your
personal requirements and budget that determines what's right for you.

My recommendation is to go to a retailer who has demos in the store and
try them out. You'll get a feel for whose form factors and user
interfaces you like best.

jps

If portable, I would look at the garmin 176map C is the color model. Is
waterproof, submersible. Is what I am looking to replace my Garmin 45 with
for the ditch bag.
Bill

"Tom" wrote in message
...
I'm in the market for a new GPS and would appreciate advice and
opinions from the group. I'm not sure what features are available and
which are important. I've done a fair amount of searching and have not
found a comprehensive listing of features for all units - only
listings by individual units. I'm more interested in knowing which
features the group finds necessary or convenient rather than
recommendations of individual units but would appreciate hearing about
favorites as well. I know I want a large screen as my eyes aren't what
they used to be - I know I want mapping - # of waypoints is
unimportant as most have thousands and I don't think I want to go to
that many places. I noticed a couple of smaller units are suitable for
auto use as well as marine and some give audible directions - this
could be handy in my travels if anyone makes a larger unit. Thanks for
your time - look forward to hearing from the group.

==================================================

You don't say what size boat or what your budget is, but those are
both important parameters in the selection process. For a smaller
boat/lower budget, I think both the Garmin 182 and 182C are good
values. Basically the same unit but the 182C is color. I have the
182 at my lower helm and it offers decent readability, mapping and
course tracking (electronic bread crumbs). Make sure they have a
"Blue Chip" for your navigation area.

If you have the space and budget, the 10 inch displays offered by
Garmin, Furuno and RayMarine are all good solid units that can be
integrated with radar and fishfinder capability with the right
options. Practical Sailor recently rated all of these units and gave
the nod to Furuno based on slightly better screen visibility and ease
of use. All 3 are nice units however. I just installed a Furuno
1833C on my upper helm and am very happy with it.

Sorry for the oversight - boat will be a 22' center console - I would
prefer to stay around $1500.00 or less - of course, less is better.

On 20 Jan 2005 08:29:23 -0800, wrote:

This is one of those cases where, for many of us, simpler is better.

You don't need a hundred different functions. If you're underway, you
should be keeping watch and steering, not constantly reprogramming the
GPS to do the next whiz-bang thing on the menu. Electronics should help
you run your boat, not lull you into a false sense that they are
running it for you or distract you from the task.

My two cents: pay some attention to the interface. A larger keypad with
some space between the keys will make it easier to use underway. If you
almost feel like you need to resort to using a stylus in the marine
store, you will have no end of trouble trying to input data or commands
with a fingertip when the boat is underway and bouncing around.

Excellent points and I guess I should clarify what I mean by features.
I imagine I'll only use it to run from point A to point B or determine
the distance to some location etc. I like the comment about the keypad
- good point to remember - especially with my fat fingers. Another
question would be- is the color worthwhile - substantially better than
gray scale? Do any units allow you to download waypoints to a computer
for safekeeping (or if you decide to upgrade later)? Is an external
antennae necessary on a center console boat? I appreciate the comments
so far.

On Thu, 20 Jan 2005 19:00:02 GMT, (Tom) wrote:
================================================= =
You don't say what size boat or what your budget is, but those are
both important parameters in the selection process. For a smaller
boat/lower budget, I think both the Garmin 182 and 182C are good
values. Basically the same unit but the 182C is color. I have the
182 at my lower helm and it offers decent readability, mapping and
course tracking (electronic bread crumbs). Make sure they have a
"Blue Chip" for your navigation area.

If you have the space and budget, the 10 inch displays offered by
Garmin, Furuno and RayMarine are all good solid units that can be
integrated with radar and fishfinder capability with the right
options. Practical Sailor recently rated all of these units and gave
the nod to Furuno based on slightly better screen visibility and ease
of use. All 3 are nice units however. I just installed a Furuno
1833C on my upper helm and am very happy with it.

Sorry for the oversight - boat will be a 22' center console - I would
prefer to stay around $1500.00 or less - of course, less is better.

==============

I think you'd be happy with either the Garmin 182 or 182C. I believe
they make one with an integral antenna which would be fine on a center
console.

http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap182/spec.html

http://www.landfallnavigation.com/eg182.html

http://www.shopping.com/xPO-Garmin_GPSMAP_182