Whats everyone using for GPS

All,
I went out on Leap Day (Feb 29th) and spent my bonus day sailing all day. Lake Lanier had 8-10mph winds, gusting to 22.
Wowzers, I love this boat! I learned an important lesson about leash it or loose it. I had a really old GPS that I used on my bike made that terrible "kerplunk" sound as it went overboard.
That being said.. What are you using and recommend for GPS?

I am trying to decide on a handheld vs small fishfinder\GPS combo unit.
So what are the pros and cons from those of you that have used both or have a preference either way?
BTW I am leaning towards a floating handled, but with the prices overlapping with the entry level combo units with GPS and fishfinder I am a bit torn. I understand that a mounted combo unit adds additional complexity and a need for another battery, wiring etc.. I fish casually, want tracking ability on my local lakes, want basic GPS functions to show current, avg speed etc, but also want trip planning and navigation for when I am in places other than my local lakes (SW Florida in particular)


Thanks
Paul Links

I use Garmin handhelds mounted with RAM ball mounts just in reach on the gunnels. GPSMAP 76 shown below and I now have a new GPSMAP 78, 3 models to choose from, depending of features needed. (my fish finder also shown mounted on the right)

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

KB, 1+

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2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

I'm using a Lowrance HDS 7 with Navionics. Though I also carry a Garmin 60Csx loaded with Bluecharts for backup.

P4150451 by Rob Appleby-Goudberg, on Flickr

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I use a Garmin Dakota 20 with local maps of Sardinia (very accurate 1:25000 scale) that i uploaded in the memory. I dont have bathymetry anyway but ... do i need?
After having thought about fixing it somewhere in the cockpit i decided to keep it in my pocket and check it when i need. consider that I dont fish much. the fuctions i need are speed and distances from the waypoints

garmin 78sc here, love it the unit but I am quite disappointed in the "waterproof". after taking several good waves it will pop up and say "lost external power" and it begins a countdown to shut it off. I am now looking for a dry bag for it. kind of defeats the purpose of a waterproof floating gps doesn't it?? also, it seems this is not a rare problem (hence the reason I am just accepting it as it is). seriously though, the gps is really nice if you can get past the fact you would have to keep it in a clear dry bag...

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2015 Outback- dune with sail kit
2015 TI- dune- sold
2015 AI2- Hibiscus- should probably sell...
2018 AI2- Dune

My Lowrance elite 5 has been reliable and it has endured some spray... Here I am catching a swell and it crested right at my aka bar.. The Lowrance keeps on going... However, I have always had the microsd card slot taped shut with clear packaging tape. That is good insurance.

I fill unused ports with silicon adhesive and used ports with Di-electric grease to keep the salt water out. My first 76sc died the first week without it.

No problems for 5 years since filling all ports under the flimsy flaps.

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

Thanks everyone.
How long does the Elite 5 run on a small 12v battery?

Paul Links

When I turn my screen brightness down to 6-7 I can usually get around 12 hours using a Lowrance 5 Chirp


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I am not sure... I bought the hobie kit with the battery and it fits into the back hatch in the TI. I charge it every time I go out and it last the whole day. You probably could run it down to 10.5 volts in about 12 hours or so, but, I have never tested it...

My lowrance gets the famous "fogging on inside of screen" sometimes from moisture inside. Everybody blames the microsd card slot for allowing water ingress and perhaps thats true - but mines not a GPS unit, so mine has no microsd card slot at all its just "solid plastic" there - yet still got moisture inside within a month of ownership lols (and my sounder was mounted in the center of my old yak between my feet - where it got *zero* salt water spray - the light hosing off after a day out is where mine got moisure in it lols)

Obviously in my case it cant of gotten in through the microsd slot as there isnt one - but mine does have a small rubber bung on the back of the unit under the wiring plugs - which is the only possible point of entry on mine (unless factory stuffed their seals)

Check for a rubber bung on lowrance units - if it exists - Glue this down with sealant too (the bung just presses on and off)

If you already got moisture inside - remove that bung and sit unit in the sun "screen down" to allow for evaporation out that hole - then glue the bung back in lols (no more foggy screens for me)

To work out battery life - just check specs for the sounders power draw. If the sounder draws 1amp - then thats 1amp per hour of use. Means a 7amp hour battery theoretically lasts 7 hours? (my understanding of it anyway) I get 8 hours no worrys from my 7amp hour and my lowrance elite4xhdi - but I dont have GPS and perhaps that chews more power no idea?

When you see fogging/droplets in the window on a gps, the end is not far away.

Keith

_________________
2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

Lowrance has an excellent warranty. Maybe send to them and they will probably send you a new one. They have for everyone else I know that's ever had any issues.


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