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GPS suggestions?
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Author:  rokraider [ Mon Aug 03, 2009 2:42 pm ]
Post subject:  GPS suggestions?

I would like to get a waterproof handheld GPS that does coastal Europe, tides, buoys, compass and speed. Any recommendations?

Author:  chrisj [ Mon Aug 03, 2009 3:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: GPS suggestions?

rokraider wrote:
I would like to get a waterproof handheld GPS that does coastal Europe, tides, buoys, compass and speed. Any recommendations?

Garmin GPSMap 76CSX or 60CSX. You then buy the map software for your part of the world. Has all the above features.

Author:  Cowsgomoo [ Mon Aug 03, 2009 7:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: GPS suggestions?

chrisj wrote:
rokraider wrote:
I would like to get a waterproof handheld GPS that does coastal Europe, tides, buoys, compass and speed. Any recommendations?

Garmin GPSMap 76CSX or 60CSX. You then buy the map software for your part of the world. Has all the above features.


The Garmin's are good units. I took my GPSMAP 76S out for the first time on the weekend. It came with a small neoprene bag with a clear window. I just had it sitting on the tramp next to me (leashed of course). Was very calm weather so it didn't slide at all.

Author:  KayakingBob [ Mon Aug 03, 2009 10:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: GPS suggestions?

I too have Garmins. Before I started using a RAMmount to mount it, I would get higher reading when it moved around while sailing or in big waves.

My last one an eTrex Vista is great, but after 3-4 years of salt, started getting flacky, so I bought a GPSmap76CSx. Bigger Color screen and a USB interface! :)

Also, I found this website to show the tracks: http://www.trailguru.com/wiki/index.php/Track:81W0
and http://www.trailguru.com/wiki/index.php/Track:81VZ

Click "Replay Track" to enjoy the ride. Also, see the graphs below the map (ignore the Elevation Profile)
Image

Author:  JollyGreen [ Thu Aug 06, 2009 5:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: GPS suggestions?

Hey,

I have the garmin colorado 400c which comes with maps of your area for around $300 total.

I've used it for about 175 miles on the AI and had zero problems. It has a couple quirks and bugs, but the main features work great and the maps have worked well for me. Easy to read screen, you can control it with one hand and lasts about 10 hours on 2 NiMH double A batteries.

My 2 cents

Author:  Jim_L [ Thu Aug 06, 2009 8:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: GPS suggestions?

JollyGreen wrote:

garmin colorado 400c...
Easy to read screen...
lasts about 10 hours on 2 NiMH double A batteries.



Are you kidding? If you think that's an easy to read screen, then you really should try the 76 series. I own both a GPSMap 76Cx, and a Colorado 400c. I can't see the screen on my 400c unless the light it just perfect! And as for batteries, I'm getting about 4 hours out of a set of Duracells or Energizers (76Cx gives me about 18-22 hours on the same batteries). After using my Garmin 76Cx for two seasons, I bought the 400c when it was on a Black Friday sale at West Marine. Only looked because my 76 had leaked salt water into the battery cover, and the terminals were all corroded. After using the 400c a few times I paid to get the 76 repaired by Garmin, and the 400c has sat in the gear bag ever since. I tried using both of them a few times, just to compare, but I don't even bother with it anymore. There was no comparison. This was discussed in a GPS thread sometime around March of this year. The only reason I haven't tried to sell the 400c is that I want to do a distance trip, and I'll want a second GPS to take along as a spare. If I didn't have that trip planned, I'd take the first reasonable offer just to get rid of it. I've owned several handheld GPS units over the years, both Magellan and Garmin, and I swear by the Garmin. Given Garmin's reputation, and my own previous experience with Garmin units, I found the 400c to be a major disappointment. My research after the fact found numerous outdoors related sites that mentioned the same complaints. One other thing I like about the 76 is that I can operate it with gloves on. Important if you use the unit for activities other than warm weather sailing (such as winter sailing in a dry suit and waterproof gloves).

If you want an excellent GPS value, I highly recommend the Garmin 76Cx or 76CSx. Only difference between these two is that the CSx has a magnetic compass and a barometric altimeter (as does the 400c). I like to take my GPS with me on airliners, and the barometric altimeter won't give you true altitude in a pressurized cabin.

My $300.02. That's $0.02 for the opinion, and $300 for the sale price on the 400c.

Happy Sailing,
- Jim L

Author:  jzk [ Fri Aug 07, 2009 10:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: GPS suggestions?

I like the Garmin 276c. I can load street maps, nautical charts, national forest topography or whatever. All in great color.

Author:  rokraider [ Fri Aug 07, 2009 1:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: GPS suggestions?

That 276c looks very nice, I have something similar (but 7 years old) on my BMW GS Adventure bike. Like the sonar accessories. :)

Author:  geocacher [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 8:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: GPS suggestions?

Hi all,

Forget the Colorado. It's not waterproof.

Great GPS for geocaching but not kayaking.

DJ

Author:  timo [ Sun Aug 09, 2009 8:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: GPS suggestions?

Wow very interesting track-displaying website Kayaking Bob! But what's really impressive is that you manage to burn nearly 2000 calories on your 3-4 hrs sails. You generating your own wind by doing jumping jacks?

Tim

Author:  KayakingBob [ Sun Aug 09, 2009 12:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: GPS suggestions?

:)

Ok, ignore the calories, too!

Author:  flaneur [ Sun Aug 09, 2009 4:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: GPS suggestions?

I have a Garmin 76S that I have used successfully for 5 years on my Kayak in saltwater conditions (gets wet everytime I'm out) with zero problems. However, the refresh rate is annoyingly slow, and I was hoping newer models are faster. Also, I'm very interested in one of the features on the new Delorme PN-40? It has a "velocity made good" feature that should come in very handy when sailing a kayak. Does anyone have experience with this GPS? Based on what I've read I think it should be a strong consideration for the Adventure Island.

Author:  Cowsgomoo [ Sun Aug 09, 2009 7:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: GPS suggestions?

flaneur wrote:
I have a Garmin 76S that I have used successfully for 5 years on my Kayak in saltwater conditions (gets wet everytime I'm out) with zero problems. However, the refresh rate is annoyingly slow, and I was hoping newer models are faster. Also, I'm very interested in one of the features on the new Delorme PN-40? It has a "velocity made good" feature that should come in very handy when sailing a kayak. Does anyone have experience with this GPS? Based on what I've read I think it should be a strong consideration for the Adventure Island.


I agree about the refresh rate being slow. I thought the Garmin 76s did have a velocity made good readout.

I just downloaded the manual. Check out the Change Data Field option and see if it gives you the option to change one to VMG (press Enter and use rocker key). The manual is a little lacking in what fields can be displayed. I can find a mention in Appendix E - Navigation Terms. Pretty sure I've seen it on mine too.

Author:  Jim_L [ Sun Aug 09, 2009 8:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: GPS suggestions?

Cowsgomoo wrote:

I agree about the refresh rate being slow. I thought the Garmin 76s did have a velocity made good readout.



Yes, the GPSmap 76 units do have VMG as one of the data field options. The 400c does too, as did the Magellan units I used to use. I think that VMG is a pretty standard feature on most GPS units. You may not find it on the portable street navigation units for use in cars (Tom-Tom, NUVI, and the like), but recreational GPS units should have it. Definitely useful when sailing, as a sailboat can rarely take the most direct path between two points.

As for refresh rate, even the lower end models of the newer GPS units have a pretty decent refresh rate. I think it's even configurable on some of them. Of course, faster refresh translates to shorter battery life. I just stick with the factory setting on mine, and I've never seen it to be a problem. I think that faster refresh would only be a benefit when you are moving quickly. Even on a good day an AI is only moving at 10-15 knots, and usually a lot less than that.

Happy Sailing,
- Jim L

Author:  flaneur [ Mon Aug 10, 2009 5:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: GPS suggestions?

Quote:
Yes, the GPSmap 76 units do have VMG as one of the data field options.
- Jim L

There it is, clear as day! Just forget I said I've had the GPS for 5 years.

Quote:
I think that faster refresh would only be a benefit when you are moving quickly. Even on a good day an AI is only moving at 10-15 knots, and usually a lot less than that.
Happy Sailing,
- Jim L

The refresh rate doesn't bother me when I'm moving, it's when I'm trying to plot a course or see what features lie ahead to navigate around (i.e. 10,000 Islands area in the Everglades). When doing this the panning in the GPS is annoyingly slow.

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