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 Post subject: GARMIN FORETREX 401
PostPosted: Wed May 30, 2012 3:11 am 
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Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2011 9:35 pm
Posts: 86
Location: Mt Kuring-Gai, NSW, Australia
Anyone used a GARMIN FORETREX 401 on a Tandem Island for ocean sailing ?

Practical ? Any Good ?

Thanks


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 Post subject: Re: GARMIN FORETREX 401
PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 9:39 pm 
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Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2011 9:35 pm
Posts: 86
Location: Mt Kuring-Gai, NSW, Australia
Anyone ???

Failing that, can anyone recommend a similar device ?

Thanks


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 Post subject: Re: GARMIN FORETREX 401
PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 11:47 pm 
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Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2011 1:58 am
Posts: 2893
Location: Forster, NSW, Australia
I bought a Lowrance Elite4-DSI, which is a fishfinder/GPS chart plotter, which cost about $400 here in Australia. I am not familiar with the Foretrex 401, but the Elite4 seems to be ideal for Islands.Image I cut down a plastic canister to make a spray shield for mine, given how close to the water these things go on an Island

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker


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 Post subject: Re: GARMIN FORETREX 401
PostPosted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 2:01 am 
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Joined: Mon May 25, 2009 7:34 pm
Posts: 112
Yes, I use a 401 for speed, distance, and track logging when out in my AI. I've done so for several seasons. I also use the device for hiking, cross country skiing, and biking. I think its very convenient and handy. Does all I want. Display of essential trip data (speed, distance, time) is very legible. Track logs upload to google earth easily and are fun to look at. I like mine and would buy another if something happened to the one I have.

Timo


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 Post subject: Re: GARMIN FORETREX 401
PostPosted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 3:42 am 
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Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2011 9:35 pm
Posts: 86
Location: Mt Kuring-Gai, NSW, Australia
timo wrote:
Yes, I use a 401 for speed, distance, and track logging when out in my AI. I've done so for several seasons. I also use the device for hiking, cross country skiing, and biking. I think its very convenient and handy. Does all I want. Display of essential trip data (speed, distance, time) is very legible. Track logs upload to google earth easily and are fun to look at. I like mine and would buy another if something happened to the one I have.

Timo



Thanks. Do you think it's worth going for something more comprehensive than the 401, like the Garman Oregon® 450 ? (color touch screen, on board maps etc) ?


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 Post subject: Re: GARMIN FORETREX 401
PostPosted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 4:59 am 
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Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2010 12:31 am
Posts: 133
Location: Netherlands Europe
I use the simpler foretrex 301
And works fine ,mounted under the mast on the trampoline (Hobie Tiger )

I can see the current speed and can look how many km,s and time the trip was

Also i can see on Google earth the track and speed

see pic,s

Image

On google Earth i can move the diagnostic line

Image

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F18 Hobie Wildcat sail nr NED 066 & NED 1111
F18 Hobie Tiger sail nr 973 sold
Hobie 16 sail nr 104195 sold
470 sailnr NED 560 sold


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 Post subject: Re: GARMIN FORETREX 401
PostPosted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 5:52 am 
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Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:14 pm
Posts: 3323
Location: South Florida
There is a lengthy discussion about GPS units on the forum:
http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=27236

You might check that out.

Keith

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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


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 Post subject: Re: GARMIN FORETREX 401
PostPosted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 2:12 am 
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Joined: Mon May 25, 2009 7:34 pm
Posts: 112
re: the 401 vs other garmin -- the reason I have the 401 is for use in multisports activities. The oregon unit would not be useful for biking, cc skiing, etc. The 401 is small and light and straps to your wrist and you can look at it like a watch. That's the reason to get it if that functionality is what you want.


Timo


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 Post subject: Re: GARMIN FORETREX 401
PostPosted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 10:39 am 
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Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2011 6:02 am
Posts: 318
Location: Cape Coral, FL
i really like the touch screen on my garmin oregon 200

j

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2011 Golden Papaya TI with a 250 square foot spinnaker!
also a more manageable 100 square foot spinny...
&
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 Post subject: Re: GARMIN FORETREX 401
PostPosted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 3:08 pm 
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Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:32 am
Posts: 1807
Location: Terrigal NSW, Australia
Apart from the obvious functions of navigation and track plotting, I really like the velocity indicator on my GPS. It gives instant feedback on the effect of even minor alterations to the trim of the boat. One drawback of a wrist or hand held GPS is that it tends to give inaccurate and spurious speed readings. A GPS which is fixed to the boat gives much more consistent readings. I prefer my smartphone GPS these days for all terrestrial activities, but I still find my old Garmin 76CSX, with its big display and much longer battery life, most useful on the boat.

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