Best color handheld GPS for the money

Anita Marie

I am planning to purchase a color handheld chartplotter GPS. I was wondering peoples opinion on the different models on the market. I have always liked Garmin but am open to others models.

DaveS · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 1:01 pm Post subject:

Hi Fred & Robbin,
In April, I purchased the 76CS by Garmin at West Marine. I'm very pleased with it and have it mounted next to the Raymarine chartplotter while cruising. The only disappointment I've had with it, was that about a month after purchasing it, West Marine had it on sale for $100 less than what I paid.
(Nice having a "back-up" available).

P.S. Not certain if it is "best for the money", but it has made me happy.. Teeth

.

New Hampshire Guy · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 2:08 pm Post subject:

The Lowrance iFinder H2O C is about $100 less than that Garmin 76CS ($200 less if you don't get the elaborate CD Maps). What we like are the Chips , since Lowrance takes all chips and Garmin seems to only take Garmin Chips, which are pricey. We've sold quite a few and we really like them.
Good Luck!

Anita Marie · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 6:15 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the replys.

bpevans · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:23 pm Post subject:

the Garmin 376C looks nice. Checkout http://www.panbo.com for some reviews & interesting articles on the subject. The author of that blog also writes columns in PMY magazine.

I own the Garmin 76CS but now a year later I'd probably spend the extra $$ on a bigger 376. Garmin is a favorite of mine & many others. It's hard to put a finger on useability when comparing units but Garmin really does seem ahead of the pack here.

gljjr · Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 9:13 pm Post subject:

I've got the H20C and really like it. I have a Navionics chip for it and it works well. I just wish the batteries lasted longer! I get about 8 hours out of them before they are toast.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 1:22 am Post subject:

Looked to me from a Google search that the basic Lowrance H20 C is about $220...while the Garmin 76C is available presently for $299. The Garmin interface is great, can't comment on the Lowrance interface. The Garmin ability to connect to a computer to download routes and waypoints is a really strong point in its favor, again can't comment on how that works with the Lowrance. Either way, looks like you will spend money on chips or CDs - and the Garmin CDs are awesome. Probably the kind of deal where either way you will be happy, but if I were doing it, I would stick with what I know works great all the way around, which is the Garmin.

Captains Cat · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 6:11 pm Post subject:

ken 120 · Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 7:36 pm Post subject: 76CX

Hello All

Does the 76CX work in the cabin - How about the other ones - Can you acquire your position inside the cabin?

Ken

Sneaks · Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 7:43 pm Post subject:

I would expect it to work just fine inside the cabin. I have two gps sensors sitting on the shelf above the helm. Raymarine and Lowrance. Both work just fine there as does a handheld Magellan I've had for years. Fiberglass isn't transparent to RF at those frequencies but the attenuation is so slight only a truly anal engineer would lose sleep over it.

Don

gljjr · Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 9:10 pm Post subject:

I've used the H20C inside of a couple 22' Cruisers with no problems. I'm sure the Garmin units would work just as well.