Need recommendation on a hand held GPS

petemos

I’m looking for a good handheld GPS to be used as a backup for my Raymarine E80 and also when I’m too lazy to launch the C-You-Later and just want to go out in my Zodiac. As I’m in Nova Scotia Canada the device has to have an Eastern Canada map set and the closer it looks to my Navionics charts on the E80, the better. While a don’t necessarily what to spend a fortune, I’m willing to pay for a fairly good unit that will last and be able to meet my needs in the future. Anyone got a good recommendation?

Thanks In advance for any help.

Jim

mdoug · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 8:30 pm Post subject:

I had bad luck with my Lowrance Aqua hand held. It stopped locking on to satellites a couple of years ago. I had been using it as a back up for my Raymarine C-70.

blackfish · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 8:44 pm Post subject:

we have the garmin 60csx and are happy with it
its easy on batteries and water proof
if I had to do it again I would go with garmin but maybe upgrade
to a model that is water proof and floats.

breausaw · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 8:54 pm Post subject:

Garmin, they are all good; get one that meets the needs of your activity. I have a Colorado 400c, they don’t make anymore; it has been perfect for what we do. If you buy preloaded with charts it is usually a better deal than buying and loading them yourself. Go to the Garmin website and do some research than shop around.

Aurelia · Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 12:36 am Post subject:

West Marine is selling the Garmin 76cx for $180 and it is a great little marine unit. I have a G2 chart memory card in mine for full charting for our cruising grounds and it works great for my kayak trips in BC as well.

A very good package and so useful I run it all the time with a Ram mount and connected to 12v on the boat as my "closeup" chart view to compliment my 740s with a more general chart view. If also features an anchor alarm and draws very little power so we use that during the night while anchored. It works great and has woken me up more than once when the boat started to wander out of my comfort zone.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_11151_10001_435018_-1?cid=sc_google&gclid=CISt95bA0qgCFQkSbAodsng-gA

Doryman · Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 12:13 pm Post subject:

How about an iPhone with actual Navionics charts (for $10!) I think the iPod Touch would also work but am not sure if the GPS in the Touch is identical.

After playing with the iPhone app I am greatly impressed. The iPhone UI makes it easy to move around in the charts.

Warren

Matt Gurnsey · Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 1:26 pm Post subject:

Garmin has the best solection of handheld GPS units, and they are all good.

I would not use any non marine unit as an emergency back up because I want waterproof and double AA battery power, with plenty of spares on board.

BrentB · Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 2:39 pm Post subject:

Standard Horizon HX 851 is a handheld VHF radio and GPS

I dont have one but want one

Aurelia · Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 4:21 pm Post subject:

Make sure you load waypoints into that radio for every possible cruising destination because without them, you are left with coordinates, paper charts, and rulers, all of which do not lend themselves well to effective navigation for most folks. Without built in charts, the only real value in a backup GPS is the ability to tell someone your coordinates for faster rescue in an emergency.

It is like a mobile phone that only dials 911 or is missing a contacts list and for most folks that is a nearly useless device.

BrentB · Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 5:21 pm Post subject:

Yes the HX 851 does not show map at

Full details
at http://www.standardhorizon.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=100018

thataway · Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 6:03 pm Post subject:

I have both the Garmin Colorado 400c and the 76 CX Both are good units, the Colorado is smaller, but screen size is about the same size--it has coastal charts for the entire US coast line--can put in chip for lakes. If you have a back up you want the charts on it.

I love the I phone/I pad, but would not use these as back up, due to lack of waterproofing.

Fishhawk · Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 7:19 pm Post subject:

In a word:
GARMIN

They are all good.

letitride · Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 1:21 am Post subject:

I recommend GARMIN Map76csx then get the americas blue chart map software - been using this on a Kayak in the ocean for ~7 yrs works great in direct sun light, get's wet in the surf zone, dropped many times, kicked....and still works great.

I guess that's why they still sell it......

smittypaddler

I have a Garmin GPSMAP 2006 Chartplotter on my C-Dory, but most of my navigation on my Great Loop was done with Fugawi on a laptop, the reason being I couldn't figure out how to install my own calibrated charts on the Garmin, and I could do that with Fugawi. That was back in 2004. Does anybody know, has the situation changed? Can I download and use my own charts on a Garmin?

Yellowstone · Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 11:02 am Post subject:

Like Letitride recommended, get a Garmin Map76 CSX. They sell new on ebay for $230 right now. With a dash mount you may find yourself using it more than your fixed GPS at times. Waterproof and tough. Yellowstone