Need recommendation on a hand held GPS

P

petemos

New member
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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/st ... bAodsng-gA
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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......
 
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?
 
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
 
smittypaddler":3eor7r8p said:
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?
Click to expand...

No, Garmin must use their proprietory charts. Furuno may be able to use other charts in their NAVnet 3D, but I'm not sure.
 
Sorry guys I have been traveling and have not had a chance to respond and thank everyone for their comments. I'm starting to look at this Garmin 78SC as a possible unit. Anyone have any comments on it. Also will it have the maps for North East Canada on it, or do you think that will be an additional buy?

Thanks again.
Jim
 
Just a note. The 76CSX and the 76CX are nearly the same with the exception of a barometer/altimeter sensor on the CSX version. You decide if that is important to you on a boat.

Greg
 
I own 7 or 8 Garmins (3 hand-helds and the rest fixed) and the DeLorme Earthmate PN 20 handheld. It is by far the best and most accurate of them all. The charting/mapping software is superior, satellite view excellent, and it is extremely user friendly... Waterproof/resistant I take it with me in the small skiffs with no worry whatsoever. Also use it in all my vehicles... It's fast (and I believe the new PN 30 or 60 is even faster) and other than the 'usual' problem of a small screen on 'older' eyes I consider it my "best" GPS. Very rugged & extremely intuitive/user friendly. A great product from the nation's leading Map company right here in Maine...
 
Back
Top