Handheld GPS - Recommendations Sought

I've been using the Garmin "GPS72" for over a year now and really happy
with it. It was low cost (under $100), designed for marine use with
all the navigation markers needed to cruise the Florida (or any other)
waters. It's also simple to use and can be programed to show what you
like to see for your personel usage. It is waterproof with an external
connector for boat battery power. If you decide to mount it at the
helm it has a quick disconnect type bracket that allows removal but
keeps it in place during heavy weather.

Mike, Pensacola, FL.
 >> Stay informed about: Handheld GPS - Recommendations Sought 

Look for the *auto save* function in case of low battery.
You can't always be around a 12v power source or remember to change the
batteries, everyone forgets at times.

A friend has a handheld GPS that doesn't do that and we loose our track
every now and then, but only the ones you wanted to keep. You know the
routine Mr. Murphy. But other than that he has no real complaints with the
Magellan unit. It does the things other posters mentioned, including
external mount, 12v dc adapter and maps downloadable from the web or CD
depending on area of travel.

"Chris" <Chris_MdR DeleteThis @gmx.net> wrote in message
news:1121217679.070537.185370@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Hi there,
>
> does anyone have recommendations
> which handheld GPS to get?
>
> Any reason to prefer a specific brand,
> features I should be looking for, etc.?
>
> Thanks a lot,
>
> Chris
>
 >> Stay informed about: Handheld GPS - Recommendations Sought 

I use the Garmin iQue 3600. It's a combo GPS/PDA, so you can use it for
many different things. It's a bit high in the dollar department, but
worth every cent.

I recently bought Garmin's Outdoor Navigator software for $20.00. You
can down load any or all of their nav charts that run on it FREE. I've
downloaded all of the nav charts, but none of their topo charts. The
Outdoor Navigator program only holds 200 charts, so a 1GB (or higher)
SD Memeory Card leaves a lot of extra space for phone numbers and other
info you want to keep track of.

The iQue 3600 may be high priced, but with a $20 nav program and free
charts? Think about it.

If you check eBay you can sometimes get really good deal on the iQue.
You can also find gear to run 12vdc and computer connection it it
doesn't come with the eBay iQue.

Good luck and happy navigating.
 >> Stay informed about: Handheld GPS - Recommendations Sought 

In article <1121217679.070537.185370 RemoveThis @g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
"Chris" <Chris_MdR RemoveThis @gmx.net> wrote:

> Hi there,
>
> does anyone have recommendations
> which handheld GPS to get?
>
> Any reason to prefer a specific brand,
> features I should be looking for, etc.?
>
> Thanks a lot,
>
> Chris

Like everything else, it depends on how you plan to use it.

Will this back up a hard wired system? Is it a stand alone? Will you use
it just in boat or in cars too?

How many different bodies of water will it be used on?

Is connectivity to a computer (for waypoint or route back-up or synching
with another device important)?

Use should determine purchase (although price has to factor in too).

harlan

--
To respond, obviously drop the "nospan"?
 >> Stay informed about: Handheld GPS - Recommendations Sought 

garmin is nice...i use it on the boat & flying.....
 >> Stay informed about: Handheld GPS - Recommendations Sought 

Harlan Lachman wrote:
> In article <1121217679.070537.185370 RemoveThis @g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
> "Chris" <Chris_MdR RemoveThis @gmx.net> wrote:
....
> Like everything else, it depends on how you plan to use it.
>
> Will this back up a hard wired system?
No.

> Is it a stand alone?
Yes.

> Will you use it just in boat or in cars too?
Both.

> How many different bodies of water will it be used on?
Mostly Southern Californaia, occasionally elsewhere (worldwide).
I'll take it with me when I travel.

> Is connectivity to a computer (for waypoint or route back-up or synching
> with another device important)?
Yes.

Thanks,

Chris
 >> Stay informed about: Handheld GPS - Recommendations Sought 

Chris wrote:
> Hi there,
>
> does anyone have recommendations
> which handheld GPS to get?
>
> Any reason to prefer a specific brand,
> features I should be looking for, etc.?
>
> Thanks a lot,
>
> Chris
>
With out a doubt the Garmin 76CS. It is waterproof and has enough
memory to store a lot of maps.

rick
 >> Stay informed about: Handheld GPS - Recommendations Sought 

My boat engine failed. It was diagnosed as maybe a broken crank shaft.
We sailed the boat on the Saint John river with the wind nose on and against
tidal current.
From 21:30 on the fog and darkness rolled in. We had zero visibility with
limited batteries power. With used the Magellan Meridian Gold with mapping
and 256mb SD memory card. Using velcro we fastened the Meridian Gold swivel
mount. Our route was well planned and with the screen on dim we had a good
visual on the course line, the buoys and the contours of the land. This way
we tacked our way and made VMG on the course line avoiding fixed makings and
sailing toward home port in zero visibility. By zero visibility I mean
unable to see the bow of my sailboat with no stars in sight
We got home at about 03:00 (am) the sails were all wet from the heavy fog.
The next day Bruce made a print out ( on his PC) of all 415 tack waypoints
and a color chart showing out tracking . I am very impressed with the
Meridian Gold. The heavy fog did not affect the functioning of the GPS.
The Meridian Gold is waterproof as per MIL STD. The only improvement will be
to have a USB connection in lieu of the 9 pins serial port. A build in
charger with lithium ion battery. I am glad I purchased this model.

"Rick" <RickH40 DeleteThis @Hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:11du1a4f68nj476@corp.supernews.com...
> Chris wrote:
> > Hi there,
> >
> > does anyone have recommendations
> > which handheld GPS to get?
> >
> > Any reason to prefer a specific brand,
> > features I should be looking for, etc.?
> >
> > Thanks a lot,
> >
> > Chris
> >
> With out a doubt the Garmin 76CS. It is waterproof and has enough
> memory to store a lot of maps.
>
> rick
 >> Stay informed about: Handheld GPS - Recommendations Sought