Anyone know of any good ones? I saw this which didn't look too bad for $79. I didn't know Lowrance made GPS units.
http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...8000&langId=-1
Senior Member
Anyone know of any good ones? I saw this which didn't look too bad for $79. I didn't know Lowrance made GPS units.
http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...8000&langId=-1
Senior Member
Anyone know of any good ones? I saw this which didn't look too bad for $79. I didn't know Lowrance made GPS units.
http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...8000&langId=-1
Senior Member #4667
I like this one better: http://www.rei.com/product/47965446.htm
Senior Member #4667
I like this one better: http://www.rei.com/product/47965446.htm
Senior Member #1458
With the lowest priced units you will not be able to zoom in closely for a detailed view of the area you are in. They are limited because they come pre loaded with major roads only. You are better off with a unit that can be hooked up to a pc or uses plug in cards. This way you can download to the unit a detailed view of the area you will be in.
You can compare different units here The GPS Store
Senior Member #1458
With the lowest priced units you will not be able to zoom in closely for a detailed view of the area you are in. They are limited because they come pre loaded with major roads only. You are better off with a unit that can be hooked up to a pc or uses plug in cards. This way you can download to the unit a detailed view of the area you will be in.
You can compare different units here The GPS Store
Senior Member #4667
casem; Important question: what do you want to be able to do with your GPS?
Senior Member #4667
casem; Important question: what do you want to be able to do with your GPS?
Senior Member
As Meerkat said, it all depends on what you want to do. In a strict sense, all a GPS unit needs to do is give you a position, which you can then take to a paper map and use to locate yourself. However, there are, of course, all sorts of extra things that can be added to the package, and what you actually want will depend greatly on what you want to do. I'd venture a guess that the single biggest issue for most people is how detailed a map you can view on the GPS. If only a basic general area map is available on your GPS you will be more dependant on paper maps and on the work needed to transfer information back and forth between paper and the GPS. This can work just fine, and an argument could even be made that it is safer to use paper maps as your primary map; but a lot of people love the convenience of just looking at the GPS and being able to see where they are in relation to relavant nearby landmarks.
Senior Member
As Meerkat said, it all depends on what you want to do. In a strict sense, all a GPS unit needs to do is give you a position, which you can then take to a paper map and use to locate yourself. However, there are, of course, all sorts of extra things that can be added to the package, and what you actually want will depend greatly on what you want to do. I'd venture a guess that the single biggest issue for most people is how detailed a map you can view on the GPS. If only a basic general area map is available on your GPS you will be more dependant on paper maps and on the work needed to transfer information back and forth between paper and the GPS. This can work just fine, and an argument could even be made that it is safer to use paper maps as your primary map; but a lot of people love the convenience of just looking at the GPS and being able to see where they are in relation to relavant nearby landmarks.
Senior Member
I really don't need my GPS to navigate. I just like it to see how fast I am going and to see which direction I am really headed, regardless of current and leeway. I generally use it just to try little tweaks to my sails and see if they improve performance.
I've had two expensive (2-300$) GPSes and both of them broke within a month of their 1-year warranties. So I'm considering getting a cheap one that would be "disposable" if need be. I figure if I can get one for about $75 dollars and a year warranty, that would be worth it for me.
Senior Member
I really don't need my GPS to navigate. I just like it to see how fast I am going and to see which direction I am really headed, regardless of current and leeway. I generally use it just to try little tweaks to my sails and see if they improve performance.
I've had two expensive (2-300$) GPSes and both of them broke within a month of their 1-year warranties. So I'm considering getting a cheap one that would be "disposable" if need be. I figure if I can get one for about $75 dollars and a year warranty, that would be worth it for me.
Member #6948
Ive had my Magellan Meridian for a few years now and it works just fine. Its a very basic design, limited base map info (most major fwys and highways, most major waterways) but it can be loaded with more detailed base map info if desired, though I haven't.
On the water I use it to let me know my actual speed and direction and log my route. I also use it to mark catches or find my way back to a good spot.
On the road I use it to keep trak of wher I am on the freeway, it really helps when Looking for major exits or freeway interchnages (don't have to keep looking at a map or read every exit sign). You can put in user defined waypoints to help you find your way to new locations that you have coordinates for (from web).
When I bought it the 2 major companies to choose from were Garmin and Magellan (more or less still are). I choose the Magellan becasue it had a biger screen and beter interface as well as bigger buttons. Its ruberized, is water proof and floats, nice to have in a boat. Id say choosing one that fits you hand nicely, is easy and intuitive to use and doen't break the bank is the way to go. Most simialarly priced GPS units on the market have nearly identical features and accuracy so choose on design style (ergonoimics and ease of use).
If looking today, I'd still go with Magellan.
dave
Member #6948
Ive had my Magellan Meridian for a few years now and it works just fine. Its a very basic design, limited base map info (most major fwys and highways, most major waterways) but it can be loaded with more detailed base map info if desired, though I haven't.
On the water I use it to let me know my actual speed and direction and log my route. I also use it to mark catches or find my way back to a good spot.
On the road I use it to keep trak of wher I am on the freeway, it really helps when Looking for major exits or freeway interchnages (don't have to keep looking at a map or read every exit sign). You can put in user defined waypoints to help you find your way to new locations that you have coordinates for (from web).
When I bought it the 2 major companies to choose from were Garmin and Magellan (more or less still are). I choose the Magellan becasue it had a biger screen and beter interface as well as bigger buttons. Its ruberized, is water proof and floats, nice to have in a boat. Id say choosing one that fits you hand nicely, is easy and intuitive to use and doen't break the bank is the way to go. Most simialarly priced GPS units on the market have nearly identical features and accuracy so choose on design style (ergonoimics and ease of use).
If looking today, I'd still go with Magellan.
dave
Senior Member
Following Dave and seconding Dave about Magellan but I'm like Casem, when it comes to using a GPS. I play with it and record with it, and tweek with it, rather than rely on it. It has saved me from walking further than I wanted to, from bush-bashing more than once, when retracing my steps, the retracing feature is interesting.
I have a Magellan hand held without the installed maps, because I have paper maps which are at a better scale and more easily read compared to the small screen of a hand held unit. It is wise to only consider a GPS unit as a back-up in serious country.
Moving tiny cursers around continually, when planning on a GPS unit, is a curse ... that's why I like real maps to plot my waypoints from and then transfer the co-odinates to the GPS unit.
When buying a GPS unit, make sure that if you want to plot points (to travell to), the GPS that you select, will allow you to plot your waypoints (as destinct from just capturing way points) with accuracy. If you use paper maps and need accuracy, a $2 transparent map card (from Natmap, for we in Oz), can put you within metres, when transferring readings.
I recommend not buying the bottom of the line GPS units, because the plotting features (if it is what you are after) may not allow you to plot with true accuracy ... the more digits you can use to plot with, the better.
Warren.
[ 12-20-2005, 02:53 AM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]
Senior Member
Following Dave and seconding Dave about Magellan but I'm like Casem, when it comes to using a GPS. I play with it and record with it, and tweek with it, rather than rely on it. It has saved me from walking further than I wanted to, from bush-bashing more than once, when retracing my steps, the retracing feature is interesting.
I have a Magellan hand held without the installed maps, because I have paper maps which are at a better scale and more easily read compared to the small screen of a hand held unit. It is wise to only consider a GPS unit as a back-up in serious country.
Moving tiny cursers around continually, when planning on a GPS unit, is a curse ... that's why I like real maps to plot my waypoints from and then transfer the co-odinates to the GPS unit.
When buying a GPS unit, make sure that if you want to plot points (to travell to), the GPS that you select, will allow you to plot your waypoints (as destinct from just capturing way points) with accuracy. If you use paper maps and need accuracy, a $2 transparent map card (from Natmap, for we in Oz), can put you within metres, when transferring readings.
I recommend not buying the bottom of the line GPS units, because the plotting features (if it is what you are after) may not allow you to plot with true accuracy ... the more digits you can use to plot with, the better.
Warren.
[ 12-20-2005, 02:53 AM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]
Senior Member
I'm sold on the Garmin line. We bought a #76 handheld and liked it so much that we bought another one. Now, one is down below at the nav. table, and the other is at the wheel, with both connected to ship's power.
No color screen -- just black and white -- but easy to read and plenty accurate. They have traken us through many a fog bank, and after three years of service if I were going to replace them, I would go back to Garmin (and no, I don't have any stock in the company).
Senior Member
I'm sold on the Garmin line. We bought a #76 handheld and liked it so much that we bought another one. Now, one is down below at the nav. table, and the other is at the wheel, with both connected to ship's power.
No color screen -- just black and white -- but easy to read and plenty accurate. They have traken us through many a fog bank, and after three years of service if I were going to replace them, I would go back to Garmin (and no, I don't have any stock in the company).
Senior Member
Sailors need a VMG mode on their GPS units.
Warren.
Senior Member
Sailors need a VMG mode on their GPS units.
Warren.
Slowly catching on
I'll second the plug for Garmin. I bought the e-trex Legend (the blue one). What I like is it really sips batteries, making two AA's last a long time. Its also taken lots of abuse in the bottom of my 14' aluminum fishing boat and in my hunting pack.
I can download maps to mine that get pretty detailed with topology and roads. The screen is to small to reference while driving, but for hiking, boating, fishing, 4-wheeling its been great.
(I also have no affiliation with Garmin. I've used their fish finders and gps' with great results. Customer service from them was also very good so I'm plugging them here as my thanks.)
Slowly catching on
I'll second the plug for Garmin. I bought the e-trex Legend (the blue one). What I like is it really sips batteries, making two AA's last a long time. Its also taken lots of abuse in the bottom of my 14' aluminum fishing boat and in my hunting pack.
I can download maps to mine that get pretty detailed with topology and roads. The screen is to small to reference while driving, but for hiking, boating, fishing, 4-wheeling its been great.
(I also have no affiliation with Garmin. I've used their fish finders and gps' with great results. Customer service from them was also very good so I'm plugging them here as my thanks.)
Senior Member
Anyone know of any good ones? I saw this which didn't look too bad for $79. I didn't know Lowrance made GPS units.
http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...8000&langId=-1
Senior Member #4667
I like this one better: http://www.rei.com/product/47965446.htm
Senior Member #1458
With the lowest priced units you will not be able to zoom in closely for a detailed view of the area you are in. They are limited because they come pre loaded with major roads only. You are better off with a unit that can be hooked up to a pc or uses plug in cards. This way you can download to the unit a detailed view of the area you will be in.
You can compare different units here The GPS Store
Senior Member #4667
casem; Important question: what do you want to be able to do with your GPS?
Senior Member
As Meerkat said, it all depends on what you want to do. In a strict sense, all a GPS unit needs to do is give you a position, which you can then take to a paper map and use to locate yourself. However, there are, of course, all sorts of extra things that can be added to the package, and what you actually want will depend greatly on what you want to do. I'd venture a guess that the single biggest issue for most people is how detailed a map you can view on the GPS. If only a basic general area map is available on your GPS you will be more dependant on paper maps and on the work needed to transfer information back and forth between paper and the GPS. This can work just fine, and an argument could even be made that it is safer to use paper maps as your primary map; but a lot of people love the convenience of just looking at the GPS and being able to see where they are in relation to relavant nearby landmarks.
Senior Member
I really don't need my GPS to navigate. I just like it to see how fast I am going and to see which direction I am really headed, regardless of current and leeway. I generally use it just to try little tweaks to my sails and see if they improve performance.
I've had two expensive (2-300$) GPSes and both of them broke within a month of their 1-year warranties. So I'm considering getting a cheap one that would be "disposable" if need be. I figure if I can get one for about $75 dollars and a year warranty, that would be worth it for me.
Member #6948
Ive had my Magellan Meridian for a few years now and it works just fine. Its a very basic design, limited base map info (most major fwys and highways, most major waterways) but it can be loaded with more detailed base map info if desired, though I haven't.
On the water I use it to let me know my actual speed and direction and log my route. I also use it to mark catches or find my way back to a good spot.
On the road I use it to keep trak of wher I am on the freeway, it really helps when Looking for major exits or freeway interchnages (don't have to keep looking at a map or read every exit sign). You can put in user defined waypoints to help you find your way to new locations that you have coordinates for (from web).
When I bought it the 2 major companies to choose from were Garmin and Magellan (more or less still are). I choose the Magellan becasue it had a biger screen and beter interface as well as bigger buttons. Its ruberized, is water proof and floats, nice to have in a boat. Id say choosing one that fits you hand nicely, is easy and intuitive to use and doen't break the bank is the way to go. Most simialarly priced GPS units on the market have nearly identical features and accuracy so choose on design style (ergonoimics and ease of use).
If looking today, I'd still go with Magellan.
dave
Senior Member
Following Dave and seconding Dave about Magellan but I'm like Casem, when it comes to using a GPS. I play with it and record with it, and tweek with it, rather than rely on it. It has saved me from walking further than I wanted to, from bush-bashing more than once, when retracing my steps, the retracing feature is interesting.
I have a Magellan hand held without the installed maps, because I have paper maps which are at a better scale and more easily read compared to the small screen of a hand held unit. It is wise to only consider a GPS unit as a back-up in serious country.
Moving tiny cursers around continually, when planning on a GPS unit, is a curse ... that's why I like real maps to plot my waypoints from and then transfer the co-odinates to the GPS unit.
When buying a GPS unit, make sure that if you want to plot points (to travell to), the GPS that you select, will allow you to plot your waypoints (as destinct from just capturing way points) with accuracy. If you use paper maps and need accuracy, a $2 transparent map card (from Natmap, for we in Oz), can put you within metres, when transferring readings.
I recommend not buying the bottom of the line GPS units, because the plotting features (if it is what you are after) may not allow you to plot with true accuracy ... the more digits you can use to plot with, the better.
Warren.
[ 12-20-2005, 02:53 AM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]
Senior Member
I'm sold on the Garmin line. We bought a #76 handheld and liked it so much that we bought another one. Now, one is down below at the nav. table, and the other is at the wheel, with both connected to ship's power.
No color screen -- just black and white -- but easy to read and plenty accurate. They have traken us through many a fog bank, and after three years of service if I were going to replace them, I would go back to Garmin (and no, I don't have any stock in the company).
Senior Member
Sailors need a VMG mode on their GPS units.
Warren.
Slowly catching on
I'll second the plug for Garmin. I bought the e-trex Legend (the blue one). What I like is it really sips batteries, making two AA's last a long time. Its also taken lots of abuse in the bottom of my 14' aluminum fishing boat and in my hunting pack.
I can download maps to mine that get pretty detailed with topology and roads. The screen is to small to reference while driving, but for hiking, boating, fishing, 4-wheeling its been great.
(I also have no affiliation with Garmin. I've used their fish finders and gps' with great results. Customer service from them was also very good so I'm plugging them here as my thanks.)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote