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GPS

Whitebear

Whitebear

Silent Prop
R. I. P.
I know this has likely been a thread before, but Im looking ahead to the end of the year and a new boat so now is a good time for me to take GPS into consideration.

I now have the Magellen GPS 330M. It is really old now and old eyes dont see the little display like they used to. I'm sure there are better accuracies available now as well. Plus some interfaces for computer applications.

What are you using now and what are the good and bad points? Screen size, Accuracy, interfaces, color displays, special software etc? Looking for first hand reports and opinions here.

I regularly do web searches on this stuff but they intentionally don't use interchangeable adverts between manufacturers and models just so you cant compare from the adverts.

Is anyone using some type of fixed or leg mount to navigate with while underway, or do yall just run and stop and check your position?

Discussion solicited.

Scotty
 
Big Daddy has a kick butt GPS on his boat. I saw it first last October at the Milk Bus. Since then I've seen it on a couple other boats. I don't know the model #... But I hope one of them chimes in with it. That's the one I want.

Did it get wet when you sank at the crab trap after-ride BigD? If so, how did it handle the salt water?

Nice big COLOR screen. Nice maps. Hard mounted ... with seperate antenna?

It sure looked like a nice unit.

matt.
 
I have the Garmin 176 and I could not be happier. It talks to the computer easily and allows me to download to Google Earth Plus. I am able to move the unit to the truck, ocean boat or 4 wheeler. I use a fixed mount on the boats and just keep the unit in my backpack when on the 4 wheeler. It has internal and external power and the batteries will last at least 1 day on the boat. My unit has been replaced by the Garmin 276C which is a more awesome unit than mine. CaneFan has one on his boat and I think he is extremely happy with it. Stick with the Garmins or Magellins and you cannot go wrong. The Garmin website has all the specifics on these units.
 
Just checked up on that one4. I like the CDI feature and the bluechart feature. The LARGE NUMBERS option sounds right too.

Some of the other features are nice too.

Thanks for the tip.

Anybody else?

Scotty
 
Oh Yea, forgot about the Bluechart. That chip is worth its weight in gold. It has kept me off many shallows in the Keys which Im sure has saved me money in broken props, skegs and lower units.
 
I have a Meridian Gold, I think its great. I have it on a mount that I can put on my boat, or in my truck. It also works as a hand held unit, so I won't get lost in the woods. The software was $48.00 and it has a slot for SD cards that you can load maps of various size and locations. The only thing I wish it had was a color screen. Everything else about it is VERY user friendly. It even has moon phases and best times to go hunting & fishing. Which we all know anytime is a good time to go hunting & fishing. Its waterproof and it floats, not that I have had an opportunity to test either claim. Now for the BUT CLAUSE........ According to http://www.MagellanGPS.comthe Meridian Gold series of GPS receivers was discontinued in December 2005.

HarryTFirefighter has a great GPS setup. I think he & BigDaddy have the same one. Hopefully they will chime in B4 too long.
 
The Garmin 276C is a very nice unit. I like the larger screen and color display. As Rdm20470 said the external and internal power option is very handy. While it is on the boat it stays pluged into to 12v power and when I want to take it off the boat I have the option of keeping it going on the internal battery that is recharged when pluged in. I also have the blue chart card and while I have not used my unit off shore, I do bring it along as a back up.
Having GPS on the airboat feels like cheating especially at night. I try still to know my way by landmarks but if you can afford to have one it only makes good sense.
Happy hunting WB
 
Just my 2 pennies, I have several boats and have always had garmin products. Very happy with them and the two new ones I bought are the street pilot I think 330 it is truly amazing for your automobile. I have the 172 in the airboat which garmin is phasing out and replacing with a better and more expensive model. With the river and lake chip ($80) gives you everything you ever wanted to know and more. Color screen is definitly the way to go. I used an external antennae so it could be flush mounted.
 
I have A garmin 276C ON MY Search & Rescue Boat and I love it and you can see thr screen even in bright sun light I wish I would of had it on my boat when I was In New Orleans But I will probably get to use it this year during Hurricane Season if NOA'S PREDICTIONS ARE RIGHT.
 
Mood, both BigDaddy and HarryTFirefighter are using the Lowrance M68c, it is a combo GPS/Fishfinder, very nice units.
 
Go to west marine or bass pro shop. They have a large selection. On my off shore boat I have a Furuno Chart plotter. It was expensive 2,300.00.
About 4 months ago I checked out the boats stores. They are all good. However, I think the Garmin give you accuracy, big screen, color, Charts, and decent on the wallet. A 4 to 6 inch screen is really nice. i have 3 hand helds (Garmins) They hold up really well to my kids!!!
 
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