Anyone use a Handheld GPS?
 

Buying a $1500 GPS just isnt' in the budget right now. Wondering if anyone has any experience with the handhelds? I'd prefer to go with Garmin if possible but it's not 100% neccessary. Any experience with the Oregon 400 series or others in the same category? Any help from people with experience with these handhelds would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ryan

i use a hand held works good i try it in my car and my wave runner . i ahave a $1500 one in my big boat and the speed is the same $100 i paid garmin. it tell top speed mile you went time travel . i velcroe it to the dash

Model number? How are the charts?

I have the version of the 400c prior to the touchscreen interface coming out, and it is flat out awesome. Tons of features & information, deadly accurate and easily viewable in any light. Use it in the Whaler and think it is worth it's weight in Platinum.

This was the colorado right? They are still around a little even though they discontinued. They are about 1/2 the price of the Oregon. Do you think it's worth the extra money for the touch screen?

Just wanted to point out that you don't have to spend $1500 on a fixed mount. Me and a lot of friends have the Garmin 440 and love it. Don't remember the exact cost but it was less than $500 and has a ton of info pre-programmed into it. I didn't want to put holes in my boat so the mount is attached to the dash with rtv silicon. Its rock solid but will come out without a mark when I get ready to sell. Might be another option.

Can't recall the name, but I think you correct. The Marine version with all the charts pre-loaded. I have not played with the new touchscreen versions, but I think that is all Garmin makes now, so if you can one of the olders non-touch screen version, it would be a steal at half the price.

I used a hand held Garmin for a few years and had the helm mount cradle for it. I thought it worked great and had no complaints at all, you just realize you're using a smaller screen but the functionality is there.

I went to the Bahamas my first time with a Garmin gps 3 plus, has like a 2.5 inch BW screen. I wouldn't do it again.

I actually own one like this currently. I have saved tracks of all the safe routes all over the lake. I navigate at night by following these tracks so I know where my safe spots(no hazards) are. This works fine for areas I know but when I'm venturing into new areas I'm not familiar with I'm driving around with the paper chart in my hand and the gps running. PITA! I'm ready for a gps with the charts built in. I'm really interested I. The garmin 740 but just not sure if I want to buy a $1700 gps right now so thinking another handheld with charts is better for now.

I have been using this for years. I also gave one to my dad 2 years ago. The carts are great and up to date. Shows underwater obstuctions and alot of other info. easy to see in the boat and very accurate.
http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Outdoors/iFINDER-H2O/

I didnt read everyone elses responses but i have a Colorado 400i, it has all the waterways on it with depth markers and bouys...i would recomend it and I also just loaded topo maps and use it on my mountain bike.

Wife bought me a new Garmin 640 at the Miami Boat show this year....... I will be installing it in a few weeks. Been tinkering with it and it seems great..... touch screen, built in maps, can use it in the car or the boat, etc, etc....... when I add the g2 vision card you get overhead pics and auto guidance..... all for $800(may have been a boat show special?)......... not to bad in my opinion.....

I am looking at the Garmin 441 and 541 for 599 and 799. I have not seen the 640.

have two old handhelds. garmin 111+, and magellan color. LapseofReason is right no trips to the bahamas with the garmin. the magellan a little better. use the magellan for the truck, boat, and snowmobile. works fine for marking fishing spots, dock, ect. good mph, and heading to get home. will keep you out of fishing in canada waters too, and that's a big one. they take boat and all. Asking anything more of a handheld is pushing it. If you don't need to go blue water and you know the area then they're great. Will take the beating of the boat and will take a shower now and then, better than the ones for the car.

garmin gpsmap76 (i think)...can pick one up for less than 300, with software....not a lot of frills, buy it will get you there and back just as well a big$$ one...you just need a bit of time plotting the courses on the old pc...and uploading them, but it's easy to do...

Got a Garmin 431s. Haven't put it through its paces yet but seems to be pretty useful and not on the expensive side.

Got me a Garmin 478 and I am really happy with it.

Here is the link....... I didn't realize it has an MSRP of $1199..... I guess my wife got a great deal at the boat show.......

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=14898