Gps
 

Hey guys...I have 33' Outlaw and would like to get an easy to use, reliable inexpensive GPS for the boat. I have been looking at the Garmin GPS 640 and the GPS Map 700 series. Not sure what I need. Most of my boating is freshwater and never had the need for a GPS. I am going to the Tickfaw 200 this year and thinking I will need a GPS. I am not apposed to getting a small hand held gps, just don't want to throw away money. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I was looking at this last night for my WaveRunner. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...9#.USzeyzD_l8E

Garmin by far is the easiest to use. Check out the Garmin MAP76 hand held. I believe they are under $200.00 new at West Marine. I had one and years ago and loved it.

Little touch screens suck on a boat in my opinion. Used one on a buddy's boat, or should I say tried to use it and it was horrible. Even in smooth water with minimal bouncing it was hard to control the movement.

If you already have an iPad you could go that route relatively cheaply.

The iPad is great......but can't get wet at all. Try the Navionc's app.......very nice.

We just brought our Formula down to the Cape a few months ago and before we did I installed a Garmin 546s and it came pre-loaded with all the ICW maps, it's worked great for us, here's some pics of it.

I've been using this for about a year, and I really like it. Great app and I can stick the Ipad right on the dash and have a nice screen. Only issue is battery life on a long run, but that's easily fixed with a 12v plug.

Gps
 

Garmin all the way. Handhelds are ok, but the tiny screen kinda sucks, and they aren't updatable. Look on ebay... there are great deals on new units. I have a Garmin 3005 on my boat and works great and it takes map cards so when you go other places you just pop in a card and your good to go.

No one has a 640 that can give feedback? I was considering this also. Thought about it because I could take it from the boat to the bike and back. Anyone with any personal experience?

I just bought a Garmin 740S at Christmas. I liked it because it is a touch screen. I friend has the same unit on his Sea Ray cruiser and he highly recommended it. It is on sale at WM now for $999

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...6#.UTQHile4mzk

just bought a 640. great gps. the 640 is loaded with US marine maps. also has all US roads and works great for car. the battery life is good for about 5 hrs of use. i use it in my boat without hooking up the power cord and still gets antenna reception inside the canopy.

i also bought a RAM mount suction cup setup and swap it around from 2 other boats and kayaking. the screen is big and works ok in the sun. and have had no issues with touch screen. i was going to get another hand-held but the 640 is more like a bigger dash mount that i can use in multiple boats and vehicles.

really like it, thumbs up from me!!!

http://www.tigergps.com

the i-pad is good idea and Navonics has free app and also a better version for something like $35. only issue with iphone and ipad is you need cell signal since they don't work off satellite signal like gps's

This is not true if you have a "3g" enabled iPad. They have a traditional GPS built in and as long as you download the maps ahead of time, it will work well outside cell coverage.

I've been 60 miles from land and still used the navionics app with no issues.

This is my plan:

http://zeenews.india.com/business/ga...hed_70944.html

Or the cheaper Pantech

http://www.pantechusa.com/phones/element

I run a lowrance hds5 combo depth and plotter. Love it.

Is there a way to tell if a tablet has gps? It seems as most do not come out and say this.

I bought one when they first came out and I used it on one of my boats, worked well I sold it after I sold boat. I would of kept it as a back up. Two thumbs up for it.

waterproof ipad
 

http://www.lifeproof.com/en/ipad/
For all of you iPad users. This is great, have it on my phone too

If your concerned about getting the iPad wet.....http://www.lifeproof.com/en/ipad/?path=TopNav

Also they sell a plug in gps receiver for the iPad. I plugs into the charging port