getting a GPS
 

i want to get a new map GPS for the boat. thinking of what kind to get; GARMIN, NAVMAN, LOWRANCE, or Raymarine. Hand held, portable, or fixed mount. don't have a lot of space so it will need to be small.

what brands and styles are being used on some of your power boats, and whats the best for the money.

thanks,
Patrick
HRPA

Re: getting a GPS
 

Garmin, Garmin, Garmin.

I have 4 gps's all Garmins. Garmin's 182C is incredible. They are or may have come out with a later edition. Get the color version. $900.00 discounted at Boat US right now.

Re: getting a GPS
 

182c hands down if you can put a fixed mount in.....

Re: getting a GPS
 

Garmin 276C. Great unit.
You can see my install in my ad in the classys.

Re: getting a GPS
 

I have the Garmin 162. It is a great unit. The handhelds will have a small screen. OK, but harder to read. Had a Garmin GPSIII+ handheld before hand. Mounted mine to a peice of plexyglass, then used 2 of my dash screws to hold the plexyglass in place. Didn't want any holes and don't have any clear space to surface mount it.

Re: getting a GPS
 

Just got the Garmin 162 sounder nice little unit.It came with the tranducer but the transom tranducer can only handel 63mph so they say so I got the in hull type at $70.00 They said I could just epoxy the transom mount in the hull but for some reason I just love to throw my money away.Also most units come with just a crap map and if you realy want to get the most out of a GPS then you will spend another $150.00 on the map downloads for the waterways .Some don't need a depth finder but I like to dive and it does come in handey when you are looking for a structure underwater.Let me know if you get one cause I have the cd/rom for the 162

Re: getting a GPS
 

Thanks for the info. With all the reading and looking i've been doing, i'm pushing to the Garmin 276c. you can down load info, can take in car on trips, and the screen is not that small.

Another unit i'm looking at is the Lowrance M68c. color sonar/chartplotter. It's not as detailed as the garmin, the screen is about the same size, and it has the sonar bilt in

thanks,
Patrick

Re: getting a GPS
 

No experience with any other than Garmin brands, but I also use mine in the car. Really like the ability to plan the trip, pick waypoints on the PC then download onto the GPS using my Mapsource CD.

Re: getting a GPS
 

Garmin Garmin Garmin

I have a 182C, Etrex Legend Color, StreetPilot Color, iQue3600 and use
them in boat and jeeping. You can load them up with Garmin marine charts
or their 24k topo series is simply the best GPS topo stuff around. Big,
bright, color screens especially on the marine units (which work just fine
in the jeeps).

The Mapsource city stuff in the iQue is awesome for routing, finding
businesses and getting around in cities.

Oh, and did I say Garmin is the only way to go for GPS.

Pesky Varmint

Re: getting a GPS
 

Garmin 182C with the upgrade chart software.

Love it. Absolutely love it.
Got 6 months same as cash and when the bill came I didn't even mind paying it. :D

Wish I could say that about more products.

Re: getting a GPS
 

I picked the Garmin 172C for it's size. It's color and takes charts. Around $700.00 plus the charts. Dave

Re: getting a GPS
 

That's one fast looking bench Dave.

Re: getting a GPS
 

Did anybody mention Garmin? I have a old III that the internal battery went bad,updated the software and installed a new battery. (Years out of warrenty) No Charge, They even paid the shipping back to me. Doug

Re: getting a GPS
 

I have had good luck with Garmin 176c. I know of several people with the Garmin 2010 and they really like them.

Re: getting a GPS
 

I purchased a 276c for use on the boat and also for the added benifit of use in the car and bike. With the car kit it gives you verbal tiurn by turn directions.
great unit 2 thumbs up

Re: getting a GPS
 

I've had a Garmin 172 on my fish boat since 2001 and it has got wet plenty of times. The only problem I have had was a power cable corroding. Dave

Re: getting a GPS
 

The Garmin 276 is at the top of the list, but i was at BoatUS today and saw the magellan FX324 color map gps on sale for $350.00, save $300.00

does anybody have one, and is it any good

Patrick
HRPA

Re: getting a GPS
 

I like both the Garmin and the Navman, but went with the Navman 5500. At the time I was comparing both 2 years ago, the Navman was a much better price for color, and it had a more readable screen.

My sunglasses are prescription, so screen imaging and size of text was important. Polarized sunglasses can make any screen harder to see in bright sun.

Navman is now part of the Brunswick empire, who purchased them in June, 2004.

http://www.navman.com/marine/product...500/index.html

Re: getting a GPS
 

I am looking at the 5500 as well. Did you compare it to the Standard Horizon CP176C? I've used the SH unit and the screen is really easy to see - was just wondering if the Navman screen is as good in bright sunlight.

Re: getting a GPS
 

I love my Garmin 76cs, I use it in my car, boat, bike and while jogging. I guess I'm turning into one of those old farts that clings to a gadget and annoys everyone with it.

Roby

Re: getting a GPS
 

I have the Garmin 276c.
Great product.
and with the rechargeble battery and built in antenna there is no need to run any wires
I highly recommend getting the BlueChart map for your area

www.gpsnow.com has great prices.

http://www.teambajamarine.com/Copper...&cat=26&pos=25

Re: getting a GPS
 

If you buy anything but a Garmin there won't a place on the planet that you can hide where you won't be ridiculed and treated as if you have the plague.

Re: getting a GPS
 

Garmin is a great unit, but Northstar is top notch. Its big colorful and very $$$.

Re: getting a GPS
 

Garmin 182 C hands down. Get the card for your area, and you're all set.

Re: getting a GPS
 

The Garmin 182c is getting rave reviews in the SE Florida area.
Starting to see more and more of them on boats I survey.