Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

I am going to buy a GPS unit this spring. I really like the flexibility (and price :D ) of the handheld models as I plan on using it in my car as well as the boat. I plan on getting a Garmin with a color screen to make it easier to see as that is my main concern. Has there already been a thread discussing this or does anyone have any thoughts on this? TIA for any help.

Andrew

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

well, the pros for a handheld gps are that you can get in your car with a stop watch and time to distance about 10 mile markers at a constant speed lets say 70 mph and make sure the gps is exactly right.

the cons are you will get in your boat and that gps that you just tested and is exactly right will be wrong because it will say that you are not going the 170 mph that your boat speedo says you are.

I had to say this because I have tested a handheld gps with acceleration and constant speed and it is exactly right then I get in a boat with a gps speedo and it is 10-30 mph off at speed. the only conclusion I have been able to prove so far is that some of the boats that have two speedos hooked to one gps sensor have a lower impedence going to the sensor causing it to read higher.

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

here is a case in point.

I can guarantee you that this boat has never gone this fast, if you drop this boat out of an airplane at 30,000 feet it will not hit that speed because of laws of physics

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

Pro- Good Cheap Backup
Cons- They eventually sink like cell phones.

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

I love mine Garmin 76cs. I use it in the car, boat and mountain bike. It is an autorouting unit for use with Mapsource City Select. I had 115mb of memory that is enough for BlueChart 6, MapSource City Select, and Topo 24K for your area.

Roby

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

i have the same one Roby has . nice unit an if your gonna go hand held its a pretty good value for the $$. although i eventually went with a fixed unit for the boat because the hand helds can be tough to read while underway sometimes.

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

Garmin 276c.
A bit larger than handheld, but can mount in car too.

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

Roby and glassdave, glad to see you two like the 76cs, that's the model I'm looking at. I've heard the handhelds are little hard to read while at speed but the color ones are better. Can someone who is not at the helm read it easier when under way? I'd love to get the 276c but a little more than I was hoping to spend plus I'm limited on dash space on my boat for a fixed mount. The speed issue is not a concern for me.

Andrew

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

Have you tried: www.gpsdiscount.com I bought mine there and it was the lowest price I could find on the net.

$584 for the 276c and $438.95 for the 76cs

Roby

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

I found the 76cs for $410 with free shipping on ebay, that's cheapest price I've seen for the 276c though.

Andrew

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

hand helds work fine but the display is way to small . I have an old Garmin 45 that has saved my a$$ more times than I can count but will go with a larger unit like a 182c soon!

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

Can anyone telling me what the difference is between the 76c and the 76cs. I'm thinking about getting one myself. I want to check them out in person before buying one.

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

the 76cs has a built in compass (when satellites are turned off) and a built in altimiter.

Roby

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

Thanks I didn't see that listed. I know they both have listed built in compass and altimeter.

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

I agree, I bought software from them for mine and they had the best price for sure, and quick shipping too! :cool:

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

That, I've done :D :D

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

I just recently picked up the 76 C from here for $419.00. http://www.consumersmarine.com/produ...6&m=5&v=0&sb=0

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

I just bought a 276C from Getfeetwet, should be here tomorrow. Got the carkit and bluechart with it. That site had the cheapest price I found, especially after adding in the accessories.

I like the fact that it "talks" to you in the car with the auto kit. We just moved, so it will help my wife find her way home :) ! Also when you buy the auto kit, it comes with a 128 meg data card, so you don't need to buy one for adding maps, charts, etc.

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

I have had the 182C for almost two years, Internal antenna, using blue chart it has been flawless. It does not move well to cars and is not self contained. No routing directions possible (checked with Garmin on this) as there is no software similar to "street pilot" for this unit. As I wanted to mount it in the truck and use it for "navigating the streets". With extra programmable chips and the programmer to plug into the computer, the best it will do is show you your location on the street, nothing else.
For the boat it is perfect, can always see the color screen even in direct sun.

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

I just bought the Garmin 182c off Ebay, Got a pretty good deal at just over $600. I was looking at the 276c, But I went with the larger display. I had a smaller unit on my last boat and I had a hard time reading it under way.
If you aren't in a hurry, I'd keep watching Ebay. I watched a 276c sell under$500.

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

I finally got a 182C off ebay too.....Since we were bidding against each other a few weeks ago!!!! Just picked up a AC/PC adapter and a blank chip. Having trouble getting the charts on the chip though????

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

Amazing how much prices can vary from one store to the next when it comes to electronic equipment. :confused: Probably going to go with the 76cs, although a 276c for under $500 would be tempting. :D Thanks again for all the advice.

Andrew

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

I've got a Garmin GPS 90 that I use when I'm flying and I also use it in the boat. It's got the Jeppeson data chip with all the navaids for flight and 500 user waypoints. These units are obsolete and are available fairly cheap.

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

Where are you going to boat with it ? I have a Garmin 3+ and it 's a nice old hand held but it's to hard to see it big water, For a boat out in the Ocean a 7 inch screen or bigger for me in color.

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

I boat mainly in the Chesapeake Bay area, but my boat is only 23'. If it gets too rough for me to see the screen I plan on letting my wife hold the GPS, she loves telling me where to go anyway. :D :D

Andrew

Re: Handheld GPS pros and cons?
 

Who has the best price on the software for the chesapeake bay?

Recomendations for gps
 

I am in the market to attain a new GPS. I have a 292 Formula and probably cruise at 40 mph. But there are way too many choices. I just want a descent size scree because I am older than dirt and don't see well. I do not need fish finder or built in speedometer, I all ready have the tattletale speed o. So what you guys suggest ?