BoatBanter.com - View Single Post - Seeking advice to secure a GPS to a kayak deck

In article 2mU0c.162221$uV3.713202@attbi_s51,
says...
lcopps wrote:

You will need a bag for a GPS V since it is not waterproof. I have an
Etrex Vista which is waterproof.

The advice to use a waterproof pouch is good, but the statements about
waterproof ratings is not.
Both the GPS V and the Vista are speced by Garmin to the same IPX7
waterproofness rating and in both cases the fine print excludes the battery
compartment. Garmin has also stated that the forces created by a dumping
wave are likely to exceed the IPX7 static test conditions. In the case of
both units there have been users who tested them in submerged conditions
and found them to survive with no problems and others who found the
opposite. Unless your unit is still under warranty and you won't mind
having it fail in the middle of a trip and having to return it to the
manufacturer I'd encourage use of a waterproof pouch for either of these
units or any other consumer GPS receiver.

I put it in a GPS bag I bought at
Boaters World. I tie the strap to to the kayak and position it on or in
front of my deck bag so I can see it as I paddle. In the past, I used it
with a RAM mount with my Klepper. The moisture and spray caused
corrosion on the interface contacts. I have had no problems with water
getting into the battery compartment even though it was under water for
15 minutes when my Klepper capsized under sail. I now only use it with
the GPS bag. If you use it with a RAM mount, you will at the least have
corrosion problems. If you capsize or take substantial overwash, your
GPS V will be toast.

Greg Smith wrote:

I am taking a sea kayaking trip to the Gulf Islands National Seashore
(o.r.c-k posters don't flame me...this is a gear question) and I am
trying too determine the best way to attach my Garmin GPS V to the
deck of my fiberglass kayak.
...
Bear in mind that the GPS V is water restistant to 1 m and
won't be harmed by salt water spray.

Thanks for all the great input.

I ordered a SealLine electronics pouch. I looked at clear Otterboxes
but decided I liked the soft pouch approach, enabling me to use some
basic GPS controls through the bag rather than having to open a hard
box.

--
Greg Smith
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