BoatBanter.com - View Single Post

On Mon, 27 Oct 2003 23:49:22 -0500, Ryk wrote:

On 27 Oct 2003 18:49:55 -0800, in message
m
(Parallax) wrote:

I am planning to go to he Bahamas where Loran supposedly dont work so
am considering GPS but will still use my beloved paper charts so dont
need a chart plotter. All I really want is position and speed.=20
Waypoints just get me screwed up because I can never remember if I
really entered the correct coords last night or if those coords for
WP5 is for my last trip. Considering that my wants are few, which GPS
would be best?

I'm very pleased with my Garmin GPS 76. At about US$200 there's not
much point in going cheaper. An optional power cable and cradle makes
it into a console model. There are enough characters in each waypoint
label to use meaningful names. I found the graphical display adequate
to drive into a narrow harbour blind. Now that it's set, the anchor
watch alarm will wake me anytime the boat moves more than X after
sitting still for a while.

Go for a little more than the minimum -- you may find you like some of
the added features once you have them.

Ryk

Ah well, there's nearly always a different point of view and here's mine.
We've had the GPSMap76 for over two years and think it is ok but would =
not
want to depend on it for charting. The display is way too poor for that.
We use a notebook pc for charting with an old Garmin GPS II connected. =
And
yes, still keep the paper charts handy and double check. We use the 76 =
as
a backup and for waypoint direction reference at the helm.

I think the original poster only needs the cheapest possible GPS, like a
Garmin eTrex (less than $100?) or other cheapie.

If one wants to get into charting, the Garmin GPSmap 176 might do the
trick.