Gps unit

[mav6759]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but I want to ask if anyone knew of a gps unit that I can have on my boat just to use to get me back to the dock. I'm not interested in all that fancy fishfinders that we see on the market to today. I just want something simple, (mounted or handheld) that if I get lost on the water, it will get me back to the dock in one piece. Is there such a device.

Thanks
Mav

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Gps unit

A Basic Hiking GPS will help you find the dock, your car, or a tent in the woods.
For a little more will get more.

Any portable you may own for use in the car can be set for off road use to do the same thing.
It will help you find the ramp from either the water or the highway.

 

[Jim Hawkins]

Re: Gps unit

I use my Garmin nuvi that I use mainly in my truck when I'm on the water. It got me all around the Florida keys and showed all the little islands.

Pick up or download a chart of your area and a compass also. It's good to have and learn to read a chart.

 

[royston22]

Re: Gps unit

If you have a smartphone (iPhone or android) you can get the Navionics app for about $20 that will be every bit as good as a fancy, expensive GPS Chartplotter.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Gps unit

If you have a smart-phone (iPhone or android) you can get the Navionics app for about $20 that will be every bit as good as a fancy, expensive GPS Chart-plotter.

If he is boating in an area where it is possible to get so disoriented that he needs a GPS to find his way home,
it is also a high probability that he will also be out of Cell Phone Signal Range.

Don't bet your life on getting more than 3-5 miles of coverage in the wilds.
Betting everything on an I-Phone is putting too many eggs in one basket.
Use it as your primary if you want, but be sure your backup equipment is available.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Gps unit

If he is boating in an area where it is possible to get so disoriented that he needs a GPS to find his way home,
it is also a high probability that he will also be out of Cell Phone Signal Range.

Don't bet your life on getting more than 3-5 miles of coverage in the wilds.
Betting everything on an I-Phone is putting too many eggs in one basket.
Use it as your primary if you want, but be sure your backup equipment is available.

Good point, UncleWillie. One of the remote lakes I boat on has no cell coverage at all. I don't know if a cell signal is needed for a phone GPS app, but why chance it.

A handheld unit would be better, but an inexpensive fish finder with GPS will give to depth as well, which is good for unfamiliar waters. Chances are you can find a FF for the same or less money than a handheld.

 

[Alumarine]

Re: Gps unit

You don't need a cell signal to use a smart phone or some tablets for that matter if you preload the maps first.
It will work off GPS alone. I bet google maps would get you back to the dock.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Gps unit

I used a Garmin E-Trex for years. I think I paid about $60 for it on ebay and bought a 12V power cord for it and a dash mount. Not much but always had that line to follow back to the dock.

Garmin eTrex Legend Handheld GPS Receiver 000100025675 | eBay

 

[royston22]

Re: Gps unit

You won't need cell coverage for iPhone or Android phones has they all have GPS capability built in. Android tablets also have GPS capability. IPads with cellular have GPS capability but IPads with WiFi only do not. I have the Navionics app loaded on my iPhone ($19.95) and have tested it off the west coast of British Columbia well outside of cell phone coverage range. It works.

 

[mrmamiller]

Re: Gps unit

I started out with a Garmin GPS12 as my first unit many years ago. VERY simple to use. Since it is black and white LCD, it is very easy to see in bright sunlight. It has always got me back to where I needed to go. No mapping as such, but there was an elementary map which showed your cookie trail and waypoints that were saved. I've gone to fancier GPS's now, but still use the old one when in areas where the fancier ones have no advantage.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Gps unit

I use my garman nuvi, while it is a car unit it works fine. I set several way points to places i want to end up and have never had a problem with it, and i night fish during the summer and get hit with some of the most nasty fogs you can imagine, if you have ever haven't been on small mountain lakes you wont understand.