Portable GPS that does marine too?

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pktaske

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 17, 2007
Messages
45
I'm trying to kill two birds with one stone here. I know my way around Raritan Bay pretty well but it would be sweet to have those fluke holes pegged down. Anything reasonabley priced that I could use for my boat and my wifes car?
 
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john from md

Commander
Joined
Apr 13, 2008
Messages
2,184
Re: Portable GPS that does marine too?

I use a basic Garmin etrex and enter the holes as I find them. All you have to do is hit a button to mark the spot and name it with up to 8 characters. It also serves as my speedometer as the speedo doesn't work in my Bayliner.

These are $89 to $99 almost anywhere and on sale go to $79.

Good luck,

John
 
bhammer

bhammer

Ensign
Joined
Mar 29, 2008
Messages
963
Re: Portable GPS that does marine too?

On ebay, you can get the reman even cheaper. Garmin doesn't make them anymore but they are good for being a very simple accurate GPS.
 
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hangman

Recruit
Joined
Jun 5, 2008
Messages
5
Re: Portable GPS that does marine too?

I recently bought a Lowrance XOG. It is a "crossover" unit - it works as a car unit or in a boat.

Jeff
 
vess

vess

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 15, 2007
Messages
83
Re: Portable GPS that does marine too?

Depends how much you want to spend. I bought the Garmin GPS Map 76CSx, which is now going for $250-300 for the unit. You will need to buy the maps to load onto it, both street and charting, and they will be about $100 each. So for under $500 you will have an excellent GPS that does both, and is very portable. They are handheld size, so are easy to move. I love it for both, and highly recommend it- I can't imagine being out in the boat without it now.
 
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pktaske

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 17, 2007
Messages
45
Re: Portable GPS that does marine too?

The Etrex might be what I'm looking for. I assume I can get the charts I need that show the depths/etc of the Bay, correct?
 
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hangman

Recruit
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Jun 5, 2008
Messages
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Re: Portable GPS that does marine too?

Nick: I have a Garmin Etrex Legend that I use for backpacking, geocaching, boating and sometimes in the car. It is kinda hard to use in the boat (and car) because the display is small and the buttons are hard to use if the unit is mounted (vs handheld). It is great for hiking though.
I have been looking for a marine unit - but they are expensive. I recently came across the Lowrance XOG - which they market as a crossover unit - it can be used in a car, with visual and voice turn-by-turn directions. It can be used in a boat, with water resistant construction and a SD card slot where you can install stardard marine charts from Lowrance, Navionics, or Fishing Hot Spots. The unit can also be used hiking with it's built in rechargable battery (only 2.5 hours though).
The XOG is much, much easier to use in the boat. The touch screen is easier to use than the side buttons of the Etrex. THe XOG screen is about four times larger as well. At first I was a little disappointed by the built-in base map of my local boating areas. My old Etrex showed the coast guard bouys - but the new XOG does not.
I went back to my dealer and bought a Fishing Hot Spots card for $50 - this made a huge difference - now I not only have the coast guard bouys, but also all other aids to navigation, increased shoreline detail, water depth contours, and marina info. It even shows the best fishing locations and provides info like bait suggestions and fishing technique.
The XOG comes with a suction cup windshield mount and the 3.5" display screen shows much more detail than my old handheld unit. I am very, very happy with the unit - both for the boat and car. I will keep the Etrex for hiking though - it is a little smaller and the batteries last 20 hours (because the display is so small ?)
My wife really like it too - now she wants one for her car.
Oh ya - I paid $260 for it locally

http://http://www.iboats.com/Lowrance_XOG_Crossover_GPS_Navigation/dm/*******.712312458--category_id.248086--list_time.1213969669--**********.791347358--view_id.370902

Jeff
 
Last edited:
Boatist

Boatist

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2002
Messages
4,552
Re: Portable GPS that does marine too?

Make sure your look at the Lowrance IFinder units. I got the Lowrance Ifinder H2O C last year. I also have had the Garmin GPSMAP 76 for many years.

Lowrance IFinder H20 C Base map is twice at detailed as the Garmin GPSMAP 76 C. On my boat I do not need to upgrade the Base map on the water.
If you really want a unit that shows water depth then I would get a larger fixed unit. The H2O C or any of the other Ifinder color units or even the H2O mono units are much more detailed base maps than the same size garmins. The detailed maps are cheaper also. When you see the difference in brightness and speed you will choose the Lowrance Unit. It cheaper, brighter, faster to draw maps or redraw maps and comes with a free lighter power cord. If you want detailed street maps then your will need to get a mapcreate DVD or maps on a SD card. Again they are cheaper than Garmin. Also if you want water depths you will also have to get a map sd card.

Could not find a link to the Garmin GPSMAP 76 C

http://www.iboats.com/Lowrance_iFin...3948788--**********.022656872--view_id.359059

http://www.iboats.com/Lowrance_iFin...3948979--**********.022656872--view_id.359063
 
P

pktaske

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 17, 2007
Messages
45
Re: Portable GPS that does marine too?

great info guys. I'm going with one of the two.
 
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pktaske

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 17, 2007
Messages
45
Re: Portable GPS that does marine too?

I've read of lot of horror stories about the Crossover (maintenance and custoemr service issues) . Not that good for water either. XOG looks decent but not thrilled with the 1 hour batter like. The H20 looks like it will do the job.
 
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88sundowner

Cadet
Joined
Sep 26, 2007
Messages
17
Re: Portable GPS that does marine too?

pktaske said:
I've read of lot of horror stories about the Crossover (maintenance and custoemr service issues) . Not that good for water either. XOG looks decent but not thrilled with the 1 hour batter like. The H20 looks like it will do the job.
Click to expand...

where have you read these stories? i have to do some more research today
 
tommays

tommays

Admiral
Joined
Jul 4, 2004
Messages
6,768
Re: Portable GPS that does marine too?

The XOG is splash proof NOT water proof which is a pretty big difference ;)


And as much as i love my lowrance there support has failed to keep up and you can wait hours
 
X

xxturbowesxx

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 20, 2008
Messages
491
Re: Portable GPS that does marine too?

i have the etrex and id look into something else.. the screen is small and while fine for marking spots it will hold a limited number of tracks making it hard to follow the channel if its not marked also it doesnt have any basemap loaded.. but i got mine refurb for $30 so i just use it for speed and compass..the etrex legend is a good gps because it has basemaps but otherwise is very similar to the base etrex... i would skip the handheld and go for a compact chartplotter around 3-$400...like the Garmin GPSMAP 420 or this hummingbird http://www.iboats.com/Humminbird_755c_Chartplotter/dm/*******.356210067--category_id.248087--list_time.1214325302--**********.545869636--view_id.342254
 
H

hangman

Recruit
Joined
Jun 5, 2008
Messages
5
Re: Portable GPS that does marine too?

tommays said:
The XOG is splash proof NOT water proof which is a pretty big difference ;)
Click to expand...

If my boat sinks - the GPS is the last thing I will be worried about.

It looks pretty well sealed - rubber covers on all openings. It should be fine in the rain.

Jeff
 
tommays

tommays

Admiral
Joined
Jul 4, 2004
Messages
6,768
Re: Portable GPS that does marine too?

I own 3 GPS and my marine Lowrance is sealed compleatly different, things like the UNSEALED USB POWER PORT on the XOG would never hold up as my units allways get wet


All my marine stuff is powered through and o-ring plug or copper contacts in the rear cover
h550XOG-o-all.jpeg





The marine units are are also sealed and filled with and inert gas to stop screen foging
 
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88sundowner

Cadet
Joined
Sep 26, 2007
Messages
17
Re: Portable GPS that does marine too?

tommays said:
I own 3 GPS and my marine Lowrance is sealed compleatly different, things like the UNSEALED USB POWER PORT on the XOG would never hold up as my units allways get wet


All my marine stuff is powered through and o-ring plug or copper contacts in the rear cover
h550XOG-o-all.jpeg





The marine units are are also sealed and filled with and inert gas to stop screen foging
Click to expand...

I plan on mounting mine way up under the windshieled where only some splashing my hit it...I think the magellen says its waterproof
 
L

Lakeside_Cruise

Seaman
Joined
Jun 24, 2008
Messages
60
Re: Portable GPS that does marine too?

I have an etrex I used it to hike, I never though of using it in the water.. UM... have to give that a try.

This is will great to mark a sport you want to return to :)
 
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