Questions on portable GPS

[1968Chyrsler35]

Hi,
I'm looking to buy a handheld GPS, something like a Magellan Explorist 400 or 500, Garmin Venture CX, Legend CX or VISTA CS.

There are some good deals on eBAy for the Explorist 500.

What do you guys use.
Features to have that are important/not important.
Models/manufacturers to avoid.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[JB]

Re: Questions on portable GPS

All of my portables (including the one I have now) have been Garmin, Chrysler.

The features that have been most important to me are:

* a screen bright enough to read on a bright day.
* compatibility to interact with a good PC program, like Mapsource.
* accomodation and availability of downloaded detail maps for special applications.
* enough memory to hold all the maps I want to use on a particular trip.
* ability to "plug in" and operate on a 12V source.
* battery life in a portable application.
* rechargable battery/batteries that recharge automatically when operating on a 12V source.

Color is a nice feature and makes reading the screen easier, but the above are the most important to me.

 

[tommays]

Re: Questions on portable GPS

What is your main use ?

For example when i geocache i just use the lat/lon readout and walk in the right dirrection to add a bit of challange to it


I dont find the tiny screens usefull when i need to see whats on a boating chart 5" is the smallest as there are a LOT of things to hit around here

But with planing a 99 dollar unit has taken me on long trips in the dark

Tommays

 

[ParallaxBill]

Re: Questions on portable GPS

I've been real happy with my Lowrance H20. I like the analog speedometer, (hit enter 3 times on the map page).

But it also has a very easy to see display in daylight with a nice lighted display when needed.

I seem to use mine all the time.d

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Questions on portable GPS

I just bought the Magellan explorist. I am learning how to use it. I'm sure that you can get better (detailing) in maps with higher priced units but for $99 this will probably do just fine. First time out in the boat with it I used it to calibrate my compass....it was way off, and found out that my speedometor was lying to me at WOT.:%

Mark

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: Questions on portable GPS

Is a GPS more accurate that a speedometer for speed?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Questions on portable GPS

absolutely.
speedo could be off by 10-40%

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: Questions on portable GPS

Makes you wonder why people install a speedometer at all on a boat...LOL!

 

[OhioLowell]

Re: Questions on portable GPS

I use a Garmin GPSMAP 60 CSX.. I know that it doesn;t fall into your price range but it is a AWSOME GPS!!

Lowell

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Questions on portable GPS

Hey Roscoe,

Nice Avatar.

Mark

 

[sc_shane]

Re: Questions on portable GPS

I have a Garmin Quest portable GPS. It fits in my pocket, has a built in antenna you can raise up, color screen, 12V adapter, rechargable batteries and computer interface. I absolutely love it. What I like about it is it's portability. I can move it from my truck, to my wife's Tahoe to my pocket for a hike or on the boat. Screen is great on bright days and, although I haven't tested it and don't plan to (on purpose) the unit is submersible up to 3 meters (I think that's the depth) This means, if a little rain or drunken cannon ball wash gets on it, you should be OK.

I highly recommend this unit. It's been a great way to figure out where you're at on a big lake. Everyone tells me not to rely on the GPS alone. I do have lake maps, but haven't had to pull them out since I bought the Quest.

 

[ruf1967]

Re: Questions on portable GPS

I have a Lowrance H2O. Great GPS unit.

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: Questions on portable GPS

I have heard that the Lowrance is a great little machine. I was gonna buy the Garmin Legend, but am thinking of leaning toward the Lowrance H20. I love to hear peoples reviews on products, make me glad I didn't go out and make a mistake...LOL!

Patrick

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Questions on portable GPS

I have an Lowrance Expedition C. Similar to the H2Oc but with a couple more bells and whistles. Has a barometer and an electronic compass. I bought off eBay for about $5 more than I could find an H2Oc. Neither is really worth a lot to me so if there is a big price difference, I'd stick with the H2O

Mine is a great unit. Locks on quick and is easy to read with the backlight on. Hard to read with it off.

Downside is it kills batteries quick with the backlight on. I mostly use mine in the truck and on the boat so it's not a problem but I'd try it before I bought it if you plan on using it as a handheld.

Maps are a bit cheaper than Garmin from what I've seen (I have the Canada Topo) so the whole system is cheaper than a comparable Garmin. Plus the Topo map will work in a Lowrance fishfinder/gps combo (which I'm thinking of buying). The base map isn't that good but I think that is the same for all of these units.

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: Questions on portable GPS

I list the differences between the Garmin Legend/ legend Cx, Lowrance Ifinder H20/ and H20 C in this post.....

http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=27;gtid=1271320

Good Luck!

Patrick