What Handheld GPS Model ?

[ironhorserider2]

I need a backup to my main GPS system. What model/brand handheld GPS is recommended for sailing purposes?

[boatman61]

I use Magellan.....

[jconnor3]

Garmin

[skipmac]

I have had a couple of Magellans and liked them just fine (one came with my boat that's about 15 years old and still going) but just bought a Garmin GPSMAP 76Cx on sale for $170 from West Marine. Most bang for the buck I found.

Skip

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by jconnor3

Garmin

Had two Garmins... both died inside two years.... 'Magellans Rock....lol'

[sded]

Hard to beat the Garmins with their full court press on capabilities. I have a Garmin 60cx as a portable and it has worked fine for several years. Go take a look at your local West Marine, then buy your choice at something like the GPS Store The GPS Store, Inc. Garmin GPS Systems, Marine Electronics Accessories --or do a little price matching.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by ironhorserider2

I need a backup to my main GPS system. What model/brand handheld GPS is recommended for sailing purposes?

I like Garmin's 76C. I found the black and white model hard to read. However, I think it's very hard to use as a chart plotter because the screen is so small. But it will give you accurate L & L, and you can chart your course accurately, pick compass headings reliably, etc.

[Cormorant]

My ancient Magellan Meridan Marine Color has just crapped out this summer. The Enter button no longer functions -- and you have to press Enter to get past the opening screens. I've torn the thing apart trying to clean the switch, but to no avail. Now shopping for a replacement.

As my backup-backup, I have a cheap Cobra 100 (bought on Ebay for $20) which gives only lat/long and an arrow pointing to the next waypoint. It actually saved my butt in a thick fog off Cape Cod this year.

But for a new handheld, I'm thinking I might just deploy my $200 or $300 toward an Android 3G phone with GPS and a 4" or 7" screen. Bigger screen for the money, plus phone calls and email and weather checks. . . . Lacks only waterproofing, but maybe a waterproof case can be had, or at least a ziploc bag.

[S/V Alchemy]

I have ordered a Garmin 72H, basic but with USB to a computer and WAAS. I have a Magellan 300 and 315 that still work (but eat AA batteries and take five minutes to acquire) that are going in the ditch bag.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by ironhorserider2

I need a backup to my main GPS system. What model/brand handheld GPS is recommended for sailing purposes?

Garmin 72H, if budget, no charts,
Garmin 78, if no budget, charts ,

Anything, if the backup is an emergency only device.

b.

[osirissail]

Whatever brand/model you prefer - go to eBay and look it up. Most likely - over a period of time - you will find a brand new one for a fraction of the store price. Especially after a major holiday, folks in the land-locked parts of the country get them as presents and wonder what the heck they are gong to do with it. So they put it on eBay to convert it to cash.

[sdowney717]

have an older garmin handheld got several years ago. It just died after 2 years, slow to see sats then could not see anything. Sent it back for $70 they fix and I still have it but this was the biggest waste of time and money for me. Should not have bothered to try and fix. So I guess I will keep it around for a backup. Back then gps were pricey things.
now I have a usb delorme lt20 running on Ubuntu with opencpn and it works, the garmin had to be told to use nema protocol. painful gps it is.

[DeborahLee]

I have three Magellan 315. Have had then for over ten years. They do take a while to aquire. I bought three so I didn't have to learn how to use different makes or models. I just pick one up and use it. The main reason I would go back to Magellan is their CUSTOMER SERVICE. I had a problem a couple years ago in the Bahamas and called them. They informed me they didn't support that model as they were so old. When I told them I had three of them and my circumstance he said he would connect me with someone that used to support them. Needless to say I was up and running. I think your question should be who has the best customer service not what GPS. As far as I'm concerned its Magellan.

[barnakiel]

BTW:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ass-67067.html

So perhaps look for a unit that will have GLONASS capacity too (?).

b.