Visit our Popular Forums

F51 · 21-01-2013, 10:06

I try to shut down as much electronics as possible when we are at anchor. I would like to find a handheld GPS with an anchor alarm. It seems that would be much less power hungry than running the chartplotter/gps or my laptop/usb gps combination. Ideally it would be rechargable from a 12v cigarette lighter plug. I have looked but not located one, so I though I would ask the forum. Thanks.

jackdale · 21-01-2013, 10:19

My Garmin GPS map 76cx has an anchor alarm.

I never use one. I ensure that I have sufficient scope and am well set. I sleep better that way.

I have dragged twice. Both times on two anchors in loose sand over rock in Mexico on the same day (45 knot winds). I moved into shallower water and reset at about 20:1.

svlamorocha · 21-01-2013, 10:27

[QUOTE=F51;1135529r. I would like to find a handheld GPS with an anchor alarm. (snip) Ideally it would be rechargable from a 12v cigarette lighter plug. I have looked but not located one, so I though I would ask the forum. Thanks.[/QUOTE]
I use a GPSMAP 76 handheld GPS from Garmin that spends the night in my cabin but is plugged in to the 12V socket in the chart table. It uses way less power than the main Raymarine GPS plotter onboard and, most importantly, the radius of the alarm can be set smaller than what is allowed by the main plotter. It also helps to leave the "track" function on; that way you can wake up and quickly see how the boat has been moving..

I set the radius very small so that the alarm will sound if there is a wind shift that is big enough to rotate the boat 90 degrees...

Cheers
C

saw77 · 21-01-2013, 10:39

If you have an iPad (other tablets might be supported, I don't know) there are a few apps for that. Some will send an email or text to your phone.

Boat Monitor - Remote Boat Monitor and Alarm
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/anch...389011510?mt=8
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/drag...489294173?mt=8

The Garbone · 21-01-2013, 10:42

I second Steves suggestion,

I bought a $50 used Ipod and put it in a Magellan waterproof mount that has an additional battery and GPS chip to improve resolution. Works great for me and will email me if my boat moves when I am away.

barnakiel · 21-01-2013, 13:31

We use Garmin 72 / 76 for just this purpose. They can run of 12 Volt or else on the batteries (rechargeable or not).

Very good stuff and works fine too.

The only issue is that one of the units switches off if the power lead is knocked off - even when the batteries are fine! Probably a software issue but good to beware setting one up for the night.

b.

svlamorocha · 21-01-2013, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnakiel

We use Garmin 72 / 76 for just this purpose.(snip)
The only issue is that one of the units switches off if the power lead is knocked off - even when the batteries are fine! Probably a software issue but good to beware setting one up for the night.
b.

I had the same issue with the Garmin 76, which made it unreliable for use as anchor watch. One day I was feeling bold and I opened it up to see what was going on.. The problem was corrosion in the soldered joint between the main printed circuit board and the metal piece that links that printed circuit board to the battery. I suspect the corrosion came about because of a battery that leaked... I made a temporary fix tying the pieces with copper wire and so far so good!
C

Dulcesuenos · 21-01-2013, 14:08

I have a few garmin handhelds as backups and they will not recharge from the 12volt plug. They consume and are tough on reg AA batteries so it needs to be plugged in unless limited use. Our waterproof gps tablet works much better is loud as heck and. Goes all night on its battery that is easily 12v plug rechargeable. Same goes for our smart phones. They dont need a signal for gps to work. I religously use an anchor alarm even the best anchorers in the world could have some idiot run over their line in the middle of the night.

jackdale · 21-01-2013, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dulcesuenos

I religously use an anchor alarm even the best anchorers in the world could have some idiot run over their line in the middle of the night.

I think you might feel that. I am not sure as, in 30 years, it has never happened to me.

Dulcesuenos · 21-01-2013, 14:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackdale

I think you might feel that. I am not sure as, in 30 years, it has never happened to me.

We have lots of idiot powerboaters in Fl. I have watched in disbelief. This happen time and time again.

barnakiel · 21-01-2013, 14:27

Re Garmin`s 72/76 do not recharge from the plug.

We use rechargable accus (NiMh right now) that we charge ex the unit. 72/76 take two AA that recharge in about 3 hours per set (faster if Eneloop in a fast charger). Battery run per charge between 16 to 24 hours.

Externally rechargeable batteries may sound a no-no but then again I am not sure one can replace the battery in an iThing?

b.

jackdale · 21-01-2013, 14:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dulcesuenos

We have lots of idiot powerboaters in Fl. I have watched in disbelief. This happen time and time again.

I have seen folks snag others' anchors. But I would feel that as well.

Snore · 21-01-2013, 16:33

Although the Garmins have an anchor alarm, the alarm is not that loud. I have used "Drag Queen" on the three week long trips I have done so far. The alarm is EXTREMELY loud. I plug my iPhone into the 12v adapter and it keeps the phone going all night.

Bill

bobconnie · 21-01-2013, 16:49

If some dummy can cut my anchor chain with his power boat !! I will sure feel it and hear it as his engines dump as they wrap up my chain !! LOL there is something to be said for proper anchoring equipment!! It relieves many worrys!! Just sayin spend your boat dollars on good anchoring equpiment, and ya won't have to worry about things like dragging !