What type of GPS Handheld unit would I need for a boat?

Question

I bought a new boat and need a good reliable gps...and it would be nice to use in the car as well.with addresses..any suggestions?

I need something that would leave a crumb trail from orgin to where ever...so if I get turned around I can get back.

Answer 1

A lot depends on where you are, and where you will be going. In rivers, not too big a deal. But if you will be in blue water, either in the ocean, gulf or one of the Great Lakes, I recommend that you talk to a marine dealer first.

Also, make certain that you have a good compass and that it is set accurately.

Regards,

Dan

Answer 2

My Garmin 276C can do all that & can b updated on your computer..& has blue chart  & even charts dirt roads - (been there) any country also..& talks -  i don't even look at it !kool

Answer 3

Garmin seems to have a corner on the market and a nice, wide variety of units: plotters, fishfinders, bluetooth, GPS (including the Colorado Series Handheld GPS Navigators).

But you may want to compare the RayMarine and Lowrance GPS units as well.

As for handheld, I think the Norcross Handheld Depthfinder is pretty cool.

Do some online shopping to find the unit with the right features for your usage.

Answer 4

I keep my Garmin Legend in my pack.  It goes in the car, boat, on hikes, on vacation, even overseas.  Got me out of a million jams.  And yeah, learn to use a whiskey compass as backup.

Answer 5

We prefer Garmin.The new ones can have charts and maps.

Answer 6

A word of warning.  Whenever you put the words "Marine Grade" if front of anything, the price goes up.  Depending on your boat and the conditions you will use it in, shop around.  My Gamin's have never let me down.  You should consider getting two, one for car and one for boat.  Most of the car ones are not "Marine Grade", so they cost less and have more features for the buck.  You really do not need all that fancy stuff for out on the water.  Unless you plan on going beyond the sight of land, stay with the basic GPS.  Try and get one that floats and has a way to tie a lanyard to it.  I bought a Mio C220 for the car $150 and it does everything I ask of it.  Auto routing, voice, the whole works, but on the water - Give Me A Garmin.  Oh, and do yourself a favor, bring extra batteries while on the water.

Answer 7

I would definitively recommend a Garmin GPS. I sailed 11000 miles with it (France to San Francisco), it was in the sun and the salty water for 14 months every day: no problem, check a picture of it:

http://folalier.com/avril/040428.html

Answer 8

Under $100USD?  Yeah, you're on a limb there.

We don't know what your boat is.  A  unit that interfaces to depth finders and has chart plots isn't a $100 GPS.  Is "go back to where you were" really the only goal or do you want things like depth alarms when you're over a spot that's more shallow than may be a problem for your boat depending on the current tide?  Weather?

Garmin 276C is pretty much the entry level for the "true" Marine models.  If you can get one for $100, hop on it.

If you're looking for a simple handheld that maintains tracks and can nav back to the point you marked while remaining immune to Marine conditions (corrosives, humidity, splashing) on the data while providing not real clues on depth or shorelines at a minimal cost, something like an Explorist 210 or a Etrex Legend Cx come close the $100(USD) mark but the number of compromises involved make me wonder if your $100 mark is realistic.

For crossover use (handheld/car/marine) use, take a look at the Garmin 76C[S]x products.  Again, you won't find them for $100.