Very simple, inexpensive handheld GPS

[arbarnhart]

I am thinking this will be one of my next purchases, though it may be months away (could even be asking Santa for it). Anyway, I would like to hear some recommendations as well as critiques of my feature list.

OK...

I think it has to have:

• Location (duh!)
• Decent battery life handheld
• 12V adapter
• At least weather resistant, waterproof would be better
• Speed and direction

I think it should have:

• Waypoints
• Connectability to computer
• Movement alarm (to wake you if you drift while anchored)

Nice, but not necessary:

• Good graphics
• Download update capability

Yeah, it is partly that I am just plain cheap, but it is also because I am not crossing oceans or anything. I rarely am sailing toward something I can't see. The times I have wished I had one the most were when I confused coves and headed to the wrong one first (inevitably down wind of the right one) or did not realize the heading I was on wasn't going to get me where I was headed until I was so close that it required another trip back out to open water to make the correction. And of course finding some small beach or structure holding fish or shallows/obstruction to avoid and wanting to be able to note the exact position. There is also the safety angle; if I call for help it will likely arrive quicker if I can tell them where I am.

It seems like there are some hiking models out there that might fit the bill.

[catamount]

I have a Garmin GPS76 that fills the bill pretty well -- not (necessarily) the 76Map versions. You could also look at the Garmin GPS72

[sailortjk1]

I won't give you specific models to look at, but I will tell you that I still use my old "Garmin 12" as my back up. That little thing has stood by me for over ten years now. I think I paid about a buck and a half for it; it was well worth the price and has well withstood the test of time.

I would look at the Garmins.

Also, don't know if your going to get an audiable alarm in a hand held unit.
The alarm on my raymarine chartplotter which is a little out dated doesn't have one either. The alarm on mine is visual not audiable. I think I would sleep right trough it as it flashes at me. Its better to get in the habit of always keeping an anchor watch. (My opinion)

[BarryL]

Hello,

There are many many units available that would fit your requirements. Lowrance, Garmin, Magellin, etc.

For about $70 or so you can get a Lowrance IFinder Go. This is a basic model that has all the features you require, and then some. It is a chartplotter (with a real small screen) and includes a decent base map with all the marine navaids in the continental US.

If you spend $150 you can move up to the IFinder H20, which has a bigger screen, and the ability to use better charts. It is still monochrome.

Good luck,
Barry

[sailingdog]

A Garmin GPSMAp 76 would be better than a GPS 76. It has come down in price a lot since two models have succeeded it. It has a basic base map built in and tide data as well. It has an NMEA 0183 serial port and can also run on 3-48 VDC or so (top end might be 36 VDC).

[Steekel]

I have the Garmin Map 76 as a baackup and am very please with it. I paid $199.00 at West about a year ago.

Steekel

[RAGTIMEDON]

Since I am addicted to using paper charts (Is that showing my age?) I have the cheapest pocket sized GPS one can get. In fact, I got it about 8-10 years ago FREE for test driving a Cadillac Catara,the year they first came out. It served me well on a couple charter trips, since it gives lat and long with some accuracy, and I can compare that to the charts. It also gives me ground speed, which is great here in the river where current changes my knotmeter. It would be nice to have an alarm system to tell me my anchor is dragging, but I have used the type with built in charts and still use the paper chart, so I really think the alarm is all that I am lacking. Time, direction, and speed over ground are all I really need!

[sailortjk1]

For my own information, do the units you guys are referencing have audible alarms?

[arbarnhart]

I looked at the manuals. The Lowrance just flashes. The Garmin says you can set it to make "a beep" when the alarm goes off.

[senatorcongressman]

I got a GPSMAP 76csx from a guy on craigslist recently for $175. It has all the stuff you mention plus its color and has an internal compass. BUT I had to buy the nautical chart for it. Has a drift alarm, but I never used it. It supposedly floats but haven't tested that feature either.