GPS for Boat Or Auto

[rleslie]

I want to purchase a hand-held GPS that can be uses on our boat or in our car. Any suggetions as to which GPS and software are best?

Thanks

[pirateofcapeann]

I have a Garmin GPS III as a back up to the boat''s gear and it stays active in the car when I''m not aboard. Garmin replaced the III with the III+ and I''d bet you could find one of those real cheep on ebay or something. You can get the "dashboard" mount and even a cable (I made mine) to tie it into a computer and/or the cigarette lighter plug.

[rleslie]

Thanks for the reply. I searched the message board after I posted this and found loads of info. Seems that Garmin is the overwhelming choice. Now the trick is to decide on which one of the 50 that they make!

thanks
rleslie

[928frenzy]

Last year, I bought a Garmin 76S. IMO, it does everything I want from a handheld unit, and plenty more. It holds 25MB data, which for me is the entire Chesapeake BlueCharts, plus all the roads in the counties I drive in, plus the topo data of Norhtern Shenandoah National Park. Moreover, it has a built-in compass and barometer, the latter of which can be used to determine elevation or changes in weather.

All this, and it floats too. Garmin also makes the 76 which holds less data, but still supports the BlueCharts CD. Normal retail for the 76S is about $450, but it''s on sale now for about $400. I got a new one on ebay for considerably less. ;^)

~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~