Hand held gps

[johnshasteen]

Hopefully by now you have your GPS. We have always used Garmin - went from a Map 76, to a Map 76csx. Works great for us - we spend a lot of our sailing offshore and it's ideal - no chart plotters or other finicky toys needed.

[sailingdog]

RD—

My bad... you're right, the 500 is waterproof. However, the 72 and 76 series units do have a major advantage for units used on a boat... they float.

[RhythmDoctor]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

RD—
...However, the 72 and 76 series units do have a major advantage for units used on a boat... they float.

Yes, I am aware of that, and mulling over the higher resolution and greater color palette of the 400c vs. the floating of the 76. I assume that the most common solution is to attach a key float to the 400c, right?

[sailingdog]

I don't think a key float is sufficient to hold up a 400C.

Originally Posted by RhythmDoctor

Yes, I am aware of that, and mulling over the higher resolution and greater color palette of the 400c vs. the floating of the 76. I assume that the most common solution is to attach a key float to the 400c, right?

[RhythmDoctor]

I have a little auto-inflator attachment that should be enough to hold it up -- if it works as advertised. My daughter got it for me for Christmas:
Waterbuoy - Miniature Floatation Device

[RhythmDoctor]

I picked up the 400c this evening. I'm going to continue reading reviews and decide whether to keep it. Meanwhile I'm leaving it in the box, because if I return it I want it to be unused. After trying in the store, I can really see the concerns over screen brightness. It was dark outside, but inside the store the brightest setting was merely adequate under the florescent lights.

Reviews of the 76CSX praise its screen brightness, and it appears to be available for a little under $300 on the web. But is there a version that includes charts pre-loaded, or do I have to count on buying that in addition? That seems like it could get costly.

[sailingdog]

No, you can't get a 76CSX with the charts pre-loaded... If you look around you can find them at lower prices. I bought one last april, to replace an aging 76CS, for $170. Going to buy the charts for my are for it this spring.

[eryka]

Hey, grab an Oregon 400 for that price and while you're at it, get a backup one for us too! We absolutlely love it, it's ideal for what you're describing. We've become absolutely addicted to it on the way down here to the Bahamas; all the charts are pre-loaded and it has the most accurate charts for here as well as the US. Very user-friendly, all touch screen so at least somewhat weather resistant. It eats batteries, though; we got a power cable to go cigarette-lighter to mini-USB, only attachement we needed. Have a great trip!

[RhythmDoctor]

Originally Posted by eryka

...we got a power cable to go cigarette-lighter to mini-USB, only attachement we needed. Have a great trip!

Thanks for the supportive comments. Sounds like you can read it despite the strong tropical sun.

Does the included USB cable supply power for it to operate off of, or do they use some proprietary pin arrangement for power? I already have a lighter plug with USB socket, so between that and the USB cable that is included (or one of the other dozens of cables I have), I might already be able to provide external power (once I install a 12v connector on the boat).

[RhythmDoctor]

Well, I opened the box and tried it out, so I can now answer some of my own questions. I plugged in my cell phone USB charger and it went into plugged-in mode, so generic cables work. I also tried it in direct sunlight and the screen is reflective enough to read with no backlight in full sun. So far my major concerns are addressed.

I plan to get a mount for the guardrail, and am wondering how to keep a float attached to it without the carabeener attachment. Any suggestions from other owners?