[davidpm]

I usually like to have at least two GPS devices when crusing. Sometimes one is unavailable for some reason.
What do you think about using the car GPS as a backup. I have the Garmin Nuvi 205 that has street maps only. I'm pretty sure it will show the little car icon even in near shore waters.
Then I just have to tap the car and it will show the lat and long.
Plot them on my chart and I've got an instant fix.

Would not be my ideal system but it should work yes??

 

[erps]

Yes.

 

[patrickrea]

Yes, it works. I have an Etrex Legend as my backup but I do put the Bluecharts on it.

 

[JimsCAL]

Not a bad backup, but a basic non-mapping marine unit with waypoint capability is only about $100.

 

[Valiente]

Why not? I have a Raymarine 420 with no cartridge in the pilothouse, but I keep a Magellan handheld of some antiquity at the sailing helm for quick reference. I even have a 1993 Trimble aircraft GPS with a two-line display as a backup to the backup (it's built like a tank, acquires as fast as a modern GPS and has an excellent mounting clamp).

 

[patrickrea]

Why not? I have a Raymarine 420 with no cartridge in the pilothouse, but I keep a Magellan handheld of some antiquity at the sailing helm for quick reference. I even have a 1993 Trimble aircraft GPS with a two-line display as a backup to the backup (it's built like a tank, acquires as fast as a modern GPS and has an excellent mounting clamp).

I'm afraid to ask how much that puppy was. Even used and decertified, the Trimble gear is pricey.

 

[davidpm]

I tested it out tonite. We went out to just about the center of Long Island Sound by bouy 8C. I turned on the the little garmon and it showed the truck icon on a clear blue background. I tapped the icon and wrote done the lat and long and it plotted it in the right place on the chart.
So unless the software does something really evil like refuse to show a screen if you are too far from the built in map coverage it should work.