Basic Handheld GPS

[westernman]

I am looking for a basic handheld GPS. The requirements I have apart from the position are:

1) Anchor alarm

2) Can be recharged from on board 12V (without taking the batteries out)

3) Waterproof

4) Speed indication

5) Distance log

Any recommendations?
Any comments about the Garmin GPS 72 which seems to meet most of my requirements except for being able to be recharged.

Thanks.

 

[damo]

GPS 72 - brilliant IMO. Until I got a chartplotter this year it was my sole bit of positioning electronics.

I have a power/data cable to the cockpit mount, and another at the chart table, so I rarely run it on the batteries (I'm only on the second set in 5 years) It is on from departure to arrival to record mileage, and at anchor for the alarm. I've also set the alarm when hove-to to wake me when I've drifted a certain distance /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[MoodySabre]

Another vote for the Garmin 72. I also run it off a power lead in the cockpit.

 

[Ehbendisdonc]

Am also thinking of ordering one of these. Can anyone please confirm that it can be interfaced with a DSC radio (eg. STANDARD HORIZON QUEST GX-1500E).
In fact, should we assume that 'marine' handheld GPS units in general have this connectivity?
Thanks, Declan.

 

[Mariner69]

I have the Garmin Colarado 400T which I acquired in the US this year but can be found here now.

Great for on land walking in the mountains as it has the full US equivalent to Ordnanace Survey.

I now have the UK OS maps on a smart card and the Garmin Blue Water(?) charts on a different card.

Both work very well separately and I have now found that say for the Blackwater Estuary I can have both the OS and sea charts running together so have the benefit of both when landing ashore. Also good in the car.

Uses two AA batteries with 18 hours life from lithium cells, can also be connected. Not cheap but the versatility is amazing.

 

[MoodySabre]

You can down load the manual for the 72 Here

Page 49 gives you the connectivity info. Will connect with most things but the data lead is an extra.

 

[PLEIAS]

Try also the IFINDER H2O with basic charts preloaded and can run on 12V via cigarette lighter plug.You ll find as i did that it's one of the best in the market also much reviewed by most magazines.

 

[neale]

The iFinder is a Hand Held Chartplotter rather than a basic GPS. It's good, but is over £200 while the Garmin 72 can be had for around £70.

 

[Pete735]

Ehbendisdonc, I can confirm it can be interfaced with Standard Horizon GX 1500E, mine have been working together happily since mid summer. You will need to buy cable for connection as has been said.

I admit I could not follow wiring connection details in manuals so had to make a call to Garmin for advice and all ok since.

 

[westernman]

Just ordered a Garmin 72.

Only thing missing for me, is the ability to recharge the batteries from the on board 12V - a minor inconvenience as it will be running off the on board 12V almost all the time anyway.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[damo]

I use a AA battery charger via a small Sterling inverter. You can also get solar chargers for batts.