Cheap GPS advice!

[elton]

I would go with the extrex.

What advantage does the Etrex provide over the 72, particularly to the mariner?

 

[alahol2]

I note that you have Mountain experience, and marine navigation is no different in terms of planning ...

Except that the 'land' between you and the mountain tends to be moving one way or another at a rate of knots

 

[MudShipper]

What advantage does the Etrex provide over the 72, particularly to the mariner?

Possibly none, probably very few, just making the point that it does a good job for what it is and also supports the OPs other interests.

 

[elton]

Possibly none, probably very few, just making the point that it does a good job for what it is and also supports the OPs other interests.

Actually, the GPS72 is specifically designed for use at sea, and has several very useful features that support this, which are lacking in the Etrex. So, to recommend the eTrex without justification is just completely bogus.

 

[alahol2]

I note that you have Mountain experience, and marine navigation is no different in terms of planning and keeping track of your current position. Visibility on a mountain changes just as quick as at sea, sometimes quicker.

It's actually quite an interesting point. Having done marine navigation for the last 40 years or so it is almost second nature, not needing too much thought. Having taken up walking etc over the last 5 or so years I find I need to 'forget' marine navigation and really think about what I am doing for 'land' navigation. It's something to do with the way you 'orientate' an OS map and compass whereas a chart is always north up and the compass is nowhere near the chart. I know it is essentially the same thing but my brain won't make the connection. Must be age.

 

[MudShipper]

It's actually quite an interesting point. Having done marine navigation for the last 40 years or so it is almost second nature, not needing too much thought. Having taken up walking etc over the last 5 or so years I find I need to 'forget' marine navigation and really think about what I am doing for 'land' navigation. It's something to do with the way you 'orientate' an OS map and compass whereas a chart is always north up and the compass is nowhere near the chart. I know it is essentially the same thing but my brain won't make the connection. Must be age.

The first person that took me coastal cruising had her chart on a giant clip board and would orientate it to a hand bearing compass, then pick off the visible landmarks and try to line them up. Navigation is about looking ahead (planning), keeping track of your whereabouts by whatever means is at hand, comparing what you expect with what/where you are and that I believe is the comparison that I made between land and marine. At the end of the day, we develop techniques based on experience and tools, and like many fields, there is no absolute right or wrong, just what works best for you.