Garmin Etrex or GPS Map 78 or similar as a back up!

Zagato

Zagato

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I want a cheap handheld GPS as a back up to the main GPS unit that is not powered by the boats 12V system in case that should go wrong.

Whats the difference between the Etrex Vista HCX, Etrex 20 and the GPS Map 78.

Any suggestions for older or similar Garmin models would be good to know about also. Maybe able to get something off FleaBay if really cheap but would prefer new. Thanks
 
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GPS

A basic Etrex these days are so cheap new as to be a bit crazy. The more sophisticated are also cheap.
However to use something like an Etrex as a standby would need that you use it often enough to be very familiar with its operation. You may be under stress when bringing it out. It can give you lat and long but that then would require that you have paper charts to then plot your course needed to safety.
You might also put in some vital waypoints like entrance to home harbour etc. I use only an Etrex but then not very often anyway.
My point is any GPS would be far better than nothing but the simple ones need a bit more familiarity and data to save your bacon. good luck olewill
 
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=87771
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=8703
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=63602

You *used* to be able to do an easier "click and compare" search on Garmin's website. But it seems nowadays it's harder. The Etrex are defined as "trail" units with only the GPS 78s being under the "marine" category. If they all came under "marine" you'd be able to perform the click and compare function..wish Garmin would go back to their old version site, it was much easier to navigate!

The above three links and associated Specs tabs should let you build up a good understanding of the features and limitations of each unit, as well as the RRP for comparison with retailers at best price! ;)
 
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Get a Garmin III from ebay, cheap as chips too.

They have a reasonable screen, you can connect it directly to your present system, it can run off ships power and you can connect it to your computer to down/upload waypoints, routes etc. One of the best Garmin produced but not made anymore.

Also a very userfriendly system. Built in road maps too.

Whilst it does not do charts I have used the coastline on the moving map for rough navigation in fog - not recommended but usefull nevertheless.

(p.s. I have one for sale if you are interested)
 
Here's another take.

Where are you planning to sail, with all this kit? Chichester Harbour and the Solent, wasn't it? Have to say, my view would be that an independent backup GPS is unnecessary. There are so many landmarks in and around the Solent that you can navigate it perfectly well by eye. If you need slightly more precision there's a million and one things to take bearings off. Having a GPS at all is merely a nice convenience - there really isn't a need for a just-in-case backup.

Sure, we all like toys, and some of us like to equip our boats for the sailing we dream about doing rather than the sailing we actually do. I'm probably more guilty of that than most. But I don't like the idea of people reading the threads on here, based on offshore passages and no doubt an element of that dreaming, and coming away with the idea that a backup GPS is absolutely mandatory even on an estuary cruiser that never goes out of sight of the Spinnaker Tower and Fawley Chimney.

Pete
 
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Zagato said:
I want a cheap handheld GPS as a back up to the main GPS unit that is not powered by the boats 12V system in case that should go wrong.

Whats the difference between the Etrex Vista HCX, Etrex 20 and the GPS Map 78.

Any suggestions for older or similar Garmin models would be good to know about also. Maybe able to get something off FleaBay if really cheap but would prefer new. Thanks
Click to expand...

You could try a compass and a chart as back up, mine don't use batteries. Navionics on my Iphone is also useful, and doesn't require a phone signal.
 
Id agree with Pete on this one. In fact for the first 2 years (Solent) I only had a Etrex which I used at home with Memory Map to plan routes and waypoints. On the water I used paper with the etrex to help me find waypoints - like harbour aproaches etc.

I only added a ships GPS last year so that VHF DSC would work and even then have not bothered with a chart plotter. Its a basic Garmon 152 and it does the job well but I still have not used it for waypoints because the etrex is fine for that sort of stuff.

I do have mempry map on the iphone as well and it has once served me well -when I was not sure excatly where I was and it was important to. But I only ever use that in emergency - in this case it was too late to consult a paper chart and it did get me out of a problem - while I learned a valuable lesson about proper preperation!
 
Zagato said:
I want a cheap handheld GPS as a back up to the main GPS unit that is not powered by the boats 12V system in case that should go wrong.
Click to expand...
I have this setup with a Garmin GPSMAP60CS I can connect to my laptop which runs Maptech Offshore Navigator via a USB cable.

Works great and as I have spare batteries for both the laptop and the GPS I am completely immune to boat electrical problems. Definitely recommended.

I'd just buy a cheap GPS if that's all you want it for and spend any money saved on electronic charts for the PC, Memory Map do the whole of the UK for £25, a complete snip at that price.

Boo2
 
prv said:
I don't like the idea of people reading the threads on here, based on offshore passages and no doubt an element of that dreaming, and coming away with the idea that a backup GPS is absolutely mandatory even on an estuary cruiser that never goes out of sight of the Spinnaker Tower and Fawley Chimney.

Pete
Click to expand...

Well If I hit fog and my GPS goes down for the sake of £30-£150 for a back up GPS, I'll have the back up thanks, especially if my family are on board! It can also be used for other applications of course but my post was asking about cheaper Garmin GPS units not about justifying my decision or any ones elses to have one.

There is no suggestion or 'idea' in my post that a back up GPS is 'absolutely mandatory' Peter and I am sure that people can make up their own minds.

Thanks for the other info and links folks :)
 
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Zagato said:
I want a cheap handheld GPS as a back up to the main GPS unit that is not powered by the boats 12V system in case that should go wrong.

Whats the difference between the Etrex Vista HCX, Etrex 20 and the GPS Map 78.

Any suggestions for older or similar Garmin models would be good to know about also. Maybe able to get something off FleaBay if really cheap but would prefer new. Thanks
Click to expand...
If you go to Garmin (having just done thos over the w.end) and select marine.
OK, maybe you dont NEED marine, but I assume it is then waterproof and I think they all float. Worth something.
The 78 is about £100, and is a fairly classic h/held gps.
From there you can go up in , say,£50 stages to about £250 if you want electronic compass (hardly necessary I suggest), color screens and 50 functions I cant think who would want them. You can also add garmin charts (at a cost) in the higher spec models.
I think from medium upwards, you get some sort of chart inbuilt, but I suspect that is large land mass rather than anything useful in a boat !
 
Zagato said:
Well If I hit fog and my GPS goes down for the sake of £30-£150 for a back up GPS, I'll have the back up thanks, especially if my family are on board! It can also be used for other applications of course but my post was asking about cheaper GPS units not about justifying my decision or any ones elses to have one.

There is no suggestion or 'idea' in my post that a back up GPS is 'absolutely mandatory' Peter and I am sure that people can make up their own minds.

Thanks for the other info and links folks :)
Click to expand...

Your telling me none of you will have a mobile with a GPS? Google earth? or just down load there and then the Navionics App plug into cigarette charger to power from boat? Take your sat nav (then it will not get nicked from your car) most can give a lat and long.

The odds of loosing GPS and thick fog? You have compass echo sounder? do it the old fashioned way?

Try sailing without your GPS in good weather see if you really need it just do not turn it on...
 
No none of those Onesea, apart from a compass and especially not a car sat nav ;)


"Try sailing without your GPS in good weather see if you really need it just do not turn it on..."

That's the point, as said I wanted it, if/when fog hits not when it's good weather, can't see the problem in having a cheap GPS back up that can be used for other applications myself but maybe this is one of those Anchor/Ensign topics I have touched on!


Thanks for answering my question 'gjgm' and the pm you sent, good luck with your new boat today - exciting stuff :)
 
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gjgm said:
If you go to Garmin (having just done thos over the w.end) and select marine.
OK, maybe you dont NEED marine, but I assume it is then waterproof and I think they all float. Worth something.
Click to expand...



Just an observation, my old (original model?) yellow etrex certainly didn't float when I dropped it on a rising tide in the harbour some years ago. But when I found it 6 hours later on the falling tide it still worked and still does.

I use the lat/long for waypoints when preparing a route, SOG when travelling and distance to waypoints etc when out and about.
The 'track' function was very useful to record where the channel was at low tide so I could follow it in the boat when the tide was in.

All based in what I was doing last year, I now have Ipad, Navionics and a mooring that's 2 buoys away from the right turn into the sea but will still take etrex as its handy sat on the cockpit seat and doesn't mind getting wet.



Steve
 
Being a gadget freak I have plotters, iPads, iPhones, radar, AIS, and coincidentally also a very basic Garmin Etrex.

Yes, the phone and the iPad are great plotters, and I have Navionics and a host of other program's to use and fall back on.

However, the little Etrex is my ace in the hole. The batteries seem to last forever. I once used it all day every day for a weeks walking holiday. It's waterproof, bump proof and easy to operate. Just take it out for an hours walk and you will learn everything you need to know.

I wouldn't bother with anything else for your last resort backup. You don't need anything with charts etc. Have them on a plotter or phone. If you want a further backup the Etrex basic model is cheap as chips and bulletproof.
 
eTrex fan

I’d have to vote for the Garmin eTrex too.

I bought mine about 5 years ago to go walking but even then it was very much just for backup. I now think it’s worth its weight in gold as a backup at sea too.

Only this weekend we booked a trip to Greece so I popped to the library for the “Heikell” then located all the relevant points on Google Earth, exported and loaded the whole lot onto my little yellow miracle in less than an hour.
I’ll turn it on when I arrive in Greece and it will take about 10 minutes to work out where it is but at any time after that I’ll be able to switch it on and retrieve both my position and course and distance to waypoint in under a minute. Often handy when all those rocky outcrops start to look the same!

As others have mentioned, they are robust, lightweight and energy frugal. I could probably do without it but why would I?
 
elton said:
Why would anyone with a boat choose the Etrex over the GPS72? Is it really that much cheaper?
Click to expand...

If you go for a 2nd hand Etrex Vista C or maybe Cx - you could have a barometric pressure log, and can download blue charts to the Vista??
Battery consumption on handhelds will always be a slight issue. You do need to think about how you check up on battery states before you go somewhere.
Not all hand helds are fully "off" when you switch them off! Some are , some Etrex aren't.

Graeme
 
Another observation the Etrex Vista mentioned has a preloaded chart (g2 Blue chart I think!) but for the GPS Map 78 and Etrex 20 you have to pay £170 on top for the chart :eek: That brings the price up to £340 for the 78:rolleyes:

I wonder if you can use a chart (SD card I think!) from a Garmin 551 to update an Etrex or 78 or can you only use them once? Why are the updates £49 for the 55i and £170 for the 78?

Might just buy a bloody big fog horn as back up :D
 
The yellow Etrex doesn’t eat much power. I only turn it on from time to time but I dont think i changed the battery at all last year.
 
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