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

[Solitaire]

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

I have a Garmin 76 which is surplus to requirements now. PM me if you are interested. I use them as back ups and they are great bits of kit.

 

[Monique]

I installed a Ram mount on my binnacle and stuck a Garmin 76 with a power lead directly to the engine start battery.

Works so well that I now rarely use my main chart plotter

IIWM, I would have a hard look at buying a second hand unit.... See above offer!

 

[gjgm]

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 That brings the price up to £340 for the 78

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

I think you get a base map, not full G2, but it isnt clear on the web page.
It would be odd if they put that on a non marine h/hand, and not on the marine units ?

 

[RalphyM]

Might be a bit of thread creep but has anyone used the Garmin Vista HCx? I have the g2 chart for the English channel but it is massively cluttered by fairly useless "information" circles. So much so that the solent is basically invisible. Is there anyway of selectively removing these markers?

Any help appreciated!

 

[rogerhudson]

The monochrome garmin 72h had a gps pseudocompass but no charts, it did have a good highway style display like the furuno gp32 and could show numerical XTE, I was thinking of upgrading to a gpsmap78sc but looking at the manual online it doesnt seem to display XTE or show 'highway', does anyone who uses the 78 know anything to help.

 

[pagoda]

Might be a bit of thread creep but has anyone used the Garmin Vista HCx? I have the g2 chart for the English channel but it is massively cluttered by fairly useless "information" circles. So much so that the solent is basically invisible. Is there anyway of selectively removing these markers?

Any help appreciated!

I haven't used the G2 charts on the Etrex, but you can select the level of detail (and also declutter) ?

Another plus for the Etrex Vista HCx is the barometer, which I find quite useful.

As a hand held plotter - the screen is pretty small, but it is still useful for helming at times, getting the feel of the line of a channel etc. Not for the 50cm clearance kind of work, but more general.
The Mapsource software is very Garmin, but does quite well.

Graeme