Garmin GPS72 or 72H - blast from the past.

Amulet

Amulet

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Anyone got one they're willing to part with?

Long discontinued as it is, it is easier for me to replace it in my current nav system than rejig.

Terms open to negotiation.

I'd also even be interested in a dead one if it's keypad is not worn out so that I can put the keypad into an old one.

I am aware that this is not an advertising site - but this is a search for a discontinued item and a bit of a clutch at straws - forgive me.
 
I have 2 of the 72s. They are my primary sources of position information. Which I then plot on a chart. They also have a library of useful way points and routes, which obviously are personal to my cruising areas and wouldn't be immediately available on a replacement, even if identical. So I'm a bit confused how you could get so tied into a unit like this that only another one will do the job for you.

What is it about them that makes them more desirable for you than something with at least a basic chart plotter function say? (Something I don't have installed except on my phone and tablet)
 
Ok. Explanation. You asked for it!

The components of the (admittedly baroque set up):
1. The main navigation is on a laptop at the forward end of the saloon.
2. A GPS 72 in the cockpit.
3. Android tablet and phone
4. AIS engine.

The GPS and AIS are connected to the computer by an adaptor which takes RS232 serial input from the two devices and sends it via single USB to two virtual COMM ports on the laptop. (It picks up power for the GPS along the way.)

I run a nav programme of my choosing on the laptop. I have several. The normal position, track, AIS etc are displayed on the computer.

The method:
I sit somewhere comfortable (maybe the pub) with my phone or tablet and create a route, normally in navionics, but sometimes in another of the systems I have running. Back on the boat I bluetooth the route to the computer.

I load the route into the nav package on the computer and upload it to the GPS 72 in the cockpit using the Garmin protocol. I activate the route in the GPS for the helm to use. I configure the GPS to display the most useful info for the task at hand. Eg, distance and bearing to next, VMG, crosstrack error etc.

Why GPS 72?
1. The Garmin protocol allows me to upload routes to the handheld. I do not believe it possible to upload routes using NMEA 0183. NB many systems will claim they can do this in NMEA and behave as if they do so. In fact they'll simply upload a lot of unconnected waypoints not joined up into a route.
2. I have not found this to be possible on the GPS 73.
3. Annoyingly the USB Garmin protocol doesn't seem to enable this either 72H and 73.
4. I have the bracket there for the 72 in place.
5. Since the cockpit 72 spends a lot of time on the Garmin protocol, I have another GPS on NMEA for the DSC radio. To create flexibility in cases of failure, it is also a 72. It's keypad is broken. This doesn't matter unless I want to swap it to the cockpit. There is a bracket for this at the chart table.

I archive routes and tracks in GPX and often share them with crew in KMZ so that they can get a Google earth image of a cruise.

I'm sure there's a more effective way of doing all the things above, and will create it aboard my boat sometime, but it's a bit of a fart about.
 
Golly!

Keeping a pencil sharp suddenly seems very trivial in comparison.

Interesting that you use a 72 for DSC VHF. A possible solution for when I upgrade to one with a magic get me button.
 
I had a dead GPS72 around. I may have recycled it, but if not you can have it for a small donation to the charity of your choice. PM me if that's of interest and I'll get looking.
 
I freely admit that I do it the way I do because I enjoy it. I also find it hard to leave a helm with an instruction, say, to maximise the VMG using pencil and paper. As a wimp, there are also places whose pilotage would put me off without these systems.
 
JumbleDuck said:
I had a dead GPS72 around. I may have recycled it, but if not you can have it for a small donation to the charity of your choice. PM me if that's of interest and I'll get looking.
Click to expand...
If you do find it I'd appreciate it. (Couldn't pm you as it seems your space is all full up, or else there is a bug.)
 
Got it, and know what you mean about transferring routes in NMEA. Sometimes fails due to incompatible route/waypoint naming formats between devices if that helps. Bit odd that Garmin transfer on 73 is not same as 72.
 
MikeCC said:
Got it, and know what you mean about transferring routes in NMEA. Sometimes fails due to incompatible route/waypoint naming formats between devices if that helps. Bit odd that Garmin transfer on 73 is not same as 72.
Click to expand...

I suspect that the 73 can send the route the same way as the 72 but my software is not recognising the type of GPS. It is beyond my ken to hack the software, but if I scratched around I could probably find a different method.
 
Two years, really. I have a 72 that's been going for more than 10 years. I had one fail after about eight years, have worn out the keypad on one of a similar age, and had one of the plug pins break off in another - due to carelessness.
TQA said:
I have had a 72 a 76 and a 78.

I am currently using a 73. Why do I persist with kit that will fail after 2 years.

Well I like the interface and it does exactly what I want.
Click to expand...
 
James_Calvert said:
..............................................................

What is it about them that makes them more desirable for you than something with at least a basic chart plotter function say? (Something I don't have installed except on my phone and tablet)
Click to expand...

I don't know about the OP, but I treasure one of these for a single reason: the "dragging anchor alarm" when it goes off keeps going until I stop it. That's why keep GPS 12 in the V-berth cabin when I sleep. All the newer models I know sound the alarm for 30 seconds and then shut up. Not a smart feature at all, especially with the low volume of the sound.
 
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