Garmin Hand Held Plotter, which one?

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tcm

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Now he has set off I can post this.

Mr TCM wants one of these for his birthday. Does anyone know which is the best model to buy. I take it the chips in the E80 we have won't work and I will need new ones? Any clues would be greatfully received

Mrs TCM
 
Hiya
There are lots of these, but as it is TCM you should get Garmin cos he thinks they are the best. They're probably are the best, too

These days, handhelds come in tiny ones the size of a 2005 mobile phone, though they are a bit faffy to use. Eg this is top of the range ish http://www.mesltd.co.uk/garmin-oregon-400t-europe-p-11606.html

Alternatively if you want handheld but bigger than a phone the Garmin 276c is definitely the best (I have the older model, 176c, but basically the same, and it's very good)
http://www.mesltd.co.uk/garmin-map276c-colour-plotter-p-561.html. The pic shows it on a mount bracket but it clicks off that if you want to use it as pure handheld. It's about the size of 2x Nokia 2005 mobile phones, side by side, and a bit thicker

Both take chart chips and the ones from the E80 wont fit so you have to buy new. One will cover all the carib these days and another will cover all the Med

MES are a good supplier, helpful on the phone, cr card mail order etc

Happy shopping!
 
I have an Oregon 400t and it's brilliant. It takes the Bluechart SD thing and has a built in European land map with plenty of detail for walking or road navigation... but not detailed coverage out here in Romania. It's not the cheapest but it is very simple to use.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks John the 276c looks about right.

Just found a Garmin 195 that we don't want the 276c must be about the same size. Thanks for the supplier as well.

Di

[/ QUOTE ]

I have the 276c and love it. Can't go wrong with that one IMO.
 
The 276C was launched in 2004, but it is still the biz with software updates issued only last month.

It's more a portable than a handheld, but the 4" hi-res bright screen is superb. We use the DVD/CD version of bluecharts because we can also use them on the laptop for planning and route management. Don't forget to buy him a blank data card for storing charts on it, also recommend the bean bag mount, 12v power lead, and cover if it's going to be move around a lot.
 
The question is portability.

The Oregon is the size of a mobile phone, and is for trekking, hiking, walking in the city

The 276c is bigger, so won't necessarily fit in the pocket of your pants, but has a larger/better screen. The 276c is better if you need a mobile plotter for charter yachts, or use as a car GPS. Less handy for those rough treks trough the jungle or the walk from the piazza Navone to the colloseum.
 
I'll add a fifth [or sixth] reccomendation for the Garmin 276c - absolutely brilliant as a portable - I use mine in the car / on my motorbike / on the boat as my main plotter

+ It'll run for at least 5 hours on its built in battery

+ press one button to interchange between road mapping [to get to the marina] to marine charts [to get to Cowes]

+ Before you leave you can plug it into the USB on your puter and plan your trips on a big screen.

+ When you get back you plug it back in again and download the log of exaclty where you went, what time, how fast, average speed etc. *** this is an absolutely brill feature;- I amalgamate all my trips into one big log for the entire season. [ I havent seen any of the big plotters that do this]***

There is a new model [the 376c] that already has all the European roads built into it so you don't need to buy a huge chip to store all them as well

I am sure if he needs a walkaround plotter to get him to the pub he'll have an iPhone or something already.
 
Let me put it this way:
Getting the oregon as a gift is like getting a Hermes scarf (nice), getting the 376c is like getting a Hermes handbag (rush out to show it off to all your friends).

Now that the 376c is available, you can't get him the 276c, as this is now outdated. Very important, a bit like getting your wife the shoes from last summers' collection. Been there, done that.
 
Hey Mrs TCM or SWMBO at you are most affectionately referred to by Mr TCM, I agree that the Garmin 276c is portable but I had one and I wouldn’t call it handheld. Certainly you can hold it in both your hands but it wont happily go in a pocket. I suspect that TCM wants something pocket size for when not on Mojomo so he may want it pocket size with a good battery life. The Oregon is not designed for marine chart plotting and not friendly with waypoint plotting. If its to be Garmin, I would recommend the GPSMAP 76 CSx. Just my opinion.
Looking at the Mojomo Blog, I think that TCM is in need of more buckets right now!
 
[ QUOTE ]
The 276C was launched in 2004, but it is still the biz with software updates issued only last month.

It's more a portable than a handheld, but the 4" hi-res bright screen is superb. We use the DVD/CD version of bluecharts because we can also use them on the laptop for planning and route management. Don't forget to buy him a blank data card for storing charts on it, also recommend the bean bag mount, 12v power lead, and cover if it's going to be move around a lot.

[/ QUOTE ]

could you recomment an online shop where I could buy all 3? Any ebay stores have them, but all seperate stores. Would like to get from the one place to combine shipping

-Edit- Did some Googling, can find a store has has all 3 items and postage ( $35) for $90 all in - does that seem fair?
 
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