GPS Handheld or fixed?

[Windfall]

We've started to update our latest project (translate into poor loads of money into it!) and are thinking about some new electronics. - Its a little like a child in a sweet shop -

Am pondering whats best GPS wise - handheld or fixed? Any words of wisdom? Can see some good arguments for handheld but don't really know the gains/losses of the two.

cheers

 

[Twister_Ken]

Both

Unfortunately, the best answer is "Both".

One plumbed in (no baby batteries to go flat at the critical moment, you can interface it with DSC radio, autopilt, etc)

One h/held for use in the dinghy, and as standby if the fixed one goes pop.

Saving grace is, if you go for both, the h/held need only be fairly rudimentary (and cheap) - the Garmin 12 is a good bet for this use.

 

[Guest]

I do not know the size of your boat, but mine is going to be 6.13mtrs so what I say below reflect this.

I chose a Garmin 176C GPS, this unit can be loaded with either, street maps or charts (it uses Atlantic Blue charts). The chart for the whole of the South coast of the UK, including up and around Chatham is ONE zone, I found this good value for money as on some others you may need to nuy two or more electronic charts at great expense to cover the same zone, therfore making your initial saving on the unit if there was one, pointless.

The unit comes with a quick release marine bracket to fit in the boat, this can quickly be removed to take it off theboat and use it with a car fixing adapter kit (sticky oads, or screws).

The screen quality is excellent, you have the capability of pltting routes on the PC before setting off or on the unit. With the dual use car and marine I found it Brilliant value. Mind you I did have some data chips from another Garmin product that I was able to use in this one (e-map), so if you are loading the UK roads, you would need at least 64mb (perhaps 74mb) for the whole country, or if you were happy just to keep say the South coast loaded on (as you can change it any time) you would need less. I think the Marine charts of the South coast zone only takes about 2mb.

Check out the Garmin web site or ring their customer services in the Uk, it is well made kit and they are very helpful. Feel free to PM me with any questions not suitable for broadcast on here.

Good luck

"You only see waht you recognise, and you only recognise what you know"

 

[Guest]

Re: Both

As ken says, it is useful to have battery power as well, this unit uses both, so the power lead can be left in the boat ready to plug in. As with a VHF you have the choice to have another, but if it was a choice between a spare handheld VHF or GPS I would take the VHF, it may be a bit more useful. With the 176C, if you kept full batteries in it, you could unclip it in an emergency and take it with you. Make sure you look at the sizes, the screen is a good size for me, in relation to the value for money aspect, but if you want widescreen standards, as Ken says, get one of each.

Happy hunting,



"You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know"

 

[Guest]

Forgot to tell you the 176C is colour (very nice), The 176 is B & W, so make sure you are looking at the right one, if you are interested

"You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know"

 

[dah]

Re: Both

In the end it really depends on (a) how deep are your pockets? and (B) what do you really want your gps to do. If you are the type of sailor/navigator who feels the need to have all the electronic gizmos ever created and intend to do most of your navigating from the comfort of the saloon then the latest fixed GPs with all the additional charts etc is probably for you. However I have found a mixture of eyeball, paper/plotter/pencil and a handheld GPS more than adequate for the Irish Sea. You pays your money, takes your choice.

 

[Magic_Sailor]

Windfall

Handheld I'd say. I use a Garmin GPS12. It's excellent. I power it from the boat's 12V system most of the time (obviously it has batteries of it's own). I got a "mobile 'phone mount" (like you can get for car's - only cheap) and mounted it on the coachroof under the spray hood. It clips in a treat. That way, I have the best of all world - portable, fixed on deck and also fixed at the chat table should I need it.

Another one as backup (fixed or portable) could be a good idea but the problem comes if they disagree with each other and you rely on them for position etc - which one is right?

So - handheld + trad EP.

Magic

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://hometown.aol.co.uk/geoffwestgarth/myhomepage/travelwriting.html>Click for website!</A>

 

[jleaworthy]

If you can only afford one go for the handheld - with a power/data cable in the cockpit. This arrangement has the following advatages:
1. You can take it home and in simulation mode feed in all the way points whilst planning your coming cruise.
2. Because it has internal batteries it will not trip out when you start your engine.
3. You can take it with you in dinghy or (God forbid) liferaft.
4. With the power/data cable it runs off ship's batteries and will drive your autopilot or any other bits that take the nmea information.
5. You can tuck it under the sprayhood in wet conditions or hold it in your hand while steering if you so wish.

Get yourself a Garmin 48 which are superb for marine use. My earlier model 45 is seven years old and has never given a moment's trouble.