Handheld GPS with tidal information.

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kgp1000

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I’m new to this forum so apologies if this has been asked before. I’m keen on buying a handheld gps system that not only has charts but also detailed tidal flow information. I’m particularly interested in it for Solent racing but might also use it for a few cross channel races. I have seen software like deckman and winning tides but from what I can see these only run on a PC. While the handheld GPS's I have seen don’t offer the ability to load on tidal soft ware, any ideas?
 
Handheld GPS/plotter would do it...

A handheld GPS/plotter would give you position info plus some tidal data from the chart cartridge. The Raymarine RC400 was about the cheapest, but is now obsolete - although if you search around you'll still find ones for sale. Otherwise, the Geonav 4C is essentially the same product and is still readily available.
 
Garmin 276C looks good.

Havn't seen how the tidal data is presented though. Some on here no doubt have one.

I do note that AIS is just beginning to be something that can go onto a small plotter. I wonder if there will be a handheld plotter available in the near future with either AIS built in, or able to take AIS data from elseswhere and present it.
 
Cheers for every ones comments. I read this article http://www.cowes.co.uk/cb/zone?p=story2;story_id=418;cp=0-11# the tidal data in the solent looks very impressive if i could load it on to some kind of handheld device. I have no real experience with PDAs they look very fragile not the kind of thing you would want to have on deck in December!! There seems to be a real gap in the market for a rugged handheld GPS with charting and tidal data.
 
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Garmin 276C looks good.

I do note that AIS is just beginning to be something that can go onto a small plotter. I wonder if there will be a handheld plotter available in the near future with either AIS built in, or able to take AIS data from elseswhere and present it.

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276C will work with an external AIS engine
 
An alternative ??

sarabande - I think the guy wants ALL ON ONE machine - a handheld plotter.

I know and you know that Belfield runs on near ALL PDA's - not only Dell Axim in fact.

Now that leads me to a possibility .... but is limited as daylight viewing at times is suspect.

A WinCE PDA such as a HP Jornada (now obselete but available cheap 2/hand) or other PDA can run various PDA versions of plotting software .... Ozi-ExplorerCE (very good but needs main PC version registered), Maptech - I don't like but others do ..... there are other ones as well ...
Tides can be catered for via Belfield or other WinCE tide programs - but if what you are after is tidal current display - then I can't think of any that go that far on a hand-held unless for example a Lowrance iFinder etc. can run the Nautipath / Navionics cards - which some can ... they have tidal current and height possibility ....

Really I think it's a sit down and trawl the net checking out as many sets and on-line manuals as possible ... then see what is actually available to see close up - as many hand-helds are sadly - like most in the flesh items - not quite what you see in adverts etc.
This is one time I prefer over counter - hands on checking .... then once decision is made see what on-line price is ... then go back to shop and haggle.
 
I think you will very quickly get p*****d off with a hand-held with such amount of info on it .... They are small screen and limited as it is ... without adding more onto it.

I have a Lowrance 3500C plotter - fixed job ... and that has a reasonable sized screen and has all you are asking current / height and plotting .... but it is about as small as I would go ... To add in AIS ????
 
Beware PDAs, most are not waterproof, or shock proof, whereas many HH Plotters have moulded in tough rubber casings (ie drop proof and waterproof). Some of the Garmins float. Big fan of the 276C mounted (quick release). Geonav 4C XS worth a look too (can be connected to LCD monitor too)
 
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