Handheld GPS?

Another vote for the 72 - this is my "instrument panel".. :D

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The mount for the 72 came with the package I bought.. interfaces with my PC via an eBay sourced cable, I use EasyGPS (free) and GoogleEarth for downloading/uploading tracks & waypoints....
 
Quester said:
I've been using a Garmin 12 for many years with no problems. Supposed to be waterproof but I keep in a splashproof cover to be sure. Runs on on 4 x AA batteries (rechargables are OK) or from 12 v via a power/data cable. Mine's linked via data cable (NMEA 183) to nav instruments and a laptop running chart plotting software. Waypoints and routes can be uploaded/downloaded to a PC with free software so no need to go through the laborious chore of inputting via the scrolling butttons.

Why not check on ebay for bargain older model like this if (like me) you are boating on a tight budget.
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Question - are you sure it's a 12, not a 12XL? My understanding is that the 12XL runs off 12 volts and so can be connected direct to a boat 12 volt system. The 12 is a lower voltage and needs some kind of an stepdown adaptor. Budget for the power converter if you buy the original 12.

I started with a 12 and then upgraded to the 72, mainly to escape the power problem (there are many other benefits too).

My experience is that a set of 4 batteries in the 12 lasted less than half as long as 2 in the 72. I.e., the 12 is at least 4 times as battery hungry as the 72.
 
I have an eTrex Summit and am thinking of getting a 72H as an additional backup.

Beware there seem to be many versions of eTrex, so make sure of what you are getting.

I think, if I had to choose one, it would be the 72H. Bigger screen, primarily.
 
Although I prefer the display of the Garmin GPS12(XL etc), I bought an Eagle/Lowrance Explorer - 'cause it was on special offer at £30 - about 5 years ago, when 12's were fetching about £100.
As it was able to easily get a fix indoors, through plasterboard, loft insulation and cement tiles, I decided to buy a second as a back-up. Then I saw a third going for £20 ... and a fourth.

12-channel, NMEA out, external power in - what more do you want ?
And at £20 a time, they really can be treated as disposable items.
 
choice of GPS

We have both an etrex which has given years of service in all conditions and a Garmin 12 XL which was inherited with the boat.
The 12 XL is preferable for the boat,not only because it connects to the 12 volt system and the vhf but particularly when deployed in the cockpit where the very useful 'GOTO (waypoint) ' feature gives you a neat clear screen showing bearing/direction and actual course made,either on a preloaded route or to give a fix on distant buoys.The etrex GOTO is very basic.
Either way ,look out for the PC interface cables at the same time.
 
One problem I have had is that you cant load a routes from other software as Garmin try to keep things proprietary.
I find that I can create waypoints in Open CPN ,save to a GPX file,and then open and save this file in Easy GPS, then send to Garmin 12 XL successfully,when I can't for some reason
do it direct.(even when the 12 is recognised OK in open CPN)
 
Little Rascal said:
Cheers Phil.

I'm now trying to decide between the E-trex H and the 72H...

There's about £30 quid in it roughly - but I'm not sure what the 72 has extra? The specs seem pretty much the same.

How easy are the side-mounted buttons on the etrex to use?
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The eTrex and the 72 are two completely different devices. As far as I'm aware the eTrex doesn't have an anchor drag alarm and it doesn't float, and that's just for starters.
 
My 76CSX has become my primary, located at the binnacle with a proper 12volt power socket .... I fire up the big Raymarine at the nav table when I want a big picture of the depth and underwater obstacles cross checked with paper maps of course.

One of the best features is the sail tracks; would be particularly helpful in a MOB situation. Zoom in, and retrace your path... you should find the bobber somewhere on the past tracks.

Apparently the GPS 72 is also top kit and can be bought used on flea Bay:D
 
Just to confirm the issue raised in an earlier post.
The garmin 12 does indeed not run on 12V , I have one and got my electronics savvy Brother In Law to make me a little device to give me 12v in and IIRC 7.2v at 1W out.
It has worked fine for years , I use it to give the position signal to my DSC radio.
The 12XL as others have confirmed does run off 12V

I use a Lowrance H2Oc for navigating , fine for me , except the screen is getting hard to read ( not the device that's the problem , it's my eyes)
 
jakeroyd said:
.... got my electronics savvy Brother In Law to make me a little device to give me 12v in and IIRC 7.2v at 1W ....
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That sounds good. I'd quite like an "electronics savvy Brother In Law". If you could give us a web site where to find them it'd be handy for many of us.
 
As I recall, the first eTrexes (eTrices?) wouldn't do Lat/Long, as they were aimed directly at the walking market. Garmin used to be very brutal about segmenting their market - for example the Garmin 95 flying GPS was exactly the same as a much cheaper handheld (45?) but with a board link which restricted maximum displayed speed to 99.9kt cut. They don't seem to play that game any more, and according to their website the later eTrex models did Lat/Long quite happily.

Meanwhile, OP, buy a GPS72. It's an astonishingly good piece of kit, as witness the fact that it has been around for close on ten years now. How many other electronic devices have sold for that long? I keep mine in a waterproof case, despite its claimed waterproofness.
 
Neil_Y said:
I've had three Garmins fail due to moisture, seems to be through the battery cover so I now put the 72 I have in a plastic zip lock and in a roll up water proof.

They were all a few years old but hardly ever used as they were back up units.

The first two the screen lost a few lines at a time and the latest one just shuts down, so I'm looking for something more water proof now...
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Have three 72s (explanation why is complex*) Use in all weathers. No failures in eight years apart from by injuring one.

*explanation: I have one on the DSC radio on NMEA, and one on the computer on Garmin protocol. One thing - the data pins on the instrument are somewhat fragile. I broke one. I replaced the instrument. Subsequently Garmin mended it cheaply - hence I have three.
 
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