Handheld GPS

[RTB]

I've had a Magellan handheld for about 8 years with no problems but it suddenly stopped working a few weeks ago. No obvious problems but it won't recognise the sats. I don't have fixed chartplotter so am going to go for another handheld. (no major passages planned - mainly day sailing 20-25 miles) What're the recommendations?

 

[guernseyman]

Garmin 72H

 

[Vallich]

Garmin 72H

Yep, got to agree - have one myself...

 

[RTB]

Saw that one and wondered about the "out of dateness" of it and fancied the Garmin ETrex instead. Whaddya think?

 

[elton]

I've had a Magellan handheld for about 8 years with no problems but it suddenly stopped working a few weeks ago. No obvious problems but it won't recognise the sats. I don't have fixed chartplotter so am going to go for another handheld. (no major passages planned - mainly day sailing 20-25 miles) What're the recommendations?

Has it been left turned off for an extended period, or moved a considerable distance, powered down? If so it will takes hours to get an initial fix.

Otherwise, Garmin 72H is a good choice of replacement.

 

[Vallich]

Hmmm, never used the Etrex but the 72H finds satellites quickly, always works, waterproof, batteries last ages and 'out of dateness' means only £80(ish) a copy on fleabay...

 

[RTB]

OK good comments - I'll shop around - and no the Magellan just didn't work after a short journey of 15 mls there and back. I guess it just died! The 72H has stood the test of time (my crew had one on that last trip and his is still working!)

 

[elton]

Saw that one and wondered about the "out of dateness" of it and fancied the Garmin ETrex instead. Whaddya think?

There's usually someone comments on these type of threads to recommend the Etrex, having never seen the 72H.

Others, such as myself have owned both. Etrex is fine on land. 72 is better on the water. Compare the specs.

 

[onesea]

https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/outdoor/handheld/cOnTheTrail-cHandheld-p1.html

The Garmin Website is good for comparisons, I have an older Oregon with some charts very handy.

If I was buying again I would be tempted my the Montana or the cheaper Dakota. Depends how much you use them I like the touch screen as its quite intuitive if you do not use it all the time...

Worth a look.

 

[2nd_apprentice]

Thought my Magellan 315 gave up the ghost this year: set of brand new batteries and all I got was a vertical line on the display. Quick google however suggested duff batteries, problem solved!

 

[ghostlymoron]

Can you get sea charts for the etrex?

 

[Tam Lin]

There are some disappointed people reviewing the cheap Garmin handhelds on Amazon!

 

[Jim@sea]

Don't buy the Marine Based Garmin GPSmap 76S. Although excellent there is a common fault and Garmin don't support this model anymore if you want to send it back for a "Paid For Repair" (being out of warranty)
Basically it loses its memory if you don't use it. Like many boat owners I only use it during the sailing season. When not in use I take the batteries out. (perhaps I should have left them in)
It now wont switch on. I rang Garmin to send it back for repair (or buy a re-furbished one) but they don't do it anymore, Presumably as they would have to update the beacons etc.
So another £130.00 down the drain.