Which GPS

[LORDNELSON]

I need to replace my old ML 250 GPS with a new fixed mount GPS which fits into the bulhead behind my chart table; the choice seems to be between a Garmin 128 or similar Magellan. Grateful for any advice/experience/suggestions.

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[pvb]

Look at the Garmin 152...

Might be worth having a look at a Garmin 152 instead. For a few quid more, it gives you a much better screen - a 4-level gray LCD with over twice as many pixels, resulting in far better graphics. The 152 is also WAAS-enabled and has a clock and a built-in database.



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[tome]

I have a Garmin 128 and a Magellan handheld set. I find the Garmin to have a much more intuitive user interface, there's not much to chose between them otherwise IMHO. Garmin have a good reputation for after-sales service, can't comment on Magellan.

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[coco]

I have installed a Garmin 152 about 8 Months ago. Great "no frills" instrument. Feeds all the other onboard gimmicks like BG 1000, DSC VHF and Yeoman. Very reliable indeed.

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[fluffc]

Re: Look at the Garmin 152...

Quite agree. I have a new boat, and was considering Garmin 128, as I have found it a lovely bit of kit on other boats. Simple and clear in use. Am now quite tempted by the Garmin 152 - just a few more quid and much better spec.

There is a hint in the literature that one can download information into the 152 - does anyone know what can be downloaded. I presume it won't act as a chart plotter.

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[ditchcrawler]

I cannot speak too highly of Garmin.My handheld GPS48 developed a problem with the back up battery.I E mailed them & they replied the next day with some solutions to try.These did not work so I returned it to them & they installed a new back up battery,& gave me a new case & AA batteries all free of charge.They also did not loose my waypoints installed which I use with my Yoeman plotter.The logic of Garmins is easy to understand also.

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[Talbot]

Bite the bullet and buy a plotter (Navman 5500) site it so that you can see it while at the wheel, and wonder how you managed without it!!!! (I also have an old magellan hand held as a back up)

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[Petercatterall]

In a similar situation I went for the 152, It looks good when tested off the boat and I agree that the few pounds over the 128 are worth spending.
I dont feel inclined to invest in chart plotters as I'm sure that Id still want to use a paper chart as well.
Regards

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[pvb]

Yes!

Agree entirely! If you want a good fixed GPS, the Garmin 152 is hard to beat. But it's £250, which is nearly halfway to a Navman plotter. I was going to get a 152 last spring, but I bought a Navman 5600 colour plotter instead. And I have to say it's excellent - amazingly intuitive to operate, easily visible across the cockpit, and packed with features. Great piece of kit.

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[Oldhand]

Suggest you also look at Raymarine's Raynav 300. This appears to have a good receiver and provides better accuracy than most.

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[alpha]

Having used GPS for a long, long, time, now, I chose the MLR MX312 for my boat. A proper 0-9 keypad, intuitive menus, and a big screen. Unbeatable, and interfaced with my Yeoman, gives me everything I need and more.

The MLR had excellent write-ups in the press too.

Garmin fall far short of my own standards for ease of data entry - and I say that despite the fact that all my waypoint entry tends to be from the Yeoman!

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[pvb]

No more accurate...

The Raynav 300 isn't any more accurate than other current-generation GPS units. It's got a 12-channel receiver and has WAAS/EGNOS capability - both features shared by most other newer models. It does have an excellent screen, but at around £400 it's quite a bit more than the £250 asked for Garmin 152 etc.

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[LORDNELSON]

Re: Where...........

Thats interesting; I would be grateful if you could tell me who makes the MLR and where I can find their web site. On my previous boat I had a Garmin which had a 0 to 9 keypad which I preferred to pushing arrows. Thanks

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[jimi]

On the other hand if you get a chart plotter all the waypoints are point & click. I use paper charts but also have a Garmin chart plotter, which I can't fault, principally for ease of waypoint entry .. makes a big difference when your passage plan changes on a dark stormy night.

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[alpha]

Fair question! It used to be made by, errrrm, MLR (a french company), and is now part of the Magellan range, owned by Thales.

http://www.magellangps.com/en/ might help (sorry, can't seem to find a means of making the link 'live').

Sorry for the typo above in my post - the unit is the FX312 (I think it's the XC version that I have).

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[kingfisher]

I had similar excellent service from Magellan. Same quality as a Garmin. But indeed, a Garmin is much more intuitive in its use. But that doesnt mean a magellan is an electronic maze, you just need VCR-programming capabilities (so that excludes me mom and me nan).

I believe YM did a test of several fixed GPS's and I believe the Furuno 32 came out tops. You might want to look into that one. 250 beer tokens, which is 50 more than the Garmin 128

Oh and BTW: Magellan=MLR. Magellan sort of bought out the competition when their quality got to close. It's a two dog race again.

<hr width=100% size=1>Group of people on the pontoon: skipper is the one with the toolbox.
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[tome]

Thales (big French company who are joint project leaders on Tony's new aircraft carriers) bought out Racal, Ashtec, Magellan and MLR. That lovely word synergy springs to mind, so expect to see some of the brand names and people disappear.

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[johmal]

The Garmin 128 is an old model by modern standards. Have a look at the Garmin Website - to see what they are currenly pushing. That said I have a 128 which came with the boat. It is a sound reliable piece of kit.

I also have a 2 year old Garmin GPS76 handheld from my last boat, which is streets ahead in what it will do. Although the screen is smaller - the display resolution is much better, and what is displayed is user configurable.

Why not set up a handheld to use at the chart table - (plug in external arial and power supply) - and you also have a bit of kit to use in the cockpit as well.

There is a GPS76 Map - but that is nearly twice the price!

Have fun,

John M

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[LORDNELSON]

Re: Yes!

Good idea, but I have an old chartplotter (Autohelm Navcentre with C-map charts), so all I need is a feed from the GPS to the Navcentre/radar/DSCVHF - though I'm tempted by the idea of a new Chartplotter!

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[LORDNELSON]

Re: Thanks

I have located Advanced Technology Distributors at East Wittering who I hope will help

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