Which is best?

[Ratti]

I've been given a Trimble handheld GPS, with extension antenna-on-a-string and an extra power supply clip-on thing that sucks up from 12 volts instead of AAA batteries, by No1 ex-husband.

The other one, No2, thinks it's pants and tells me to buy an Etrex thing from the Blacks camping store in town. he says they're better than Trimble, and cheaper in Blacks.

Should I upset them both by flogging the Trimble stuff on eBay and getting a Magellan instead? BTW, I don't expect to go outside the Solent in our little Contessa.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Arguably you don't need either in Lake Solent (tho' I use mine mostly coz the SOG and COG make it easy to do ruff maths to get tide strength and set).

 

[AndrewB]

No 1 ex gives you a GPS and no 2 won't even outdo him?? You need to pick your ex's with more care, Ratti.

 

[Slow_boat]

If you need GPS to tell where you are in Lake Solent perhaps you should consider another passtime. Keep your eyes open and don't bother with either unless it's foggy. You're more likely to hit another boat than the bottom anyway.

 

[mikemonty]

[ QUOTE ]
unless it's foggy.

[/ QUOTE ]
Are you advocating "no GPS"?
I think you just negated your own statement.
Imagine the fog rolling in from nowhere - Thinks - "oh dear, maybe a GPS would have been useful after all?"

 

[graham]

whatever you buy get a bracket that allows it to run on 12 volt dc . It will pay for itself in a season and save lots of fiddly battery changing.

I have had good service from our Magellan Sportrack over about 4 seasons with lots of use and abuse. Yesterday it took a long time to initially lock onto the satellites but was fine afterwards,hopefully just a temporary glitch.

 

[Slow_boat]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
unless it's foggy.

[/ QUOTE ]
Are you advocating "no GPS"?
I think you just negated your own statement.
Imagine the fog rolling in from nowhere - Thinks - "oh dear, maybe a GPS would have been useful after all?"

[/ QUOTE ]

No, I'm not advocating no GPS. It makes sense to me to have one in case of fog etc. I bought a handheld for just that reason last season. However, I would not castigate anyone for not having one.

What I'm saying is that in Lake Solent you are not navigating, you're on pilotage, so a decent lookout and local knowledge is of more use than a GPS, unforseen emergencies apart.

And yes, I do know what I'm talking about. I learned to sail in Lake Solent and later instructructed there for years well before GPS was invented and vhf was routinely fitted pleasure craft or yachts.

 

[pvb]

Garmin...

You'd be better off with a Garmin than a Magellan. Garmin products tend to be waterproof; most Magellan products are "weatherproof" (ie they're not waterproof!). For boating, you need a proper waterproof handheld GPS.

 

[pheonix]

Re: Garmin...

i have found the basic etrex great and definatly needs to be waterproof on deck however would be grate if i had the 12v lead to go with it as rechargeable batteries seem to run dry at the least oppertune moment and without warning
/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[CPD]

Re: Garmin...

Get the garmin power and data lead, which keeps the gps going, and wires it into your DSC radio as well. Works a treat !!

 

[Billjratt]

Re: Garmin...

Get a MARINE garmin.. The Etrex my mate got won't work from the 12v without a special adapter(£), was crap to do waypoints with, didn't Nmea out properly, but looked lovely in yellow. IMHO etrex are for mountain goats. ( that's why they're cheaper)