GPS help.

[whitlock87]

I am thinking of getting a GPS that I can use in my boat.
We are planning our first ever trip to lake Powel next summer, and I thought a GPS would be a must as I would really hate to get lost. LOL.
Any suggestions on what GPS I should buy?
Will they all let you see where you are and how fast you are going (for calibrating my speed-o)?
Thanks for any information
David W.

[Domsz06]

I have a garmin nuvi and love it. Think it's model 550

[chpthril]

I use the Garmin GPS 60c (Cx now) Had it about a year now after my 4yr old ETrax Legand crapped out. I use it in the car, on the trail, and in the boat.

Things that I like about it:
Cell phone style antenna for better reception.
Water proof
Down loadable using MapSource software
Swival belt clip

You can use it in map or compass mode. Has a trip data mode that allows you to see avg speed, distance traveled, max speed, time stopped, overall speed. elevation, etc. Sun and Moon phases. Hunting/fishing data.

GPSmap 60c https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=309

[mtnsmith]

The garmin's are a pretty bombproof product and they have great customer service. I have a garmin nav computer for the car and it is great. The Nuvi does not really do much for nautical charts so I would stay away from that line. If you want to spend some money and have a very accurate gps the Garmin GPSMAP 378 is the unit to get. It comes preloaded with all inland lakes that have been charted. It usually even has the lake on it if it hasn't been charted, it just won't have any marinas, depths, or landmarks. It is usually around $800 or so. It does full land nav too with voice directions. It has a little multidirectional antenna as well so it will be able to get a signal in more places. There are also several ways to hardwire that unit in so you get permanent power and there are some nice mounts for it. They have used that body with different insides for about 5 years now. My dad and a good friend both have one.

I have a magellan handheld as well and though it has been a great little gps for me, their customer service bites. I have known several people with their new and old items that have had tons of issues never resolved. For built-in units I like the Garmin or Lowrance/Eagle stuff. They both make some pretty nice color screen units that will do both gps and fishfinder. I know most of our boats already have depth gauges in them, but you never know. I used to have a Lowrance M68C and it was very nice. If you are looking at one maybe used on e-bay or something make sure it has a day-light viewable screen . Some of the color screens as new as 2 or 3 years old are not very visible in bright daylight, which pretty much makes them useless. Also when you get one and have any questions shoot me a pm, I make maps for a living so I pretty much have a gps with me at all times, they can be a real pain to trouble shoot sometimes. Wow, that made me sound like a real nerd huh?!?!?!

[talltigeguy]

I have the Etrex legend by Garmin and it has been a good unit. Comes with a car adapter so I can keep the light on and not run the battery down when navigating at night. I have driven back the marina at night watching my GPS and not even watching where I am going. I put the wife in the front with a spotlight for buoys, boats or other water debris.

[raythompson]

GPS Unit

I have the Garmin 276C unit and it works well. It has marine as well as land navigation. You have to purchase a memory card and the charts for your area. The charts for the local lakes include hazard information along with navigation markers although the markers are not exactly where the charts say they are.

The unit also doubles for auto navigation. Again you have to download the maps for the area to get detailed directions.

The unit will track your travels and you can later download them into the Garmin computer software and see where you have been.

One other advantage of the tracking is that you can backtrack. You have the unit track your path. Then if you want to get back you have the unit navigate back on your original path to get you back to where you were. This is helpful in unknown locations.

The best accuracy that I have been able to get is 6 feet when using ground stations in conjuction with the satellite. Using satellite only the best accuracy has been about 12 feet.

Garmin is highly recommended.

[zad0030]

I have a Megellan Explorist 300. And its fine for what we use it for, speed, and retracing our steps.

[TeamAllen]

I have the Garmin eTREX Vista. It's a basic handheld with everything I need out of a GPS. At the time when I purchased mine it was one of the few that had an altimeter. You can check them out at REI, if you have one near you.
http://www.rei.com/OM/style/670219?c...:referralID=NA

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=163

You can get it for $164 @ BoatFix.com http://www.boatfix.com/cart2/Scripts...h=010-00243-00