Which GPS for Waterways?

[Joeprunc]

I've been extremely busy lately trying to make ends meet, and haven't found anytime to do any research on GPS units for waterways. So I apologize for not having a few units narrowed down. So I'll throw a few questions out there, and hopefully I can get some assistance.

Does anyone have a GPS unit for their boat? Which company & model is it? About how much was it? What features do you like about it? Which features are useless? If you were to get another would you buy the same one or something else, and why?

I really don't need a GPS device for driving my truck, but if there are some that double as both (for not that much more money), that would be quite nice. The main reason I'm looking for one is becuase I plan on doing a lot of trips to the Delta (Stockton, CA), there are a lot of slews and water ways that can get you turned around in a hurry. In case I'm not behind the wheel of the boat it would be nice to make sure I get back to the trailer & truck at the end of the day. With that said I don't have oogles of money to get the fanciest on the market...I'm hoping to spend no more that $500.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks

[chadster2]

I had a buddy that missed the channel by <200 ft and almost lost it all with his boat standing on its nose and hitting down hard filling with water...
I'd have one too. for now I use my laptop not the best idea. For now on long river trips it gets the job done.

[TeamAllen]

I purchased the Garmin Oregon 300 last year before our trip to Lake Powell. I love it! It is a hand held and has a touch screen menu. It is very easy to use.

Out of the box it will probably do what you want to use it for. I purchased the street maps in addition to the built in maps so I could use it one the road as well. I might purchase the interlake maps this year? It doesn't need them, but it looks interesting.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=14903
http://www.adorama.com/GPGROR300WW.h...38432796643492

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=1456&pvID=2743
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.as...10&dcaid=17902

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=1404&pvID=2691
http://www.buy.com/prod/garmin-mapso...202870192.html

You could also go for the Garmin Oregon 400i. It already includes the inland lakes maps. It is built into the memory though and you can't install the maps on your computer like the DVD version.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=14906

If you are a member of REI, you can try it out and return it if you are not satisfied. You get a percentage back at the end of the year for a dividend and it looks like they have a $50 rebate going on right now. They will at least have them in the store for you to try out.

[Joeprunc]

Thanks Allen. That is some very useful information. I like how the are waterproof, I guess that kind of slipped my mind when thinking of getting one.

I can even get an upgrade with topo maps! That would be awesome for camping and wheeling this summer.

[Duncan]

Can anyone offer feedback from their experience with BlueChart g2 Vision add ons, especially for river navigation? The Inland Rivers card is listed at $321. Is the stock unit (e.g., Garmin Oregon 300) useful for river navigation in the absence of the additional data card?

[Original Wing Nut]

I also have an Oregon from Garmin, I have the 400 which comes loaded with the entire US topo map and street maps. It is great for wheeling and snowmobiling. I also loaded all atv trails for Utah and surrounding areas overlayed on top of the topo maps. It is a great device, I am also looking at getting the inland waterways software. I purchased a marine mount for my Polaris RZR and love how it mounts and is easy to use while underway. I will get a mount the boat this spring as well. I alsways know I headed in the right direction if I am following TeamAllen. So either stay close to him or copy him. I don't think you would go wrong with either.

[Joeprunc]

Yea I was looking at the 300 and 400s online today. I think I need to take a trip to Best Buy and play with them .

I'm thinking cry once and get all the bells and whistles already loaded (i.e. the 400).

[TeamAllen]

Thanks for the compliment OWN. You can't go wrong with either. The only difference is if the software is preloaded you can't install it on your computer. It's kind of like having your computer OS pre installed and them not giving you the start up CD. If you had to reinstall the software on your GPS, I think you are out of luck with the original map that came pre-installed? I installed a 4GB Micro SD card to hold all the maps.

Anyway, it is the greatest handheld I have ever used. Go check them out!

[ekag]

Garmin 545S

Cost: $700.00 factory refurbished.
Cost: $1100 New.

S stands for Sounder.
545 has inland lakes and all US intercoastal waterways.
535 just has inland lakes.

$150.00 Extra for Vision G2 card that's adds superior graphics and data enhancements. Bought it on Ebay.

Why? Cause it's the best bang for the buck, reliability, has alarm that is preset when I get near shallow waters, it fits perfectly on my dash (not too big and not too small), easy to use, bright screen.

Very pleased so far.

[mtnsmith]

The garmin oregons are great and user friendly and I have used a garmin gpsmap 478 extensively. I like that it has a very bright screen and the antenna seems to pickup a lot better than the units that are totally flat like the oregon and the edge and whatnot. Bright color screen and long battery life are my top two decision factors. Get a accessory plug power adapter as well, I use mine lots.

[chadster2]

Couldn't you use the Iphone?

[mtnsmith]

the iphone maps do not have speed, distance, heading, bearing, or channel markers in my case, but they are tons of fun and handy on the boat.

[chadster2]

the iphone maps do not have speed, distance, heading, bearing, or channel markers in my case, but they are tons of fun and handy on the boat.

The one I just saw didn't have channel markers, but the rest was there

(I think) looked like my hand held for sure.

It's not mine, just some guy at the station did a $3 down load.
If not now, they will have them soon.

[Joeprunc]

Found this site that does some pretty in depth reviews on GPS units. I think the Oregon is going to be the one for me...its now just a decision on which model I need??? Having the maps of DVD/miniSD would be nice.

[Duncan]

The one I just saw didn't have channel markers, but the rest was there

(I think) looked like my hand held for sure.

It's not mine, just some guy at the station did a $3 down load.
If not now, they will have them soon.

Anyone else know details re iPhone application download?