Whats the Best GPS???

[obrien093]

Im in the market for a GPS and wanted to hear some advice on the best model to go with (resonably priced)...what brands are you guys using out there ...and which should i stay away from....

[skidoo29]

don't have one myself, but if you try the search option there are many different threads on this already


warren

[sho305]

It seems that the best deal is the etrex for $99 on sale, often at best buy. That one does not have maps I think, or large numbers/etc that some like better. Not sure what it best but some have larger readouts and more recall features that work better. The etrex is the bare bones. There are at least two big threads I have read here describing different model's features.

[stvhelm]

Im looking at getting the garmin 176c gps. it has a large color screen which is easy to read and the road maps for getting to these events are great. you can set jumbo numbers and have current and max speed displayed at the same time.

[sosmerc]

I don't know about "reasonable price", but I have sold several of the Nordskog digital 3 3/8 GPS speedos and my customers seem to really like it. They have memory recall, also serve as a voltmeter, tachometer and compass (via a mode switch). Comes complete with antenna and mode switch for $350 plus shipping.
I think they are a quality unit. They are designed to stay in the boat just like the rest of your guages....so you don't have the versatility of the handhelds.

[Jimbob]

Are you looking for a dash mounted GPS speedo or a handheld? If your thinking of a handheld get one that has a built-in map. The built-in one will not go down to street or local roads level ( you can usually buy chips for that) but will give state hwys and even down to farm-to-market roads. And when in 'tracking mode' it will show a dotted line where you been even if it's not showing a road there. Real helpful if ya get lost, especially on a lake. I have a Garmin E-Map,(now superceded with the E-Trex, I think), great little unit, costs a $150. Most have all the same features now like speed, max speed, trip odo, and the like.
Just me 2 cents.:D

[RRRevinrude]

GARMIN

[MarkHP]

There are many to choose from. What do you want to do with it?

If you want a map-type display then go with one that has the most pixels. If you need just spedd and distance then there are several at about $100. As far as performance theyy are all very similar. Some will say the 'patch' antenna type are not as good as the helical under tree canopy, but if it is for a boat then this doesn't matter.

Check out http://www.gpscentral.ca/ they carry may types and there is a lot of information here.

[obrien093]

yes im looking for a handheld unit....i want to to function with maps as well as speed....so far I have been impressed with the Garmin Legend....does anyone have experience with this model?....im still going to look into the Magellen and see how it compares......thanks for all the feedback

[MarkHP]

I have the Legand. I am very satified with it. Just don't expect great marine navigation maps from it. If you want these then a chart plotter is the way to go, but these are much more $$. remember to get the street level detail you will have to buy the map software and download it to the unit. this is true with either Garman or Magellan. They come standrad with major roads and points of interest but not city details.

[obrien093]

for the money i think i have narrowed it down to either the Garmin Etrex Legend or the Magellan Meridian Gold....either way I dont think you can really go wrong

[300x Stoker]

I've got a Magellan for non boating stuff but there doesn't seem to be any speed recall function which is an absolute necessity so I can't recommend the Magellin for boating / speed issues.

The screen area is so small on most of these things, trying to navigate without a paper map can be quite frustrating. It will show you where you are on the map and that makes it more than worth the money. You still need a paper map for the larger perspective.

YMMV

[Fish]

I was looking at the same one. really liked the screen size, portability between boat and car...etc. One thing I did not like about it was the battery life. Read somewhere that batt life is about 4 hours. If hard wired then no problem, but something to consider.

Garmin also has a new handleld called the 60c. Color, maps, 54mb internal storage so don't have to use the memory cards, computer compatability and approx 30 hrs battery life. The screen is not as large as the 176, but has every option, WAAS, more memory than almost all others, and one if the longest battery life's available.

If you can find them in stores, still a little pricey, but lots cheaper, NIB on Ebay, and less than the 176.

Fish

[Techno]

The way I figure it you can do it 4 ways.
A hand held stuck on the dash with velcro or mounted on the dash with one of those 'ugly' mounts.
Hand held mounted into the dash.
A 3" standard cut out gauge GPS
A permanant mounted GPS.
Each has good and bad points.

I firstly had the hand held stuck to the dash. Now will have a permanant installed instead. This does all the speed items ever wanted and mapping and all that garbage.
The handhelds could be mounted in the dash I think the 176 triangular shaped one? has all the buttons on the face.
Any of them can be hardwired with an optional cord. This isn't hard wire but more like an accessory line run to it.

Before you buy any of them no matter which brand or type go to that companies web site and see what is available for it. Especialy important if mapping is going to be done. Depending you might not be able to download the map- memory issue. The map might be more than you want to spend. Get 1 key with purchase and extra keys for other areas. Or there isn't a map for it at all.
You can download the manuals and a whole bunch of other things on your model or models. Not sure which one check them both out.

If anyone decides on a dash mounted permanant style they consume a huge amount of dash. Mine was cut in half.
The cure is to mount a dash behind it so the dash remains a solid structure across. Like a bridge in a way.

[MarkHP]

I use the 12V lighter adapter for mine. Good for car and boat. you could also use rechargable N-MH batteries. As 300x says you will still need paper charts for marine use but for car use the display is fine.

[Jimboat]

Bushnell® SpeedsterTM, now only $277.

http://www.onlinesports.com/images/bsh-10-1907.gif Radar Speed Gun (http://www.onlinesports.com/pages/I,BUS-10-1907.html?AID=8327362&PID=917075)

[2us70]

I have been using a Garmin 176c for about 2 years now. Dash space is tight on my Triton and the 176c is the largest screen unit that would mount there. I have used it from the Fla. Keys to North Fla. with no problems once I managed to get it mounted solidly to eliminate vibration which made the screen hard to read.I use both Bluechart and Mapsource software and usually know where I am within 10 feet. Garmin keeps putting out updates for the unit on the web site so my unit works better now than when I first got it.

[Shadow Crazy]

It is easy to use after you play with it for awhile.:D heh.
You can buy the Worldmap CD and upload 8 meg into it and also all the US waterways. It maps all markers and lighthouses Which is nice for coming home late.

[pyro]

The Etrex Vista has more map memory than the Legend , as well as a magnetic compass, this will function even while you're standing still. The barometric altimeter is cool for flying, as well as jetting the carbs for altitude changes.
The Vista is the best of the Etrex series, and worth every penny.
Do the feature comparisom chart on Garmin's website, see what you need, what you might need in the future, than see if it's worth the price difference.

The cons?

The Etrex is small and convenient, but this makes map features small and a bit hard to see sometimes.
The buttons are arranged to make it easy to operate while held in the left hand. This is sometimes a slight inconvenience.
The Etrex series are "battery only", no adapter. NiMH
rechargeables are recommended, they still only last 5-8 hours.
These units tend to lose signal easily in light tree cover.
They take a while to boot up, depending on how often you use it, usually at least a minute or two before you can use it.

There's a lot of nice units out there. Don't take anyone's word for it, do some research and see what works for YOU.

[Wiski]

Does anybody know if the Garmin Legend, Venture, or the Vista have the capability of displaying the current speed and max speed in large numbers on the screen like the 176c does? I am going to do the velco mount method, or maybe make a aluminum angle bracket so I can tuck the GPS way up “under” the windshield on top of the dash.

[Techno]

If no one knows you can download the manual and check.

The Etrex can be wired remotely. There is an aux antennae plug on the back. Depending on which plug you buy it can supply power.

[beer30]

THEY LOOK VERY TRICK AND WORK VERY WELL. CHECK THEM OUT ON (WWW.NORDSKOGPERFORMANCE.NET)

[MarkHP]

Yes the Legand can. You select what reading you want and then select 'Large" numbers. It allows for 4 seperate units to be siplayed at one time and the numbers are about 3/8" high

[MarkHP]

Check this thread before you make any brackets etc.

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53467&highlight=gps+mount

[yachter55]

GARMIN ON THE YACHT ,GARMIN IN THE MOTOR HOME,GARMIN IN THE 14 INFLATABLE EVEN PUT THE HANDLE BAR MOUNT ON MY SNOWMOBLELOVE IT EASY TO USE AND NEVER FAILED CANT EVEN SAY THAT ABOUT MYMERC WATER RESISTANT,VERY IMPORTANT.

[STV_Keith]

Depends on what you want it to show you. I love my Garmin GPS V, liked the III+ I had before it.

Check http://www.gpscity.com for a comparison of many units.

[Wiski]

Originally posted by MarkHP
Yes the Legand can. You select what reading you want and then select 'Large" numbers. It allows for 4 seperate units to be siplayed at one time and the numbers are about 3/8" high

Thanks for the answer! That's what I want!

I downloaded the manual from Garmin's web site. It says that the data zones are configurable in two of the display modes. One of them has from 1-6 available zones... I am still wondering if you only configured two of them for say current speed, and max speed, would the other 4 zones be blank but still on the screen, or would the two zones you set-up take up all available screen space and be REALLY big?

Now all I have to do is decide if it is worth the cash for the Vista, or go cheaper (Garmin Legend) now and wait a year or so for the color ones to drop in price...

[MarkHP]

Wiski.....

I will check my unit when I get home tonight and let you know.

[Liberator25]

Several use the Garmin "GPS III" or "GPS III plus". The III is now discontinued but still may meet your needs. These units are identical in size and are the same size as the GPS II plus which is a current model. The III and III plus units were around $400 new and are routinely available on ebay for $150. The mounting system is pretty good too. Here is a site that has pics of stvhelm's setup (vertical) and someone else's (horizontal). The III can change it's display to work in either orientation. BTW the "used" one's work just as well as the new ones for a 1/3 the money.

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25174&highlight=gps+suction+mount

Good Luck in your quest. GPS is a nearly must have and you'll love it!

[pyro]

The Etrex Vista does everything that the "III plus" does, plus a LOT more, and they're in the same price range.
www.garmin.com
Do some comparisons before you decide.

www.getagps.com <== this is where I got mine, lots of mounts and accessories there too...

[obrien093]

For a resonable price the Garmin Legend and Magellan Meridan Gold look to be good units.

Anyone have experience with the Magellan Meridian Gold???

[MarkHP]

Wiski....


I checked my Legand and the display I have on the photo (above) is the "trip computer" display and it has two option 1) big numbers or 2) small numbers. What the numbers represent is configurable. There is also the ability to turn on or off 'data fields' These fields display on the 'map' and 'navigation' windows as bands above and below. The ones I show on the photo are the bigest you can get and IMHO are quite good.

Hope this helps you decide what to get.

Mark

[Shadow Crazy]

It also tells you how many sattelites it is picking up and how far its error may be. IE... when it sees 6 sats. the errore is less than when it sees 3 sats. and is usually withing 8 feet of your global position.

It will give you an average speed+max speed+current speed while going on a journey.

you can set a "way point" as you leave the dock/ramp on a new lake or river and it will navigate you back there at the click of a button. you can set several "way points" to remember good fishing spots etc... When you combine this with the world map cd it will tell you of navigational hazzards even if you dont set them as a way point.

The legend covers it all and works just like a chart plotter with a small screen.

[Shadow Crazy]

Vista has a 16 meg memory instead of 8 meg with the Legend


Bert

[pyro]

Etrex Vista has a magnetic compass and barometric altimeter as well...

[Wiski]

MarkHP...

Thanks for checking about the data fields, and text sizes on your Legend.

I am going to buy the Legend, as I have decided that I don't have much use for the "real" compass or altimeter in the Vista model. I may miss the 16Mb of memory but I doubt I will be loading any maps either... could be wrong on that one tho.

Maybe in a year or so the color screen models will come down in price. In the mean time, this one will work for me.