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Which hand held GPS?
- Thread starter Dorado75
- Start date
I would think all you need is one of the basic units like the Garmin etex, I had a hand held unit mounted on my console for a number of years and it worked fine for finding reefs and returning home in the mist etc.
I used the pointer screen when running and only used the plotter screen when trolling or drifting over reefs.
Units with maps like blue chart do make it easy to work out were you are in poor visibility, but you can do the same with a basic unit by making use of printed chart with the lat/lon marked on it.
All the hand held units are water proof.
The only draw back is that if you don't run them on a external power source they do use up batteries, so you would need to switch the unit off when not needed.
I used the pointer screen when running and only used the plotter screen when trolling or drifting over reefs.
Units with maps like blue chart do make it easy to work out were you are in poor visibility, but you can do the same with a basic unit by making use of printed chart with the lat/lon marked on it.
All the hand held units are water proof.
The only draw back is that if you don't run them on a external power source they do use up batteries, so you would need to switch the unit off when not needed.
Hiya
If you're looking at just a GPS, the the Garmin GPS72 is hard to beat for value for money. Sells for about R2000, which includes mounting bracket and external power cable. I used GPS72's for many years, off quite a few of my boats. Very reliable and very accurate.
The Garmin ETREX is slightly cheaper, but i haven't used one. Seeker1 recommends them, so they will be good!!
If you start looking at plotters, the price starts increasing.
The Garmin GPS76map is regarded as one of the best value for money handheld chart plotters.
Next up is the Garmin GPS60map. Also about the same price as the GPS72map, just a newer generation.
The current top of the range handhled chartplotter is the Garmin Colorado 300 mapping unit. At R6000+, its a pretty fancy toy for fishing purposes!!
If you're looking for a dual purpose unit, ie. a plotter for the boat and a gps for the car, you also have a few options.
The Garmin Nuvi 500 offers this. Waterproof, touch-screen and is designed for both car and boat use. Costs about R5000
The Garmin 276c is another dual purpose unit. Costs around the R6000-7000 mark.
When it comes to chart plotters, you will still need to buy the charts for the unit. This will range from R1000-2500 (depends whether you buy in SA or not), for the Atlantic Blue Chart, and R3000-R4000 for the more advanced G2 Vision cards.
In reality, a standard GPS, like the GPS72 or Etrex will work fine as a fishing instrument. They're all water resistant, so simple pick the one you like best!!
Regards
miles
If you're looking at just a GPS, the the Garmin GPS72 is hard to beat for value for money. Sells for about R2000, which includes mounting bracket and external power cable. I used GPS72's for many years, off quite a few of my boats. Very reliable and very accurate.
The Garmin ETREX is slightly cheaper, but i haven't used one. Seeker1 recommends them, so they will be good!!
If you start looking at plotters, the price starts increasing.
The Garmin GPS76map is regarded as one of the best value for money handheld chart plotters.
Next up is the Garmin GPS60map. Also about the same price as the GPS72map, just a newer generation.
The current top of the range handhled chartplotter is the Garmin Colorado 300 mapping unit. At R6000+, its a pretty fancy toy for fishing purposes!!
If you're looking for a dual purpose unit, ie. a plotter for the boat and a gps for the car, you also have a few options.
The Garmin Nuvi 500 offers this. Waterproof, touch-screen and is designed for both car and boat use. Costs about R5000
The Garmin 276c is another dual purpose unit. Costs around the R6000-7000 mark.
When it comes to chart plotters, you will still need to buy the charts for the unit. This will range from R1000-2500 (depends whether you buy in SA or not), for the Atlantic Blue Chart, and R3000-R4000 for the more advanced G2 Vision cards.
In reality, a standard GPS, like the GPS72 or Etrex will work fine as a fishing instrument. They're all water resistant, so simple pick the one you like best!!
Regards
miles
Thanks for the info here guys, i think that i am going to go for something quite basic, as i only really want to use it to plot some reefs, dont really venture out too far from shore or in crap weather so i dont really need the plotter and i am quite limited with space on the little ark!
I will most definitly look at all those units you mentioned though, i am planning on getting something bigger in the next year or so, so perhpas i will get a decent gps now already!
Do you guys know of anyone that can get waypoints and data from a GPS that is broken, my old man has a old Furuno GP50 from his boat that is not working anymore, but it is full of waypoints and reefs all over the cape!!
I will most definitly look at all those units you mentioned though, i am planning on getting something bigger in the next year or so, so perhpas i will get a decent gps now already!
Do you guys know of anyone that can get waypoints and data from a GPS that is broken, my old man has a old Furuno GP50 from his boat that is not working anymore, but it is full of waypoints and reefs all over the cape!!
I had the Lowrance ifinder - R1200,(R300 for bracket) construction seems a bit cheap but it is fine - works very well and has the best battery life of them all at 50hrs on 2 AA's.
Imo is better than the etrex but not as good as the gps 72.
I still have a 8 year old Garmin gps12 that is still going strong - very well made unit.
Imo is better than the etrex but not as good as the gps 72.
I still have a 8 year old Garmin gps12 that is still going strong - very well made unit.
dugongboy wrote:
I'm considering getting one for use of the kayak. Do you think it will hold up?
That's a pretty good price. Where did you get it?I had the Lowrance ifinder - R1200,(R300 for bracket) construction seems a bit cheap but it is fine - works very well and has the best battery life of them all at 50hrs on 2 AA's.
I'm considering getting one for use of the kayak. Do you think it will hold up?