Thinking about purchasing a portable GPS device. Anyone want to offer any suggestions ? Do not want to waste money on an expensive one if a less expensive one will do the trick, on the other hand do not want to buy a less expensive one and regret it. Any thoughts or suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks
Smitty
I use a uniden mystic gps/marine radio and am very pleased with it. http://www.asenashop.com/ivn/pr-0/9316.html
It is submersible, although I hope never to drop it in the drink, but I keep 2 small floaties on it just in case.
I have an old e-trex that works well (2 AA batteries last for ever). It's not chart plotting but thats why I have updated charts for the waters I sail. It's a good tool for position, speed (in Knots) and odometer (in Knots). Don't get dependent on any one navigation aid.
Garmin has some waterproof, handheld models that give you the basics, plus options to install more sophisticated maps. Here is a link to the one I have https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=8701. It's a basic model, but, you cant beat the price for what you get. Plus, you can expand its capabilities to suit your needs. If you want something versatile...I think this is a good choice. I have had no problems with mine, and I use it off the boat as much as I do on the boat.
Here is a link to the one that I bought a couple of months ago:
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=8707
To be honest with you, I've never taken it out of the box. The local lakes aren't so large that you need a GPS to find your way back to the launch ramp and I generally don't really care which direction I'm sailing in or how fast I'm going. I thought it might be fun to have if I take my 16 to the Apostle Islands but I probably could get by without it there either. It might be handy for keeping track of where I find good fishing holes but I kind of wish I'd saved the money. I suppose it depends on where you are sailing...