Hand Held GPS

[DaleM]

Would appreciate your suggestions on a hand held GPS . 
Thanks as always for input.
Dale

[Mas]

iPhone and inav or any of the great nav apps. Your phone already has gps.

[deisher6]

Hey Dale:
I use a Garmin Montana 600.  It was a bit pricey but has worked well for me.  (I do still use a pay as you go TracPhone.) 

If you do buy a GPS get lifetime chart updates.
regards charlie

[Duckie]

Yay!  Way ta go Charlie.  I don't know where my tracfone is most of the time.  I also have a bag full of maps for both my boats and my car.  People may think I am a luddite, but hey, I am on the interwebs.

Al

[marc]

I also use a Garmin Montana and really like it. I keep it powered off the boat's 12 volt battery using the mounting kit offered by Garmin.
Marc

[BruceW]

I use my iphone & ipad; going to try Aqua Map this weekend for tracking, etc.

[tmw]

I use Marine Navigator on Android, and have been pretty happy with it.  Caveat, I haven't tried a whole bunch of apps, and haven't been sailing extensively, but it did indicate when I got the sunfish going over 6 kts a few weeks ago.

[NateD]

I use a Lowrance iFinder Expedition handheld that my wife bought me (I never would have spent the money for it). I haven't used other handheld chart plotter type units, so I don't have much to compare it to, but it can take a LONG time to lock in the GPS signal (about 2 hours on a cloudy morning last weekend, but only 5 mins the next day). Zooming in/out takes a while for the map to regenerate at the new scale. I do have a chip with detailed maps for the lakes in my region of the country, and they are very details and so far have proved accurate. The unit itself is very robust and I have no problem tossing it around the cockpit or splashing water on it.

I've played around with using my Android phone as a chart plotter, but haven't put a lot of effort into it yet. The phone screen isn't as bright as the Lowrance GPS, and you have to be sure to download the maps BEFORE you're out on the water, because you never know how good that data connection is going to be. I'm also a lot more careful with my phone in the cockpit than the GPS, can't just leave it on the bench while I tack or splash water on it.

[Tom L.]

I use the Garmin 78SC. It uses AA batteries which last a long time. It is viewable in bright sun light. My cell phone is impossible in those conditions and burns through the battery fast. I have several devices on my boat and they all use AA batteries. I carry a few extra all the time.

About three years ago I found mine on craigs list after a lot of searching and patience. The P.O. really had no idea how to use it so it had very little use. Negotiated price was $140.00.

Tom L.

[DaleM]

Thanks everyone for your input and feedback.  I appreciate your taking the time to drop in and share your experiences.
Now off to look at some of the suggested handhelds.
Fair winds!

[deisher6]

Hey DaleM:
Interesting, sailing today in what is milder weather, 85 or so, the Garmin Montana 600 gave me a bit of trouble.  I think that it got rained on last night so it was damp, and it was in the direct sun for 4 hours.  The screen, touch part, did not work so well.  I have sailed on much hotter days with no problem for a couple of years.  Set it in the shade of my lifejacket and it started working.  It is normally mounted on the pedestal guard with an 'Edison'/Garmin hard wired mount.  I plan to hang a hat over it in the future to keep it in the shade.  Else wise it has been a great pice of gear.  It seemed like there was a film of water between the screen and the plastic shield.

I usually do not leave out overnight.

I would buy again if this one gives up the ghost.

regards charlie

[DaleM]

Thanks for the excellent feedback concerning hand held GPS devices.  I appreciated your taking the time to share your experiences.
Dale