Best GPS device for the boat

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cgeekr

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#26676 30-Sep-2008 11:50

Hi guys, I am looking to buy a GPS for the boat, could you make some expert recommadations?
looking at following functions
GPS,
Fisher finder,
Depth sonar,
Speed/milage,
Campass,
Weather/Broadcast/Radio.

Thanks v much

turb

880 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 135

#171464 16-Oct-2008 11:12

How big is your boat?Sailing or motor?Is it on a mooring or a trailer.Is it stored somewhere secure?Is there already a battery fitted?Is it charged via the engine or a solar panel/windmill?How much can you afford?Where are you going to go?How big do you want the screen?Do you want colour?Do you have a spare-ish old-ish laptop computer?Is there a dry place in your boat where you could put it?Would you want to also use it for driving/tramping?Will you want to connect it to a computer?Will you want to take it away with you at the end of the day.Do you want a plotter (where you see a map) or will a more basic one do?
Phew!

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

cgeekr

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#171469 16-Oct-2008 11:26

turb: How big is your boat?Sailing or motor?Is it on a mooring or a trailer.Is it stored somewhere secure?Is there already a battery fitted?Is it charged via the engine or a solar panel/windmill?How much can you afford?Where are you going to go?How big do you want the screen?Do you want colour?Do you have a spare-ish old-ish laptop computer?Is there a dry place in your boat where you could put it?Would you want to also use it for driving/tramping?Will you want to connect it to a computer?Will you want to take it away with you at the end of the day.Do you want a plotter (where you see a map) or will a more basic one do?
Phew!

g'd mate, its a single hull sailing boat about 18ft with a 15hp outboard motor, it is pretty secured. Looking around spending 1.5k for the thing with plotter with color. Not planned to use for driving at all, will be fitted in the the boat permanetly.

What could a laptop do with the gps unit?

turb

880 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 135

#171496 16-Oct-2008 12:12

Hi There,
I just sold a boat a bit like that! I had a Hunter 19 keeler and was going through a very similar process as you. On such a small boat you won't have a nice dry comfy nav station with a desk, light, power point etc so paper charts aren't very practical! I reckon that a nice handheld GPS will be the go. I was looking at the Garmin GPS 60 cx. You have to buy the map cards seperately but they seem very good - you can zoom in and out and they show the depths, bouys etc. Any GPS will give you speed, mileage, bearings, time to target (Daddy...I'm feeling sick...when will we get home?). some GPSs will also work out the tides so will show you what the actual depth at the place you are looking at- so less need for a sounder - cool! I used a string with knots in it.An advantage of the handheld is that you don't need to worry about 12v batteries, wiring etc. I had a 12v battery on my boat for a tiller pilot which I trickle charged with a solar panel. My outboard was 3.5hp so too small to have a charger outlet but I guess yours does have one. For weather forecasts/nowcasts I used a VHF (Uniden Alantis) as they run a rolling forecast on ch 21/22 which is exellent. If you are in the Coastguard (I hope you are!!) you also get free forecasts via txt (you send a code and they sent the txt back).
Does your boat have a cabin? Is it on a mooring? The laptop thing: There are USB GPS units that will work with software such as Oziexplorer. You can scan in any map and set the software up to work with it. Laptops chew up the power though, but you get a huge screen...but you need somewhere dry on the boat...but..but.
Other options include a PDA with a GPS facility. You can get bluetooth GPS adaptors that will sit on the deck getting wet, talk to your PDA and give it GPS.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

cgeekr

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#171534 16-Oct-2008 14:36

Thank a lot for the advices. Turb. =)

Yes it does have a wooden carbin. I guess i wont be using a laptop on the boat, consider the water issue.

I wish I am in Coastguard as well. that will be cool =D