I have tried searching the forms on this topic and it looks as though it has never been a thread.

I am interested in getting a GPS and was curious as to what types all of you use. Any input would be great. Should I get one with mapping or is it a waste of money?

I have a Garmin ETrex Legend. I love the little thing. It has mapping, 8MB of storage (enough for all of SE Texas at street level). This comes in very handy when navigating unfamiliar waters. Major aides to navigation are included. The screen is a little small, but that is solved by a feature that lets you make the numbers LARGE. The menu system takes a little getting used to, but after that it's a piece of cake. The only thing it doesn't have that I wanted is tidal forecasts. All this for less than $250.

The best I have found are the Garmin units. Check out their site. I have a 76. It has a slighty larger screen than E trex. It has the tide charts in it. Make sure whatever you buy is waterproof and be careful of the screen. I carry mine in a clear dry bag and somehow the screen was slighty damaged by the sun.

Mike

There was a thread some time back called, Best GPS For Solo Sailing. You might find some info there.

When using the forum search engine, note that the default is set to "entire phrase". If you want to look for any of the words in the search phrase, set the drop-down to "OR".

I have used a Garmin eTrex GPS for two years. It provides the basic fuctions a person needs to do navigation and can be nabbed for $90. It is water resistant, but I use a small cell phone dry bag for $5 from a local dive store.

Before the eTrex I had a Magellean 540. It was an older model and never worked well. The eTrex is great for the price.

I have just replaced my old etrex with a garmin 76map, the reason was, that the etrex series don't show the vmg. this is important for upwind and downwind training.
Just my 2 cents

Check out Garmin's web site. I just replaced a 12xl unit with 1 of their new rino 120's. It's supposed to be waterproof- i haven't given it the drop test yet. it's got memory, mapping, pretty much 1 hand operation, and it also has a walkie talkie feature all in the same unit. you can beam your location or a waypoint to another user w/a rino unit. The joystick is a little tricky until you get used to it, but nothing is perfect.
happy holidays
davey

Admittedly, the features that are packed into today's handheld GPS units are amazing. Then, of course, there are the practical limitations to using all those cool features while trapped out on a beach cat at 20 knots. Personally, I use a basic model, the Garmin 12. I've had it for six years and haven't found myself wanting for any additional functionality. (Unlike one of the higher priced models mentioned earlier in this thread, it displays VMG, too.) If I could modify the interface, though, I'd include easier to read screens with larger numbers.

I rarely use my GPS for anything other than recording the day's sailing. It's fun to see the max speed, or upload the tracks to my charting software, etc. While on the water, I tend to use basic piloting skills to navigate. (Beach cats are most always operated within sight of land, except perhaps when the fog rolls in.) Traditional piloting methods keep your head out of the boat and develop a better awareness of the surroundings.

I like my Garmin76map.
It's bigger than ETrex, larger screen, one hand operation, waterproof, floats(!), NAVAIDS, TIDES, all possible readings, including VMG, ETA, Time traveled, distance traveled, distance to next, name it and you'll get it
And you can configure what to display, and what to hide. It burns 2 AA batteries in 13-16 hrs.
Unit has a base map, not really accurate, but you have two options with uploadable maps
One is "Garmin Lights and waterways" CD, around $40-50
Accurate coastline, islands, inlets,bouys, etc, no depth readings(it's a map, not a chart) and software for home PC.
You can create routes and waypoints in front of PC, then upload it to GPS. And you can download your track from device to your PC, create a picture and post it here

Second option is "Garmin BlueCharts" - pricey piece of software to get acctual charts to device - never used it yet

Device may be overkill for daysailing but I do a lot of cruising, sometimes night sailing, and I can't imagine myself without one.

Garmin also has a good non-warranty repair program. Once my GPS got between my knee and crossbar during exidental jibe. It kept working, but screen was cracked and half blank. I got replacement for $100, wich is flat fee for 76Map repairs.
I've never sheltered device and it has survived a few capsizes and a lot of spray...

Vladimir

P.S. It would be nice to have spell checker, it seems I'll never learn English

I have an Etrex Legend and love it. It does have VMG. Keep in mind though that no GPS realizes a cat sailor's definition of 'waterproof'. My first unit got swamped while attached via the 'handlebar mount' on the tiller (was a great mounting spot though!) and again in a life jacket on the trampoline and again trolling behind my hobie 18 after it fell through the trampoline lacing - but it worked through all but one of those mishaps! I finally learned and now keep it's replacement unit in a dry bag laced to my life jacket.

Re: ... just replaced my old etrex with a garmin 76map, the reason was, that the etrex series don't show the vmg. ...

The eTrex Mariner (West Marine Exclusive?) adds VMG and a limited marine database. $159.99

I have not used it so can not comment (but its on my Christmas list)

Per the West Marine web site:
"Garmin has produced an eTrex that is perfect for West Marine customers and available only from us! The Mariner has the marine Aids to Navigation database built-in. Accurate and easy to use with virtually every buoy, lighthouse, and nav aid in the US. "
West Marine eTrex Mariner web page

I also use a basic Garmin 12. Like Kevin said, most beach cat sailing is in sight of land, more or less. The 12 is big enough to get your hands around, as well, and not be really afraid you'll lose the accursed thing in you watch pocket. I'm happy with mine. About $100 at WalMart.


sail fast