Season's Greetings!

I am interested in getting a GPS. Not so much for navigation but for being able to record where I have been and speeds (and peak speeds) while enroute. Right now I have a Garmin Nuvi 660 which I love for the car but it doesn't record where I have been. Not sure if other options might be worthwhile. Any suggestions. Also price enters into the mix.

Velocitek's products are nice- look at the online store here to see. They are kind of pricey but are made specifically for sailing and combine other functions (start timer, shift indicator, etc.). Other options- if you have an iPhone there are several cheap GPS programs, but get a GOOD waterproof case! There are even some specific for sailing- I like GPS MotionX but I only use on my relatively dry keelboat. Another option is the Fortrex wristwatch style GPS units sold primarily for running/biking but work on the boats as well and I have used one of those as well. You can get them pretty cheap on E-bay- battery life is limited though.

Hope this helped!
Kirt

Even though I love new tech, I'm still using my older Garmin eTrex Vista for this application. It is a discontinued model, so it is pretty cheap whenever you find it... has a compass and is pretty darn tough. Easy to use through a waterproof bag 'round my neck.

We've had great luck with the Garmin 76... but replaced it with the Garmin Colorado 400C and there is no going back! Full color and all the charts already unlocked. We had a couple little quirks with the 400 to start but got them figured out and haven't had any trouble since. Biggest one is to turn the backlight fully off (no need for it during the day) or battery will die really fast, and to use lithium ion batteries.
It's worth buying it at West Marine since they have it at $3-$350 and offer great coverage on them (especially if you become friends with the manager).
You can buy a cheaper one but the fees to unlock the charts adds up fast.
We use a foretrex on each side of our boom, never had the battery die on the water... use more for speed and vmg than navigation though.

Side note.... went to turn on the 76 the other day and it doesn't work! The springs inside the battery case have rusted a little bit. Anyone know where I can send it for service?

Send your Garmin 76 back to the factory for repair. I have sent a couple of the eTrex Legends back with good luck. Easy people to work with.
Buzz

Velocitek Speedpuck is a great thing for this application. Simple, large display.

+1 for Garmin returns for repair. Great service.

http://www.trackstick.com/index.html

haven't used one but if you're only after data logging and don't need a display...

i recommend the speedpuck. beautiful simplicity.

hard to get better bang for buck than the garmin etrex line

from $100-$300?

http://cgi.ebay.com/GARMIN-ETREX-LE...evices?hash=item4838be8343#ht_5302wt_962

even the cheapest will log tracks, record top speed, allow vmg calculations to be made, show course, waterproof, download to computer to allow videos to be made etc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNAsxV1ltMU

This is a bit of a course correction in the thread, but I am wondering how useful the inland lakes charts are for warning of shallow water? Would it be too general for usefulness? I sail on the Ottawa (Ontario Canada) River.

The more I read on options available the more I think of possibilities. A saved daggerboard is a big cost benefit.

i wouldn't trust a gps or charts to be +/- 1mtr accuracy

and that's pretty much what they would have to be to save a dagger boards wouldn't they?

the lake i sail on goes up and down about a meter through a typical year due to winter snows melting, a rainy season and the a summer draw down by local farmers for agricultural uses

Another possibility is to use a fish finder on the cat. I had it on a motor boat I owned. The unit is a Lowrence LMS 520C and it has a gorgeous colour display and has a GPS. The display of the bottom of the lake and the depth is awesome and it takes the worry out of travelling.

This would take a bit of engineering for the probe and mounting the head unit, but after wiping out a set of daggerboards, I am a trifle paranoid bout going to new areas.

I'm happy with the Foretrex 201 with rechargeable battery. I can go all day easily on a charge.

Dave

Get the Speed Puck. Simple to use, well built, reliable, and your supporting a great company.