| GPS Purchase -- What to buy? #92321 12/15/06 05:20 PM 12/15/06 05:20 PM |
Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,246 Orlando, FL tback OP
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Posts: 1,246 Orlando, FL | My wife purchased a Magellan Explorist 300 for XMAS (came across a big sale -- $99 USD).
Looking at reviews it seems this is a very basic GPS model with no connectivity to export data to the PC.
Before she wraps it ... Will I be happy with this unit (primarily for sailing)?
USA 777
| | | Re: GPS Purchase -- What to buy?
[Re: pitchpoledave]
#92323 12/15/06 10:30 PM 12/15/06 10:30 PM |
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 3 Ontario, Canada CanI20
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Posts: 3 Ontario, Canada | For those of us in Canada, I noticed in todays Canadian Tire flyer that they are offering a Magellan Explorist 500 is on sale this week for $200 CAD (reg $460). www.canadiantire.caLooks like a great deal to me.
N20, F9
Kingston, Canada
| | | Re: GPS Purchase -- What to buy?
[Re: tback]
#92324 12/15/06 11:44 PM 12/15/06 11:44 PM |
Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 443 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada bobcat
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Posts: 443 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | Have you considered the Foretrex 201 ? Built-in rechargeable battery eliminates one source of leaks. The data can be uploaded to the PC after a day of sailing. It doesn't do maps or charts though if you are looking for something to help navigate. | | | Re: GPS Purchase -- What to buy?
[Re: bobcat]
#92325 12/16/06 12:13 AM 12/16/06 12:13 AM | Anonymous
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I love it!! That has gpt to be the best one for sailors. Distance races will be great next season.
Thanks a lot,
Doug Snell Hobie 17 "Stress Free" #007 Mystere 4.3 # 149 Sunfish | | | Re: GPS Purchase -- What to buy?
[Re: ]
#92330 12/17/06 03:22 PM 12/17/06 03:22 PM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 12,310 South Carolina Jake
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Posts: 12,310 South Carolina | Bobcat:
I love it!! That has gpt to be the best one for sailors. Distance races will be great next season.
Thanks a lot,
Doug Snell Hobie 17 "Stress Free" #007 Mystere 4.3 # 149 Sunfish The fortrex is a great little sailing unit - but the band and attachment pins suck. I've lost two of them.
Jake Kohl | | | Re: GPS Purchase -- What to buy?
[Re: sander]
#92331 12/17/06 04:33 PM 12/17/06 04:33 PM |
Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 2,584 +31NL Tony_F18
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Posts: 2,584 +31NL | foretrex 201 - has a starttimer as well! perhaps you should glue an extra attachment to the body and fix that to the wrist strap to be safe, and get a serial to USB connector from Hongkong, and you'll be fine. The foretrex has an excellent rechargable battery life as well. ps. why would you need a serial-to-usb connector from Hongkong? You get those everywhere... | | | Re: GPS Purchase -- What to buy?
[Re: arbo06]
#92333 12/18/06 09:12 AM 12/18/06 09:12 AM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 12,310 South Carolina Jake
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Posts: 12,310 South Carolina | there's not really a good place to do that on that unit - but I plan on getting a third one for the Tybee and building a fiberglass shell for it that I can attach firmly.
Jake Kohl | | | Re: GPS Purchase -- What to buy?
[Re: Steve_Kwiksilver]
#92336 12/19/06 07:06 AM 12/19/06 07:06 AM |
Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,187 38.912, -95.37 _flatlander_
old hand
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old hand
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Posts: 1,187 38.912, -95.37 | We got a sweet deal on a Garmin III from eBay. It is an old model that has many features such as VMG <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> and is PC compatible. Unless you need something in the original wrapper or to wear on your wrist (seems like I'm too busy sailing for that) you may consider used, more bang for the buck. It goes in a waterproof bag and we look at the results apre sail.
John H16, H14
| | | Re: GPS Purchase -- What to buy?
[Re: Steve_Kwiksilver]
#92337 12/19/06 08:21 AM 12/19/06 08:21 AM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 12,310 South Carolina Jake
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Posts: 12,310 South Carolina | The Foretrex 201 fits in an Aquapac, it`s a waterproof pouch that has a strong wide velcro strap, so you are not relying on the watch-style pins to hold it on if you have a big wipeout, as we often do while windsurfing (most guys use this unit for speedsailing). Attached is a pic... Also many have commented on windsurfing forums that it`s necessary to keep it in this pouch as high impact wipeouts can force water into the unit under high pressure, while it was designed to operate underwater to a reasonable depth, the pressure exerted on it is far higher when attached to your wrist or upper arm and you are flung into the water at high speed. Added bonus is that the Aquapac seals in air and floats if you do lose it, something the unit won`t do alone. No problems with the Velcro coming undone? (or do you use the lanyard as a backup safety around the arm)
Jake Kohl | | | Re: GPS Purchase -- What to buy?
[Re: mbounds]
#92340 12/19/06 11:38 AM 12/19/06 11:38 AM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 3,293 Long Beach, California John Williams
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Posts: 3,293 Long Beach, California | Ditto, Matt - 'cept mine hangs in a waterproof bag on a lanyard around my neck for quicker access (my lifejacket pocket is a little tight).
I know I have posted a couple of times before about the Vista - compass, lots of memory, very tough, handy size and good software from Garmin. You can change font size and customize content on any of the screens. I love my Vista. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
John Williams
- The harder you practice, the luckier you get - Gary Player, pro golfer
After watching Lionel Messi play, I realize I need to sail harder.
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