How to choose a GPS

[Tom W.]

I am in the market for a marine GPS, I have used several units in airplanes, but only one for marine use. Most of the consumer GPS units can not be loaded with marine data, as far as I can tell, seems like a unit marketed as marine use is the type to seek, any thoughts on what works well, and likes dislikes to share?

[rbgarr]

If I really needed one with marine data (charts, I presume) I'd spring for a handheld Garmin Colorado or Oregon, pricey though they are. The Colorado has a thumb wheel type of control that I like. http://www8.garmin.com/ces/m/v/Colorado.mpg

It's just idle dreaming for my purposes though.

[Tom W.]

The Colorado does look pretty interesting. I figure I'll spend around $500 to get something that will work well. I'll look into this unit more, thanks.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

Do you want a chartplotter GPS or just a GPS without mapping, or minimal small screen mapping?

[George Ray]

Gramin charts are proprietary and expensive and the license manager is difficult and a pain. I use them but don't much like them. There is someone making a handheld that uses NOAA raster charts. ?? Lowrance?? check Panbo.com

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

I believe Practical sailor rated the Navionics charts as the easiest to use... but most of the softwares out there are quite good.

Garmin uses Bluechart and Vision... proprietary as previously stated

Lowrance, Humminbird, Standard Horizon use Navionics.

For chart plotter usage, a four inch screen is a minimum, a five being more practical, and up... depending on the size of boat. I have a five inch GPS/sonar... never thought I would have a GPS, but my sonar puked, so I bought a combo. No substitute for knowing where the hell you are but handy for bad weather and night running.

[JimConlin]

I wanted a compact fixed-mount GPS with coastal charts and low power requirements. I got the Garmin 440 and it seems OK.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/store/assets/images/products/010-00515-40/en/cf-lg.jpg
Current street prices seem to start at about $400.
The depth-sounder and flush-mount uppers are not expensive.

[capt jake]

In addition to the Oregon and Colorado, look at the GPS Map76CSX or the 60CSX. I am looking for a 76CSX at a good price. It fits in my budget a little better than the Oregon or Colorado. I know the 76 floats, not sure about the newer ones.

[Woxbox]

Of those I've used, I like the Garmins. I've noticed recently that they come with most of the charts most boaters in the US would need, so it might be that you'd never have to buy more. Good thing to check ahead on, of course.

[JimConlin]

Of those I've used, I like the Garmins. I've noticed recently that they come with most of the charts most boaters in the US would need, so it might be that you'd never have to buy more. Good thing to check ahead on, of course.
Right. I'm grumpy about the cost of cartography, too. I hope i've gotten what I need for a while.

[Tom W.]

Do any of the smaller GPS units hold more than one database simultaneously? I'd like to have the coastal database as well as the inland waterway, do you use different memory cards for each or do you load them into the unit's memory? Seems like you buy the unit, then shell out for the database, adding another 150 bucks to the price.