[616012]

I have a 2000 23ft.Hydra-sports hardtop,w/a that I moor in Oyster Bay. Does anyone have any ideas as to the best GPS to get. Fixed or portable,and where to mount??? I want to have it for this season and would appreciate any ideas.

The Sea-Cilian

 

[617778]

It depends on how much you want to spend. With a hardtop, w/a, I would suggest you get a GPS with a seperate antenna, which you can mount on top of the Hd.top.I own a Raychart425, and love it,you can buy a local area chart to insert. Take a look at the site.The antenna must be visible to the sky,however the signal will go thru canvas,F/g etc(sometimes).

 

[617183]

I'm thinking about getting the Raychart 425. How do you like it? I currently have a Garmin 168s and it is a good machine but I want more detail as is available in the Navionics chip. Is the Raychart hard to use? How good is the detail on the Navionics Chip that you have. I am also considering the new Garmin 182 that is supposed to have more detail than the Navionics on the Garmin Blue Chart Chip. As far as responding to what machine is a good choice, the boater must decide for what purpose is he using the machine? Does he want to go offshore? Does he want it simply to input fishing ground numbers? For me, I want depth contours and all the channels marked b/c I'm on the Great South Bay. My Garmin does not have the detail required when I'm looking for channels, etc.

 

[617778]

When I got the 425,I also bought an extra power cord that I connected to a 12v transformer.
That way you can get used to the various set-ups, program in various waypoints etc.
The chip was on sale for $69. I suggest you scan the net for a good price on the unit.Example I found it for$429.and wrote an e-mail to Boatus (I am a member) and they wrote back saying they would honor the price.I then got it my local store.

 

[617183]

NANSEA 11:

Where did you see the unit for $429? The cheapest I saw it was $469 at Consumer Marine. Navionics has the chip that covers from Boston to northern NJ for around $200. Did the 12v tranformer help you get used to the unit? Where do you use your unit? Are you navigating offshore with it? How long did it take you to learn how to "go to" various destinations?

Thanks

Ray

 

[617778]

RAY I found the price by searching thru yohoo, but I can't remember the actual store. I have mine mounted on the dash and I put the antenna on a a short tube just in front of the windshield.I never go out without the unit on, and once you set in various waypoints, you simply lookup that waypoint and press (go to),(Enter). The unit will tell you direction, distance, and ETA.I go off shore to 15-18 miles. Any time you enter a waypoint,the unit will show wp001, etc, then you can customize the name with the alf/num keys. If you have the track mode on the unit will display a point to point back track line on your return.Once you get used to the unit ,it is a very simple process. that is why I play with it at home connected to the AC/DC converter.



This message was edited by NANSEA11 on 1-18-02 @ 9:45 AM

 

[616012]

I thought I was the one asking a question and this was my space. You two guys are trespassing. Only kidding, the discussion is good, this is how you pick up tips. I need to know where is a good spot to mount a GPS on my specific boat.

 

[617778]

Sea-Cilian- I couldn't find a full view of the dash layout. 1st, I would keep it away from the compass, You might be able to mount it under the hard top, or in front of the throttle, I would move it around while sitting at the helm, and see where you can view it the best. If you were near me I'd do it for ya.

 

[baywatch]

As stated in previous post the type of unit you want is dictated by what you want to spend. I would go to the boat show and get the demensions and this way you also get tp play with it a little bit. I would go when it is a quiet time at the show so you can spend a few minutes with the sales rep so he can explain the unit to you.
As far as mounting it once you have your GPS place it in different locations making sure that it out of the way of all hatches,controls, steering, etc. And as staed before AWAY FROM THE COMPASS!
Good luck
BCMeyer

 

[617697]

I HAVE THE 425 ON MY 19' GRADY AND I LOVE THE UNIT. I ALSO PRACTICED WITH THE UNIT IN My CELLAR LAST WINTER BEFORE HITTING THE WATER AND IT HELPED A LOT. I FISH A LOT IN THE SOUND AND ALSO UP OUT OF HAMPTON BEACH OFF THE ISLES OF SHOALS ON SCANTUM FOR COD AND THE UNIT WORKS GREAT. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CHOICE.

 

[Capt. Marc]

Hi,

I have a Garmin 162 which I upgraded from the 152. Both are excellent units. Some good points about Garmin. They are the biggest Aircraft GPS company (or so I have been told) and except for a few fishfinders, GPS is all they put their R&D into. They frequently update the software via the website to your GPS unit.

There are a lot of decent units now out there besides Garmin. I would recomend that what ever unit you buy, make sure it is WAAS.

Capt. Marc

 

[617183]

Capt. Marc:

As I already posted, I have a Garmin 162. I want to upgrade to a unit that has the detailed charts. Why do you like the Garmin so much. Didn't you find it difficult to use? How did you figure out how to use the unit? I have the "instructional video" but it didn't help much. This winter, if I do not upgrade, I am going to sit down with the manual and figure it out. I have the 12v transformer. Also, I bought the Map Source CD but the detail wasn't that great. One last thing, when you navigate, do you use the highway page?

Thanks,

Ray

 

[617713]

I have the Garmin 182 with the LI BlueChart chip. Great detail and always get a good initial lock. I would flush mount with a remote antenna. If you go with the internal antenna, you will want to mount with the bracket. I have had very poor customer service with Raytheon. On another board, the florida boaters who get a lot more use from their electronics, rate Garmin #1 for GPS, Raytheon # 1 for Radar, and Furno #1 for bottom machines.