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Random Quote: Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~Henry David Thoreau
Check out the Garmin colorado and oregon 400c's. west marine had them a week or 2 ago for $299 and $249. pretty good. what sold me on the colorado was having all the charts in it and doesn't need unlock codes, that and actually handling it. just liked it.
if you want peace of mind in the ditch bag get a Garmin 72 or similar GPS that is waterproof and floats. Bigger than a GPS for land. got to decide if floating is important.
The Oregon 400c is amazing. Especially if you have a 4000/5000 series touch screen plotter. The software on the 400c is similar in function which is great.
If you stick with the Garming GPSmap 60, 72 and 76 series you can hardwire them directly into the boats 12VDC system. The other units need a voltage converter and use a micro USB connection.
Location: Monmouth County, NJ / Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 908
Quote:
Originally Posted by Birdman
The Oregon 400c is amazing. Especially if you have a 4000/5000 series touch screen plotter. The software on the 400c is similar in function which is great.
If you have the 5000 series and the xtra cash, the GPSmap 620 has the same screen interface. Waterproof as well.
If you stick with the Garming GPSmap 60, 72 and 76 series you can hardwire them directly into the boats 12VDC system. The other units need a voltage converter and use a micro USB connection.
Rubberhead's right. I use a Garmin 72 and have it wired to d/c and my humminbird fishfinder. Makes my sonar a chart plotter.
If you get a Garmin 72 you will need either a software update or disconnect WAAS.
I've used the Colorado 400C for 2 years now. A few software glitches when they first came out but otherwise I'm pleased with the unit. Very powerful for a handheld.
I have a Garmin 76cs, loaded with charts for every trip I've made, and room left over. However, I took the tiny Garmin Foretrex 101 on a charter in the FWI, and discovered there was no GPS on the boat! The Foretrex did everything I needed, with very little coaxing. It's a perfect ditchbag solution because it runs on batteries I can recharge in 3 hours of sunlight.
__________________ If it ain't broke, I haven't played with it.
I have both the 76 CX and Colorado 400c--for back up I prefer the 76 CX, but keep the Colorado 400 C in the ditch bag. I find the 76 easier to navigate with, and it is on a rack holder on the console of the boat.
My ditch bag: Hand held VHF radio (waterproof and submersiable), Icom, with AA battery holder and a dozen extra AA batteries. ACR strobe flash light combo, International orange distress flag,about 36" square plastic. Gerber Multi tool (with screwdriver bits), 6 hand held flares/launcher, signal mirrol, air horn, whistle, small vise grips, small cresent wrench, PLB 406 gps enabled. Two mylar space blankets, cigarette lighter. fishing line and several jigs, small first aid kit: (triangular bandage, bandaids, polysporin, betadine wipes, saline wipes, bandaids assorted, 4x4" telfa and 4 x 4 " gause pads, paper tape.), Pencil & paper pad, hand bearing compass, copy of credit card and copy of passport (sealed) all in a "Sea Clear" bag, which is about 6" x 8" and weight about 2 #. everything electric runs on AA batteries, and with the spares, there is enough power for at least 24 hour use. In some areas I also carry a North American Arms .22 mag mini 5 shot revolver with snake shot and HP, with a dozen extra cartrages.
I have a larger abandon ship bag, with a water maker, many flares, hand held flares, dye, smoke bombs, a second EPRIB, and several containers of water.
What are you guys using for an all around outdoor handheld GPS? Also for a ditch bag to.
iPhone 3G running google.maps (or any of maybe 20+ other GPS apps) on the beach and the Navionics app on the water. You've gotta have a cell phone anyway, so why not? The phone wouldn't be good for a ditch bag though ... not waterproof. A dedicated waterproof handheld GPS would be a plus, but I roll with the iPhone and an EPIRB as my backups.
Location: Solomons, Maryland / Now just visiting Marathon
Posts: 4,683
Pez, I don't have the newer one with video.
The maps are downloaded using the 3G or cell data signal.
If you don't have service, you won't get the maps.
This was discussed at length in another thread.
Handheld GPS? 
