Best GPS for the buck...

[ahasiec]

Anyone on here that had a GPS, my fiance is going to buy me one for Valentines Day:) , whats the best for the buck, was looking at the Magellan Marine GPS, as well as the Garmin 76S, let me know your experiences with both, thanks alot.

[Ed Michrina]

I'v had the Magellan and liked it. I now own the Garmin gps 76. The garmin works great and friends with Magellan's seem to like mine more... pluss I think Garmin will be around longer. If you do get any hand held for the boat get the adapter (lighter or hardwire) It will save your batteries . Also use the unit every time you move. This way, when you need it IE: fog, dark you will be more conident.

[Chuck1]

also if you get a Garmin get the computer hook up ,and you can download updates, and stuff. I have an e-map which is now somewhat outdated but it still works great. Just make sure you get one with a map.

[Z202]

I have the Magellan 330M (M-marine). Comes with 9 meg map loaded and 8 meg of free space to down load more detail for an area, if you need it. Also calculates lunar (hunt/fish) times. Comes with CD and cable, and wasn't hard to hook up to the PC. Cost around $250ish. Works better than the 3 yr old one on the boat I just purchased this summer.

[salmonslammer]

Does anyone have an etrax legend?? thinking about getting one but havent talked to anyone that owns one..

[William H Bonney]

I have the Garmin Map76, its great!

One thing to add: The salesman at Cabelas told me that 9 outta the 10 GPS's that he sells are to people that have dropped theirs down a hole or fell off the side of the boat. (kerplunk)

Moral of the story: GET THE ONE THAT FLOATS!!!!!!!!

[TheFlyfisher]

I have a Garmin E-map. Like it alot on and off the water. Consider getting the Garmin mapsource Waterways @ Lights. Also mapsource Metroguide U.S.A . Both are great. Really enjoyed it going out west and being up in the mountains @ hiking and fishing.
Mike

[boss]

yeah salmonslammer i have a legend i love it a great buy. i bought it w/ a $50 rebate , u can buy hem on ebay a little cheaper? easy to use and alot of fun!!!

[TONGA]

My woman got me a Magellan SporTrackPro this summer and I must say it,s All that + Tax and a pack of gum!
On land and sea
It come with a 9 MB North American basemap of roads,waterways,parks,airports,marine navaids,buoys and obstructions
and it will hold 23MB of additional maps
it's waterproof,,,,IT FLOATS !!
Full 3D topographic support
500 waypoints
20 routes
Oh yea it comes with the PC cable,hook up for your cig lighter,and 2 AA batteries

[sfw1960]

I heard those fancy-pants Lowrance iFinders
Were :
All that , a bag of chips & a pickle on the side - with a diet coke & a lobster bib.....;)
NICE!

120x160 pixel screen. The iFinder© has room for 1,000 waypoints, 100 routes, 10 plot trails and 1,000 event markers. Unique Multi-Media Card (MMC) digital recording for virtually unlimited custom mapping capacity.
http://www.lowrance.com/Outdoor/Products/ifinder.asp

[catfishtom210]

I have the Garmin 76. I love it and use it often. It's the second Garmin I've had. My advice on considerations: Make sure it has the highest waterproof rating. I think this is IP 7 or something like that....it's the immersion rating....can be in 5 feet of water for 5 minutes or something like that. My old Garmin45 had a splash rating and lost LCD's when out on Lake Erie and it got "splashed" one day in rough water coming in.

I also bought the 76 because it has a large screen. The trend seems to be to go small which I hate. I wanna be able to read it on my boat or dash of the truck as I rarely just hold it in my hand. Using the unit in your vehicle will also get you used to it much faster. In order to do this though you'll need to buy the cigarette lighter adapter...otherwise batteries will kill you. I mount it to the winshield with one of those notepad holders with suction cups...and a hair tie from my daughter. As for the boat I am extremely happy with the RAM mount I bought. It rotates around to any angle and can be taken off. It is made for this unit and works great. I have complete confidence in its holding ability as I have it mounted up on the gunwale next to my console.

The downsized ones also sacrificed the audible beep in those units....no room for a speaker, I often don't hear mine but at other times I do....plus I like that it makes a sound when I press a key.

They make the 76 in a Map model, a regular model and now I see a cheaper version. I bought the middle one based on price and can load some stuff into its memory but have never had occasion to do so....so I'm glad I didn't buy the top one. Another possibility with a large screen is the Garmin Rino....it combines a GPS with an FRS radio. Looks like a neat unit but I can't vouch for it!

If you go to the Garmin website you can select different Garmin units and create a comparison chart. Can't tell you how many times I did that before I bought my second one...and chose the 76!

I guess I'm pretty happy with Garmin because I am very picky and I also own a Garmin fishfinder! I consider them the leader in the industry but that's just my opinion. Also, it may just be me but my neighbor owns a Lowrance and doesn't use his half as much as I use mine! Good luck in your purchase.....and be glad your sweety wants to buy you such a cool gift! I'll probably get another shirt, tie, and pants...although in my wife's defense it's hard to find me a new "toy"!

Tom

[Dawg]

I like the eTrex Vista. Identical to the Legend but more memory. Interface and display are small, but I like the portability. Garmin supplemental software is the key IMHO. Does not float but it's been to the bottom of the pigeon and bounced off pavement.

[krt]

Salmon slammer, I have one. Ask away.
Kurt

[sfw1960]

"Did you buy it at Walmart?"

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..... I mean...
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lmao.......:p

[krt]

Actually I bought it on line. If Wally would have had it for the same or less, I would have though.;)

[bills]

Originally posted by salmonslammer
Does anyone have an etrax legend?? thinking about getting one but havent talked to anyone that owns one..

I have a eTrax Legend, what would you like to know?