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| I mean inexpensive |
I need some help, (opportunity knocks) I know our last cruise had some gps problems but I don't remember the specifics. All I really remember was that I decided I should get a new gps because my old Magellan could not be trusted or was failing somehow.
Being a frugal boater and not having unlimited resources makes it difficult to shell out $400+ for a hand held battery eating device I only use in the fog or to measure distance to my next anchorage.
I stopped by a web site or more like fifty and came away confused after reading reviews from techies, hunters, hikers, and arm chair skippers.
I wish I could just rely on someone to tell me what to buy after hearing my list of wants.
- it needs to be battery powered, aaa or aa with a 12V helm plug in
- rugged enough to be dropped once in awhile (water resistant too)
- day light visible display about 2.5" or bigger (ok a lot bigger)
- on board chart for my area (duh) and not an extra $200 fee, and they must include Canada's Vancouver and Gulf islands.
- it needs to display nav aids at a minimum, just like my chart
- I want a speedometer and bearing readout
- I want it to work inside the cabin, or at least by the windows
- it needs to boot up in less than 5 minutes
- I like my nav aids in color, especially the red ones, but not if it's too many $$$
- I want to have local level streets shown for hikes
- it should fit in my pocket
- it should be dependable, and last, and last, and last
here is what does not matter to me (much) (maybe)
- upgrade ability
- connectivity to a laptop, or chart plotter
- altimeter
- emergency radio or locator beacon (if it costs boat dollars)
- e-mail, forecasts or anything confusing that is more dollars
- more memory for charts of other areas
- phone numbers of business, etc if it's extra $$
- mfd, multifunction display or depth or radar, (just go away, your too wealthy for this blog)
- floating is nice, so is waterproof but I can pass if more $$
- Are we getting an idea that costs are paramount to me?
More about gps and the San Juan trailer sailor.
In my opinion you can get by without a gps just like boaters have done for centuries, but it is a really handy piece of equipment, and fun to share info with others on board, and truly a marvelous aid in foggy conditions. What you can not do without, is a chart, a compass, a depth sounder, pfd's and all the other Coast Guard required safety gear.
Okay, lest I have mislead someone, I believe you need a gps in the fog but you could simply stay in port or go another direction. Boating blindly in fog with any current is a recipe for disaster.
