Handheld GPS - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

wiseguy · 04-14-2010, 07:27 AM

Hey Guys, I'm looking to buy a handheld GPS that is relatively cheap considering the cost of these things. I need it to store way points and to show me the way to my saved spots. Anyone recommend any particular model? Any input would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks!

mo2vation · 04-14-2010, 07:55 AM

I just grabbed a Garmin GPSMAP76 off of eBay for about $100. Couldn't be more pleased.

Took it out last night - large screen, waterproof, floats. I got several recommendations from the people here, so I went with the 76.

So far, very happy.

Now if there was only a real kayak shop on the west side, Santa Monica area...

-K

Dean Machine · 04-14-2010, 03:36 PM

Did you get it used? Any maps come with it? What type of data port does it have? I am asking because I am thinking of selling mine and trying to get an idea of what you actually got for $100.00 mine was $200.00 at the time I bought it. Sounds like you got a deal either way.

wiseguy · 04-14-2010, 03:46 PM

what do you guys think about this one? Seems fairly priced?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

mo2vation · 04-14-2010, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Machine

Did you get it used? Any maps come with it? What type of data port does it have? I am asking because I am thinking of selling mine and trying to get an idea of what you actually got for $100.00 mine was $200.00 at the time I bought it. Sounds like you got a deal either way.

Came with everything (cables, box, manuals, etc.) Its super clean, looks great, obviously has never been on the water.

I have a buddy, a private boater and a diver who is a nut - dude has a zillion points all over the place he's marked over the years. Structure, wrecks, reefs, POI's - and he insisted I get a Garmin so he can get them to me. His numbers are golden so I'm pretty stoked. I'd get the combo to Ft Knox before I could get numbahs out of a guy like this, so I jumped on it.

So no - it didn't come loaded with any maps, but after this weekend it sure will be!

-Ken

Dean Machine · 04-14-2010, 05:28 PM

Honestly I couldn't tell you much about the different Gps's out there. The only one I have ever owned is the garmin gpsmap76. In general, I would say that when investing in a gps, a good brand name from a reputable company is something to consider. I have heard time and again that garmin backs up their products. Also, consider getting something that is simple to use and has a good user interface. You don't want to have to read a user's manual like it's an encyclopedia. I thought the gpsmap76 was simple enough, but it did require some reading as expected. Honestly, I wish I had used it alot more than I did as I barely used it enough to get any benefit from it on the water. Of course I didn't exactly have the motherload of waypoints stored on it either.

One more thing to consider is the cable that will be used for data transfer between your computer and the gps. make sure it comes with something that your computer will accept. I ended up having to purchase a converter cable to be able to hook mine up to my computer. Mine was an older model at the time and was being discontinued when I bought it so it did not come with a usb port but was about $100.00 cheaper.

maybe someone else can chime in. Also you can try to do a search of the forum for this topic as I remember lots of discussions from the past.

wiseguy · 04-14-2010, 07:23 PM

thanks for the info on Garmin. I will do a search on here for GPS related discussions.

Jimmyz123 · 04-14-2010, 09:56 PM

I personally have one like this and the thing is rock solid. I holds plenty of way points, simple to use, and well priced.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Garmin-GPS-12-ha...item335bfbee25

04-14-2010, 07:27 AM	#1
wiseguy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Long Beach Posts: 427	Handheld GPS Hey Guys, I'm looking to buy a handheld GPS that is relatively cheap considering the cost of these things. I need it to store way points and to show me the way to my saved spots. Anyone recommend any particular model? Any input would greatly be appreciated. Thanks!

04-14-2010, 07:55 AM	#2
mo2vation Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 50	I just grabbed a Garmin GPSMAP76 off of eBay for about $100. Couldn't be more pleased. Took it out last night - large screen, waterproof, floats. I got several recommendations from the people here, so I went with the 76. So far, very happy. Now if there was only a real kayak shop on the west side, Santa Monica area... -K __________________ "man it stinks around here what is that smell, crap its me. I stink..." FishDude

04-14-2010, 03:36 PM	#3
Dean Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Clemente Posts: 162	Did you get it used? Any maps come with it? What type of data port does it have? I am asking because I am thinking of selling mine and trying to get an idea of what you actually got for $100.00 mine was $200.00 at the time I bought it. Sounds like you got a deal either way. __________________ "Good luck and tight lines!"

04-14-2010, 05:28 PM	#6
Dean Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Clemente Posts: 162	Honestly I couldn't tell you much about the different Gps's out there. The only one I have ever owned is the garmin gpsmap76. In general, I would say that when investing in a gps, a good brand name from a reputable company is something to consider. I have heard time and again that garmin backs up their products. Also, consider getting something that is simple to use and has a good user interface. You don't want to have to read a user's manual like it's an encyclopedia. I thought the gpsmap76 was simple enough, but it did require some reading as expected. Honestly, I wish I had used it alot more than I did as I barely used it enough to get any benefit from it on the water. Of course I didn't exactly have the motherload of waypoints stored on it either. One more thing to consider is the cable that will be used for data transfer between your computer and the gps. make sure it comes with something that your computer will accept. I ended up having to purchase a converter cable to be able to hook mine up to my computer. Mine was an older model at the time and was being discontinued when I bought it so it did not come with a usb port but was about $100.00 cheaper. maybe someone else can chime in. Also you can try to do a search of the forum for this topic as I remember lots of discussions from the past. __________________ "Good luck and tight lines!"

04-14-2010, 03:46 PM	#4
wiseguy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Long Beach Posts: 427	what do you guys think about this one? Seems fairly priced? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

04-14-2010, 07:23 PM	#7
wiseguy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Long Beach Posts: 427	thanks for the info on Garmin. I will do a search on here for GPS related discussions.

04-14-2010, 09:56 PM	#8
Jimmyz123 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,385	I personally have one like this and the thing is rock solid. I holds plenty of way points, simple to use, and well priced. http://cgi.ebay.com/Garmin-GPS-12-ha...item335bfbee25