gps recommendations? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

kq · 10-27-2009, 01:21 PM

recommedations for an inexpensive hand held gps for yaking

JoeBeck · 10-27-2009, 01:47 PM

I use a hand-held simply because I do a lot of outdoor activities besides fishing so it can be used for all.

Currently I have a Garmin eTrex Venture HC, works perfectly, hardly ever loses a signal and I am able to put in way points for my trips and track where I am on my rout and follow it back. I'm not sure if I'd go cheaper than this one.

I used to have eTrex Vista which had a color monitor but I lost it. I liked it better mostly because it was color although I did not really use any more features than I do on the lower grade Venture so paying the extra cost again was not worth it to me. The Vista has a digital compass which seems nice but you don't really need it unless the trip tracking is not working which probably means you GPS is not working so you wouldn't have a digital compass anyway. Buy a compass as a back up navigation device.

bloodykayak · 10-27-2009, 03:26 PM

You can't beat the garmin hand held. I think you can pick up the unit and software @ Sports Chalet for $399.99. The thing is bullet proof, it servived a motorcycle accident with only a few scratches.

T-Rex · 10-28-2009, 01:27 PM

I had a Garmin GPSMAP 76 CSx. I was very pleased with it until it got swiped out of my car while I was fishing up in central Oregon last summer. Damn, I hate thieves!

The pre-loaded tide charts and solunar-derived best hunting/fishing calendars were very handy and reliable. Another nice feature for kayaking was that it floated. You can pick them up online for about $250 plus another $75-$100 if you want to add Bluecharts. Similar functions to the Vista HCx, a little bigger because it floats.

I've read good things about the Garmin Colorado 400c and Oregon 400c (touch screen). I guess these are the next generation of GPS. Easier to use and bigger displays. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who has tried one yet.

Good luck.

dadandsonkayak · 10-28-2009, 04:17 PM

i have a garmin gps 72.. completely waterproof.. great reception and all around great for yaking.. not that fancy as others but it shows waypoints and a general map..... tide charts and elevation and alot more... i think i got it for 129$$

inshore · 10-30-2009, 07:32 AM

Check out the Delorme PN40. Found it for around $296 and it comes with topo software.

stuppid · 10-30-2009, 01:49 PM

I have to agree about the GPSMAP 76. It is crucial that your GPS floats. I got about a half mile out one trip last year and could not find my GPS. I paddled back in thinking I would find it on the beach or in the surf zone. I could not find it and started to paddle back out and found it floating in the water about fifty yards from shore. What a relief!!!

10-27-2009, 01:21 PM	#1
kq Junior Join Date: May 2009 Location: bahia asuncion baja ca. sur Posts: 14	gps recommendations? recommedations for an inexpensive hand held gps for yaking

10-28-2009, 01:27 PM	#4
T-Rex Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita Posts: 770	I had a Garmin GPSMAP 76 CSx. I was very pleased with it until it got swiped out of my car while I was fishing up in central Oregon last summer. Damn, I hate thieves! The pre-loaded tide charts and solunar-derived best hunting/fishing calendars were very handy and reliable. Another nice feature for kayaking was that it floated. You can pick them up online for about $250 plus another $75-$100 if you want to add Bluecharts. Similar functions to the Vista HCx, a little bigger because it floats. I've read good things about the Garmin Colorado 400c and Oregon 400c (touch screen). I guess these are the next generation of GPS. Easier to use and bigger displays. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who has tried one yet. Good luck. __________________

10-28-2009, 04:17 PM	#5
dadandsonkayak Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: near palm springs Posts: 82	i have a garmin gps 72.. completely waterproof.. great reception and all around great for yaking.. not that fancy as others but it shows waypoints and a general map..... tide charts and elevation and alot more... i think i got it for 129$$ __________________

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10-27-2009, 01:47 PM	#2
JoeBeck Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 370	I use a hand-held simply because I do a lot of outdoor activities besides fishing so it can be used for all. Currently I have a Garmin eTrex Venture HC, works perfectly, hardly ever loses a signal and I am able to put in way points for my trips and track where I am on my rout and follow it back. I'm not sure if I'd go cheaper than this one. I used to have eTrex Vista which had a color monitor but I lost it. I liked it better mostly because it was color although I did not really use any more features than I do on the lower grade Venture so paying the extra cost again was not worth it to me. The Vista has a digital compass which seems nice but you don't really need it unless the trip tracking is not working which probably means you GPS is not working so you wouldn't have a digital compass anyway. Buy a compass as a back up navigation device.

10-27-2009, 03:26 PM	#3
bloodykayak Junior Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 13	You can't beat the garmin hand held. I think you can pick up the unit and software @ Sports Chalet for $399.99. The thing is bullet proof, it servived a motorcycle accident with only a few scratches.

10-30-2009, 07:32 AM	#6
inshore Junior Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1	Check out the Delorme PN40. Found it for around $296 and it comes with topo software.

10-30-2009, 01:49 PM	#7
stuppid Junior Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 11	I have to agree about the GPSMAP 76. It is crucial that your GPS floats. I got about a half mile out one trip last year and could not find my GPS. I paddled back in thinking I would find it on the beach or in the surf zone. I could not find it and started to paddle back out and found it floating in the water about fifty yards from shore. What a relief!!!