Marine GPS/ Navigation

[Kevin_B]

Wondering if anyone has any experience with the GPS systems that are specific for waterways. I'm not looking for anything fancy just basic chart-plotting function that will keep me in deep water when I venture up the lake to places I'm unfamiliar with and be able to get me home. I have been trying to do some research online and most of the places that sell them, offer the same item description so its hard to decipher why you would pay $1000 vs. $350.

If anybody has one they like, what is it? and What does it do well?


Thanks.

[ffmedic74]

RE: Marine GPS/ Navigation

I am on inland lakes and just use a Garmin 76csx.

[robertsmcfarland]

my dad has all ways used some type of of gps on the Pamlico sound in NC for navigation. my observation has been they all work from the same satellites, all use the same pictures, the difference in price will be color, number of way points remembered, water proof, how well you can see in the day time, remotes, , you get the point , the 100 dollars shows the the same thing as the 1000 dollars just with more bells and whistles.

[sstexan]

I bought the garmin Nuvi 550. It is the only multi-mode gps that Garmin makes. It looks and works just like the auto versions you see at best buy, costco, etc, except it has a marine mode. I added the inland lake card to it, and it becomes a pretty slick chart plotter. It is all touch screen and the battery works great, or you can plug it into the 12v outlet. I place mine with the suction window off to the right of my view on my 236 and it looks like it belongs there. Great for late night navigating. Cruising 14 miles up Lake Travis while it is 40 feet low at 11:00 pm made me a believer.

Here is the link...Bought it on-line for about $175, then the card was another $85...

Good Luck

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=27442

[tadelfio]

You can add the Inland Lake card to most of the Garmin products. So if you already have a Garmin GPS for your car why couldn't you just buy the additional software? I'm certainly no expert on these things and I do not know what a multi-mode gps is. I would would look into this option and see if it would be plausible, but I really don't have the need for one.

[mcbridek]

I have a Garmin 255W or 260W, recently purchased for $139. When I went to the Garmin WEB site and updated the maps, it does offer and Inland Lake down load, which I would also be very interested in, but in my case they did not offer just the one lake (some few lakes were offered), but had do buy the entire package and it was $110. I have been on the Lake with someone that had it, and it seemed very accurate on shoreline and depth. There was also a page the lists every lake included.

[Kevin_B]

Awesome Guys, thanks! I would have never thought to check for an update for my vehicle GPS

[Kevin_B]

McbrideK, I too have the 255W and am trying to get the inland lakes for the southeast. I'm going to try and contact Garmin directly and see what the capabilities are if any if you buy the SD card. I'll let you know what I find out

[SuperSquirt]

I'm using the Garmin 440 marine unit.....flawless. Really helps out at night

[Tian]

I actually use my iPad, with nav software on it. I keep it in a lifeproof case. It is an amazing solution.

[axeman]

I bought the garmin Nuvi 550. It is the only multi-mode gps that Garmin makes. It looks and works just like the auto versions you see at best buy, costco, etc, except it has a marine mode. I added the inland lake card to it, and it becomes a pretty slick chart plotter. It is all touch screen and the battery works great, or you can plug it into the 12v outlet. I place mine with the suction window off to the right of my view on my 236 and it looks like it belongs there. Great for late night navigating. Cruising 14 miles up Lake Travis while it is 40 feet low at 11:00 pm made me a believer.

Here is the link...Bought it on-line for about $175, then the card was another $85...

Good Luck

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=27442

Being familiar with Lake Travis and knowing the current drought conditions this should hands down convince you that it works.