gps signal

S

spanishmak

Member
What's up everyone.I have a nuvi gps that I bought for my boat and I was wondering if I could use this on my boat up to maybe 15 miles offshore,would I get a signal or not cause marine gps has external antenna I do use it for hunting in the offroad and pedestrian mode and it works fine.Can anyone help
 
In one word....ABSOLUTELY. The signal to your GPS comes from satellites hovering around the earth up in space.
 
My Garmin Marine unit has internal antenna and as Cam said since it's based on satellites, it should technically work anywhere on earth that it can see the satellites. I believe it needs 3 to pinpoint your location.

Not familiar with the nuvi, but i would think the main limitation between this and a marine unit is the maps they have. So basically the amount of info you will have about the waters such as markers, channels, depth...
 
I have one and they show nothing but land and roads, you will see nothing but a big blue area for water.
 
If your model allows input of long/lat then you can us it that way but you won't be able to easily mark a fishing area or structure as you pass over it. You would have to stop over it and get the Long/Lat numbers and input them that way.

I think for me doing it the way you described by input would be to aggravating. There are new and used ones out there for little of no $.

That's just my way of thinking for me.
 
Having gone through the days of LoranC and a paper fishfinder I can say without any reservations....Buy a combo Fishfinder/gps that is made to do what you need it to do. You will wonder how anyone ever fished without one.
 
I completely agree with everything that's been said about getting a marine unit... however, if the budget doesn't allow that right now, all you have to do is set your Garmin's "home" destination to your launch point.
I have a Garmin C330 that I used in my car for a number of years... but I also used to use it as my "close offshore" GPS until I got my M56 marine unit GPS/Fishfinder. Like MC says, far offshore all it will show is a big blue screen, but once you get close to land it starts to show details again, and most important, when you tell it to go "home" it points you in the generally right direction. Get a Marine uinit and you'll be happy you did. Just don't forget that even the best GPS can fail. ALWAYS have a reliable compass on your boat even if you have a GPS. :head:
 
Destroyer said:
I completely agree with everything that's been said about getting a marine unit... however, if the budget doesn't allow that right now, all you have to do is set your Garmin's "home" destination to your launch point.
I have a Garmin C330 that I used in my car for a number of years... but I also used to use it as my "close offshore" GPS until I got my M56 marine unit GPS/Fishfinder. Like MC says, far offshore all it will show is a big blue screen, but once you get close to land it starts to show details again, and most important, when you tell it to go "home" it points you in the generally right direction. Get a Marine uinit and you'll be happy you did. Just don't forget that even the best GPS can fail. ALWAYS have a reliable compass on your boat even if you have a GPS. :head:
Click to expand...

Very well said Destoyer.....+1
 
I have, in the past, used a Garmin 72H handheld b/w gps. It sells now for $119 and is good for marine or land. I have a mount for it on the dash that costs about $25. It shows breadcrumb trails and everything. Has an internal antenna.

Today, for the V I'm rehabbing, I bought the Garmin 541s. I couldn't resist it for $599. Or, the 441s is the same thing with a 4" screen instead of a 5", and it's also on sale right now for $449 at West Marine. Both really good prices if anyone is looking for a GPS/depthfinder right now.
 
I have been looking also, but I have been looking at the touch screen ones, $1700 :cen: have not decided?? I have to get a good size screen to be able to see
 
I'm no help with the O/P question but......

Just purchased factory refurbished Garmin 5212 from Get feet wet . com.



There are a few smaller refurbished units listed on there site.
Links below....

Garmin498 internal antenna and transducer...$475 or without ducer for $425
http://www.getfeetwet.com/products/...cer--(Factory-Refurbished)__010-N0504-02.aspx

They also have a 545 garmin for $580

http://www.getfeetwet.com/products/...rtplotter-(Factory-Refurb)__010-N0601-00.aspx

A smokin deal on a Garmin 3206.. $699 ( however you will need a gsd21 to get it to fish finder/depth). It can be networked and do radar over chart.

http://www.getfeetwet.com/products/...tter-(Factory-Refurbished)__010-N0527-00.aspx

Always have purchased refurbished units and never had a problem. Previous boat had a refurbished 3010c garmin.

Our V 20 has a Garmin 192c.
 
2008_06110028.jpg

mj, this is a garmin 2010c i picked up for $500 w/o transducer. it came with the gsd21? sounder. i love it because i can see it. it is the first garmin i've had and it is easy to use. i am not to impressed with the sounder and not a fan of "all in one" units. i had plans to flush mount this on the dash and put a bottom machine where this is mounted. but that w as 3 years ago...
 
flushmounting

I thought about flushmounting mine, too, but I'm worried about glare from the sun. I think I'll mount it to the right of the compass. And I'm mounting the saddle for my handheld garmin between the windshield and the console. My plan is to switch from GPS to fishfinder when I get near my destination, and turn on the battery operated handheld for positioning.
 
Phat,
That was a great deal for a 2010c with a gsd21!! That is an awesome plotter!
I know the sounders aren't that great on the Garmin units. Fine for me but I don't spend anytime fishing. I just need to know depth and water temps.


Wish I could find a used 3210c Garmin at a great price like that to network with the 5212 on the Bertram.
 
That was a great deal!! I am not worried about the sounder as I have a 2 year old Furuno 620 I love.

In am looking and will let you guys know what I come up with?? But screen size is huge for me and my crappy eyes.

I have been looking at the 4000 serise
 
inaforty said:
I'm no help with the O/P question but......

Just purchased factory refurbished Garmin 5212 from Get feet wet . com.



There are a few smaller refurbished units listed on there site.
Links below....

Garmin498 internal antenna and transducer...$475 or without ducer for $425
http://www.getfeetwet.com/products/...cer--(Factory-Refurbished)__010-N0504-02.aspx

They also have a 545 garmin for $580

http://www.getfeetwet.com/products/...rtplotter-(Factory-Refurb)__010-N0601-00.aspx

A smokin deal on a Garmin 3206.. $699 ( however you will need a gsd21 to get it to fish finder/depth). It can be networked and do radar over chart.

http://www.getfeetwet.com/products/...tter-(Factory-Refurbished)__010-N0527-00.aspx

Always have purchased refurbished units and never had a problem. Previous boat had a refurbished 3010c garmin.

Our V 20 has a Garmin 192c.
Click to expand...


Inaforty,
For some reason when I click on those links it just takes me to the GetFeetWet main page, not to those specific products. Then even if I use the search feature at least some of those products don't come up at all, at any price. I specifically wanted to take a look at the 498. Is there some other way to find those refurbished units that I'm missing?

Thanks for any help you can provide.
David Boyd
 
David,
I just did a search for the Garmin 498. Seems they must have sold out on those units. I believe they only get a certain # of each refurb units and it's while they last type thing. Right now there isn't any smaller Garmin combo (plotter/sonar) units. Just a 545 with out sonar.

Keep your eye out on the link below. There is 4 or 5 pages of stuff.
http://www.getfeetwet.com/cat_garminrefurb.aspx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top