GPS for small open boat? Garmin 152?

[Recoil Rob]

I have a 16' Sturdee Boat Amesbury dory w/ side console. I'll be fishing the mid- Long Island Sound area and need to purchase a GPS for marking and returning to fishing spots as well as routes home.

Spacs is at a premium but in a small open boat I want a decent sized readout and I want it mounted and using the boats battery power so I'am against a small screened handheld that uses AA batteries.

A unit that seems to fit my purpose is the Garmin 152. It's doesn't have chart plotter capabilities but I doubt I'd use it in my area. Seems to be a no-frills unit yet still waterproof (actually submersible) and WAAS enabled.

Has anyone used one and can you recommend it or another option I should consider

[Pauper Piscator]

For what you are talking about, handheld will work great. Simple install AND you can take it hunting / hiking / in the car.

[Recoil Rob]

Nope, don't want to deal with that tiny screen, especially at night.

I just found the 152 on sale for $200. Nice big numbers to see at night.

The other option they had was the Garmin 176 chart plotter unit. Only thing is the NOAA maps will be in B&W wonder how that would be?

Rob

[SageBoy]

I picked up the 276c last year when it came out and love it. It could be out of your price range based on what you are looking to spend.

[RogerStg]

Nope, don't want to deal with that tiny screen, especially at night.

I just found the 152 on sale for $200. Nice big numbers to see at night.

The other option they had was the Garmin 176 chart plotter unit. Only thing is the NOAA maps will be in B&W wonder how that would be?

Rob

If operating at night or any other reduced visibility scenarios, a chart plotter with the $$ charts is a worthwhile safety device. I have found it very comforting to get back to port in the fog while staying out of the shipping channels. It is also very helpful when fishing structure.

I have a color unit. While i think it's desirable, I don't think it's really necessary, there are not any significant color distinctions on the charts that are not readily discernable from the images.

[bones]

I use a Furuno GP-36. Large screen, no chart plotter. State of the art when I bought it, now an antique belonging in some maritime museum. A friend brought his Garmin (GPSMap 76SC) on last bayfishing trip. The one with the map of that bay. Was nice to visualize shorelines and navigation lanes on the screen.........comforting when running at night or in fog. My large screen Furuno was "on", but we paid it no mind, the small screen was so much more adequate what with the pictures. Color vs black and white really would not matter, I could accomodate. It is handheld, allowing use in places other than your boat, (such as on someone elses boat who takes you to his secret honey-hole fishin' spot and you need to clandestinely procure the coordinates --126-3- ). It also showed submersed reefs. It is waterproof and floats, I think. The waterproof is very important, I've smoked many electronic toys because I was too cheap to buy the waterproof model.

He also has plugged in the U.S. Geological Survey map of his 7,600 acre hunting lease in South Texas, easy to get lost on something like that when there are no landmarks or crossfencing. He's got all the ponds, deer blinds, and other interesting areas plugged into the maps. So the GPS is valuable on and off the water. It even has Houston, Texas mapped in exteme detail.

Nowadays I buy exactly what I want figuring I would not be happy otherwise. It seems I end up replacing the things I really never really wanted to begin with, with the more expensive one, the unwanted one now sitting in the closet.........money down the drain.

[gf2020]

I would definitely spring for a chartplotter over just a GPS. All of the lower priced models from Garmin, Lowrance, Navman, etc. are good.

I have a Garmin with the B&W screen and I have no issues with it.