Garmin gps76, Lowrance ifind, or Magellan?

10-22-2003, 08:14 AM

I've narrowed my purchase down to these three for quality handheld gps for my boat; Garmin 76, Lowrance ifinder plus gps, or the Magellan Meridian Marine Pro. Most of their features are similar so I thought I would ask the pros on here who may own one of the above units before I go any further. thanks,
Dave

Bait O' Eggs · 10-22-2003, 10:21 AM

I have the Garmin 76sMap and really like.

Pretty easy to figure out, and lots of features, and I mean lots of features. I like the built in compass, and flipping the unit into water mode rather than land shows the buoys etc.. The built in roads are limited to the main roads, but when you are going down any HWY in the USA you can check the next exit for services, like gas stations and resturants that are coming up. I have not tried to upload any of the mapping software into the available 24 megs. I want to get the topo software and upload parts of the state. The barometer that runs all the time and plots the last 8 hours continously even when the unit is off is kind of interesting.

No regrets on my purchase so far.

Fishmstr · 10-22-2003, 11:13 PM

Ditto the 76 map...I have one and love it.

Bait O' Eggs · 10-23-2003, 12:22 PM

Here is where I bought it at GPSNOW

LINK

$316 delivered to my door, you gotta click on the "add to cart" to get real price

I forgot to tell you it floats [img]graemlins/lurk.gif[/img]

Waterfish · 10-23-2003, 12:54 PM

Make sure you get the Garmin Map 76s, not the 76 Map. There are important features in the "s" model that are not in the 76 (mainly, way bigger memory and the electronic compass). If you go to the Garmin web site, click on "product comparison" and it will display a chart where you can compare features of any model of Garmin.

Birdnest · 10-23-2003, 03:22 PM

Eastside Dave,

I have the Lowrance Ifinder Atlantis. While I don't have a lot of basis of comparison, I really like this product.

I got mine for $179 online at Broken Leg Dave's electronics. For a mapping GPS that is a pretty tough price to beat. The Atlantis has more marine navigational items in its built in memory. While it is VERY upgradable in the memory department, I don't see myself doing that. I use it to confirm where I am at and use my charts for safe navagation.

I have found it to be user friendly. There is an "easy mode", but I have always used the "standard mode" without problems.

The one down fall is that it is not rated as waterproof. This seems a little odd being that it is a "marine unit". Mine came with a dry bag that I use it in. I also operate it inside a full canopy so I don't anticipate this to be a issue.

So for $179, go get yourself a mapping GPS and let the good times roll.

Joe

duckcall · 10-23-2003, 07:47 PM

I have the Magellan Meridian Marine: waterproof and has a lot of navigational features. I got it on e-bay and like it very much.

10-23-2003, 08:31 PM

Thanks for the input. These are really neat units. My main issue is safety - I want to get out and get back if fog comes in. Everything else is icing on the cake! I also want to mark crab pots and good fishing spots and run it off of my battery.

jawbreaker · 10-23-2003, 11:29 PM

How much is it?

Misty Dawn · 10-24-2003, 08:06 AM

Dave,

Take a hard look at the Garmin GPS V at Costco.com for $349.99. This unit can be downloaded with the Blue Card cd which has all the ocean charts you would ever need plus it already has land maps, etc with it.

Regards,

Jim

10-24-2003, 08:30 AM

Thanks Jim! This has been lots of help!

Birdnest · 10-24-2003, 09:43 AM

One thing to consider on a handheld is screen size. While many of them are capable of downloading a lot of information you reach a point of toooo much. To zoom in for this info to be handy is often creates a small of a field of view for your overall position in relation to danger. Good ol' charts are your best friend and they don't run on batteries. Just my .02

Joe

chummer · 10-24-2003, 02:51 PM

I have the magellan marine, and love it! I won't go of hammond without it. Fog is no longer a limiting factor, at least I'm able to fish bouy 10 and back without worrying about getting lost, although I still keep my eyes and ears open for ships. I still won't go across the bar or outside if it's foggy. The magellan also comes with a cigarette lighter power adapter so you don't have to rely on the batteries. Do the other units come with marine navigation aids already downloaded?

sturgn · 10-25-2003, 07:13 AM

I just got a Magellan Meridian Marine from Harmany Computers, its refurbished but has a 6 month factory warrenty and the new ones have a year, but the price was great at $189.00 heres the link!

Marine GPS

Reel Creel · 10-27-2003, 07:49 PM

I bought the lowrance mtx15** and it came with a hand held map quest lowrance both are user friendly and the same to use, for the most part. So I keep the hand held as a back up. the last time i crossed the CR bar i needed somebody out on the bow waving a fishing pole around cuz the fog was so thick. but both gps' had a good lock on ware i was at the time. This is still no substitute for radar. Thats next... :grin: