GPS failures?

gimmeumpqua · 11-16-2002, 08:52 PM

Anyone out there had their GPS fizzle while in a place where you needed it? Carry a backup?
For some reason mine quits working when on the ocean, but never in the river!

Kurt

bigfishon · 11-17-2002, 12:24 AM

if it is not a marine unit it could be the damp salt air, salt can cause problems with electronics. Call the company up and see what they say.

11-17-2002, 04:45 AM

I use a compass and maps or charts. Fog is a drawback, and where I lived is SE Alaska mineral deposits also messed up the compass.
When I get my boat for offshore tuna fishing I will have two GPS's on board, as well as two VHF radios. One hand held and one fixed.

[ 11-17-2002, 05:48 AM: Message edited by: Keta ]

skein · 11-17-2002, 07:47 AM

I agree with you, Keta, the old "two of everything" rule. I have a good Garmin that I've used for three years or so, mostly off the north end of Vancouver Island. It has worked flawlessly. As I consider my backup, I'm wondering about one of those that are marine specific. A friend has the Magellen Mariner (I think that's what it's called) and it has bouys and daymarkers, etc, on it. What are you going to get?

Skein - who is looking ahead to tuna-time.

Lund · 11-17-2002, 02:13 PM

Had a friend of mine use his (GPS) in Idaho to mark where he killed his elk for the next day to get it out. When he went back to get it out, he was 5-700 yards from the spot he marked. It was marked in heavy snow conditions. I wonder if that may have thrown it off.

get hooked · 11-17-2002, 05:35 PM

Gimmeumpqua, I had problems with my Garmin 162 fixed mount Gps. Once in awhile it would just turn off. Turn out to be the inline fuse. Bad connection. If you have a fixed mount you can check that. If it isn't that I don't have a clue.

Gus Orviston · 11-17-2002, 05:38 PM

I have had my Garmin for years and never had an issue, and used it a lot in the fog this year both in the big rivers and over the bar, but always knew how to manually chart my way through the situations. However, since I like gadgets I invested in a backup unit that utilizes charts on an IPAQ with a pharoes GPS. Basically if looks like that ocean charts you see on Maptech.com. Pretty cool and it also stores my favorite Topo as well. I just swap out SD memory cards with my region/terrain on them and I have instant maps. I like hard copies as well so I always have printouts along to boot.

gus

kenai · 11-17-2002, 06:17 PM

My garmin 162 did the same thing as Get Hooked.
I finally soldered and heat shrinked all connections on mine to fix it. Everytime the ride would get bumby the unit would shut off. I also carry my old garmin 12XL as a backup and it never fails, fog, rain etc. I gotta remember to write down or copy waypoints if I ever lose that gps a lot of good fishing and navigation points will be gone.

BigWaterBigFish · 11-19-2002, 01:41 PM

For the cost, the Magellan Marine ($319 basic @ GI Joes) works the best. The waterproof/impact cover keeps out the moisture. I always make sure I have fully charged the battery pack, carry spare AA's and also installed the 12V outlet on my dash so I can plug in as our biggest problem has been power drain. We were first on the bar several times this year at Bouy 10 using the GPS through the fog ... and the one time I tried going out through Illwaco in the fog, sure could have used it. Also use it to mark take downs, I'm a big believer in "where there is one, there's two".
As other's have mentioned, I try to have a backup but in this case I carry all the necessary extras in a dry box so I can trouble shoot what I can. Besides this handheld, also carry the Atlantis Marine radio to monitor CG & NOAA as well as call out if needed. Carry the necessary power backups for it as well. Nice thing about both these units is that they are portable. If I'm going out with someone who is a little less equiped than me, I feel prepared. Also calms me knowing that I can bring it all inside or lock in my Jeep instead of fearing someone will make off with it all if I leave it on board.