best gps for the $ ?

Hog One · 12-21-2003, 07:04 AM

I plan to buy a hand held unit.Is the Magellan Meridian Marine loaded with enough detail to get in and out of cinook,deep river,Johns river,Kalama,ect.in the fog?Has anyone tryed the Magellan Sportrak Pro Marine?Or the Garmin Marine 76.I plan on spending around $250.00.Thanks for your help.

glowball · 12-21-2003, 07:33 AM

Hey there stranger. You can pick up a garmin map 76 for that on ebay. Thats what I have and it works great. You can get the roads and recreation cd for it and it will have way more detail than you can imagine. Kr has the magellan and I think he likes it. Maybe you can borrow both of ours and mess around with them to see which one you like better. Maybe someone else on here knows of a better one that you might want to try instead.

Here's a link to the garmin site for some info.
http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap76/

Kris

Waterfish · 12-21-2003, 08:56 AM

Hog One, The Garmin Map 76-S would be hard to beat. Make sure you get the Map 76-S, not the Map 76. Some of the main differences are that the 76-S has an eletronic compass, altimiter, and 24 mg of memory. The 76 has only 8 mg of memory and no compass or altimiter. With the 76-S and its bigger memory, you can download about two thirds of Oregon from the Mapsource CD (detailed topographic map). With the 76-S and its small 8 mg memory, you could only have a small part of the state loaded on. If you go to the Garmin site that llabwolg noted, click on the "Product Comparison" button, and you can choose different models of Garmins and it will create a table where you can compare features between models line-by-line. This makes it really easy to sort out all the differences between models. If you buy a Map 76-S from a local store, expect to pay $399.00 (on sale) to $459.00. However, there is an online store in Grand Island Nebraska, GPSnow, where you can get Garmins and all their accessories for much less. At GPSnow, the Map 76-S sells for $309.00. When you are in their web site, you need to click on "add to shopping cart" to see their lowest price - then if you aren't ready to order, just hit your back key to get out. I ordered mine from them and I got it in four days. Shipping was $6.95. If you get one for your boat, I recommend getting the Mapsource CD set (detailed maps of the entire USA), the adjustible dash mount and the 12-volt AC adaptor.

[ 12-21-2003, 10:29 AM: Message edited by: Waterfish ]

blacktail519 · 12-21-2003, 02:46 PM

Hey there,
I have the magellan map 76 as well.
Supposed to be a great little unit. I just dont know how to run it.... Patience is a virtue....

Martin85 · 12-21-2003, 04:16 PM

I have a Garmin 76 and like it. Mine I thought was just a 76 but mine also has a compass but not an altimiter? Not sure Waterfish about that part but I do only have 8mg of memory but so far between the ocean and hunting I still have alot of space.

I like the big screen mine has over the guys I hunt with.

glowball · 12-21-2003, 07:44 PM

Granted the 76s is a supperior unit, but the compass feature is only better if you're not moving. Otherwise the compass in the plain jane 76 model works just as well. Also 8mb of memory does alot more than you think it will. My gramps has the 76s and he doesn't feel that it's much better than my 76. Save the $100 bucks keith and get the map 76. I guarrantee you won't be dissappointed. I know I'm not.

By the way are you heading down to the big river on the 1st. I'll be there. Not sure where yet, but I'll be there somewhere.

Kris

DAB · 12-21-2003, 08:07 PM

Check out the Magelan Meridian Gold at Costco $349.oo pluss a rebate, Seems like a good buy to me . OH by the way it had 2 CD's and 2- 32mb memory cards and a bracket and cords.
DAB

chummer · 12-22-2003, 10:50 AM

If you plan to use this unit on the water, get one of the marine versions. I have the magellan marine. It comes with all the river and ocean bouys. It also has alot of geographic features (major roads and cities) in it's 8mb memory. I bought the topo CD and downloaded all of oregon and washington on a 32mb digital card which I keep in the unit. Even without the additional information, my magellan marine is quite handy. It's feature include a compass, altimeter. I do not get into my boat without it, especially down at hammond. I no longer worry as much about the fog down there(I still won't cross the bar in the fog and I keep a close watch for the big boats) But at least I can fish out front or run over to 14 and know exactly where i'm at. I would also suggest the 12 volt power cord, sure saves on the batteries. I normally have a good sense of direction, but put me on a boat, in fog, on an out going tide and i'm all screwed up. My senses tell me i'm headed down river, My GPS says I'm headed for port, Trust the GPS.