Garmin GPS

[blueskiesup]

I just installed my Garmin 545 with the sounder tonight! I don't have batteries in the boat yet so I can't wait to get it fired up in the next week! I have researched pretty heavily and I would agree that Garmin is by far the best in the biz. The equipment will result in long-term satisfaction which means, I don't have to run wires, drill holes, and tie wrap bundles again....

Greg

[blue angel]

where are you seeing the 440 for 299? not in hte recent sale catelog from wm

[SkiDeep2001]

Try this online link. Might be for for GPS440 + Vid card? http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=10803 Says in PDF Buy BlueChart Vision2 card + GPS 440. Card is $300 Sorry I guess I should have read whole offer. Darn convoluted advertising Here's the offer sheet - http://www.westmarine.com/rebates/g2and ... r_2009.pdf . I guess I'm getting kind of anxious to get a new GPS as my came w/ 1998 handheld primitive model with an arrow pointer on a round dial

[blue angel]

ok, thanks for the clarification, I am still looking for one that has both freshwater and marine maps built in without the need to spend a lot on extra cards, dont need the very latest one, though that new garman with weather included is kind of tempting

[Kelly Hanson East]

I have the compact Garmin 76CS (about 300 USD if you hunt for it) - best part is it is pocket size, so I can travel with it and take it anywhere I go. Most importantly I dont have to leave it on the boat do I dont worry about it getting pinched.

[c130king]

Just as another data point.

I use the Garmin GPSMap 478. Didn't see one on WM but they have them at Defender. Come preloaded with either Coastal or Interior charts...very similar to the 430/440. Can do depth sounder and XM Satellite Radio Weather if you pay for that feature...I don't.

Additionally the GPSMap 478 comes with preloaded US Street Maps and has car GPS route planning software. I also bought the Europe City Map software and a 512K memory card. I now use my GPSMap 478 in the car all the time both in the U.S. and in the U.K. and the rest of Europe...although I must admit it is larger and clunkier than the newer GPS's designed for cars like the Nuvi.

It works great on the boat. 3.8" screen and seems to have all the same features the 440 has. For now I will continue to use it. But most likely when I get back to the U.S. I will buy a dedicated GPS for my truck and keep the 478 on the boat full time. Hopefully it will connect and work well with the S1 Wheel Pilot which I will soon install. And then I will use it until it stops working...or I get bored and buy something fancier...

I think about 4-5" screen is a good size for the Mac. Personally I wouldn't want any larger (which means more expensive).

Good Luck,
Jim

[c130king]

OLD THREAD ALERT:

My Garmin GPSMap 478 was stolen out of my car here in London...right on my driveway...bummer. But probably my fault as I must have left the car unlocked...no signs of a break-in. GPS was tucked under the seat so it wasn't visible. Must have been a thief strolling the neighborhood checking cars for any idiots that left their car unlocked.

Anyway time to buy a new GPS for my boat. Looks like the 440 and 545 are no longer sold. Am looking at the 441 and 541. Both come with preloaded US Coastal Charts. But don't know if any extra $200 for an extra 1" of screen size is worth it. My old 478, which I was very happy with, was only 3.8". So I think I would be happy with the 4" 441 screen and it should fit in the same spot on my pedastal without any issues...although it would be easy enough to change the layout.

But I guess I will wait for another couple of weeks as I should know where I will be moving to this coming Summer in a few weeks. May not need US Coastal Charts if I move inland somewhere.

And there is a $100 rebate on new Garmins if bought before 1 April and mail in the rebate form before 1 May.

Anyone bought a 441 or 541 recently and have any feedback?

Thanks,
Jim

[MadMacX]

Jim,

I can't give you any feedback on those units, but I can tell you that I really like my new 535s that I just purchased from these guys.

http://www.gpsonsale.com/garmin/index.htm

They had what I wanted in stock and shipped it promptly. That's more than I can say for the other eight places I tried to work with.

I had originally looked at the 431s, because most of my sailing is on inland lakes, but after seeing the screen on the 535 I was sold. The 535 had a supposed 5" Hi-Res VGA screen, whereas the 431 has a supposed 4" Lo-Res QVGA screen, and if you look at them side by side, you'll understand how significant the differences really are. If you are not interested in the pre-loaded coastal maps you could save a few dollars and purchase a 421, that has no maps, and purchase the Garmin chart card for the area you want.

There are some of the 420, 430, 440 units still out there, but with the Garmin $100.00 rebate, it's more cost effective to buy the 421, 431, 441 units as the rebate makes the newer unit less expensive than the older units.

Good luck with your decision,
Pat

[c130king]

Pat,

Thanks for that link. Their prices are better than WM or Defender.

Cheers,
Jim

[bubba]

Were looking at a Garmen chart plotter 6000 series with 12 inch screen, AIS , radar , double sonar, 3D satalite maping and XM weather. It was recomended by Tod at BWY's and the cost 'yuck' but piece of mind will be worth it.

[c130king]

Based on how I see using my Mac I don't really see the need for radar, AIS or a 12" screen. I am very happy with 4"...I don't want too much clutter. I like the thought of pre-loaded so I don't have to buy charts if I move around...which I expect to do. But I might go with a 5" screen if I think it is worth the extra $200...I will continue to shop around and see what I think.

Cheers,
Jim

[bastonjock]

The larger screens will be of more use if you need spectacles,i get on fine with my Standard Horison c180,except when my glasses mist up

[rwmiller56]

I use a Garmin GPSMap 276C chartplotter. I am very happy with it. The screen is a bit small, but I have not had any problems reading it in marine mode. The unit mounts very nicely onto the Mac steering pedestal, and doesn't take up much room. I like the fact that it is dual mode (marine and automotive), so I can switch it easily between car and boat just by swapping out the data card. Another nice feature is the self-contained battery. I use the Blue Chart charts for marine, and City Navigator NT maps for automotive. I also use the MapSource PC software at home. This is nice, as I can plan my trips ahead of time, and add waypoints, routes, etc from the comfort of home, then burn them to the unit. That way I don't have to worry about doing this on the water. Waypoints and routes are stored in the unit internal memory. I burn the maps and charts onto blank Garmin data cards.

[c130king]

My 478 was very similar to the 276. And I agree about everything you said. Indeed I would get a new 478 but they are like $900 now. I think I got mine for $649 back in early 2007. And now that I got a new Garmin for the car for Christmas I know longer need the dual purpose. The Garmin 441 can be had for around $450 and the 541 for about $650...and then another $100 off for the rebate (no rebate on a new 478).

And you know what they say about the 4" versus the 12". It's not the size that matters...it's how you use it...

As soon as I figure out where I am moving I will pull the trigger and spend some more money.

Cheers,
Jim

[Overtime]

I just got my Mac Gregor a mouth ago and the first thing i got was the Garmin 440S and the vhf/fm radio with NMEA that Connected to the Garmin to send out the location of the boat in case of emergency witch is a nice feature.. I will say the 4" screen is fine for what we use it for. went out on the gulf Sunday Feb 19 and love the Gamin , My son the geek played with it and put it to the test and did all the things it could at this time. the 440s has a lot of other thing you can hook up to it but on the Mac I feel to much teck is not needed for the ease of sailing of the boat. Have a fun sail and hope i helped