Can anyone out there recommend a GPS Unit that would be good for using in the Cheaspeake Bay and surrounding area. I've read reviews of hand held units at store web sites, but haven't found any in kayaking magazines. Thanks for any help.
Johnrbour@msn.com

I think any GPS would work in the Chesapeake area. The question should be, how much do you want to spend and what do you want it to do. I only use my GPS (Garmin etrex H) to check my speed and distance and that is only occasionally. I'm not worried about getting lost, or about how to get to where I'm going; it's supposed to be water proof so what else is there?

thanks for your reply. I plan on using it to mark points for a multiday trip. I would like to be able to check how far I am from my destination. That way, I know if I need to increase my pace or not to arrive at a designated time. I was looking at the Garmin e-trex, but have never used one, so I was just looking to hear from anyone who has used one. Thanks again.

I probably should consult the instructions that came with the etrex before making this comment, but I don't think it would be able to tell you how far it is to a certain destination unless you had previously plotted it. It does have the capability to mark waypoints etc., but I don't know if you can download maps into it.

In any case, you will probably want to have a paper map (chart) of your proposed journey. Depending entirely on an electronic device that might fail, wouldn't be very prudent. It would be easy enough to check your distances left to go from said map.

Any device which can tell you Lat (L) and Longitude (Lo) can be used to calculate straight line distances, speed, and distance travelled and perhaps some averages. Sounds like you'd like a bit more such as electronic chart plotting ?

Other things to consider -
* SPOT Locator for rescue
http://www.globalcomsatphone.com/spot/

* VHF Radio (some have locator support)
http://www.marine-electronics-reviews.com/handheld-vhf-radio.html

* iPhone now has an app made by Fugawi that has maps etc.
http://www.fugawi.com/web/x-traverse/navionics_faq.htm



PS> remove your email address - or it's going to be a spam magnet.

Thank you for bringing this topic up. In looking through our index we realized we have not done a GPS review since 1999. Sea Kayaker has begun the review process on GPS units that would work well for kayaking. I'll add a post when I know the issue it will appear in.

Michael

I too am interested in the "right" GPS unit for kayaking and will be looking for the upcoming article in SEA KAYAKER. Thank you.

We have begun the process of evaluating GPS units. A reviewer has been selected and we are in the process of obtaining units to test. We have a target of publishing this review in the October 2010 issue.

Mike, there is a articles Power and Motor yacht about this that might interest you ... I think it was last summer's issue, nothing major but they had some nice items including iphone sync. They also had beacon locators... I'll try to get the issue..

Power and MotorYacht
January 2010 issue

mitch,

thank you - I've passed this info on our editor and from there it should get our reviewer.

Cheers
Michael

Garmin GPS Map76CSX- - It floats

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides reliable location and time information in all weather and at all times and anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. It is maintained by the United States government and is freely accessible by anyone with a GPS receiver.

The GPS System was created and realized by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and was originally based on and run with 24 satellites. It was established in 1973 to reduce the large number of navigation aids and to overcome the limitations of previous navigation systems.

Are their any that are waterproof?

Yes, mine is supposed to be waterproof, but I wouldn't put it to the test.

I very seldom ever carry my gps with me, because I pretty much know where the heck I am and I don't really care how fast I'm going.

I would like to see how far Igo, I may take the GPS out of the car for a speed run. The batteries last 30 minutes.

Just remember to automotive unit will not be waterproof or probably even water resistant - make sure it's well protected.

Thanks it will just be a paddle in the canal behind the house. My luck I will dump it!

I see Timex has a GPS watch which tracks your distance but it is 360 $$$$$$

I have a GPS unit (Garmin Legend) mounted on my deck with a RAM mount (suction cup). Nothing fancy, I've had it for 3 years and it still works great. Its waterproof (I've rolled with it on my deck with no problems) and it is a great back-up for my deck map.

Going nuts trying to get one hurry with the review. Looked at the Lowrance but it doesn't seem to seal good on the bottom and I am leary of it. Help! I read on line reviews and they are from one spectrum to the other and I am still puzzled as you don't know who is doing the review. I thin may be a company employee LOL!

Any ideas when the review is coming so I can push the clock forward?

I'd like to have a GPS to relay coordinates in an emergency and also to locate where I am. Your view on the water is essentially two-dimensional. Without landmarks that you can identify, all you see is a green, grey or speckled line in the distance. I was paddling with a group on Squam Lake and one paddler was able to locate our position and save us several mile of paddling. His GPS showed our position on a mini marine chart with place and feature names, without forcing us to plot the GPS coordinates on a paper/plastic chart. Your going to spend between $300 and $600 for the GPS and also buy the marine charts on an SD chip. A device with a readable marine chart sounds like the gold standard.

My radio has GPS built in it. Standard Horizon

I use an eTrek Vista Hcx. It is waterproof for 3 feet at 30 minutes. I love mine but mine is only used in fresh water. I would be worried about salt water wrecking it.

No matter what kind you get, no matter the claims for waterproofness, it needs to live in a dry bag for longevity. Open the dry bag between uses to keep down condensation. I have been keeping my Garmin 76Cx happy for years now. Bag can also hold spare batteries and a small nav notebook and pencil.

still hoping for Sea Kayaker GPS review before spring!

Mike

Did we ever get a GPS review in the magazine?

Thanks

Robert

Robert,

It's still on the editor's "to do list" Thank you for the reminder. We'll be talking with all the manufacturers in July at the Outdoor Retailer Show and will work to get something going with the newest and greatest that we see there.

Michael

aha ! how find the CSX floats ?

if you have not, read Burch - FUN DEMENTALS OF KAYAK NAVIGATION

and go dhow

See the seams on your GPS ? Wipe clean with dilute dishsoap, rinse and wipe with isopropyl. Cover seams with 3M 33 electrical tape.

Now on the Florida coast after buying West Coast Garmin charts of 6 years ago, I shelled out more for the East Coast.

I'm pleased. The maps are cheaper

Paddling near bottom countours via Garmin's NOAA maps is more fun here in low tideland than on high velocity Haro Strait with sea mounts an variable overfalls. The wee bit of extra velocity here exposes your experience directly onto nature's watercourse.

Big Carlos, east of Sanibel Island, described as a 'lake' is not. BC flows down around water hills, thru choppy channels, and downhill ! As experienced from the kayak and a Garmin charts equipped Csx. Where you may gradually develop a sense of place without Garmin, with Garmin and pretrip laptop planning, you are there right off the ramp.

If you need electronic reality, a pretrip track used for routing on water brings a Csx screen, 2 screens, with several windows of info each screen; eg distance made good, distance to go, time of arrival (or not), time to sundown, time to dinner, average speed when in motion....time to the next Cigarette....
Combining Burch, Garmin, and Google Earth with Goretex and Kevlar/CF....incroyable

and Burch.

Burch deepens your sensitivity to where, how and who you may be as a kayak mariner. A quality the GPS merely alludes.