looking to buy my first gps unit and im pretty green. here is what im looking for. has to be handheld as i will use hunting as well. would like it to have mount for my boat but not a necessity. i want to be able to have maps of the intracoastal and other waterways. would like the intracoastal for this area on it when i buy it, would rather not have to buy it seperate. sat. images would be cool but not necessary as would topo capability. i would like to spend no more than 150. am i dreamin and what models should i investigate or stay away from. any help is greatly appreciated
I like Garmin. mainly because I have found the are compatible with most sites downloads. also make sure it comes with a usb connector not the other type because most laptops have usb. Also search the site there have been lots of gps topics
If you are gonna use it fishin, make sure it has the digital compass. I have the Garmin etrex Vista, and love it. There are TONS of after market maps you can download for free. Mine cam standard with a base map. then I downloaded the street and topo maps to it.
You will probably need to up your budget a but to get the bells & whistles you want. Also, watch your local Craigslist. Once in a while a Garmin will pop up
This is probably what you need here
http://www.cabelas.com/handheld-gps-garmin-gpsmap-60csx-2.shtml?type=product&WT.tsrc ="CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleBaseUSA&WT.z_mc_id1=741489&rid=40&mr:trackingCode=09F80913-9AD5-DF11-9612-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA"
I used to work for Boaters world and tried a lot of them both handheld and gps/fishfinders and Hands Down Garmin are the easiest, i've got a handheld that i bought 10 years ago and it still works great
Not sure if you already got your unit, but to me the Garmin 76csx is the shit. I would not buy the garmin etrex however, they have an issue with the LCD screens going out, mine did, and now my partner's did. the 76csx will run you almost 200-300 or more though, but it has marine features, and i can give you a site to download topo maps for the whole state, for free, don't buy the 100 dollar software that garmin sells. you can also install a mount in your boat, or run an external antenna if you need, depending on your boat.
Most folks don't think nothing about paying a few hundred dollars for a new gun or fishing rod and reel, but then want to skimp and go cheap on the device that will get you home.
