GPS woes - what this skipper thinks he wants and reality

I mean inexpensive

     I need some help, (opportunity knocks) I know our last cruise had some gps problems but I don't remember the specifics. All I really remember was that I decided I should get a new gps because my old Magellan could not be trusted or was failing somehow. Being a frugal boater and not having unlimited resources makes it difficult to shell out $400+ for a hand held battery eating device I only use in the fog or to measure distance to my next anchorage. I stopped by a web site or fifty and came away more confused after reading reviews from techies, hunters, hikers, and arm chair skippers. I wish I could just rely on someone to tell me what to buy after hearing my list of wants.

1. it needs to be battery powered, aaa or aa with a 12V helm plug in
2. rugged enough to be dropped once in awhile (water resistant too)
3. day light visible display about 2.5" or bigger (ok a lot bigger)
4. on board chart for my area (duh) and not an extra $200 fee, and they must include Canada's Vancouver and Gulf islands.
5. it needs to display nav aids at a minimum, just like my chart
6. I want a speedometer and bearing readout
7. I want it to work inside the cabin, or at least by the windows
8. it needs to boot up in less than 5 minutes
9. I like my nav aids in color, especially the red ones, but not if it's too many $$$
10. I want to have local level streets shown for hikes
11. it should fit in my pocket
12. it should be dependable, and last, and last, and last

I'm sure I have other wants, I'll add later,
here is what does not matter to me (much) (maybe)

1. upgrade ability
2. connectivity to a laptop, or chart plotter
3. altimeter
4. emergency radio or locator beacon (if it costs boat dollars)
5. e-mail, forecasts or anything confusing that is more dollars
6. more memory for charts of other areas
7. phone numbers of business, etc if it's extra  $$
8. mfd, multifunction display or depth or radar, (just go away, your too wealthy for this blog)
9. floating is nice, so is waterproof but I can pass if more $$
10. Are we getting an idea that costs are paramount to me?

About gps and the San Juan trailer sailor.

In my opinion you can get by without a gps just like boaters have done for centuries, but it is a really handy piece of equipment, and fun to share info with others on board, and truly a marvelous aid in foggy conditions.  What you can not do without, is a chart, a compass, a depth sounder, pfd's and all the other Coast Guard required safety gear.

Okay, lest I have mislead someone, I believe you need a gps in the fog but you could simply stay in port or go another direction.  Boating blindly in fog with any current is a recipe for disaster.


I am adding to this post to tell you readers what I finally came up with.
Read about it by following this link >>  My new gps is awesome and very inexpensive