GPS Anchor Drag Alarm

[Cessna172]

I recently purchased a Garmin 72H handheld GPS unit for the purpose of using it's advertised "anchor alarm" function. I was looking for something battery powered so I needn't run the primary Nav system all night or rely on smart phone apps.

After testing the Garmin 72H, I am disappointing with the performance. The unit emits a single low volume beep when the anchor parameters are exceeded. Nothing more... it does not repeat or reset. This hardly constitutes an "alarm". Wouldn't even wake up my easily disturbed Beagle. The Garmin is being returned today.

Anyone know of a handheld GPS unit that does emit and actual, repeated until its physically acknowledged, alarm?

Thanks

 

[ozoner]

I use a free app on my iPhone called Drag Queen - Active Captain makes it. Simple, easy to use, and it can be loud. Only drawback is that constant GPS use will drain your phone battery, so I leave it plugged in to a portable charger overnight while it is active.

 

[Cessna172]

Thanks for the response. Yea, battery drain on the smart phone is exactly why I am interested in a stand-alone unit.

I have a question submitted to Garmin regarding the 78 series handhelds to see if their anchor alarm actual "alarms".

 

[knotflying]

I use the drag queen also. I just keep my phone plugged into a 12v outlet and no issues with the charge. Very loud and annoying alarm. Just what you want.

 

[stwendl]

Might want to look into boat command which is a subscription based service but does a lot more

 

[Cessna172]

Garmin says their handheld 78 series GPS units do have an alarm; however, they haven't been able to confirm that the alarm will sound continuously until acknowledged by the user.

 

[Pilotnavigator]

My garmin 76csx does sound a continuous tone that will wake you up.

 

[coreychamness]

i have used drag queen but I get a lot of false alarms unless I make the watch circle ridiculously large.

 

[knotflying]

i have used drag queen but I get a lot of false alarms unless I make the watch circle ridiculously large.

The important thing on Drag Queen is to make sure you set the anchor location when you first drop the anchor. It uses the radius from that point. So if you forget to set the anchor initially and wait until set you have to minimally double the distance of your rode length to avoid an alarm when the boat starts to swing.

 

[Cessna172]

Sent the Garmin 72H back because of the inadequate anchor alarm. Received the GPS 78 today. Glad to report the 78 does indeed alarm until the user acknowledges the alarm.