GPS Question

[tuggertoy]

My husband and I are in the process of purchasing a used Ranger 21. This will be our first power boat and I would like suggestions from folks about GPS. I have been looking at the marine websites and it is very confusing. Would anyone be willing to offer a few suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

Moria

 

[captain's cat]

I like the Garmin units. You don't need a really big screen, the 5" ones are fine, you will be amazed at what they do, if you have one in your car, you already know. I'll take a look and edit this with a recommendation or two. Do you ever plan to add things like radar? And do you fish? Some of them are better fishfinders than others. Also, where do you plan to use the boat? In coastal waters, on rivers/lakes? Some units have built in maps/charts, some need external ones and the chips can add a lot to the cost.

Charlie

 

[tuggertoy]

I am embarrased to say - I don't have a GPS in my car. (I don't even own a cell phone!) We don't fish. I would like something that would overlay a chart (chart plotter?) over the GPS. Another thing I'm not clear on, does the system come complete and ready to install? Or do you have to buy cables, brackets, antenna, charts seperately. At this point, I don't think we will persue radar. We would like to boat on the northern end of the Chesapeake, but because we are newbies - I'm not going to venture to far from shore just yet. My Dad always reminds me, "There are old pilots and bold pilots; but never any old, bold pilots." 😉

Thanks,

Moria

 

[Rick & Karen]

I am embarrased to say - I don't have a GPS in my car. (I don't even own a cell phone!) We don't fish. I would like something that would overlay a chart (chart plotter?) over the GPS. Another thing I'm not clear on, does the system come complete and ready to install? Or do you have to buy cables, brackets, antenna, charts seperately. At this point, I don't think we will persue radar. We would like to boat on the northern end of the Chesapeake, but because we are newbies - I'm not going to venture to far from shore just yet. My Dad always reminds me, "There are old pilots and bold pilots; but never any old, bold pilots." 😉

Thanks,

Moria

Hi Moria,

I would recommend a Garmin 540/540S or 545/545S Chart plotter. We installed a 545S on Kolo Iki and receive a clear navigable signal without an external antenna because of the large windows and overhead hatches. If your tug came with a Garmin fishfinder (factory installed) the transducer and cable plug right in and you will only need to hook the unit up to a power source. Either unit comes complete with all necessary mounting hardware, power cable and preloaded charts. The transducer is extra if required.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=148&pID=8109

Good luck with your search, you should have no problem finding a GPS that will fit your budget and boating needs.

Aloha,

Rick and Karen

 

[rt11002003]

I think people are too quick to dismiss the use of radar in local areas, at short range. Generally I hear them saying radar is only needed on the open seas. The first time I ever used mine on my old Albin trawler it warmed me of an idiot coming up behind me at a high rate of speed. It will allow you to monitor the area around you and is especially useful when coupled with the proxicimity alert allowing you to track specific targets. The fellow who bought the Albin was caught on the Tenn-Tom (the waterway between the TN River and Mobile Bay, AL) in heavy fog approaching dark. The big tug boats with their tows were still running the waterway which is a very small place with those tows around. He swore to me the radar was the only thing that allowed him to get to shelter.

The main problem with radar is the cost, not just for the set itself; one has to have a device to display data. I like to overlay the radar picture on the chartplotter display. That's not inexpensive. Neither is radar with its own display unit. Even buying discounted Garmin equipment I spent about $4,000 dollars, that's with me doing the installation.

I'm a Garmin fan. I currently own three units, did have four. One is a simple device which gives a rough picture of your surroundings, shows your location on the picture, allows you to track a person overboard,(if you hit the button), allows you to go to a preselected point, shows deviation from course, gives speed, time of day, tide tables, lat. and long.(position in degrees, minutes, seconds), gives a track of where you've been, along with a host of other data. Simple?

The other units provide more info in more detail. One has a depth sounder. My R-21 EC came with a Garmin 545 S unit. The "S" is for sounder. It's a very nice unit, however it didn't come with detailed data covering my area. That was $100 to buy that piece of software. I also dislike the display of land area, it's accurate enough, but is fuzzy and occasionally switches colors to yellow and then goes fuzzy again. It doesn't accept radar overlay and I'm getting the impression it won't "talk" to my VHF, different languages.

On the Albin I used the simple, basic unit to plot courses on the paper charts I had on board, in addition to the complex system. Worked great. Two units are nice, as is navigating with paper charts. If one system fails the other one keeps you safe.

 

[captain's cat]

Tuglet, I agree with you about Garmin. I have the Garmin 545S on the TomCat, it's great. I do have Raymarine too, the 4KW Radar and an E-80 multifunction Display with another depth sounder. Total backup for chartplotter and sounders.

The 545S is nice but a little pricey. As said, you need nothing else, no antenna or anything if it has an internal unit. You may need the chip for the Chesapeake, we got one at West Marine when we bought the 545S. The "S" lets you add a transducer to get depth sounding info too. Shows fish pretty well too! Radar is a good thing to have but that can be added later. Have not tried the integrated Garmin system, it's expensive as indicated. I think it comes standard on the R-25 now.

Bottom line, Garmin would be my choice. Go to a West Marine store and let them show you what they've got or shop the on line store. Get as much as you can afford, I'd stay away from those that say you can use them in the car or the boat. A compromise for both uses. IMHO.

Oh, and if you don't have a radio, get one that's DSC capable. If you think you're confused about GPS, wait until you start reading about what VHF radios will do these days! :shock:
Charlie

 

[baz]

Re: http://www.boatus.com/boattech/gps.htm

 

[ron cowan]

One can go as complicated as the pocketbook can stand with electronics on a boat. For a new boater without specific complicated needs, it appears that an individual should stay as simple as possible until needs are established and a total understanding of the boats use are known. Then electronics can be identified that are needed and installed. Where the boat is used really sets what is required to get out and back safely. For years I airboated in the swamps of Louisiana and Everglades in Florida. A GPS was a must to get home because every landmark looked the same and which way was home? The GPS used was a Garmin color Streetpilot that had been in my truck. With the Mapsource Roads and Recreation disc I could construct a map of the intended area and go. This unit was then set on the dash of Lil Toot and served me well while cruising on the Saint Johns River, the Tennessee River, the Intercoastal (Fla. east coast) and several lakes in Fla. Charts of the areas and this simple GPS system were great. Point of this message is that you can keep it simple as you gain experience and establish more complex needs.
Ron Cowan

 

[j&lgray]

I pass on to you best advice that I received on this issue:

Choose your chartplotter package based upon the maps that you like (they are different from one manufacturer to the next) and how easy it is to use the controls on the chartplotter.

I had a pre-determined bias for one manufacturer but when Laurie sat down and used the two competitors and examined their maps, we went with other one. Stay with the same manufacturer on all of your components. Mixing components is a great theory but can great unforeseen issues. And yes, the complete package has everything you need except the radar dome tower. I did the install on all of these and simply followed the directions.

Second piece of advice on all technology: Use the burning building analogy-stay in the building (use the same technology) for as long as possible and then jump out (buy the newest technology) as far as you can.

As for radar, simply get it. It is like a manual bilge pump, if you carry one you will not need it but if you don't have it, you will sorely need it. Though we boat in good weather, we often use the radar to find boats (or targets) that we have not seen with our eyes. It is especially useful to see boats coming up on from behind and to determine if a boat is on a collision course. We have no regrets on having a radar on the Laurie Ann.

 

[bbrh842]

I agree with RT about the use of radar in local areas at short range, even in clear weather. You will notice approaching vessels on the radar WAY before you actually lay an eye on them.

 

[Kamalani]

I am also in agreement with the idea of having radar aboard. One factor is the lack of any space to mount much in the way of electronics, and yet, there are more and more multi-tasking units out there. We opted for the Raymarine pkg based on the small C-70 display. We added radar, depth/fishfinder, and a GPS receiver, and the capability of that system is amazing. One other thing to consider if you are interested in radar, especially aboard such a small boat, is the new broadband radar. The technology is amazing, and everything is much smaller and lighter, (and probably more expensive).
One thing is sure, everyone has their own favorites when it comes to onboard electronics, and we pursue it with a passion. Alex, "Kamalani"

 

[rt11002003]

Moria,

I don't think I was too helpful in answering your post.

GPS is a wonderful tool, as are all the other electronics.

If you like the R-21, buy it. They are great boats. Then buy charts for your boating area. If you have a good sense of direction use the charts to determine where you are and where you'd like to go next.

If you'd like help, or don't have a very good sense of direction, get an inexpensive GPS. I have a Garmin GPSmap76 I've used for years. Simple to use and inexpensive. I've used it and paper charts as backup to very good chartplotters with GPS, radar, satellite weather, depth sounder and remote video feed.

The simple GPS and charts were all I NEEDED. The rest was helpful, but really is icing on the cake.

Get a boat, preferrably the R-21, and go.

Gene

 

[tuggertoy]

Thanks for your input. I really appreciate experienced members willing to share their knowledge with newbies. We leave today to see the R21 and take her for a sea trial. If all goes well, and I pray it does, we will be heading north with a Ranger 21 Classic in our rear view mirror!

Moria