hi guys i was thinking of buying a hand held gps and using it in the boat i was wondering what you guys thought of this one from whitworths www.whitworths.com.au/garmin-handheld-gpsmap-78sc
or if you know of a better one around the $400 mark this one comes with nautical maps
I use the old Garmin 76 which appears to be an old basic version of that one.
I'd go for that 78sc if I had to replace my present handheld.
I carry a Garmin 76 as a back up. Like all Garmin products they are not all that easy to operate. Carry plenty of spare batteries.
It says it comes pre-loaded with charts for Aus & NZ, I'd want to have a look at the charts on it before buying to see if they are fully detailed charts including depths and nav aids, or just giving you a rough idea of roughly where you are!, cheers
I bought Garmin 78sc, about 2 years ago. Used ones
than I got Ipad, install Navionics.... great..
Didn't use 78sc since.
what were the charts like charriot on the garmin ?
i have a tablet loaded with the navionics just looking for a water proof option as well
Compering to my the other unit Garmin 550 plotter,
guess the charts are identical.
Using 78sc for navigation would be painful,
As a reference that's what's for.
I have had the GPSMAP 62sc for three years and it has been a good unit even after the crap I have put it through. I do find being able to plot the barometric pressure on this model handy. Nice too, that I can keep it at the helm. I have one of those commercial fishing shark clips on a lanyard to secure the thing from going over.
The only problem I have found is that you have to zoom right in on such a small screen to get detail. If you don't, you might end up running into something. this is also where it is worth having a good look at paper charts. (Now that was embarrasing. Thank God for my steel full length keel!).
I am not far off buying a decent chart plotter, but the Garmin will be a handy backup. If you want to take valubles off the boat to avoid thieft, a hand held is also handy.
