GPS Units

Can I get people's opinion on the various gps units available, Navman M300, Garmin etrex and foretrex 101. Did I miss any?
Much appreciated.
Geoff

Alby

Thank you very much!!!!!

This is just what I wanted. A practical, sailors viewpoint.

Cheers

Geoff

Hey Alby,

I was on gpsspeedsurfing the other day and they must have been doing some maintenance as the top ten for 2006 was looking good. It had you listed at #1. I took a screen dump of this and can send it to you if you like.

Cheers,
Chris

hi, has anyone had any experience with the foretrex 101?

pros and cons etc.

any help appreciated.

Gestalt I've had 2 Foretrex 101's. The first got water in it and was replaced under warranty, at about the same time Garmin announced it is recommended Foretrex's are used with aquapac's when windsurfing. Other than that no problems, simple to use and good features for racing also if you're into that sort of thing. There is supposed to be a specific Foretrex aquapac being released this year, till then both mike and I use the walkie talky which is pretty non obtrusive.

I choose the 101 since all things with in built batteries (mobile phones etc) develop a memory and in the event of battery failing it is back to Garmin and 2-4 weeks wait. Be sure to use good quality batteries though as cheapies will leak in no time if any water gets in, then kiss goodbye to your gps. I use both energiser and panasonic rechargables, keeping a spare set charged all the time.

No JB its been a bit quiet on the wind side of things apart from fri.
Next strong SE i well check out vicky point.

JB I recommend if your buying a GPS to check out
Johnny Appleseed GPS he's prob the cheapest.

Hey J, if u do decide to get a M300 I know a place to get it cheaper than anywhere else, brand new with warranty too! But the M300 is a unit alone, no communication/download possible to computer to compare course/data with other users. Thats why it hasnt been proven too popular to date.

Bit late to the topic

But.

I have been using a Garmin Foretrex 201 for nearly a year - bad point - I'm on first name basis with the Garmin Distributor as I am now on my 5th Unit that have all been replaced under warranty!!! Great Warranty service But I think my welcome may have been worn out.


I am now using an Aqaupak and hopes this works. I had One unit that lasted for ~ 6 months - no problems - Which I was keeping "dry" with my own hand made dry pack every time I sailed.

Also had one unit that completely failed with one use - i sailed for 3+ hours - had the unit protected and it failed when I got home. (missed 3 gybes all day - so the unit did not get overly wet)

If was parting with 'hard earned' again I would get the 101 in prefernce to the 201 because the whole battery charging thing is easier. When the Li ion battery fails in the 201 - they have said they will replace the unit at the factory? Interesting to see this happen.

Johnny Appleseed in BNE are a good bunch but don't appreciate the rigours of speed sailing - eg catapault landing at 30+ knots!!

The free sofware available especially GPS-Action Replacy is a great sailing analysis tool.

FOrget the NAVMAN - it really only measures top speed and this is a dubious measure at best - I have top speeds on the unit that are 3-4 knots higher than software - plus the real benefit is finding out where and when you were fast - the results can be surprising!!.

Hey Gestalt,

hey vando, i went to thomsons today with my daughter. (happens to have a kids playground). the council has got up the blue green algae warning signs. that didn't seem to stop anyone from going swimming though. was dead flat and still. but the tide was to high.

Would love to know exactly where you were referring too. Would come down for a blast.

Can you send a google image to lissajus at(@) bigpond.com


- J

hi guys,

i really like the m300 but i need the upload ability. so, if i put the foretrex in a watrerproof case does that mean i can't use the race timer function on the fly?

padi, you've upset me now. wish i had a 10.5

drjukka, i've got some pdf snaps of the areas. i will mark up with a redline to show properly. can you accept pdf and or word docs?
otherwise i can import into autocad and print a jpeg. maybe i will just do that anyways. stick with what i know best.

to clarify my post, i didn't go sailing. i actually went to the kids playground. but on that note, i usually sail from point talburpin if i go local, however i am going to start launching at Bay st. i only ever go out when it is high tide, so if it isn't i go to the goldie.

walking through the wello mud ****s me. and last time i sailed on the southern side i almost lost my big toe on the reef. so it has been a while since i have been there. 2 years or more. p.s thanks for the help pat when i needed it.

keen to join up for a blast however. i got bout another week before i can hit the water again.

i would love a 10.5 believe me. but my longest mast is a 490..... can't afford a 520-550 mast and new boom......at this time anyway.

bought the 8.5 cause i can use it on formula as well as slalom...

in flat water i can get the 8.5 to plane in about 8-9 knots but it is a little uncomfortable as i can't load everyhing up. once 10-12knots happens i'm flying... have run 7.5 to 9.5 on it, other guys on the maxim's are running 10-12.5 check out yancy....


i don't experience the board dancing issue?? the flat bottom version definately feels that way in stronger winds but the channel step is good in a massive wind range.

ok....

that has made my decision then...

quote:

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Originally posted by cecil

Will I have a problem interfacing any of these aforementioned GPS's with my computer since it's a Mac? (iBookG4 System 10.4.4).

Mark DeFriest

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