SIB (and small RIB) users - what GPS electronics do you use and how?

Max... · 25 July 2013, 10:13

I've always carried a very basic Garmin 72 but it's a pain to keep hold of in the SIB and unlike when I had it mounted on my RIB wired to the main battery it eats up AA's.

Thinking of a move up in terms of a small plotter or something more advanced than the 72 - cluseless as to what is out there these days. Planning to move up to a heavier duty SIB that would have the facility to mount it on a bracket or fixed storage box of some sort (maybe with a small portable 12v sealed battery) but I'd be interested to see what units others use on a small SIB (or RIB)?

ppenman · 25 July 2013, 11:18

On my SIB I use my iPhone with Navionics software (and a pebble power pack if the power starts to get low). It works great. However, being a bit anal, I also carry paper charts, garmin 72, pilot book, tide tables and hand held compass for backup.

PeterM · 25 July 2013, 11:37

Garmin 276c . Not made any more, but I think is very good. Full color charts etc etc. 10 hrs + on own battery and can be hard wired for power. Also has nmea output for dsc radio etc

Not cheap but do come up second hand.

Fenlander · 25 July 2013, 15:06

Max did your 72 have mapping?

Max... · 25 July 2013, 15:52

Not really to speak of I think, I just use it for basic waypoints, speed info etc - they are great little units - I might stick with it if I can find a cheap mount and power cable (anyone?

) - left mine on the Searider...

Pikey Dave · 25 July 2013, 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max...

Not really to speak of I think, I just use it for basic waypoints, speed info etc - they are great little units - I might stick with it if I can find a cheap mount and power cable (anyone?

) - left mine on the Searider...

I've got a Garmin Montana handheld with the G2 vision chart uk chart. It runs for 12 hours on its internal rechargeable battery or you can run it on AAs. RAM do good mounts. The Montana ain't cheap, you could probably get a cheap plotter for less, but it's portable & we use it for satnav & hiking. It has full UK g2, OS land ranger 50k, Europe wide mapping for satnav+ loads of other maps, its a powerful little beast.

Peter_C · 25 July 2013, 20:57

I use a Garmin fix mounted marine unit with Blue charts in it. Mine is mounted onto a custom built electronics tower.

treerat · 25 July 2013, 21:10

Garmin etrec - have a Garmin 75 in the box but it's poorly, Garmin have sent me details of a man that may be able to help though

Searider · 25 July 2013, 22:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max...

Not really to speak of I think, I just use it for basic waypoints, speed info etc - they are great little units - I might stick with it if I can find a cheap mount and power cable (anyone?

) - left mine on the Searider...

What cable do you need? I've got a garmin 7 pin jobbie loafing in the garage.

Peter_C · 26 July 2013, 01:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_C

I use a Garmin fix mounted marine unit with Blue charts in it. Mine is mounted onto a custom built electronics tower.

FWIW I am all about the sonar function, more than the GPS function. I mark stuff on the GPS all the time, but we are often scouting out new dive sites, and we have so many yet to explore. If just cruising around on the rivers the sonar is nice to have. Of course speed gets used fairly often.

Max... · 26 July 2013, 08:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Searider

What cable do you need? I've got a garmin 7 pin jobbie loafing in the garage.

Thanks for that - sady it's a 4 pin jobby on the 72, in a square pattern around 12mm across.

Fenlander · 26 July 2013, 09:23

Max can you link an image/webpage of your garmin model so I can see what you're using.

Max... · 26 July 2013, 09:45

No problem, they are pretty old tech now but cover the basics and they are a tough little unit - bought mine secondhand on RIBnet a couple of years ago:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&k...l_2z9u69ms2f_b

Fenlander · 26 July 2013, 10:07

Max for me if you are sticking to the concept of a small handheld the hassle of getting a power cable and battery arrangement is just too much. I'd do an Ebay sell/buy and get one of the Garmins similar to mine that don't eat batteries. My Etrex Venture CX uses 2 Duracell AAs and they last ages, on a long day out I carry 2 spare batteries but often they aren't needed.

Units like the 276 which I've considered really need a backup 12v supply for when their own battery goes flat, and an older/used one might not make anywhere near the 10hrs.

Another advantage of an upgrade in the small portable would be to get one with mapping. I really wouldn't want to be without it (and yes I do have laminated chart sections and a compass as a backup).

My unit is like this... http://www.adventuresofgreg.com/HPB/...653-738212.JPG