BigBendFishing.Net

I am in the market for a handheld GPS. Looking at the choices I get confused.
I have read the Garmin 76 is best. But the Etrex garmin is $100.

I will use it only for navigating the inshore area and marking holes and those moving rocks .
Probably also use it on a larger WMA turkey hunting.

Do I need the $4-500 model or will the etrex at $100 do it for me?

I have never used a gps.

Cabelas has a 76 for $169 with a "free" RAM mount. Haven't played with the handhelds much, so I'm of little help.

I have a GPSmap 76 that is real user friendly. It's a monocrome display but has served me well since '03.

I have a Lowrance I-Finder Pro (handheld) that I use for a spare ever since my son's only unit failed (wiring) during a complete fog envelopment at Keaton Beach last year. I was there but couldn't find him in the fog
It has performed flaulessly ever since I had it.
Go for the under $200 model and you will be completely satisfied. Any unit in this price range will do a good job..

If your gonna use it in the woods, go with the etrex, the 76 looses satellite signal to much in the woods.

Thanks guys, may be going with the garmin 76 for 169.00. I may just rely on the old compass for the WMA turkey hunting.

Of course next week they may be reduced a little more!

Redbelly, I have used several of the Garmin units and it's like everything else, you can pretty much spend as much as you want on a GPS unit. But for the money a $169 Garmin 76 unit will be hard to beat in my opinion. Once you get one, the more you play with it, the more you will learn. Good luck !

I have interest in the garmin 60 right now, it looks as though for the money it will do.
Thanks again y'all.

I use the Garmin E-Trex Vista and I love it. Picks up 18 different satellites and on the flats it works like a charm and is waterproof.

Noticed at West Marine, Garmin 72 for $129.

I'm in the market for a new handheld as well. Had a Garmin Map76 for several years that worked great, but alas it bit the dust a few weeks back. Personally I'm a fan of the mapping units. Having had several handhelds, mapping and non-mapping, the mapping feature is definitely worth the extra $$. The mapping is even more helpful for use on the water IMO. My next one will definitely be a color unit as well. The three I'm looking at now are the Garmin GPSMap 60CX, the Garmin GPSMap 76CX, and the Lowrance Ifinder H2OC. Every other handheld I have had has been a Garmin, but this time I'm leaning towards the Lowrance. Bigger screen, smaller overall unit size, cheaper, and cheaper mapping software are a few of the reasons I'm leaning towards the Lowrance. Just my .02.

Nathan

have a Garmin GPSmap 76s. It will do everything you want it to do and a bit more. It already has all the maritime navigational aids installed as well as the road maps of the entire USA. It is capable of holding around 500 way points. Mine has a monochrome display. The GPSmap76c has a color display. Both are waterproof and it is claimed it will float. You will need the Garmin Blue charts software to interface with your PC. Mine has served me well since 2004. What ever you do, don't buy the Garmin mount, get the Ram Mount for the GPSmap. You won't regret it. To sum it up: this combination rocks..



Ram Mount

West Marine has the 76 map for $199. The FWC Saltwater regulation pamphlet has a $25 West Marine coupon in it.
I would get the map 76 for $174 if it was me.

I started with an Etrex and now have a 76 I like them both.

I bought the 76 map and the Blue chart. My son tried to download the chart and the 76 did not have enough room for the chart. Garmin was supposed to notify me when the new chart came out. Is it out yet?

mjsigns
Have you downloaded the chart on your 76 yet??

Other than that I've enjoyed it. I use mine in the woods most of the time.