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Handheld GPS...? Garmin 78sc

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by Norseman, Dec 29, 2014.

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  1. Norseman, Dec 29, 2014
    #1
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Ran hard aground way up the New River on my 18' Duffy electric boat a few weeks ago:
    Thought I knew the River and the shallows and the rocks.
    I was wrong. 2'9" draft. no markers, no warnings: 10-15 Mega Yachts in the surrounding area
    Wide area of the river, but murky waters and no markers.
    No place or space for paper charts on the little Duffy.
    Next best solution is a small GPS with built-in charts and color display.
    Narrowed it down to the Garmin 78sc.
    Looks good and prices are good:
    West Marine: $249.
    Other web sites $450 and down.
    [​IMG]
    http://www.westmarine.com/buy/garmi...receiver-with-compass-and-barometer--11553609

    The unit is 4-5 years old, a new and improved version may be coming out any day.
    Should I wait for the model of the Garmin 78?
    (That being said: Female Caucasian Nude Hotties has been around for 100,000 years: I would not change
    them for anything or the latest model, seriously.)

    Anybody got any time with the above GPS 78sc...?
  2. Capt J, Dec 29, 2014
    #2
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I have the same GPS and bought it earlier this year. It gets a great signal even surrounded by other electronics. It goes about 14 hours on 2 regular duracell batteries. The charts are pre-loaded and have good detail, but you do have to zoom in a decent amount because the screen is so small. I don't really have anything negative to say about it. I think I got mine around $200 on sale.....
  3. TeKeela, Dec 29, 2014
    #3
    TeKeela

    TeKeela Member

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    You said you don't have space, well what about a pad or a droid? You can run the Nobeltec app on there.
  4. Norseman, Dec 30, 2014
    #4
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    An iPad on the boat?
    Nah, would rather have a dedicated GPS although I am sure there is apps and charts available for navigation.

    Good price, where did you buy it?
  5. Pascal, Dec 30, 2014
    #5
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    The screen is ridiculously small to be useful. Indeed a smart phone or tablet with lifeproof cover is the way to go. I use either one with the garmin bluechart app and love it. Use it in the 26' sailboat on the bay as well as is the tender in the bahamas. Very accurate, big screen, easy to use.

    That said, I don't know if charts are accurate enough to show shallow spots on the edge of waterways like the new River. I doubt it.
  6. Norseman, Dec 30, 2014
    #6
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Hmm, will look into that.
    An iPad on the Duffy is out because of rain, but I could always stick the iPhone
    In my pocket if (when) it starts poring.
    Got a 4s right now, but come February will look into a 5 or 6.
  7. Norseman, Dec 30, 2014
    #7
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Now downloaded the Garmin app.
    Looks like they want $30 for the coastal charts.
    Just a fraction of a GPS for sure, but, is the built in GPS in the iPhone good enough to be used for navigation?
    A new GPS looks at 12 satellites and has WAAS capability for pin point accuracy, not sure how good the iPhone GPS is....?
  8. TeKeela, Dec 30, 2014
    #8
    TeKeela

    TeKeela Member

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    search waterproof/resistant cases for ipad, there are many. I know someone who likes "otterbox".
  9. Norseman, Dec 30, 2014
    #9
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    [​IMG]

    Not much room for an iPad or a chart plotter on the Duffy dash. Small shelf
    to the right where the Voltage scale is and where the iPhone usually lives, or
    the Garmin GPS handheld if I go that route.
  10. Norseman, Dec 30, 2014
    #10
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Roger, will look into it, but not practical with an iPad on the boat as I sometimes leave it unattended for hours
    hanging out at waterfront restaurants and bars.
    (This boat has been named the "Party Barge" by my wife :confused:)
  11. Capt J, Dec 30, 2014
    #11
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I bought it at West Marine on sale. They run sales on them periodically. Pascal, he's using it for a 5 knot Duffy, the screen is plenty big for the speed he's going, even big enough for a larger yacht as you're not bouncing around as much. A bit tough in a fast rib. The GPS advantages are waterproof, floats, and will go 14 hours on 2 AA batteries. An Ipad advantages are larger screen and can be used for other things, at the expense of bulkier, not as durable, and shorter battery life.
  12. Norseman, Dec 30, 2014
    #12
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Come for a Duffy Ride Capt J and bring your GPS for a trial run. Beer is on me, but the Dancing Girls are on strike...:D
    I live on Guava Isle, a canal of the New River.
  13. Pascal, Dec 30, 2014
    #13
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Otter box is good but not waterproof to 6' like the life proof cases

    Yes the built in iPhone/iPad GPS is excellent. In th bahamas that s what I use as the charts are much better than the older Furuno navnet we have.

    But frankly I don't see any GPS being that useful on the new river. I use my iPad when sailing at night on the bay to help find unlit markers

    The downside of iPad is not daylight visibility which is good but that it will get hot if left out in the sun
  14. Norseman, Dec 30, 2014
    #14
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Is that on the boat you built yourself?
  15. Norseman, Dec 30, 2014
    #15
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Downloaded the Garmin Coastal Charts, but no depths....?
    How do you bring out the depths Mr. Pascal?
  16. Norseman, Dec 30, 2014
    #16
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Ah, found it, no depths on the New River, but everywhere else.
    No speed either, but good compass.
    Oh well, Garmin GPS it is.
  17. Capt J, Dec 30, 2014
    #17
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    One of these days, I might have to take you up on that offer!
  18. Pascal, Dec 30, 2014
    #18
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Yeah, when sailing on the bay at night in my little 26' gaffer we can usually see some of the unlit markers but I like checking the GPS to make sure I m looking in the right spot :). Hey, I did build the boat but I'd rather not have to repair it for hitting a piling !

    Now in the exumas , that's in a 6' draft 70' skylounge my. And yes, even there we sometimes need to run at night although only along routes or cuts I know well and the iPad backed up by radar works very well. I obviously don't run at night unless I've been there and have tracks.

    There is speed on the iPad although since iOS 8 came about I have noticed that sped isn't as accurate as it used to. Positions still are as good as the fancy marine stuff but speed vary by as much as a knot.