SilverhawkUSA wrote: [quote quote=avantgarde][quote quote=NDSinBKK]I have just bought a sailboat (Wauquiez Hood 38, if you are interested in such).
I have not put a GPS on my bike, but had the thought that if properly selected, a GPS unit for the bike could also provide another redundant system for the boat.
Do any of you have recommendations for a GPS that would be suitable for both motorcycle and maritime use?
Tks in advance.
I have a new model on my KLX from Garmin , the 550 , it is designed for Car , Bike and Boat ..... you can switch in mode program walking , driving a car or a bike and even a boat.
You can not buy it in Thailand (my parents brought it with them from Belgium) Price 425 Euro.
Thai software works perfect , let them do it in BKK Seacon Square building (global 5)
www.global5thailand.com
Can stand very high shocks and is 100% waterproof for 1 meter depth. So no problem in rain.
Cheers
Well I don't like to disagree, but I am afraid I do disagree with virtually everything stated.
First the Garmin 550 is not new and has been out for a couple years. It is available in Thailand but much more expensive than overseas.
The 550 is waterproof but it is not designed for boats and I wouldn't recommend it for that purpose. I have a Zumo 450 (virtually the same as 550 minus Bluetooth) and have used it for more than a year. I also have a Garmin 76csx which IS recommended for use on the water.
I can not see attempting to plot a course on the 550. It is not really designed with that in mind. I (and Garmin) would recommend the 60csx or the 76csx. The 276 would be excellant for the boat and I know of people using them on their motorcycle and are quite happy with them. The only problem is they have not yet updated to the SD card so loading a Thailand map is a little more difficult.
Maybe Pico or RHeikel could advise as to the map they use on their 276.
In my "past life" I did have Charter Boat company and am familiar with navigating by GPS. Personally I would go with the 76csx if you are serious about using it on the water. Both me and Davidfl use the 76 series for serious mapping. The 550 does not have the available data screens that one woould like on the water, it is more of an easy to use gadget and specifically with motorcycle in mind.
Try this link to the Garmin Site and you can do your own comparison.
Garmin Site
Hello Silverhawk ,
I don't know what country you are from origin , but in Belgium where i'm from is the Nuvi 550 out from august 2008 , not 2 years like you said here on the forum.
Can you also give me an adress or phone where you can buy it in Thailand , because i can't. I want to have a new second mountkit and what they have here is to small for the 550.
Cheers