Re: Which one for boater? Garmen Legend or Magellan Marine

On 02 Dec 2003 04:12:41 GMT, [EMAIL PROTECTED] (IRBY1234) wrote :

>I am a GPS novice.  I would like to buy an inexpensive handheld unit that
>provides basic waterway maps (identify lakes and bayous) for Southeast
>Louisiana.
>
>I am considering Garmen Legend or Magellan Marine.  I am concern about the
>amount of information associated with "basemap" or "built-in" maps.  I am not
>sure which one has best Mapping capabilities.  
>
>I would appreciate any feedback on user experiences and/or preferences.
>
Quite honestly, I don't think any small handheld mapping GPS provides
adequate map coverage to make it really useful for sailing: the screen
is too small, and when sailing you don't have time to keep changing
the zoom or to hold it up to read it - I need 2 hands for the boat.  
I find just the waypoint/tracking capabilities of the cheaper units
such as the Garmin Venture quite adequate for sailing (actually
racing) - but then I have gone and marked all the key points I use as
waypoints and routes - I guess that's not much use if you are in
virgin territory, so you probably need a mapping unit.  Alternatively,
the Venture and Legend can load marine data bases available free from
Garmin that cover navaids in US and International - they might meet
your need.

If you can, I'd go for a hands-free marine unit with a larger screen
that you can see while operating the boat.
-- 
Regards,
Peter Wilkins