GPS tips

[Alan Gibson]

Just curious if you folks have issues with corrosion on units that are supposedly waterproof?

[Terry]

Yeah, none are waterproof, if they go under they'll go bad

especially in saltwater.

"WARNING The prudent mariner will not rely solely on any single aid to navigation...."

how well stated on every NOAA nautical chart.

[Jay]

Speaking of NOAA Charts

I have lost a Magellan to a dunking.  So far my PN60 is doing very well.  Always a freshwater washdown after any trip near the salt.  3 years and counting.

[vivian]

I used to bag my GPS but the condensation in the heat would shut it down.  Now I just attach it to a mount without any protection.  The GPS battery compartment get's a coat of dialectric grease on terminals and around opening.  The grease is also applied to any contacts.  I also do this with my waterproof VHF  When I get home all are rinsed in freshwater and have had no problems for years with this method.

[Swamp Hunter]

I dropped my Garmin in freshwater swamp and it held up. I carry it in a pouch; ziplock in heavy rain only.

[Alan Gibson]

Excellent suggestion Vivian. Dialectic grease.......of course.

Dunking? Nay way hose'.......I will put mine on a ram mount but I am concerned with just salt spray. I just dropped (no pun intended) more than I should of on a new garmin (montanna 600) and am concerned about it. I suppose that is the downside of going high end is you worry about the dang thing. I like the bigger screen.....4 inch and supposedly you can see it under sunlight. I wonder if it is like my car GPS where it talks to me........."turn right at the big dead snag just past the oyster bar".........

[Dallas]

I bought a case from GizmoVest to protect my eTrex and I love it. It's not waterproof but it really protects the unit from drops and dings.You can also buy a plastic screen cover that will adhere to and protect your LCD from scratches and UV waves (they sell them on Amazon for about $7, search for 'gps screen cover')

The cases can be found here:

http://www.gizzmovest.com/

They are a bit pricey but well worth it to protect one of the most important items that you carry.

[Alan Gibson]

Hey thanks Dallas......excellent find. I pulled the trigger on a case that is complete with integrated Ram mount. Perfect! Yes it was a bit pricey but I'm already in pretty deep and this is certainly another layer of protection. I like it and negates the need to purchase a cradle for my Ram mount since it is incorporated already.

[Kim Gass]

No. Dakota 20 over four years, I just rinsed it each day with a little water. I wore it on my PFD clipped with a carabiner, Then one year when I changed batteries I didn't get the cover quite on right and the card slot and battery compartment got corroded.

Now into my second year with an Oregon., I do use protective screen covers.  The key to corrosion avoidance is to rinse often with fresh water. I did drop both the Dakota and Oregon in the drink and aside from the battery door being askew that one time., they were fine..

I also use the Oregon and Dakota ( before it RIPed) in Maine all summer in salt water.

[yakmaster]

I believe Terry's reference to:

"Yeah, none are waterproof, if they go under they'll go bad..The prudent mariner will not rely solely on any single aid to navigation"

was to a trip last year leading 5 folks down the slough when, an hour into the trip, my PN60 (with all my detailed routing) took a 30  second dip in 6" of water & came up dead... thank God for my old beat up garmin backup. Though the trip wasn't the same without being able to see the aerials. With topo maps, you hope you put the spot in the right location. with the aerials, you can see where it really is...

Jay said:

Speaking of NOAA Charts

I have lost a Magellan to a dunking.  So far my PN60 is doing very well.  Always a freshwater washdown after any trip near the salt.  3 years and counting.

[Alan Gibson]

Wow, I am so behind the times........I have always relied on my map reading abilities to get around. Of course it can be a hassle having to shock cord a map in a position so you can be watching it continually, and I mean continually. Knowing where your at all the time takes some concentration.

I have gotten around fairly well in the backcountry with my flats boat (e-city) with the laminated Ariel photo which are widely available. I thought it high time to step up and get a GPS for backcountry travel.

I was going to use garmins base camp but am I to understand that Ariel imagery is available? That would be rather awesome would it not?

[Kim Gass]

The GPS is good for intimate spaces...(ie does this intimate space lead to another one? or is it a dead end)

GPS helped make the Labyrinth a blast. While I had pored over the paper chart endlessly memorizing turns and squiggles it was nice to confirm that I was looking at the proper squiggle on the map quickly enroute and enjoy the wildlife rather then the chart. It is however easy to devote too much time to the GPS and miss your environs!  So I regard Chart and GPS as partners.

www.gpsfiledepot.com has charts for the Everglade that made shortcuts easy. Can't say they are the best but they work well enough that you don't wind up elsewhere.

[vivian]

I also use a topo map from Gpsfiledepot for backcountry and found one inconsistency near Willy Willy but mostly accurate. Just recently (3 years ago) was given a garmin 60csx but still like having my aerials, charts and compass along for intricate routes. Having the birds eye imagery that yakmaster mentions is my next purchase once this gps bites the dust. I do like the gps because I don't have to concentrate on navigation when I am fishing a new area.