How to use a GPS

["uffah!!"]

How do you use a GPS? How do you set it up? What does it actually show
in terms of depths and ect? Don't know the first thing about a GPS. Any help
deeply appreciated!!! Thinking about a Garmin 172C??

[likwid]

RTFM!

Honestly they're not hard to use.
The Garmin manuals are really good.

The BlueCharts are your standard NOAA (bought by Maptech) charts, so you'll have all the same data you get out of a standard chart.

I'm not overly impressed with the BlueChart format, I prefer the Maptech BSB's and CMAP vectors, but the Garmin unit can't use em. They're mostly used with laptops with nav software. But for what you'd end up using em for, they're fine.

[capecodder]

GPS is a satellite positioning system that enables one to determine ones location on the planet in terms of latitude and longitude within about 15 feet (varies). If you understand the basics of lat/lon then the GPS is very simple as that is basically what it does. All other functions are driven by this simple piece of data.

Given ones position, the bearing and distance to another point (waypoint or destination) can be automatically determined and displayed.

Given an electronic chart, ones position can be overlayed on it to see exactly where one is on the chart, plus bearing. Speed comes from the difference in position within an increment of elapsed time .

While a GPS Chartplotter may include depth soundings from the chart, a GPS does not determine actual depth of the water in real time. For that one needs a sonar device such as a fishfinder/depth sounder. Garmin makes a combination unit that includes both. I have the 178C and like it.

Learn basic navigation and a GPS is very easy with the manuals.

[Homerun04]

Well said CC..............

[zacs]

what c'coder said.

I have the Garmin 188c and love it.

Very very good detail on the chart.

Awesome sonar, even at 40 kts.

Easy to install.

Extremly accurate possitioning.

-Zac

[likwid]

wtf you need the fishfinder for at 40 knots?


goin out on the sled tonight, FINALLY it starts warming up.