Handheld GPS

[coloradofisherman]

Hello,

I want to get my parents a GPS unit. They have a 21' Boston Whaler. They travel alot on the road so I wanted to get them a Hand Held unit. My first question is: Should I get them a handheld unit or a fixed unit? I think a hand held unit whould be better because it could be taken out of the boat so no one would steal it. My Second question is: They are not the most computer savy people...so what is the most "user frendly" unit? So I guess a long thread short...what is the best/most user frendly hand held GPS unit? They will spend most of their time in Fla.

Thanks.

[Shortfin]

I have used the Garmin 276C doing deliveris from the key's to Maine in addition to using it on an 18 footer ,they have newer generation units on the market currently like the 478

I got to test out seakers 478 with the XM feature turned on and was able to avoid a hurricane on a 12 knot vessel

in addition it works well on the road

[yachtjim]

How do you expect they'll be using it? For emergencies and finding their way to waypoints or for Navigation using a map/cartography?

[clacy]

I have garmin on my samll boat and furuno on my larger boat and i have a garmin handheld. I've owed a lowerance handheld and console mounted. I don't think you can beat a garmin when it comes to ease of use. they have so many different models i think you need to figure out how they'll use it and pick the garmin that suits them. lowerance units have all been a pain. my furuno sounder is awesome but the nav net is just ok as a gps. only had it a year and in the open ocean it does what it's suppose to do but it's detail and ease of use don't equal the garmin. maybe the newer furunos are better but for older folks on a smaller boat i'd get the garmin.

just an opinion