New owner-Portable GPS advice please

[Artimas]

Hello everyone!
We are new boat owners and recently purchased a 220 Sundeck. We spend most of our time cruising locally up and down the intracoastal waterway. I apologize if this has been asked before, but I did use the search function before asking this and came up with very little.

I'm looking for an inexpensive handheld GPS that shows channels as well as channel markers, and other basic pertinent marine info. We are not very adventurous, and only need something simple for short trips. Don't need any other fancy functions such as auto. I don't want to leave any electronics in the boat when we're not using it.

I almost purchased a Garmin Colorado 400c and looked at the Oregon 400t, but the screen was small and seemed too dim to see well in sunlight.

I saw that the Garmin 550 Nuvi can take a bluechart2 and was wondering about that as an option. Any other suggestions will also be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Firerooster]

If you can still find them.....I have had good luck with the lowrance XOG. It was about 125.00 at cabela's a year ago

 

[Sundancer]

If you already own the Garmin Nuvi, you would only need the SD card with map. Seems like that would be an easy solution?

 

[Artimas]

Thanks for the replies. I don't have a Nuvi, so I'm still looking.

 

[Sundancer]

Check craigslist for a Garmin handheld like a GPS Map 76, or one of the Etrex versions friendly for boating. There are some deals out there!

 

[katricol]

Make sure you get color, my b/w is real hard to see

 

[Ashlexadd]

I just picked up the Oregon 450 and the US coastal chart.
There is currenly a $50 rebate from Garmin. I paid $350+$130 for the chart so $430.00 after the rebate.

I mount it on the side of the window so it's only a few feet away which make the screen size OK. It is a liitle difficult to see in bright sun but not impossible. I bought it primarily for added safety when I'm coming home after dark and for that it has been excellent (nice to confirm you are where you think you are). Also useful to have all the tide info, and for giving Seatow your position (I got to do that last Sunday:smt089).

Overall I'm happy with it. I figure I'll get a nicer one with a bigger screen when I get a bigger boat.

 

[Artimas]

Thanks for the suggestions. I may end up with a small chartplotter...the prices aren't that much different when you add up all the costs.