Choosing and using a marine GPS
Nowadays,marine GPS units are indispensable tools for all navigators, whether amateur or professional.
They offer a multitude of features that allow you to sail safely and enjoy your sea excursion to the full.
However, with the wide range of models available on the market, it can be difficult to choose the GPS that best suits your needs.
That's why Orca Retail has put together this comprehensive guide to help you make the right choice and use your marine GPS effectively for navigation.
What are the differences between marine GPS and other GPS such as those in my phone or car?
If you already own a car GPS or a smartphone with a GPS app, you may be wondering whether a marine GPS is really necessary. Here are the main differences between marine GPS and other types of GPS:
1. Safety
Marine GPS units are designed to meet the specific requirements of navigation at sea. They are equipped with essential safety features, such as AIS (Automatic Identification System) and GPS backup system (SBAS), which allow you to be alerted in case of danger and receive information crucial to your safety.
2. Accuracy
Marine GPS units use highly accurate GPS signals, which is essential for navigation at sea. Car GPS and smartphone GPS apps are generally less accurate, which can be a problem at sea, where visual landmarks may be scarce or non-existent.
3. Features
Marine GPS units offer a host of advanced features that can make navigation easier and life at sea more enjoyable. Among these features, are:
- The depth sounder: knows the depth of the water beneath the boat and detects fish.
- The autopilot: keeps the boat on a predefined course.
- Detailed mapping: covers coastal and offshore areas, with information on ports, marinas, obstacles and points of interest.
- Marine weather: gives you information on weather conditions at sea, such as wind strength, wave direction and wave height.
4. Ruggedness
Marine GPS units are designed to withstand harsh marine conditions, such as salt water, vibration and shock. Car GPS units and smartphones are generally not as robust and can be damaged by the marine environment.
In conclusion, if you regularly sail at sea, investing in a marine GPS is highly recommended. Marine GPS offer a level of safety, accuracy and functionality that other types of GPS simply can't match.
Choosing the right marine GPS
1. Defining your needs
Before you embark on the search for a marine GPS, it's essential to take the time to define your needs. Ask yourself the following questions:
What type of boating do you do?
The type of navigation you practice will influence the choice of your marine GPS on several points:
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Charts: A yachtsman who sails along the coast will need detailed charts of coastal areas, with information on ports, marinas and points of interest. An offshore sailor will need charts covering great distances, with information on sea routes and potential hazards.
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Features: A fisherman will need a GPS with a powerful fishfinder to detect fish. A skipper who races will need a GPS with an autopilot to keep the boat on course.
How big is your boat?
The size of your boat will also influence your choice of marine GPS:
- Screen size: A small boat doesn't need a large GPS screen. On the other hand, on a large boat, it's important to have a screen large enough to easily view all the information.
- GPS power: A big boat needs a more powerful GPS to maintain an accurate position, even in difficult conditions.
- Connectivity: On a large boat, it can be useful to have a GPS that can connect to other devices, such as radar or AIS.
What's your budget?
The price of marine GPS units varies considerably depending on their features and performance. You can find basic marine GPS units for a few hundred euros, but top-of-the-range models can cost several thousand euros.
Here are some budget guidelines based on your needs:
- Coastal sailing and pleasure boating: from 200 to 500 euros
- Fishing: from 500 to 1,000 euros
- Offshore sailing: from 1,000 to 2,000 euros
- Professional: over 2,000 euros
2. Getting to know the different types of marine GPS
There are two main types of marine GPS:
- Portable GPS: lightweight and compact, they're ideal for small boats or occasional use.
- Fixed GPS: more robust and with more advanced features, they are better suited to larger boats and sailors who spend a lot of time at sea.
3. Key features to consider
- Mapping: make sure the GPS covers the areas you usually navigate.
- The depth sounder: allows you to know the depth of the water beneath the boat and detect fish.
- The AIS (Automatic Identification System): allows you to identify and be identified by other AIS-equipped vessels.
- The autopilot: keeps the boat on a predefined course.
4. Popular brands of marine GPS
Popular brands of marine GPS include:
- Garmin: Brand renowned for the reliability and robustness of its products. It offers a wide range of marine GPS units to suit all budgets and needs. Garmin is particularly appreciated by anglers for its high-performance fishfinders.
- Lowrance: Another popular brand offering innovative, feature-packed marine GPS units. Lowrance is particularly appreciated by offshore sailors for its comprehensive navigation systems and high-performance radars.
- Raymarine: Top-of-the-range brand offering state-of-the-art marine GPS. Raymarine is particularly appreciated by boaters for its intuitive touch screens and elegant designs.
- Humminbird: Brand specializes in fishfinders and offers marine GPS with high-performance fish detection functions. Humminbird is particularly appreciated by professional fishermen for the quality of its images and the accuracy of its data.
- Simrad: Brand offering rugged, reliable marine GPS designed for harsh marine conditions. Simrad is particularly appreciated by professionals for its comprehensive navigation systems and advanced features.
Using your marine GPS effectively for navigation
1. Plan your route
Planning your route before setting out to sea is an essential step for safe and enjoyable sailing. Your marine GPS can be a great help in this task. Here are a few tips for efficiently planning your route with a marine GPS:
- Defining your destination: The first step is to define your destination. You can do this by entering the name of the port, marina or landmark you wish to reach. You can also use the search function to find your destination on the map.
- Add waypoints: If you want to get to a destination via several intermediate points, you can add waypoints to your route. Simply select the waypoints on the map or enter their GPS coordinates.
- Choose navigation mode: Most marine GPS units offer different navigation modes, such as direct navigation, route navigation and tracking navigation.
- Direct navigation is the simplest mode. Simply define your destination and the GPS will show you the route to follow.
- Route navigation lets you create a more complex route by adding waypoints.
- Tracking navigation lets you follow a route you've previously saved.
- Taking weather conditions into account: Before heading out to sea, it's important to take weather conditions into account. You can check the weather forecast on your marine GPS to help you plan your route.
- Check Notices to Mariners: It's also important to check Notices to Mariners before setting sail. Notices to Mariners warn of potential hazards to navigation, such as wrecks, reefs and construction work. You can consult the notices to mariners on your marine GPS or on the website of your country's maritime authority.
- Knowing how to remain flexible: Weather conditions can change rapidly and there may be unforeseen circumstances. Be prepared to adapt your itinerary if necessary by planning escape routes.
2. Tracking your position and mastering features
Tracking your position with your marine GPS is essential for safe sailing. But your marine GPS can do much more than simply display your position on a map. Here are some useful features to know about:
- Accurate tracking of your position: Modern marine GPS units use state-of-the-art technologies to offer extremely accurate positioning tracking. This allows you to know your exact position in terms of latitude and longitude, as well as your speed and heading, with great reliability.
- View your position on various maps: such as classic nautical charts, satellite maps or radar charts. You can also overlay various information on the map, such as waypoints, notices to mariners and danger zones.
- Positioning alarms: You can set up positioning alarms to warn you when you're approaching a waypoint, danger zone or other area of interest. This can help you stay on your route and avoid collisions.
- Recording your tracks: Your marine GPS can record your tracks, allowing you to relive your journey later. You can also share your tracks with other browsers.
- Tracking multiple targets: If you're sailing with a fleet of boats, you can use your marine GPS to track the position of all boats in real time. This can be useful for coordinating your movements and ensuring everyone's safety.
- Connection to other devices: Your marine GPS can connect to other devices on board your boat, such as radar, AIS or autopilot. This allows you to centralize all your navigation information on a single screen.
- Updates: It's important to regularly update your marine GPS maps and software to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you'll be able to choose the right marine GPS and use it effectively to navigate safely and enjoy your sea outings to the full.
Don't forget that sailing at sea also requires a good knowledge of safety and regulations. Don't hesitate to take a training course, or ask your local maritime authorities.
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