Choose and use a marine GPS
Nowadays, marine GPS devices are essential tools for all navigators, whether they are amateurs or professionals.
They offer a multitude of features that allow for safe navigation and to fully enjoy your sea excursion.
However, with the wide range of models available on the market, it can be difficult to choose the GPS that best suits your needs.
This is why Orca Retail has developed 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 devices such as those on my phone or in my car?
If you already own a car GPS or a smartphone with a GPS app, you may be wondering if a marine GPS is really necessary. Here are the main differences between marine GPS and other types of GPS:
1. Safety
Marine GPS devices are designed to meet the specific requirements of sea navigation. They are equipped with essential safety features, such as AIS (Automatic Identification System) and the GPS backup system (SBAS), which alert you in case of danger and provide crucial information for your safety.
2. Precision
Marine GPS devices use highly precise GPS signals, which is essential for sea navigation. Car GPS and smartphone GPS apps are generally less precise, which can be problematic at sea, where visual landmarks may be rare or nonexistent.
3. Features
Marine GPS devices offer a multitude of advanced features that can make navigation easier and life at sea more enjoyable. Among these features, you will find:
- The sounder: allows you to know the depth of the water under the boat and detect 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: provides information on weather conditions at sea, such as wind strength, wave direction, and wave height.
4. Robustness
Marine GPS devices are designed to withstand harsh marine conditions, such as saltwater, vibrations, and shocks. Car GPS and smartphones are generally not as robust and can be damaged by the marine environment.
In conclusion, if you regularly sail at sea, it is highly recommended to invest in a marine GPS. Marine GPS devices offer a level of security, precision, and features that other types of GPS simply cannot match.
Choosing the Right Marine GPS
1. Define Your Needs
Before you start searching for a marine GPS, it is essential to take the time to define your needs. Ask yourself the following questions:
What is your type of navigation?
The type of navigation you practice will influence your choice of marine GPS on several points:
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Maps : A recreational sailor navigating along the coast will need detailed maps of coastal areas, with information on ports, marinas, and points of interest. An offshore navigator will need maps covering large distances, with information on maritime routes and potential hazards.
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Features : A fisherman will need a GPS with a powerful sounder to detect fish. A skipper racing in regattas will need a GPS with an autopilot to maintain the boat's course.
What is the size of your boat?
The size of your boat will also influence your choice of marine GPS:
- Screen Size : A small boat does not need a large GPS screen. However, on a large boat, it is important to have a screen large enough to easily view all the information.
- GPS Power : A large boat needs a more powerful GPS to maintain a precise position, even in difficult conditions.
- Connectivity : On a large boat, it may be useful to have a GPS that can connect to other devices, such as radar or AIS.
What is your budget?
The price of marine GPS devices varies considerably depending on their features and performance. You can find basic marine GPS devices for a few hundred euros, but high-end models can cost several thousand euros.
Here are some budget indications based on your needs:
- Coastal Navigation and Leisure: from 200 to 500 euros
- Fishing: from 500 to 1,000 euros
- Offshore Navigation: from 1,000 to 2,000 euros
- Professional: more than 2,000 euros
2. Knowing the Different Types of Marine GPS
There are two main types of marine GPS:
- Portable GPS: lightweight and compact, they are perfect for small boats or occasional use.
- Fixed GPS: more robust and equipped with more advanced features, they are better suited for large 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 sounder: allows you to know the water depth under the boat and detect fish.
- AIS (Automatic Identification System): allows you to identify and be identified by other AIS-equipped vessels.
- Autopilot: allows you to keep the boat on a predefined course.
4. Popular Marine GPS Brands
Among the popular marine GPS brands, you can find:
- Garmin: A brand known for the reliability and robustness of its products. It offers a wide range of marine GPS, for all budgets and needs. Garmin is particularly appreciated by fishermen for its high-performance sounders.
- Lowrance: Another popular brand that offers innovative marine GPS with numerous features. Lowrance is particularly appreciated by offshore sailors for its complete navigation systems and high-performance radars.
- Raymarine: A high-end brand offering state-of-the-art marine GPS. Raymarine is particularly appreciated by boaters for its intuitive touchscreens and elegant designs.
- Humminbird: A brand specialized in sounders and offers marine GPS with very high-performance fish detection functions. Humminbird is particularly appreciated by professional fishermen for the quality of its images and the precision of its data.
- Simrad: A brand offering robust and reliable marine GPS, designed for harsh marine conditions. Simrad is particularly appreciated by professionals for its complete navigation systems and advanced features.
Using Your Marine GPS Effectively for Navigation
1. Plan Your Route
Planning your route before going to sea is an essential step for safe and enjoyable navigation. Your marine GPS can be of great help for this task. Here are some tips for effectively planning your route with a marine GPS:
- Define 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 reach a destination by passing through several intermediate points, you can add waypoints to your itinerary. To do this, simply select the waypoints on the map or enter their GPS coordinates.
- Choose the navigation mode: Most marine GPS systems offer different navigation modes, such as direct navigation, route navigation, and track navigation.
- Direct navigation is the simplest mode. You just need to set your destination and the GPS will show you the route to follow.
- Route navigation allows you to create a more complex itinerary by adding waypoints.
- Track navigation lets you follow an itinerary you have previously recorded.
- Consider weather conditions: Before heading out to sea, it is important to consider the weather conditions. You can check the weather forecasts on your marine GPS to help plan your itinerary.
- Check the notices to mariners: It is also important to check the notices to mariners before heading out to sea. Notices to mariners indicate potential navigation hazards, such as wrecks, reefs, and works. You can check the notices to mariners on your marine GPS or on the website of your country's maritime authority.
- Know how to stay flexible: Weather conditions can change quickly and there may be unforeseen events. Be prepared to adapt your itinerary if necessary by planning backup routes.
2. Track your position and master the features
Tracking your position with your marine GPS is essential for safe navigation. But your marine GPS can offer much more than just displaying your position on a map. Here are some useful features to know:
- Precise tracking of your position: Modern marine GPS systems use advanced technologies to offer extremely precise positioning tracking. This allows you to know your exact position in latitude and longitude, as well as your speed and heading with great reliability.
- Viewing your position on different maps: such as classic marine charts, satellite maps, or radar maps. You can also overlay different information on the map, such as waypoints, notices to mariners, and danger zones.
- Positioning alarms: You can set positioning alarms to warn you when you approach a waypoint, a danger zone, or another area of interest. This can help you stay on your itinerary 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 navigators.
- Tracking multiple targets: If you are sailing with a fleet of boats, you can use your marine GPS to track the position of all the boats in real-time. This can be useful for coordinating your movements and ensuring everyone's safety.
- Connecting 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 is important to regularly update the charts and software of your marine GPS to ensure you have the most recent information.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you will be able to choose the right marine GPS and use it effectively to navigate safely and fully enjoy your outings at sea.
Remember that sea navigation also requires good knowledge of safety and regulations. Do not hesitate to take training courses or inquire with local maritime authorities.
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