Best_Marine_GPS

It doesn’t seem that long ago when GPS was seen as new technology. It’s easy to forget that there was a time when we didn’t have satellite navigation in our cars or phones which can find out where we are in an instant.

There is now also portable marine GPS systems which can guide you through the water and help locate any fish that might be around. Finding the best marine GPS to suit your needs though can be tricky as they all have different features and finding the top rated boat GPS can be tough.

To help make it easier we have created a buying guide and looked at the marine GPS reviews to come out with a great list of the best devices out there. So read on and find the best boat GPS for you so you can head out on the water in confidence that you can find your way and find that catch.

How To Choose A Marine GPS – Buying Guide

How_To_Choose_A_Marine_GPS

Screen Size And Resolution

With a GPS device you’re going to be reading while on the open water, screen size and resolution are very important considerations. Whether you’re reading marine charts or finding fish, the details should be easy to see in direct sunlight and even when wearing sunglasses. In terms of resolution, the higher the number, the better the picture displayed.

If size and weight isn’t an issue, you can go for a device with the largest screen and the highest resolution. It will be easier on the eyes and you will be able to zoom out the charts easily. Marine GPS handheld for use on a kayak will have a smaller screen but should still be easy to read. All the marine GPS chartplotters we’ve reviewed here have sunlight readable displays.

Power

When you’re going sailing or fishing, your marine chartplotter GPS is an important navigational device. The last thing you want is for it to run out of power. It’s important to find out how the device is powered, and the kind of battery life you can expect.

If you’re planning to install the GPS device on your vessel, you can get a powered system that will utilize your marine battery system. Other marine GPS systems have a rechargeable battery you can recharge with a marine power inverter or even a solar charger. There are also GPS devices that use traditional AA batteries.  

Transducers

The transducer is a vital feature to consider when looking at GPS fish finders for a fishing boat. A transducer sends signals into the water and the waves bounce back from things that are in the water such as fish and vegetation, letting you know what is underneath the water around your boat.

When evaluating a transducer, look at its frequencies, beams, power output, and depth range. For the best fish finding capability, opt for a fish finder with CHIRP sonar, as this is superior fish finding technology sure to increase your catch. If you won’t be fishing, you can opt for a marine GPS without fish finder and such a device won’t have a transducer. 

Water Resistance

It’s inevitable that your boat or kayak GPS electronic will get wet at some point and you want to be sure that it can withstand water damage and keep working reliably. If you’re mounting the GPS on boat, it should be able to withstand humidity and moisture, 

If you’re on a kayak or canoe, you need a waterproof GPS for a boat that will float and can resist damage due to submersion if your kayak capsizes and the device falls into the water. The waterproofing scale ranges from IPX0 to IPX8. A GPS for boat should have an IPX7 or IPX8 water resistance rating.

Navigation Sensors (Barometer and Compass)

Navigation sensors such as barometric altimeter and electronic compass are great to have. A barometer gives your boat navigation system weather predicting capability. It measures atmospheric pressure and can help you predict short-term changes in the weather patterns. This can help you recognize when a storm is approaching and head back to shore. A 3-axis compass built into a GPS device can help you determine the direction you’re heading while on the open water.

Charts And Maps

Since you will be using your marine GPS system for navigation and orientation, it’s important to pay attention to the kinds of charts and maps an ocean GPS device comes with and the kind of details they offer. The charts and maps will help you visualize where your vessel is located on the water.

A device equipped with Topo maps and marine charts for your location is ideal. You can also upload more detailed maps of the water you will be sailing in – make sure the device you get allows you to add maps and is equipped with enough memory or a micro SD slot.

Portability

How much portability you need will depend on where you will be using the GPS device. There are larger devices meant to be permanently installed on a boat and handheld devices that can go anywhere.

If you’re on a canoe or a fishing kayak or enjoying watersports, a portable marine GPS system you can hold in the palm of your hands during use and slip in a pocket when you need your hands free is ideal. Some portable devices even come with a clip or wrist lanyard. There are also versatile GPS devices that don’t require permanent installation so you can use them on multiple vessels. 

Reliability

Reliability is the most important consideration when buying a nautical GPS navigation system. Make sure the one you choose is equipped with a high-sensitivity GPS receiver that can lock onto multiple satellites. This will enable it to determine your location fast and accurately no matter where you’re. 

It’s smart to opt for a top rated boat GPS by a top brand, so you know you can rely on the GPS device to find your way home. All the GPS for boats we feature in the marine GPS reviews above have reliable and accurate GPS tracking, even in challenging environments.

FAQs

What_is_a_Marine_GPS

Q: What is a Marine GPS?

A: 

A marine GPS is a GPS device designed for use in vessels while at sea. It helps sailors navigate their way through the water. What differentiates an ocean GPS from a regular GPS are the extra features that makes it perfect for use at sea. It’s larger, water resistant, floatable, and equipped with coastal charts to help with steering a boat. Some marine GPS systems also have fish finding capability and navigational sensors such as barometric altimeter and compass.

Q: How Does Marine GPS Work?

A: 

A marine GPS tracks your location on the water by interacting with navigational satellites. With the GPS function turned on, your marine GPS system will send a signal to the satellites. The satellites will use the timing and direction the signal came from to determine the precise location of the GPS device. The location coordinates will be displayed on the Marine GPS. If the device is equipped with coastal charts, the coordinates will be placed on a map so you can see your position and what surrounds you.

Q: What Is The Main Purpose Of Your Marine GPS?

A: 

A marine GPS is mainly a navigation tool. Its primary purpose is orientation and navigation while at sea. It will show you where you are on the ocean and how to navigate to where you want to go. There are plenty of other uses too. You can use your nautical GPS for geocaching, for voyage planning, and for finding fish if your model has fish finder technology.

Q: Why Orientation Is Important At Sea?

A: 

Orientation is vital at sea because it’s easy to get disoriented. The ocean is vast, and there are no roads, signals, or lights to guide your way. There’re plenty of hazards such as waves that can through you off course. This is why it’s always important to know exactly where you are.

A marine GPS is the easiest way to navigate a boat. Without GPS orientation, it would be quite difficult for recreational sailors and anglers to get to where they desire to go and find their way back without getting lost. This is especially important on a large body of water.  

Q: Can I Use A Car GPS On My Boat?

A: 

While a car GPS uses the same satellites as a marine GPS and can tell you where you’re in the world, it’s not a good idea to use it on a boat, as it’s not tailored for use on the ocean. It won’t be equipped with detailed coastal maps and charts for marine navigation and chart plotting, or fish finder technology to show you what’s underneath the water.

Q: How Do You Read A Marine GPS?

A: 

Turn the GPS functionality on and wait for it to lock onto satellites. Once the device determines your location, you will see your location coordinates and the time displayed on the screen. If your device is also a chartplotter equipped with coastal maps, you will see a boat or triangle icon representing your vessel on the map. Zoom in or out on the map to see more specific details of your location.

Q: How Does A Marine Chartplotter Work?

A: 

A chartplotter is a marine navigation system that uses GPS satellite navigation and coastal charts to show your precise location on the water. GPS will determine your location but it won’t place it on the marine map. A chartplotter places the GPS coordinates on an electronic chart or map, enabling you to see where your vessel is on the water and monitor your movements.

Globo Surf Overview

Having a boat navigation system is vital in making your way through the waters. Whether you’re looking for a portable marine GPS or an ocean GPS, everything is covered here. If you’re a fan of Garmin boat GPS, there are many options for you. There are also high-quality boat GPS navigation systems, chart plotters, and fish finders by other reputable brands.

There are many considerations when it comes to getting one of the best marine GPS devices. Hopefully, our reviews and buying guide will help you make an informed choice of the best boat GPS for you. Once you’ve picked the best marine GPS system, you’ll be able to head out into the water in confidence that you have a reliable navigation system.

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