Shopping For Discount Marine GPS Electronics

With so many options for discounted multifunctionwith a spacious dash, consider whether you want
marine electronics, how do you decide whichto load the dash up with multiple displays or if you
system is right for you? Here are a few pointersprefer one integrated model that presents a large,
about features to look for in basic models andhigh resolution viewing area. If you have a large
what additional features you can expect in moreboat it might make sense to have more than one
expensive marine GPS electronics.display for your fish finder, GPS navigation and
Select the Type of GPS You Wantradar.
When it comes to marine GPS, you can chooseFigure Out What Else You Want Your GPS to Do
between a handheld unit, a combo GPS/chartNowadays, even the most basic budget GPS
plotter or a standard GPS receiver that will bemodels are highly accurate and capable of storing
hooked to your computer. Each has its ownthousands of points of interest. It might be all that
advantages and drawbacks.you need. On the other hand, if you are into
If you are looking for an accurate, butfishing, you might consider a GPS/fish finder
inexpensive GPS unit that can be used on and offcombo. A GPS/ chart plotter multifunction unit
the boat, then consider a handheld GPS with basicmight be especially useful to boaters.
features. On-board marine electronics often includeIf you are not certain whether you need some of
GPS receivers as an integrated package. You canthe features, check if the marine GPS unit you
find combo GPS fish finders, chart plotters, radarsconsider buying offers expansion capabilities. For
and other marine GPS combos.example, a fairly budget-friendly Si-Tex ColorMax
Think of the Environment5 and ColorMax 7 are both basic marine GPS
In this case, the environment you and your GPSchart plotter combos that can be expanded to
will be in. On the open water you are exposed tointegrate fish finder, radar and other marine
very bright sun, making it hard to read all but theelectronics components.
brightest displays. Even on calm days you mayDecide What Features You Can Do Without
experience choppy waters that will interfere withMany marine GPS units are now heavily loaded
your balance. At times like this a handheld GPSwith additional features. Some might be very
with a small screen may be hard to read. What'suseful while others might turn out to be nothing
more, their small controls will be hard tobut costly detractors. Decide for yourself whether
manipulate when you are struggling to maintainyou need your multifunction GPS to play MP3's,
your balance. If you do a lot of sailing on roughsynch with your Bluetooth headset for hands-free
water, then consider a GPS or GPS combo thatnavigation, or provide live weather updates.
has a large display and large control knobs forCompare features offered on different models at
easy navigation on bobbing waves.your price point. Are you paying for a high
If you have a small boat, finding shaded orresolution display, the ability to upgrade with
below-deck space for a computer to link to theadditional marine electronics or additional features
standard GPS might present a problem. Keep inthat you will never use?
mind that computer screens are not designed toThere are many good GPS marine electronics on
be viewed in direct sunlight. Another considerationthe market. Choosing the right one is a balance
when selecting the best marine GPS for yourbetween understanding what features are
boat is how much dashboard space you have. Foravailable, knowing your own boating needs, and
a small boat and dash look for marine electronicscomparison shopping for GPS marine electronics in
that can be expanded in the future to incorporateyour price range.
other devices in a single display. For larger boats