The Best Marine GPS to Navigate the Water with Ease

Marine GPS: The Ultimate Buying Guide

You can’t have an oceanic adventure without a sophisticated navigation system onboard. Whether heading into the lake for fishing or breaching the coastal territories to experience rough seas and waves, a marine GPS prioritizes your safety and keeps you on your intended course.

Unfortunately, the newer features, cutting-edge technology upgrades, and different types can be overwhelming. Should you opt for a mounting device or a handheld, portable variant? Do you need a fish finder-chart plotter combo, or is just a GPS tracker enough for your voyage? 

All of your questions are valid, and this buying guide addresses everything you need to know before getting yourself a marine navigation device.

Marine GPS, Explained

Marine GPS is an umbrella term for navigation devices that track a vessel’s location in coastal bodies. The primary function of a global positioning system (GPS) device is to pinpoint the location of any boat over a body of water and provide information about the surroundings. Marine GPS tools include different variants such as GPS radio, chart plotters, and fish finders.

Chart Plotter vs Fish Finder

The two major categories of marine GPS are chart plotters and fish finders, each serving specific functions. Mariners often opt for hybrid GPSes, which offer a combination of both variants in a single device. While getting a marine GPS that functions as both a chart plotter and fish finder enhances the device’s effectiveness, it also costs you a few extra bucks. 

So, it’s important to explore the difference between both marine GPS variants. That way, you can determine whether you need a chart plotter, a fish finder, or a hybrid.

A chart plotter is a navigation tool that utilizes GPS satellites to pinpoint your location when you are in a coastal area or surrounded by water. The chart plotting device utilizes map coordinates in relation to your speed and directional data to ensure that you are on your intended course. Thus, it minimizes the risk of getting lost or losing track when you are in the ocean.

Fish finders are specifically for mariners who venture out into the water for fishing purposes. This device utilizes sonar scanning technology and transducers to pinpoint areas with a shoal of fish. If you are a dedicated angler, you’ll appreciate the chart plotter/fish finder combo.

Essential Factors in a Marine GPS

Device durability goes a long way

Marine GPS devices are mostly a one-time investment that may cost you some serious money. Therefore, you want a device that runs its natural course and provides optimal performance with perfect durability. 

Most importantly, a premium-quality marine navigation device should be waterproof or water-resistant since wave splashes are expected in a vessel. Additionally, you can use protective covers over the GPS to keep it safe from water exposure and enhance its durability. A marine GPS with a waterproof rating ranging from IPX 0 to IPX8 ensures functionality, even when faced with moisture, humidity, or water exposure.

Choosing the right kind of GPS device

Besides chart plotters and fish finders, there are other types of marine GPS based on their mounting style and portability. The different kinds of marine GPS you can opt for can be a hand-held device, dash-mounted GPS, or a portable option, depending on your vessel size and usage.

Portable GPS devices make a great navigation companion for smaller boats like kayaks. Meanwhile, dashboard-mounted GPS devices work better for larger vessels with better features and sophisticated navigation measures.

Screen dimensions and interface matter

When you are aboard a vessel, the device’s screen dimension and interface matter a lot for ease of accessing data and information. Larger screen dimensions are more user-friendly and convenient for mariners.

Must-Have Marine GPS Features

Pre-loaded maps and charts

Your marine GPS can cost you much more if it has pre-installed maps and charts, but they’re very useful. Preloaded maps make navigation more accurate, providing all the essential information regarding the area, hazards, and entry points. Also, users have to opt for map upgrades if they wish to utilize the device on international coasts, so most GPS devices come with an additional SD card for that purpose.

Sonar scanners and transducers

Suppose you are going for a fish finder GPS. In that case, you need a high-quality transducer system and sonar scanning technology to provide accurate data on what’s beneath the water’s surface. One of the most recent technologies, CHIRP sonar, ensures proper depth range and is quite a popular feature in marine GPSes.

More advanced features

When your marine GPS has the best features, you can expect enhanced navigation and optimal performance. Wi-fi connectivity, distress signals, and a VHS transmitter further elevate the navigation experience. However, the choice of additional features depends on what you require from your marine GPS device.