How Do You Select A Marine GPS?
A marine global positioning system (GPS) uses signals from orbiting satellites to help boaters determine their location on the water. According to marine supplier West Marine, the satellite signals are combined with the known orbital locations of the satellites. Using these data, the GPS can determine the boater’s location to within 20 to 40 feet. This information can be useful when plotting or steering a course, navigating in bad weather or sightseeing. With a bewildering array of GPS sizes and features available, careful consideration is needed to make the right choice for you. Select your boating style. If you enjoy fishing local creeks or kayaking on area rivers, a hand-held GPS unit will likely be sufficient for your needs. For boaters who enjoy cruising their larger boats to new ports, or for fishermen who prefer their fishing offshore, larger units mounted to navigation stations are preferable. Although larger boats may rock and roll with the winds and waves, the GPS displays ar