Prefer a dedicated GPS
I’ve got the Garmin map76Cx, another GPS for the car for directions and my Android phone.
For paddling the Map 76CX floats, is waterproof, accepts a memory card and for my purposes does all I need it to do. I have a 16 gig card in it, with the entire eastern half of the US on it. I can change what maps I have if I want using my set of Map source cd’s that I have for the entire US.
The reason I prefer a dedicated GPS for paddling is that I can keep my eyes on it at all times. Particularly when I’m tracking my speed. I have to keep my phone tucked away and battery life is now where near as good as the Garmin with lithium batteries.
http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2925673900041263145aSqYKf
both are good
My paddling partner has the 76x without buying the marine chart card and it works fine. I like the compact size of the etrex20, and it has some marine map info and coastal tides installed like the 76x.
I would keep either in a clear dry bag and not fully trust the 7 waterproof rating on saltwater. As for floating I just add a foam float to the lanyard to float my camera and one to float my GPS.
Also there are ways to make custom maps from marine charts and load them to a GPS.
Touch screens and cameras
I have a Garmin 60Cx. It has served me well over the past few years. It is starting to have a few issues. I am planning to get a new one over the winter. I plan to keep the 60Cx as a backup.
I am looking at several models. The 62, Oregon & Dakota series. Has anyone used the touch screen models on the water. If so, any issues when wet? I have a smart phone in which the touch screen is tough to use in wet environments.
Also some of the higher end($$$)GPS unit have a 3-5mp camera. Anyone used one with a camera? Any issues
I decided on a Dakota 20
Walmart has them online refurbished for $159.98 plus tax. Thats was best deal I found online. I have bought refurbished car gps’s before and when I did have a proble Garmin replaced it no problem. They come with same 1 year warranty as new one.
I liked the triaxis electronic compass on Dakota 20 which the Etrex 20 doesn’t have. Plus it takes micro sd cards but it has built in 850 meg and its only about 700 meg for 100k topo for entire east side of USA. Dakota 10 has no electronic compass and doesn’t take memory card but has same 850 meg of built in memory so if thats not important it can be had refurb around $130.
Oh the touch screen gps’s have same ipx 7 water proof rating.
Garmin’s GPSMAP 76Cx
is on sale for $149 at West Marine. It’s been discontinued but West Marine still seems to have a large supply. I bought one from them about a year ago for the same price on closeout. It’s a great unit for kayaking.
Car/water GPS
I need to update my older Tom Tom auto GPS with a newer one and wonder if there are units that will perform the functions of both a car-type with good street directions AND outdoor water/land adventures with good mapping capabilities?
That’s
too bad. Motion X is really good. Then there’s really only one solution- get an iPhone 
GPSes
I have a garmin Etrex. I have used it for a decade for sailing, kayaking and flying. I have also crossed the Gulf of Mexico using only an even older Garmin 12.
Even the most basic or oldest GPS will serve you well if you know how to navigate. If you don’t the Garmin 76 series with moving map will help more. Some of these won’t come with full marine maps, which you may have to buy. It will be worth paying more for model that has a map database included.
I have a droid Razr also and use Edmondo to keep track of my kayaking biking and running. I keep it in a waterproof drybag. It is nice to record my paddles but not as a navigation instrument.
There are some Nav apps for the Droid as well but I do not find it usefull as they are limited and I am not comfortable trusting a navigational need to something not completely waterproof and easily accessible.
The Iphone has better navigation software options, but once again the lack of waterproofing makes it of dubious use.
just an FYI
lifeproof cases for the iPhone are 100% waterproof
They are all great
All the new GPS units are great - not that much difference between them really. Hard to go wrong. They work very well.
A BIG problem though - as pointed out by previous post - is that folks without a map and compass or the skills to use a map and compass use their fancy new gps to get themselves into places and then they can’t get out when the GPS breaks or they can’t figure out how to use it to return.
Touch Screen
I usually keep mine in an Aquapac like bag and there is no problem with having the screen respond covered.
Garmin also makes a slip case for the Oregon that has a plastic screen cover. It sits away from the face but still allows you to touch the screen. I keep that on all the time as the cover protects the screen, prevents accidental touches and is just as responsive when you actually do want to touch the screen.
Never used it naked on the water but it seems waterproof enough to deal with a wet finger.
Endomundo
On somebody’s recommendation here I downloaded Endomundo for Android phones. Started it up today on my paddle and didn’t know what to expect. So after a 10 second countdown audibly, I put out and paddled.
After a mile I hear a voice coming from below my armpit (where the cell phone is attached to my PFD) telling me my time, distance and that I’m “on target”.
That was funny, because I never set a target that I could recall. How did she know? LOL I was certainly startled, as I’d seen not a single human being and it had just been me and the ducks.
At two miles she piped up to tell me the same thing. Same me, only less startled to hear my armpit talking.
However, after stopping to rest and restarting, at 4 miles she started to bitch that I was getting behind target! Shit, I go kayaking to get away from nagging at work and at home…
Since I had to pull out the phone to answer my wife’s call at 5 miles, I figured out how to stop the app from running.
When I got home I discovered that it has several settings built in for “nagging” you. Not my style! If I wanted boot camp, I’d have joined the army.
GPS
I own a Delorme PN20, which I’ve been using for 4-years.I have no problems other that all new Wayponts start with #09 instead of #1. It has saved my ass on several occasions. Usually, I like to check my paddling speed and distance. It writes a track when moving and I like to compare this with my mapping program on my computer. That track once saved me when I was out in the Pacific and didn’t notice the fog about to swallow me up until I turned around and nearly panicked. I could see nothing. I followed my track back to the launch site, which was the only safe harbor. Now I never go kayaking without my GPS.
Huntly2
Just wanted to say I also had a Delorme PN-20. I didnt have it in a water proof bag. Big Mikstake. My screen fogged up after a breef swim and I turned it off and it never did work again. I tried putting it in a sealed bag with desicant but still nothing. So I hope you have a water proof bag for it. As apparentlly IPX7 isnt so good as a water proof rating. Now I got a Garmin Dakota with water proof bag. But I really liked my PN-p20 had it from when it first came out on the market many years ago.
Garmins have so many free maps now online plus support to use with google maps I went with Garmin this time.
GPS
Thanks to all the poster’s for all your input, and diverse unit support. I have a lot to digest and consider before I make a decision! I appreciate the support and advice i received on this board, and I am glad I joined paddlin.net.
Thanks again,
paddlinfool
gps
RE the post about iphone, i use it also and have i4, a good app for distances is golfgps. i believe it’s free and made with golf in mind it’s really good for any distance finder. gps marks your spot and you move the cursor to determine length to an object and best i can tell is indefinite. it also has rings from your location that can be set to determine yardage or taken off. it shows 5 rings at 10 yards the outer ring is 50 for example. i’ve used it to determine how far islands are, opposite coasts other boats, anything. another good tool is commander lite, a compass with a gyro meter. i admit it’s complicated to me but has map location, gps, mph, you can mark your parking and locate vehicle…if needed. the gyro is really neat though and shows celestial bodies. makes you dizzy looking at it though.