Article How to Choose a Handheld GPS Navigator by topRik Team

Sale of Handheld GPS

In this section, the topRik marketplace offers handheld GPS for sale from the world's best manufacturers of marine equipment. Choose the portable satellite navigation system device that suits you, and we will deliver it anywhere in the world.

Sale of handheld GPS in the topRik marketplace includes free consultation from our experts on any issues related to the purchase of a handheld GPS.

What Is Handheld GPS, When and How It Is Used

A GPS navigator is an electronic device with a screen designed to receive a satellite signal in order to position its location on the display. It determines the exact coordinates in latitude and longitude, and also helps to plot routes from the location to the destination.

Handheld GPS performs the same functions as your built-in satellite navigation unit on your yacht's helm. The difference is the absence of some minor additional functions, for example, compatibility with an echo sounder, and, of course, the screen size.

Despite the fact that modern yachts are equipped by manufacturers or owners themselves with built-in GPS, experienced yachtsmen will definitely have a handheld when going out to sea GPS, sometimes in several copies. For the same reason that a sailor who has been in trouble at sea will never give up paper charts, even if he has a sophisticated marine display on board, and if he has an electronic, satellite or gyrocompass, he will not give up a standard magnetic one. We all know: anything can happen at sea, including the failure of the most sophisticated electronics.

The main purpose of portable GPS navigators is the ability to use them in extreme marine conditions. In “peacetime,” however, it can also come in handy. For example, unlike a stationary device, a portable GPS navigator can be placed near the berth, having previously been programmed to give a signal if the yacht begins to change its location, that is, breaks away from the anchor. In this case handheld GPS performs the functions of a GPS tracker or GPS beacon.

What will this portable device, which fits in the palm of your hand, and its screen usually does not exceed 6 inches, show when the crew finds itself in an extreme situation at sea and loses the ability not only to communicate, but also to orientate itself?

Of course, a lot depends on the manufacturer, but most marine handheld GPS:

• provide comprehensive maritime navigation capabilities;
• when connecting wirelessly, various satellite systems are used - GPS, WAAS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS, SBAS, IRNSS, GLONASS, so that the yachtsman can choose the combination he needs depending on the regions of navigation;
• come with pre-installed maps of different types of cartographies - BlueChart, TopoActive, etc.;
• allow you to effectively manage waypoints, tracks and routes;
• characterized by increased battery life, and some can be charged by solar energy;
• allow to send SOS signal to ships in nearby waters, and if you have a subscription to a global satellite network (for example, Iridium), you can participate in two-way messaging and access 24-hour emergency service even in areas without cellular coverage.

Types of Handheld GPS

If we talk about handheld GPS in general, they are divided into several types according to their purpose, and marine models are one of them.

Let us briefly list the other types of handheld GPS, so that you have an idea about them and do not purchase a model with unnecessary functions you don’t need, or, even worse, lacking the necessary capabilities.

So, handheld GPS can be:

• automobile;
• pedestrian;
• universal;
• specialized.

Automobile

The GPS navigator for a car is the most massive. It has a large display that allows the driver to conveniently view maps while driving on the highway. The device can be mounted on a car dashboard or on the windshield. Automotive devices are divided into portable and installed.

Pedestrian

GPS navigator for hiking has modest dimensions, sometimes made in the form of an ordinary wristwatch. They are used by tourists who go on a trip to an unfamiliar area. Such navigators are found in urban versions and for more active recreation. In the usual basic configuration they are used for traveling in developed areas, and in the reinforced version they have a moisture- and dust-proof case.

Multipurpose

They combine the functions of several types of handheld GPS, for example, navigators for walking and for car trips.

Specialized

You can also find a GPS navigator on sale, the design of which is maximally adapted to certain conditions of use. There are special devices for installation on bicycles and motorcycles. They have a more powerful design to dampen vibration, and also provide a secure mount that connects to the handlebars. Also, they usually have a waterproof casing due to their use in humid weather conditions. There are also specialized navigators for installation on yachts or fishing boats. Often the latter have an echo sounder function for determining the depth of a water body and searching for fish.

This particular type is marine handheld GPS - the topic of this article.

How to Choose Handheld GPS, What to Look For When Buying

Handheld GPS sellers, not very knowledgeable in maritime affairs, when advertising their product, highlight the number of satellites from which the device is capable of receiving a signal. But experienced sailors will tell you that even on a trip around the world, you won't always need much of this information. And if you prefer to travel only in certain regions, then simply choose a satellite system that is relevant at that area.

It is advisable that your portable satellite device has access to any global satellite network, so that you can contact the rescue service at any time, even when all your communication systems fail and there is no cellular coverage in the navigation region.

Wide Range of Possibilities

This block of characteristics includes the following functions that a high-quality and efficient handheld GPS should have:

• support for a large number of map segments (from 10 thousand);
• maintaining a sufficient number of waypoints (from 5000);
• the ability to use a sufficient number of two-way routes (from 100);
• ability to store a sufficient number of waypoints with symbols and names;
• the ability to manage waypoints and routes offline;
• automatic track recording;
• availability of additional sensors for connecting the necessary satellite navigation systems;
• sufficient internal memory;
• the ability to expand the internal memory of the device using a microSD ™ card;
• the presence of built-in navigation and measuring instruments: three-axis compass, barometer, autopilot, echo sounder, etc. depending on the needs of the owner;
• the presence of SOS and “Man overboard” buttons – pressing the latter allows you to record the place and time of a person falling overboard, which will significantly speed up and facilitate his search and rescue;
• simple and intuitive interface;
• push-button device for displaying information on the screen.

We also recommend that you pay attention to the compatibility of the selected model with the navigational instruments and equipment of the yacht, and also check the Bluetooth or ANT+ wireless connection. This will expand the functions of the portable GPS navigator in addition to its default interaction with AIS, radar and sonar.

Battery Charge

It was not by chance that we included this characteristic in a separate section, since the operating time of the handheld battery GPS may depend on the lives of the crew of a yacht that has suffered an accident.

By the way, for most marine handheld GPS is characterized by a long battery life - over 36 hours for some models. We also recommend taking a closer look at models whose batteries are charged using solar energy, because breakdowns on ships do not only happen during storms. But getting stranded in the middle of the ocean on a sunny day due to a failure of standard navigation equipment can be just as dangerous as getting caught in a storm. Therefore, do not rely on a smartphone or tablet with GPS - they are significantly inferior to special portable devices in terms of battery life.

Screen Specifications

In the case of handheld GPS screen size is not critical; most devices are limited to a 3-inch diagonal screen. Much more important for this portable device are its other properties in extreme situations.

Permission. One of the most important characteristics of a handheld screen GPS is the resolution. Sometimes information on small screens with higher resolution is easier to perceive than on a large display with poor resolution.

Monochrome or color. Good old black and white screens are, of course, cheaper. However, when using such screens, there is a high risk of not recognizing color signals in navigation. For example, red and green buoys.

Anti-glare. In daylight and bright sunshine, the presence of an anti-glare screen makes reading much easier. The same goes for the night watch mode. Be sure to check if the GPS specifications mention these specifications and screen features.

Possibility of illumination. This function will be needed when using the device at night or during a storm with continuous low clouds.

Protective and Signaling Properties

It is highly desirable that this compact, durable and buoyant (mandatory requirement) device be certified to MIL-STD-810 for thermal, shock and water resistance.

But you can limit yourself to at least a high level of water resistance - IPX7 or IP67. This means that the device will work even after being submerged in water to a meter depth.

Also check whether the model you choose is equipped with a handheld GPS sound signal or light beacon, so that in an extreme situation the device can be quickly found among scattered things or fished out of the water.

Handheld GPS from topRik Marketplace

This section features portable GPS devices from the world's best brands in the field of marine equipment.

A good example are handhelds produced by Garmin. The company has been producing portable marine GPS devices since 1990, improving them every year. Today, what started out as a metric navigation device has evolved into a portable, color-screen navigation station that fits easily in your pocket.

This page features models with a variety of features and pre-loaded, up-to-date maps from a variety of chart brands, including premium BlueChart g3 mapping. They are equipped with an anti-glare screen with a protective surface, high resolution and support for 65 thousand colors.

To buy a handheld GPS through the topRik marketplace, contact our specialists through all types of contacts: quick feedback - form at the Contacts section, by phone - the number is listed on this webpage, or send an email to [email protected].