Fixed GPS vs. Handheld Marine GPS: Ultimate Sailing GPS Guide

Understand Handheld Trimble GPS units

Unlike traditional navigation equipment, handheld GPS devices are compact and portable, allowing you to pinpoint exact locations from anywhere on the sea. The secret behind this innovative technology is its ability to communicate through satellites to share data in real time.

Are you struggling to decide whether this is the right choice for you? Don’t worry, we can feel you. That’s why we’ve gathered the following scenarios – if they resonate with you, then a handheld marine GPS is exactly what you need.

Use Small Boats

If you frequently sail with tiny boats such as sailboats, kayaks or dinghies you must be aware of their very little storage room. Therefore, a small GPS, or handheld GPS, is very compact and portable and can easily fit into a small area, and you do not need heavy equipment for navigation. Unlike fixed GPS systems, portable GPS devices can be stored in a pocket, backpack, or waterproof case and easily accessed whenever needed.

We love this functionality for day trips or shorter excursions requiring mobility and reliable navigation. Water-resistant or waterproof handheld GPS systems are a great bet for small boat sailors who occasionally get splashed or rained on.

Need Flexibility at Sea and on Land

Handheld GPS units allow you to explore beyond your normal routes. Whether navigating near shore, visiting small islands, or hiking, a handheld GPS is adaptable enough to move easily between boat and land.

These gadgets can track your location at sea or on land to provide a perfect experience for those who wish to cruise isolated coves or beaches where a permanent GPS is not feasible. A portable marine handheld GPS can also be handed over to a fellow crew member or carried on another boat, giving it true multi-scenario sailing value.

Stay Closer to the Shore

A Trimble GPS unit is sufficient if you keep close to the coast or cruise inshore waters and require only a fraction of the commitment of a permanent system. Handheld GPS devices excel at providing quick and dependable positioning in shallow waterways and offer frequent course changes or navigation around obstacles like sandbars and rocks.

You can also update handheld GPS units with fresh maps, and coastal sailors can adjust to changing conditions and confidently explore new territory.

Pros and Cons of Handheld Trimble GPS

Before you make a purchase, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of a specific handheld GPS. We have listed them below for your assistance so you don’t have to waste hours reading and watching reviews.

Pros

• Small, lightweight, portable handheld GPS systems are perfect for sailors on small boats. Fixed GPS systems are generally more expensive than this and are an affordable option if you spend a lot of time in the sea.
• The devices are easy to repair or upgrade and can be operated more regularly through regular firmware upgrades. The versatility is good if you want to keep up with the latest features without putting in a permanent installation.
• Rechargeable or replaceable batteries make handheld equipment easy to carry and also to have extra for emergencies. Solar charging is even included in some models like Garmin eTrex® Solar that can supply sustainable electricity in remote areas.
• Water-resistant or waterproof handheld GPS units can be used in marine conditions where water and moisture are common.

Cons

• Handheld devices are different since they use batteries and can run out at any time. If you are going to sail for a long time, you might want to look at battery life and bringing extras.
• Handheld GPS units have smaller screens, making it more challenging to examine complete charts in harsh weather and bright sunshine.
• Fixed systems contain more advanced functions than some handheld GPS devices, such as larger displays and the ability to plan routes and interact with other marine instruments, such as radar or autopilot.

Understanding Fixed GPS Units

We believe that fixed GPS devices, also known as GPS chart plotters can offer efficiency and accuracy. This GPS positioner clearly displays the boat’s exact location on a grey background map. For better satellite reception, it usually comes with an external antenna.

On top of that, as a professional sailor, you can use fixed marine GPS to create waypoints and calculate your speed, travel time, deviation and distance covered. These devices are ideal for sailors with the following sailing styles:

Travel Long-Distances

Fixed GPS devices are intended for you if you’re going on long-distance voyages with regular and dependable navigation. The boat’s system powers these devices, removing the battery life problems associated with portable devices.

This continuous power supply is great if you want to navigate lengthy journeys at sea without having to lift to replace or recharge batteries. This is especially good for sailors who are out overnight or out a few days at a time, as their path and coordinates are always available.

Deep Sea Navigation

For professional and commercial sailors such as cargo ship navigators, fishing vessel operators, and ocean researchers, stability and reliability are demanded of their equipment. More advanced fixed GPS devices are often equipped with more capabilities and larger displays that allow you to extensively chart and the precision needed for deep sea navigation.

In these situations, unpredictable weather, heavy waves and long lengths without land in sight make the longevity and continuous connectivity of permanent systems essential not only for safety but for accuracy. Handheld units are not steady in challenging settings, but fixed GPS devices also provide steadiness.

Navigate Larger Vessels

If you use large vessels like yachts and sailboats, you can benefit from the larger, more user-friendly screens and interfaces of fixed GPS systems. Additional room on the vessel means you have space to put a fixed GPS device near the helm or in a designated navigation area. This lets you read big charts and plot routes on a big screen.

In particular, this visibility is important for complex navigation or where many crew members need to look at the navigation data. A permanent GPS provides steadiness and clarity to heavier boats where exact navigation is more complicated and required than on smaller ones.

Pros and Cons of Fixed GPS

For a fair comparison, let’s look at the pros and cons of installing fixed GPS systems on your ships and boats.

Pros

• The boat’s power supply is used to power fixed GPS devices so they can run without recharging or spare batteries. Long journeys with significant navigation can be suitably done with this.
• Fixed GPS systems with many advanced functions, such as detailed chart plotting, waypoints, routes, and radar integration, are found on many of these systems.
• Your fixed GPS systems are supposed to keep a constant and powerful signal even during bad weather, and normally, they come with bigger antennas. They are very dependable, which makes them very good for use in situations when handhelds may be disturbed by fog or inclement weather.
• Fixed devices are secured and so can be used hands-free for sailing; we understand that you might sometimes need both hands for steering or maintaining sails.

Cons

• Fixed GPS units cost more to purchase upfront and install. This is not very cost-effective for casual sailors.
• Fixed GPS devices can’t be removed ashore or relocated to another boat. Their use is restricted to onboard navigation and may not be suitable for mariners looking for versatility.
• They may tire the power supply of smaller vessels, especially if a number of electrical devices are being used at the same time.

Comparison

Integrate Both Sailing GPS in Multi-Device Setups

A multi-GPS device setup that incorporates both fixed and handheld GPS units can go a long way toward making navigation more adaptable for sailors. A handheld Trimble GPS is a good solid backup in case the primary fixed system doesn’t work in an emergency, especially in tough settings where a fixed device could get wet. You can relate that using both devices increase situational awareness by verifying placement and confirming routes, especially in complex channels or with dangers such as under-housed bridges.

Moreover, it allows convenient onshore navigation for sailors exploring islands or foreign coastlines, while the fixed GPS possesses marine-specific features. Together, these gadgets result in a flexible, durable and adaptable navigation system for various sailing situations.

Latest Technology Trends in Marine GPS

GPS technology continues to improve to enhance fixed and portable navigation systems to provide more dependable navigation. The integration of mobile apps is a big trend, this will allow you to plan routes on your cellphones and sync them to onboard equipment for ease and control from any place. Moreover, High-end GPS devices also give real-time weather and tide updates so that you can make last-minute adjustments to get out of storms or high tides

Newer versions also include signals from Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) outside of the United States’ GPS network for improved accuracy, especially in remote or extremely wooded areas.

Environmental Impact and Longevity

The environmental impact of GPS systems is becoming increasingly relevant, particularly among sailors concerned with ocean conservation. Fixed GPS units often use more power because they rely on the boat’s power supply, but handheld devices, particularly solar-powered ones, are more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly for shorter trips.

Fixed GPS systems typically have longer lifespans since they are designed to survive the severe marine environment.

Practical Tips for Marine GPS Device Use

Now, we will suggest some practical ways to assure dependable navigation. Always keep spare batteries for handheld GPS to avoid problems in the middle of the sea. Regularly check for firmware updates to improve accuracy, add new features, and fix faults. With larger screens and better visibility, fixed devices offer more benefits to handheld users, making them worth considering an anti-glare screen or protection covering if screen readability is poor in bright sunlight.

Future Trends and Technology

We are sure that the future of marine GPS technology promises greater integration, enhanced precision, and user-centered convenience. Emerging trends include connectivity with smartphones and tablets, enabling you to plot routes on mobile devices and sync them with onboard systems for added flexibility.

Additionally, advanced GPS models are incorporating multi-constellation GNSS support, which uses multiple satellite networks to boost accuracy, especially if you get stuck in storms or other challenging conditions. Many systems are also integrating real-time data for weather, tides, and hazards, providing you with an immediate route plan to safely adjust them.

Final Words

In the ever-evolving world of marine navigation, understanding the strengths of both fixed and handheld GPS systems is essential. Each device has its advantages, whether in advanced features, ease of use, or environmental adaptability. By choosing the right GPS solution, tailored to individual needs, we can ensure that you can confidently navigate, no matter where your journey takes you.

Which navigation device do you prefer? Have you ever tried using a combination of both fixed and handheld GPS systems? Let us know and we’d be happy to discuss together, just hit us a message or reply to our next newsletter! If you’re not already in our