How to use handheld GPS to get back on a spot?

[wasabi]

I am having a hard time using my handheld GPS to get back on top of a marked spot. This is not a problem when I am a long way off and moving towards it, but I struggle when I am close and moving slowly. Usually my screen just shows my boat position and then the waypoint, but no other way to know which direction the spot is from me. I tend to throw a marker bouy out but want to get away from that. otehrs must set up their screen to show a direction or something - any advice appreciated.

[Wannabe...]

If your GPS has a built in compass, it will give you bearing and distance to your waypoint even when standing still. Most lower end models of the handhelds won't do this and now you know how the GPS makers get an extra $100 to $200 out of us.

Without the compass, the only way a GPS can work is for it to be in motion. It receives the signal and calculates your heading based on it's last calculated position. Stinks, but that's the way it works.

Wannabe...

[SteveJ]

Most GPS's don't give updates too well when moving slowly. The map page is maybe the best page when going slow, don't have a compass. Make up a small dark colored marker and move over your spot going fast enough for the GPS to work and throw over that kind of marker that is very hard to see, about all I know that would work.

[Doodlum]

I am having a hard time using my handheld GPS to get back on top of a marked spot. This is not a problem when I am a long way off and moving towards it, but I struggle when I am close and moving slowly. Usually my screen just shows my boat position and then the waypoint, but no other way to know which direction the spot is from me. I tend to throw a marker bouy out but want to get away from that. otehrs must set up their screen to show a direction or something - any advice appreciated.

What model do you have. I just got a Oregon. I'm in the learning curve. The different chips you need burn your ass $.

[chaunc]

I have a magellan explorist 600 and have no problem sitting right on my marks. I normally use my locator to be sure my gps puts me on the mark but yesterday i didn't even bother hooking the locator up. Just used the gps and it was money in the livewell. This handheld unit is pretty good.

[Shellback]

I have trouble also, due to the fact of the GPS refreshing at slow speeds. Last time out I tried an experiment, but due to high winds and it being an electric only lake, I wasn't successful.
Here's my idea, Get your heading off the GPS and run towards it at a speed the GPS refreshes fast enough. When you cross over your spot and see it on your finder, throw a marker bouy over. Continue well past the spot and make a u turn. Now get your heading back to the spot and follow the heading again till you cross your spot, throwing another marker bouy over. I'm figuring that your structure should be right between the 2 bouys, due to the fact when it shows on your sonar, you are already past the spot.
Like I said, I wasn't successful the first time I tried, but I'd like other folks opinion if this will work.

[wasabi]

I was trying to avoid throwing marker buoys, but that is the best I am able to do. My unit had a internal compass BUT IT DIED 5 DAYS AGO.

MY UNIT WAS A LOWRANCE iFINDER EXPLORER AND IT WAS IPX-7 WATERPROOF CERTIFIED WHICH MEANS WATER WILL NOT INTRUDE WHEN FULLY submerged to 1 meter FOR 30 minutes. MY UNIT WAS ONLY RAINED ON AND THAT IS ALL BUT THE SCREEN NOW HAS CONDENSATION INSIDE IT AND NO LONGER TURNS ON. WHAT A PIECE OF CRAP!!! AND LOWRANCE SAYS IT CAN BE REPAIRED FOR ONLY $112!!! WHAT CRAP CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!

[poppop]

I can usually hit mine pretty good..if I am moving at least 2 mph...any slower and I have a hard time...I took some of the orange markers..and painted them olive drab green making them a lot harder to see...I mark most of my waypoints from the back transducer...and I sit as close as possible to the transducer when I am relocating it. I toss a marker over when I see it on the depth finder, this gets me within about 10 feet or so usually. As far as the condensation...I had left my depthfinders on the boat under a shed all winter...both had condensation in them. I read a tip on here about putting them in white rice. I got a big gallon ziplock bag...put the depthfinders in there..and filled it full of white rice...left them in there about three weeks...cleared all the condensation up completely.. never would have believed it..if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes..and my were in pretty bad shape with the condensation.

[Arkie John]

You just gotta keep up some speed in order to get the most up-to-date info. It's the nature of the beast.

On my GarminMAP76CxS, I just keep my speed up until I get within 50 feet. At that point, I turn off the main motor and engage the tm, maintaining the same bearing...with my eyes locked on the depth finder. At 20 feet from the target, my unit beeps and as I see the bottom of the triangle pass the bottom of my waypoint icon, with marker in hand, I look at the depth finder and the target is usually right THERE. I toss in the marker and circle and come back across at 90 degrees. As I make my second approach I take mental note as to where the main brush is located as I approach the original target (marker).

Hey, getting to within 7' of my target is all you can ask a civilian unit to do for you.

Just use your unit and get the most out of it you can. I'm not so sure you will be able to NOT use a marker, because at rest, your GPS will not function properly.

aj

[Tyedog]

I have an explorist from magellan.....use the go to feature and it will show you how far and whether to turn right or left. If your unit has options check them for this feature......what has helped me a lot is to use the old fashioned flasher, because it is real time it will allow me to have more accurate marks......I am so used to it now I don't even use my other finder. I purchased my flasher from vexilar, great product.....TD