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Best GPS for Kayak Fishing
Having a GPS device in your kayak can come in handy when you’re slap-bang in the middle of the water and can’t find your way back to your starting point. It will also give you peace of mind when you’re out exploring new and remote fishing spots, and even help you to make the most out of those hotspots.
A few things to keep in mind when shopping for a kayak-friendly GPS device include the screen size, battery life, durability, and coverage. Firstly, you want the screen to be large and clear enough to provide accurate data reading in any weather condition.
The battery should preferably have a long shelf life and recharge easily. It should be tough enough to withstand rugged conditions with a screen protector and waterproof features. Lastly, make sure that your device has good coverage, and should preferably have Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) as one of its features.
Now that the nitty-gritty is out of the way, here is our selection of the best GPS devices to use on Kayak.
Top GPS Picks for Kayak Fishing
This compact kayaking gps may be small, but it packs quite a punch when it comes to features.
The TFT display is 2.6 inches and comes with old-school push buttons and a screen saver feature that switches off at 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute or 2 minutes.
It’s built-in BlueChart has Bahamas/ U.S. coastal charts that include marinas, depth contours, shorelines, harbors and more. It allows you to wirelessly share your waypoints, routes, tracks and geocaches with other users of the same device.
It also comes with a lanyard so that it doesn’t get lost, and has rechargeable AA batteries. Other features include a MicroSD Card Slot with a 32gb memory card to load more maps and geocaching capabilities.
Pros
- It’s reasonably priced
- Compact and easy to travel with
- Worldwide base map
- It’s waterproof and can even float on water
- Wireless sharing with users of the same device
- Built-in compass
- You can load more maps through the MicroSD Card Slot
- The batteries can last for almost 2 days
Cons
- Complaints about the poor customer support offered by Garmin these days is quite disconcerting
- The screen is rather small
- The mapping options are limited and don’t allow the user to input their own maps
- The setup is not easy
Get more bang for your buck with this rugged and waterproof unit. The screen is 2.2inch monochrome, and it’s got built-in worldwide base map. It offers fast positioning and signal detection and is WAAS enabled with GLONASS and HotFix support.
Geocaching abilities include GPX file downloading with paperless and wireless coordinate detail input. It’s AA batteries can withstand up to 20 hours of non-stop usage, and it’s ideal for any kind of kayak activity. It also has a whopping 3.7 GB of internal memory and an option to increase that memory with a MicroSD card slot that can take up to 32GB memory capacity.
You can also connect this to your laptop or PC via USB, to export waypoints, routes, and tracks, but you’ll have to download the BaseCamp software to your computer for it to communicate smoothly with the device.
Pros
- Super affordable
- Rugged and waterproof design
- Hardwearing and long lasting
- Worldwide base map
- Clear signal and optimal positioning
- Paper-free geocaching
- Easily tracks GPS and GLONASS satellites at the same time
Cons
- Small screen display
- The setup can be difficult for new GPS users
The DeLorme tracker is one of the safest and most decorated devices on the market. Among the features, you’ll find worldwide coverage courtesy of the Iridium satellite network, access to a 24/7 SOS search and rescue monitoring center and 2-way texting to any email addresses or cell number in the world, through inReach SE.
The Explore web portal allows you to view past maps on the DeLorme topographic map, prepare for your journey and share it with your loved ones on the go through social media, and get 24 to 72-hour weather prediction complete with temperature, winds and precipitation forecast.
You can connect your smartphone to the device via Bluetooth using Earthmate app which is compatible with iOS and Android devices. Loved ones can track your location at any time to access your GPS coordinates and elevation level through the app. All this is supported by a monthly service plan ranging from $12 to $100 depending on the features you use on the device.
Pros
- You can have peace of mind kayaking into remote areas, knowing that you have access to a 24/7 SOS search and rescue unit through 2-way inReach texting
- You can quickly recharge the built-in battery using solar power, and a regular wall charger or car charger will work just as well
- Provides strong signal in remote areas and difficult weather conditions
- Access to 72-hour weather prediction service including forecasts for the wind, precipitation, and expected temperatures
- Accurate tracking every 10 minutes to 4 hours at affordable rates
- Share your trip on social media through Explore web portal
Cons
- The device does not update as expected
- Setup and activation takes a VERY long time
- Small screen
- Customer service could use some improvement
- It’s not waterproof
- It’s quite bulky and is not travel-friendly like their units
Wading on the Water..
Well, there you have it! An assortment of the best GPS devices that you can use when you’re on your kayak. From long battery life to geocaching, waterproof and durable design with WAAS capabilities, we’ve made your selection that much easier. Just be sure to pay attention to the combination of features in each device, and don’t be swayed by the bells and whistles. Always go for a unit that works best for your application and budget, and keep it simple if need be. All the best and have fun out there!