We find the Magellan 5000 with its vintage mid-90’s handheld GPS technology which includes a with full keyboard for manually entering waypoints to be far superior than anything found on the GPS handheld market today.
All mariners need paper charts for reliability, however cruisers like me are not into supporting software and electronic chart research and development by purchasing overpriced units that display everything in living color—a monochromatic screen that displays a simple line to follow is not only all that is necessary—it is preferred by many mariners.
So that a user is able to quickly enter manual waypoints, create a route, and nimbly switch between routes and waypoints as needed, an ideal unit would have a minimum number of features.
The vast majority of features in current GPS units are frivolous and unnecessary, in my opinion. We would like to be able to find a new unit that just does the primary job of navigation and nothing more.
At this time, we have two Magellan 5000’s and a Trimble Navtrac system. We use both with ease and find them totally reliable. Any experienced marine navigator will tell you that you still need paper charts even if your boat is equipped with electronics charting capabilities.
Capt. Mitch Witt, m.e., SAMS Accredited Marine Survey