What Handheld GPS should I get?

[gurkster]

Hi,

I am looking to get a new handheld GPS to use for hunting and ice-fishing. May use on the boat too, but not a priority. What does everyone suggest? I have mostly been looking at GARMIN and LOWRANCE H2O's. I would want to be able to use one of the Lake Chips, and/or MNTRAX. Is it worth the extra $ for color or is b/w ok? Thank you all in advance for your thoughts.

[CatchPhotoFilet]

I have the lowrance expedition C good for hunting and fishing and it works great! I think color is worth it, nice bright screen makes it a lot easier to read.

[fishhuntwork]

I love my H2o, I do not have a color one. I don't think its necessary. My vote would be for the H2o.

[sonic]

My first post, but this one hit a chord with me. I HIGHLY recommend the Garmin GPSmap 60CSx. This product is among the best pieces of equipment I've ever bought for any reason. Very well built for the woods/field/snow, water proof to a few feet, color, excellent antenna (even works indoors), built in lunar calender, and maybe most importantly it is incredibly intuitive to use. Oh, and the buttons are spread out enough to navigate with gloves on. This thing was built for the outdoorsman. Wouldn't change a thing. Buy one, thank me later.

[croixflats]

Welcome aboard sonic you going to fit in nicely with this great bunch of people.

I say go for Garmin I have the Garmin 76csx essentially the same as the 60 with a few more bells and whistles. IMO Garmin is the best out there they have being the GPS for a long time and there quality is unsurpassed, I have yet to see a problem with a Garmin Mentioned on this forum. They have a huge line to choose from.

I am not familiar that of MNTRAX so I'm not sure the compatibility to hand held GPS units. The Garmin does except a LakeMaster but as now not navionics but Lowrance accepts both.

With the options out there for GPS units it is tough to decide and you came to the right spot for answers.

For more great answers contact ProFishingSupply.com and Dave can help you out also. Thats where I go for all my electronic needs for fishing. He may chime in here later give some realy good insight on GPS units.

[Dellfin]

I haven't had the opportunity to use the Garmin's, which seem to be popular here. But, I own the Lowrance H2o and am very happy with it. Get a few chips for your favorite lakes and you're good to go. Wished the batteries lasted longer and/or you could recharge them vs. replacing, but other than that I'm very happy with the H2o.

[Brade4]

Garmin or Lowerance

[B-man715]

If you hunt with bird dogs or hounds look into the GarminAstro with the dc-30.

Best thing since beer!!!!!!!

[guntar]

I currently own a Lowrance Expedition C. I think that the color screen is absolutely worth the extra money. MNTRAX and the rest of the line of xxTRAX can be used with either Garmin or Lowrance and those chips are awesome. I have some friends that use the Garmin 60CSx and that unit is really nice, in fact that is the unit I would recommend. Some of it will come down to minor details and personal preference, but I think if you buy a nice unit of either brand you will be happy. Spend some time playing with both in the store, or borrow one from a friend before you make your final decision. Good luck!

[woody1975]

H20C is awesome in any light - the 2009 chip is great for fishing. I use it for deer hunting too!

DL

[Tom7227]

Garmin has the new Oregon series. It's pricey, but the part that seems nice is the ability to download stuff wireless. I can't be sure but you also may be able to download maps directly off the computer as well. My gripe is the fact that you have to plunk down bucks for the mapping software with all of them, and then it never gets updated cause they write up a new program and want more money for it. Every GPS I've had uses different software and different actions to download stuff and it is a PITA to try and remember how to do it. I'd pay bucks just to avoid that hassle. The guy at ProSupply here on FM is great for answering questions and his prices are as good or better than many other places. Check with him for sure if you're going to buy.

[OutlawTorn]

I will second (third?) the Garmin products, specifically the 60 Cx or CsX or the 76 CsX. All of these have the updated antenna that can revceive a signal in the thickest of the thick - even in a valley.

I have had hunting companions with some of the others mentioned and they have had trouble getting signal when mine was loud and clear. Nice thing to have happen when you're lost...

Plus, much of the mapping software out there works on the Garmins and their proprietary stuff is good too.

[dan z]

If your just hunting I would go with any lowrance product. I have a expededtionC I have had it for a few years and it has helped me when needed. I love the fact that the software is cheaper and easier to find at retial stores. I used to sell these things at a local sports store and the lowrance models sold better than the garmin.

IMO the lowrance units were easier to use right out of the box!

[Kirsch]

Garmins have the best antenna. They are also more widely adopted with more GPS options. Lowrance rules the fishing industry and has a huge following in the Upper Midwest but not nearly as much in other parts of the US. If I was going to use it mainly for fishing, I would consider a Lowrance. If using it for hunting, fishing, traveling, etc, then I would go with Garmin.

Handheld:

Garmin 60CSx or Oregon 300 (400T if needing topo)

Automotive:

Garmin Nuvi Series (tons to choose from). Very reasonable but designed to be vehicle use only

CrossOver:

Garmin Nuvi 500: Automotive GPS which is waterproof, has replaceable internal battery, and topo included.

Maps:

The nice thing about the Nuvi 500 is you get automatically a full set of road and topo maps included. Top this or any of the other GPS units with MNTRAX and you will have fishing, hunting, and hiking covered for only $80 and you can stay updated for only $20 whenever you wish to update. If you do decide to go with a Lowrance, MNTRAX is still the best option to cover your mapping needs so you don't have to keep spending $100+ every year or couple of years.

[BobT]

When it comes to GPS Garmin will outdo Lowrance. When it comes to sonar, Lowrance is better. That's where they concentrate more of their efforts.

For my Garmin I use MNLakemaster for my lake contours and am very pleased. I use USTopo that provides land contours for hunting. I will say that USTopo is not as complete as it could be. I use USRoads&Rec for traveling.

[wplatehunter]

I love my H2o, I do not have a color one. I don't think its necessary. My vote would be for the H2o.

I agree. They work great for ice fishing and hunting, but the small screen is hard to read moving in a boat.

[fr0sty]

I like my garmin 60csx. I use these free mn topo maps.

http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/153/

[BoxMN]

I posted a note in the Equipment forum about the Navionics iPhone app ($9.99) that those who have iphones might want to look at. I gotta say, I am darned impressed so far, especially for the price.

Otherwsie we have h20 and it works well.

[Bowfin]

I am looking at either a Garmin 76csx or Oregon 400T

It sounds like you can position a scanned map or I suppose an aerial photo on google earth and load it on an Oregon. This would be cool.

Concerns I have with the Oregon:

1. $$

2. I've heard they have a different receiver than the CSX and may not be as precise?

3. I do some forestry and property pin locating. The 76csx has a waypoint averaging feature which allow more precision on taking waypoints - not sure Oregon has this feature.

4. When navigating to a waypoint will the Oregon give you an azimuth and distance in feet to the waypoint? This is important in precisly placing a waypoint on the ground.

5. How does screen visibilty compare between the units in sunlight?

Can anyone comment on the above concerns? I've e-mailed Garmin twice with no reply.

Thanks

[BobT]

I haven't had opportunity to see the CSx outdoors too often but the few times I have, I was impressed. It seemed to be easy to read.

Is there some place local where you might be able to take one outside on a sunny day and have a look before you buy it?