MNTRAX GPS chip

[Dozer]

Anyone have one of these chips? Looks like it has alot of lakes on it, but only 5' contours. Plus alot of other usefull stuff.

[Ed Carlson]

I would keep a sharp eye out for some sweet SHORT TIME deals on Garmin GPS units in the next few weeks. Units that latest Kewl features, and will work seamlessly with the New NDTRAX and MNTRAX cards.

You may find some great units for $200..or less.

[Fishing Realtor]

I don't know, Rick - I just got back from So Dak covering an expansive part of the state and seeing all the Walk-In areas, WMA's, WPA's, School Land, Refuges, etc. was extremely helpful. Agreed that it might not have the all the "extras" the TRAX offers; but just thought I'd point out what a great job the SD Fish & Game did with this application. It's definitly something we should start asking our DNR to be more proactive about...can't be too difficult with today's technology.

[S.D. Ice Angular]

I love my MNTRAX Chip!!

[nits]

Got my update, upgrade? MNTRAX chip, well worth it. Ten times the old chip! Thanks Kirsch.

[Mike Stark]

just ordered mine...look foward to using out there on the ice

[Kirsch]

Thanks for all the comments and glad to know the update is working out. Good luck hunting and fishing.

[Mike Stark]

hey kirsch.....if i just ordered one it all updated and ready to go...right?

[tbone4]

Sorry to join in on this topic late, but I was looking at getting a handheld gps for ice fishing mostly. I don't know much about gps's. I was looking to spend $200-300. Which one would you most recommend? Also, what is the difference between the MNTRAX chip and the Lakemaster chip? Which would you prefer? Basically, I'm looking for some guidance on this topic and was hoping you all could help. Thank you for your help!

[Kirsch]

My last update was just prior to Thanksgiving, so yes anything going out since then will have the updates.

Tbone: I am going to be biased of course as I own Kirsch's Outdoor Products which produces MNTRAX so my take will be a bit slanted.

GPS Units:

If you will be using it solely for ice fishing, a unit like a iFinder H20C would be fine. I would recommend the Lowrance XOG but they have been discontinued now. Again the key is if it is for fishing only. This isn't a very good truck GPS and is a very basic handheld unit. I realize you can use it for any activity but it is not nearly as good as many others if you are looking for an all-around unit.

Now, if you want to use it hunting, fishing, traveling with extensive use in a vehicle, I would recommend a Garmin Nuvi 500. This is a cross-over GPS. It will have a color touch screen, detailed road maps of the entire US, included topo maps of the entire US, best battery life of a automotive style GPS, and to top it all off, it is waterproof. This can be used for travel, fishing, and hunting. This would be my choice and you can find them on sale anywhere from about $225 to $250 so right in your price range.

If you want a Garmin Handheld, I would lean towards the 60CSx, or Oregon 300 or 400 depending on if you need topo included or not.

LakeMaster or MNTRAX: LakeMaster is a fishing solution only. They have a few maps that include fishing plus some basic features such as some of the WMAS in Minnesota but you are mainly buying fishing maps. The base price of LakeMaster is higher than MNTRAX and MNTRAX updates each year for only $20 per year.

MNTRAX is an all-around sportsman solution. It has more total MN lakes than LakeMaster but LakeMaster has LOW for instance and MNTRAX does not. MNTRAX maps are all 5 foot contours while LakeMaster has some in 1 foot contours. MNTRAX has roads, trails, public lands including WPA, WMA, State Forests, State Parks, National Parks, BLM, Tax Forfeit Land, section lines, township, range, and section numbers, hunting trails, hiking trails, and much more. It is designed for more than just fishing but helps with fishing as well with lake contours for over 1000 lakes.

So, bottom line is if you fish LOW and some of the lakes LakeMaster has in 1 foot contours, then it is probably the right solution for you. If you fish, hunt, travel, hike and do lots of outdoor activities, then MNTRAX is probably right for you. I have lots of customers who buy MNTRAX for most of their outdoor adventures and then for instance buy the LOW map for Lake Master. I want to make sure sportsman have what will help them the most. I hope this has helped.

[DTro]

If I understand correctly, doesn't the MNTrax use the DNR data for the lake contours and the LakeMaster uses their own (or third party) data?

The reason I ask is because some of the DNR contour on lakes is quite a bit different than the LakeMaster stuff.

Also the LM includes all the road maps, I don't think that was mentioned.

Seems like if you do any type of hunting at all, the MNTrax is the way to go.

[tbone4]

Thank you very much for the in-depth reply Kirsch. I am still researching and trying to decide which gps and chip to go with. I do like that MNTRAX has all the WMA's and other features, but I like that Lakemaster has LOW and Upper Red on it (I don't think I saw it on MNTRAX, unless I'm mistaken). Again, thank you for being very helpful!

[Kirsch]

dtro: From what I have been told for the majority of the MN lakes, LakeMaster uses the DNR data as the base data. However, I have have also been told for some of the 1 foot contour lakes, they have had the lakes resurveyed. MNTRAX does use the DNR data and some lakes are good and some are dated.

Tbone4: You are correct MNTRAX doesn't include those two lakes but it does have many lakes that LakeMaster does not especially for the smaller lakes. As dtro mentions, one is mainly a fishing map, and the other is an all-around sportsman map with a lot more different map elements. If you hunt, there is simply nothing better and the fishing, hiking, roads, trails and everything else is a bonus.

[Scoot]

dtro, as I understand it some of the 3' contour maps from LM also involved their own or 3rd party data collection. I could be wrong, but that's what I've been told.

Regarding the accuracy of the MNTRAX data on lakes, I've been using Kirsh's product for quite a few years and I've been impressed with it. I have to admit that the 1' contours of the LM maps is incredible, but I only fish one lake that has this level of detail with any regularity. All of Kirsh's maps are the best option I've found for the other waters I fish (except LOW, I do exactly what Kirsh referred to in a previous post on LOW).

Also, LM is not very helpful for hunting applications, like mentioned above. I've got MN and ND products from Kirsh and they are both awesome! Anyone who hunts pheasants, ducks, deer, or most critters would benefit from both of these products a bunch.

I have noticed one big problem with the NDTRAX product- when I'm out West hunting muleys, I've found that the really big bucks end up 200-400 yards onto the private land. Kirsch, is there anything you can do to move the boundaries over 1/4 mile so I can put a sneak on these big boys?

In all seriousness, the scenerio above has played itself out several times. I've been forced to leave these bedded bucks alone, because they are on posted, private land. However, many times the land is not posted well back in the boonies, when I can access it from the side that doesn't have a road. Putting a sneak on these deer could end VERY UGLY! Although it would be an innocent mistake, I'd be on posted property, would face a ticket and fine, and could even lose my license. Man, that would stink. NDTRAX has shown me several times that a deer I thought would be accessible is untouchable. Although unfortunate, it's a wonderful thing to keep my butt out of trouble...

Long story short, MNTRAX and NDTRAX have been great products for me and I've been really happy with them. I'm not getting paid a nickel to say that either...