which GPS units are the best for icefishing?

[cbrooks]

Looking at getting a GPS handheld unit this year. Thinking of getting a H2O, it seems to be the unit that most people use.

[S.D. Ice Angular]

That is what I have,

But I would look towards the next generation from Lowrance.

[PerchJerker]

I think the Lowrance i-Finders like the H2Oc still lead the way. With LakeMaster and Navionics they have the best mapping options for lakes in this part of the country, and they're priced right.

Garmin makes great GPS units and has some good mapping options, but I still prefer the mapping options for the Lowrance units.

The next generation of Lowrance units is called the Endura series and is available now, but it has no mapping options for fishing at this time. They are designed more for the hiking and geocaching crowd than they are for fisherman.

You can check out various GPS models HERE

[EsaysFISHON]

You didn't mention budget at all. I would consider how much information you want in your hand, and if you will be using it for any other time of the year along with how you will be using it. Being a "weekend warrior", I bought a Garmin Etrex series (Venture) handheld unit about 5-6 years ago specifically for marking spots, both fishing and hunting, and it has served me well.It was a lower end model at the time I bought it for $179--you can get a lot more for that amount now than I did. I cant put a chip in it or download contour maps, so it really serves as a directional, speedometer, and waypoint marker for me and it has never failed. Runs on two AA batteries and I can get about three 8 hour excursions out of the lithium batteries before needing new--though I have now switched to rechargeables and they last my day out in the water or in the woods as weel. Have fun shopping and good luck on the hardwater! -E-

[SP180]

It is really nice with the H20 while ice fishing to find fishing spots just by the contour lines on the detailed maps. I think that he H20 is the best for that. If you can spring for the extra money, the color unit is worth it. I only use the b/w since it works for me. Remember the lake map chips will add another 100 dollars to the end cost. There are a few other models that others use and they like, but not as wide spread as the H2O users out there.

[Ed Carlson]

The Garmin Dakota 20 would be one I would recommend you also look at, get some hands on time with it in a store. The 20 combines features like microSD card slot, 3 axis compass and a high sensitivity antenna all behind a 2.6" sunlight viewable touch screen display. Very easy to use. Very similar to the Oregon series yet is is a bit more reasonably priced than the Origon. $349

The Dakota 10 series is $299 The primary difference between the two models is the 20 has the SD/MMC chip capability, and the 10 would require DVD map uploads to install extra mapping.

The Oregon series has many models and price points. All the way up to the Oregon 550 that also has a digital camera built into it. Oregon also have the ability to share points and routs wirelessly with other Oregon units.

The 550 T is very KEWL!

And if your really want to jump on the Garmin fan club, the new Nüvifone™ G60 ...man...that is loaded.

[Riich]

I bought the new Lowrance Out&Back a month or so ago, and have been playing with it quite a bit. I'm impressed. I've never used the H2O so I have nothing to compare it to, except for a Garmin Etrex Legend I despised and gave to my son.

This thing is incredibly easy to use. The touch screen is awesome, it is ten times faster marking and labeling waypoints compared to the Etrex. I use a couple of different GPS units at work, and every time I came back to the Etrex I couldn't remember how to use the darn thing, which was frustrating. This unit is so easy to operate that you can quicly figure everything out without hardly even looking at the manual. Another big plus for the Out&Back is labeling your waypoints, you can use a ton of characters, and then you also have another window to add notes for each waypoint if you so desire.

The one downside: Navionics doesn't make the micro SD chips yet, not sure if Lakemaster does either. But if they haven't started on them, they will very soon. It appears all these units are getting smaller and going with the micros.

Oh, and the Out&Back price tag: $199.

[cbrooks]

My budget is pretty flexible I'm just looking for quality mainly. The Garmin Dakota series looks pretty cool. I was thinking that the bigger the screen the better it would be for ice fishing so the contour lines don't run together. Thanks for the input.

[Ed Carlson]

Garmin will run LakeMaster, NDTRAX, MNTRAX, MTTRAX, and Garmin mapping software. Will not run Navionics....yet.

It will also work seamlessly with Google Earth, and Google Earth Pro...the Pro edition is really handy.

[LeeMB]

I guide on Lake Winnipeg and the Red river in Manitoba. Which unit has the best lake map for this area? I have been looking at the Standard Horizon. I believe it handles the "C" maps which are supposed to be good for this area. I know a lot of you fish up here and I was wondering which units worked best for you.

[Northlander]

I have the H2Oc and it has been great for fishing both on ice and in the boat. I like being able to switch out from Navionics to Lakemaster chips at any time.

[Ed Carlson]

I guide on Lake Winnipeg and the Red river in Manitoba. Which unit has the best lake map for this area? I have been looking at the Standard Horizon. I believe it handles the "C" maps which are supposed to be good for this area. I know a lot of you fish up here and I was wondering which units worked best for you.

Lee..So far..C-Maps is the only handy format that will do you much good on the lake and the river. The Standard Horizon units do well with that...economical units right now too if you shop around on the net.

But..."somebody" is working on that...and that might change soon.

[crappiebuster]

I run a Lowrance Xog touchscreen with the Navionics North Chip in it. Nice little rig for under 200 dollars. Nice for the car too has preprogrammed points of intrest and it talks to ya. Sometimes to much.

[USDA3]

I haven't had my hand on any of the touch screen GPS units, but it concerns me about use on the ice in the winter. Things never work the same and i'd rather have a button to press, especially with gloves on. That being said, I haven't hand one in hand?????

[KG243]

USDA3 I am with you on the touch screen, another thing to break! I like the buttons!

[Ed Carlson]

Buttons are more prone to failure in a cold and wet environment than a touch screen, that is why they are going that way now. Every button is a point where moisture and cold can penetrate a unit, fewer points the better.

Modern touch displays are a far cry from problematic LCD screens of the past.

[LeeMB]

Thanks for the response Mr. Carlson. Hope to meet you out there one day!

Lee

[Kirsch]

Sorry, hope this doesn't go too long. It all depends on what you want to use it for besides icefishing. I agree with Ed that touchscreens are becoming the new rage. The only catch to using a touchscreen is it doesn't work with gloves (but buttons don't too well either) and some of the newer Garmin touchscreens are not as bright as the non-touch such as a 60CSx.

Lowrance is known for their fishing units but Garmin is still the king of the handheld for the all-around sportsman.

To reply to some of the comments, XOG is a nice all around but hard to find as they were discontinued by Lowrance.

I do like automotive units but I will admit I haven't taken one out in brutal weather. The Garmin 500 is a nice waterproof cross-over GPS but I haven't tried it in sub 0 temps. A unit like this can be used in your vehicle and outside your vehicle with a bigger touchscreen, replaceable battery, and topo of the entire US.

For handhelds, the h20s are being clearanced in lots of places with the new Enduras out. The Endura is not compatible with any additional mapping at this point, so not a good option for now.

For Garmins at a reasonable price, I would choose either the 60CSx or the Oregon 300 (if land topo isn't needed) and the 400T if it is.

Also don't forget to buy a TRAX map from the Outdoors Store so you have a fishing, hunting, hiking, traveling, camping and more map for ND, MN, MT, and WY.

[gogophers]

Anyone have a Oregon with lakemaster chip? Likes/dislikes? Preferred over an H2O with lakemaster?

[erickol]

OK guys, I am trying to basically figure out the same answer to a similar question, but my base knowledge of GPS units is just about zero.

is there a primer somewhere here on the forum on the rock bottom basics of what types of units there are and what the gradations are from least useful most useful on the ice.

I'm looking for a handheld, ability to add a lakemaps chip, black and white ok, good price

[Kirsch]

My fingers would get a cramp if I typed up all I would need to cover potential options. There are too many variables to give you a standard answer. I have helped hundreds/thousands of people find GPS units and buy maps. Of course, I am biased on the maps you should buy as I own a GPS mapping company. If you want some advice, give me a call sometime at 701-261-9017. Korey (kirsch)

[deadeye]

^well, from what your asking the h20 (the regular one) fits what your asking for to a T.

Its a good basic unit that has the ability to run lakemaster/navionics ect. The chips for the lowrance are sold everywhere. It is pretty cheap @ 170$. Its durable. Its waterproof and floats (stuff tends to slip out of hands and go straight for the hole so floating and waterproof are big) Its easy to use. The batteries last longer than the color one and its easier to see in daylight without having the light on.

Hope that helps. There are a bunch of them out there. The best thing to do is to head to a store and hold each in your own hands and test them out. Thats the only way to really know what will work for you.

I personally own three in different brands (Garmin nuvi 500, etrex and h20c) and my lowrance is the one that goes ice fishing with me.

When I pick out a gps I also look at what is the easiest to get accesories for. Its great to have a nice unit, but if stuff isnt available for it the its a bummer. Find a couple you like and see if you can get extra stuff for it easily (i.e. lakemaster/navionics cards, mounting brackets ect).

[Woody61]

Well, I just bought a Nuvi 205w online tonight, lakemaster says it takes all their chips and the unit had very high customers rating vs plenty of not so great ratings for the h2oc(dying aftr a year not picking up satelites.