Not your normal Garmin vs Lowrance post....

[beretta]

Hey guys Im looking to update my Garmin 12 GPS from like 1995 lol. I want something with the lake master map on it. What unit would you get AND WHY? I dont want to know who has what, I want to know what kind you would get. If you have one, what FEATURES you like about and if there are any negatives or issues you dont like. **Also for you guides and "experts" that are sponsored by a company please post that information**

Thanks for your advice!

[hovermn]

I have a Garmin 276 and love it! The screen is big enough to see a ton of detail per screen shot, and the refresh rate is pretty much instant when zooming in or moving around on the screen. A buddy of mine has the H20 and the refresh rate is ridiculous! The Lake Master chip has been fine, and I'll probably upgrade to the latest chip this year.

Battery life with the Lith-ion pack is super long, pushing 10-12 hours depending on screen brightness. The color screen is extremely clear with the TFT display. This unit is also a chart plotter, so it's already a marine unit. The screens are completely adaptable to your preferences. It's also built to be used as an auto-GPS, with all of the bells and whistles found on anything else made just for the car.

I owned the Garmin 176C which is similar to this unit, but very dated. The 276 is one heck of a unit for the price. If there's only one thing you should know is that this thing refreshes so darn fast. End of story.

[mn_bowhunter]

I like my lowrance expedition. I like the barometer, electronic compass, accuracy with canopy cover, and ability to use either lakemaster or navionics. I don't like the poor battery life. It is rated for 12 hours at normal use, but I have yet to get above 4 hours of use.

[Esox_Magnum]

I like my lowrance expedition. I like the barometer, electronic compass, accuracy with canopy cover, and ability to use either lakemaster or navionics. I don't like the poor battery life. It is rated for 12 hours at normal use, but I have yet to get above 4 hours of use.

Same as bowhunter but I use mine with the cord and energizer lithiums and only go through a few sets a year.Week long trip on Vermilion I had no way to plug it in went through 3 sets that week. Fishing in the winter 1 set lasts all season, only need it on to get where your going and sometimes get back.

[Ed Carlson]

Although I am a guide and often refereed to as a "Know it all"...I am not sponsored by any GPS company Garmin or otherwise, so take what I offer..or leave it.

I would personally recommend Garmin as that is what I use and trust. If I didn't like it, I wouldn't use it..straight up.

I use Garmin 530 Hcx's. They have 3 separate radio bands to operate on in 2/5 watts GMRS/FMS with scan and security functions, and a third radio band for weather alerts and weather news...and a high functioning acurate easy to use color gps. It will run TRAX, LakeMaster, and Garmin maps. Long life 16-18 hour rechargeable Lithium Ion battery pack, and very durable. A great multinational field GPS/Radio with lots of peripheral cool tools that come in handy. I like them a lot, saved my butt more than once so far. No plans to part with any of them, like them too much.

That said, I also have my eye on a new Garmin Oregon, and will likely in time add one in the 500 series. Only weak point I find is it does not have the same longevity of battery life as I am used to with my Rhino's. I would have to purchase a separate Lith-Ion pack to get near the battery longevity I would wish...so it could be overcome.

I would recommend you hit the Garmin web site and U-Tube...tons of independent product reviews on U-Tube on all the new models. Garmins web site will give you direct comparisons and features, so that will help too.

Garmin has a lot of new mapping tools out now, be sure to research what models will be able to use them. Basically, you can build your own maps now...preaty darn nifty.

Lots of options and models to fit your needs, just do some comparisons and research.

[MuleShack]

Ed,

If I remember correctly you have some affiliation with GM.

I was looking on their web site for a 520 or 530 and they dont have them listed. Do they carry them in the stores? Why not online?

My H20 conked out and am also in the market for a new one. The oregons and colorados are a little steep on price but the 520 was decent for a rugged model.

[Ed Carlson]

Yes I also work for Gander as a Fishing Specialist..AKA.."Know it all"... in Fargo. Most stores carry the Rino series including the 520 and 530 HCx. Not sure why they don't have them on-line?

Watch for rebates on them, check the Garmin rebate page. Rebates are out there now for Oregon's too I believe? On the net I have seen the Rhino HCx 530 as low as $386 new.

The 520 does not have data card Micro SD capability's, you must unlock and upload and download them from a computer to load the maps and work with your trails. Actually it is not a hassle to do but the convenience of the micro-SD is worth it and your storage of memory is greatly expanded with the 530 HCx. I had a 520 when they fist came out and decided to get the 530 Hcx when they came out largely due to that.

A handy feature in the 530 HCx, and any model Garmin X series, is they are there own card readers, so if you wish to burn or build maps on blank micro sd's, you can just with the provided hot wire and your computer.

I buy the blank SD/MMC converter chips, they can be used in all Garmin chip capable units that way. That way I have the capability to also use them in a NUVI or Garmin marine sonar/gps unit. All handheld GPS units will be headed to micro Sd's, so the converter chips is a wise buy. I can use them in my camera, MP3 player...ect..versatile.

All this said the most common negative point on the Rino series in any reviews you will read is the size of the display.

The new Oregon series is far larger, and touch screen and that is indeed very nice if a primary use GPS is your goal.

I have found for a working GPS the size of the Rino display is not much of a hindrance to me personalty, the multi-use it offers me far offsets that for me.

Hope this is useful.

[BobT]

Can't add too much to Ed's post but I'll try. I have been using a Garmin Rino120 for about 5 years. I can tell you from personal experience they are rugged!

I dropped it from my deer stand (16' feet up) onto a rock pile and it came up ticking. I dropped it in a lake and fished it out of 5 feet of water and it came up ticking. I had it clipped on my belt while ATV riding and knocked it off while working to get unstuck from mud. Dug around in the mud, found it, took it to a nearby clean, well cleaner, water hole and rinsed it off. Good as new.

It finally gave up when I fell on it while ice fishing, which gives me an opportunity to say that their service has been excellent.

If I were in the market for an all-around GPS to replace my Rino120 I would choose the Garmin GPSMap76Csx. I've got friends that own these and I am very impressed. The color screen is easy to see in daylight. It has top-notch receivers and finds satellites at super fast speed. It includes the card reader and electronic compass.

And finally, Garmin's accuracy is second to none that I have experienced. My Rino120 often displays accuracy to within 7 feet or less.

Ed referenced the Mapsource mapping software for your PC. I have USTopo, US Roads and Recreation, and MN Lakemaster and I like them. If I was to complain about any of them it would be that they don't offer reduced rate or free upgrades. The only way to upgrade to the newer maps is to buy the newer revision software at full price.

[broman]

I just picked up a Garmin Oregon 200 this weekend. I have been using a B/W H20 (which I'm selling BTW). My cousin and father in law have the Lowrance XOG and H2OC. So, I have had a chance to tinker and work with all of them. In my opinion the Garmin refresh rate is the best while the H20C is the slowest. The XOG works well, but you can't replace batteries and I didn't like the response of the touch screen. Seemed to be off a bit. The screen refresh on the B/W H2O works very well.

My favorite thing about the Garmin is the touch screen. I do miss the pages button (I think that's the one) on the H2O that allowed me to scroll around and see the areas around me and then switch to back to my current position. I also miss being able to figure out the distance from one point to another on the Garmin Oregon 200 (Unless I just haven haven't found that option yet) Perhaps the other Oregon or Dakota units have more bells and whistles and have those features.

One really cool feature on the Garmin Oregon series is the ability to take an arial picture (I used pics from Google and from the DNR lakefinder site) and over lay it on top of an area and upload it to your unit. It lets you see that pic of the area while navigating. You can use it to add your own contours of a lake from the DNR site if you don't have a LakeMaster chip or if your lake is not on the LakeMaster chip. Contours might not match up exactly to the lakes real contours, but would at least help get you close. You can also store regular pictures on it. This is where you could download and save pics of the lake contours just for viewing (not using the overlay feature).

[KG243]

I just picked up a Garmin Oregon 200 this weekend. I have been using a B/W H20 (which I'm selling BTW). My cousin and father in law have the Lowrance XOG and H2OC. So, I have had a chance to tinker and work with all of them. In my opinion the Garmin refresh rate is the best while the H20C is the slowest. The XOG works well, but you can't replace batteries and I didn't like the response of the touch screen. Seemed to be off a bit. The screen refresh on the B/W H2O works very well.

My favorite thing about the Garmin is the touch screen. I do miss the pages button (I think that's the one) on the H2O that allowed me to scroll around and see the areas around me and then switch to back to my current position. I also miss being able to figure out the distance from one point to another on the Garmin Oregon 200 (Unless I just haven haven't found that option yet) Perhaps the other Oregon or Dakota units have more bells and whistles and have those features.

One really cool feature on the Garmin Oregon series is the ability to take an arial picture (I used pics from Google and from the DNR lakefinder site) and over lay it on top of an area and upload it to your unit. It lets you see that pic of the area while navigating. You can use it to add your own contours of a lake from the DNR site if you don't have a LakeMaster chip or if your lake is not on the LakeMaster chip. Contours might not match up exactly to the lakes real contours, but would at least help get you close. You can also store regular pictures on it. This is where you could download and save pics of the lake contours just for viewing (not using the overlay feature).

HOw much do you want for B/W h2o?

[MuleShack]

I spent part of the afternoon doing some research and comparison between units and decided on the Oregon 300.

I found one new online at a big box store for $368.00 and I should have it by Thursday. I'm assuming those new MNTrax Chips will work in this thing for finding public land boundaries etc.

[pulleye16]

GARMIN DAKOTA 10

The new Garmin Dakota series is awesome...AND CHEAP RIGHT NOW! The dakota 10 from Garmin only has internal memory but its at 850 MB. you can downlaod lakemaster from CD and they say it only uses around 200 +/- MB. It also take land topograghy, road and streets, and many other great features. It has touch screen, and amazing fast satelite reception. Most stores charge $299 for the unit alone...however, at Dick's right now, you can purachase the dakota bundle for $250 which inlcudes protective case and 100k topo map (retail for $107), plus you get $50 mail in rebate. Total package worth $450...what you spend $200. I love it so far have only heard nothing but great reviews on this product. Google search it then check out Dickssportingggods.

What I love: Download tons of maps, nice touch screen...not to sensitive, garmin works with google maps, very easy to use, fast satelite reception, nice color screen, VERY CHEAP!!

What I don't Like: No Electronic compass, no Card slot (does take downloads and has tons of memory), and I prefer Navionics over lakemaster but I couldn't go wrong with what I got for the price...

[kerryd15]

I bought a garmin 500. Gives you turn by turn directions, 8 hr battery, walking mode, biking, driving, and with the MICRO SD card install the lakemaster, boating mode, its also waterproof. The hardest part is getting the MICRO SD card. Shows roads and campground boat ramps. should be awesome for ice fishing and clip on the dash of the boat. Haven't played a lot with the biking and walking mode but it gives topo map and as the crow flies distance in those modes.

[broman]

$125

KG243, email sent.

[beretta]

Thanks for all the replies guys. So far they have been a big help. Does anyone else have experience with the Garmin Dakota? Sounds like a pretty good deal at Dick's. Also has anyone tried the new lowrance line? Sounds like Garmin is the name to have, but thought I would see if anyone has anything from lowrance besides the H2O. Also can someone explain this photo overlay deal Garmin has? I think I have the idea but not sure....can anyone dumb it down a bit? Thanks again!

[Kirsch]

New Lowrance Line:Do not use the new Lowrance line called the Endura if you wish to use any additional maps as 3rd party maps even Navionics and Lake Master are not working in these units. This may change in 6+ months but it has been a very slow process up to now. I also prefer Garmin to Lowrance.

Overlays:The Oregon series does allow the ability for a person to take an image (whatever it may be) and georeference this. All this means is to take an image and provide the necessary GPS data to allow the GPS to know what to do with this so it display and scales it properly. There are tricks to using Google Earth and other tools. It is a nice feature but really only for a very small area. Also keep in mind these images will be rasterized so when you zoom, either you will need to have a mega huge file to start with so when you zoom inside of 1-2 miles it isn't all blurry, or you will use smaller files and it will look OK at 50 miles but horrible when you zoom in. Same thing applies to satellite images as this is a nice option for maybe a section or 2 of land but not for a county, region, state, or country. For anyone trying to do this for a lake contour, I would simply recommend buying MNTRAX where you will get 1,000 MN lakes, roads, trails,lands, tax forfeit lands, wma, wpas, refuges, forests, parks, section lines, township, range, and section numbers, campgrounds, and more for only $79.

For when to use an overlay, the best example I can give is if you want to hunt a section of land, you could get an aerial image of this land, have it added to your GPS in this method and you would be able to see this actual image on the GPS as you zoom to this area. Again, nice feature but not a wide scale option at this time. Would be nice to use in conjunction with MNTRAX as it would show you the public lands and the aerial of the area you would be hunting would actually show you the terrain itself.

MuleShack, yes MNTRAX works great with the Oregon series including 300. The only thing to set is under Setup - Map - Advanced Map Setup - Zoom Levels - Land Cover, set to 100 miles or higher.

Handhelds:Ed really likes the Rino series. For me, I would either buy a 60CSx or an Oregon 300 or 400T (if you needed topo) for a handheld. The other option as mentioned is the Nuvi 500 is a cross-over so you get the featuers of an automotive GPS but can use it in the boat or outside and not have to worry about it getting wet. I would either go with the 500, or get an inexpensive Nuvi (265 is nice) for the truck and one of the handhelds mentioned earlier for in the field. Just some thoughts.

Dakota:The Dakota is nice but the screen size is small, and the 10 doesn't take a chip. I realize it has a lot of internal memory but it is so much easier to simply pop in a memory card. The price difference typically isn't that much so I would go with the Oregon or 60CSx.

[beretta]

WOW! Thanks for all the help! It is great to see a post that isnt just a vote on what model is most popular! Nice to actually learn something! Im still researching, not sold on any for sure yet. Thanks again guys!

[beretta]

Havent heard anything about The Colorado? Bad unit or just not as popular?

[MuleShack]

Beretta,

I dont remember all the specs with the colorado, but if you go to Garmins web site you can click on an Oregon, Colorado, the 60HSx and have 4 or 5 units in a row for comparison. It will show each criteria and then what each unit has to offer in that criteria. This really helped me determine what I needed and what i didn't.

[Ed Carlson]

The Colorado is also a nice unit, chip friendly..plenty of user friendly features..ect..but what stole it's thunder was the introduction of the Oregon series with the large touch screen.

The touch screen is something once you go to it, it's kinda hard to go back to buttons...there just plain kewl.

Given a good deal on a Colorado, I would take it.

It's the GPS tracking feature and way point sharing feature on the Rhino's that is what keeps me loyal to them. They ability to track up to 50 other Rhino users on my GPS screen at the same time and share POI's or talk live with them instantly if I wish..it's the SWISS ARMY KNIFE of the GPS world...man that is nice.

But..(Santa if'n your read'n this)...I really want an Oregon 550. I'v been a good boy...mostly.

[Ed Carlson]

I spent part of the afternoon doing some research and comparison between units and decided on the Oregon 300.

I found one new online at a big box store for $368.00 and I should have it by Thursday. I'm assuming those new MNTrax Chips will work in this thing for finding public land boundaries etc.

Yup the MNTRAX is plug and play with the 300...you should love it. Good find at that price too...well done!

[can_cooler]

Can't add too much to Ed's post but I'll try. I have been using a Garmin Rino120 for about 5 years. I can tell you from personal experience they are rugged!

I dropped it from my deer stand (16' feet up) onto a rock pile and it came up ticking. I dropped it in a lake and fished it out of 5 feet of water and it came up ticking. I had it clipped on my belt while ATV riding and knocked it off while working to get unstuck from mud. Dug around in the mud, found it, took it to a nearby clean, well cleaner, water hole and rinsed it off. Good as new.

It finally gave up when I fell on it while ice fishing, which gives me an opportunity to say that their service has been excellent.

If I were in the market for an all-around GPS to replace my Rino120 I would choose the Garmin GPSMap76Csx. I've got friends that own these and I am very impressed. The color screen is easy to see in daylight. It has top-notch receivers and finds satellites at super fast speed. It includes the card reader and electronic compass.

And finally, Garmin's accuracy is second to none that I have experienced. My Rino120 often displays accuracy to within 7 feet or less.

Ed referenced the Mapsource mapping software for your PC. I have USTopo, US Roads and Recreation, and MN Lakemaster and I like them. If I was to complain about any of them it would be that they don't offer reduced rate or free upgrades. The only way to upgrade to the newer maps is to buy the newer revision software at full price.

From my experience with a Rhino 120 for about 5 years now, I don't know if I would go so far to say that thing is very rugged. For the last three years this thing won't stay on. With just the slightest bump, the unit powers down and all navigation is stopped. I can't tell you how irritating this can be when your making your way out to the secret fishing spot, look down, and see a blank screen. Or crashing through the brush after a few rough grouse, look down to get a bearing line or compass reading, and nothing. A good friend of mine has one and this issue started on his about a year before mine started to act up. And to make the contact point work a little better, he tried to pull the spring out a little and "pop", it broke. Needless to say, he only uses it on his motorcycle now where he can keep it plugged in.

After doing some research on this issue, it looks like there are some "backyard" fixes and I've tried a few of them with little results.

Now, maybe this issue has been fixed with a re-designed battery compartment on the newer units. I know with my frustration regarding this unit, I would have a hard time recommending any of the "Rhino" line. Just my 2 cents.

[deadeye]

^thats pretty much what happened to my etrex vista. I loved the thing but it decided to not stay on anymore. If its plugged in its ok but it wont work otherwise. Kinda bad after only 2 years. But what do you do.

Garmin does seem to have taken a step up in quality with the newer stuff and I cant wait till the integration of internet mapping into these. Being able to download a map in the field would be sweet. I like the features with google earth and overlays. The map software like mapsource does put mapcreate to shame too. Much better detail and much easier/ more intuitive to use.

[BobT]

After falling on mine and cracking the mother board...finally...I sent it in for repair/replacement for a fixed fee of $85.00. I thought that was reasonable compared to buying a new one. I had my replacement unit in less than a week completely reprogrammed with my software unlock codes. They managed to extract the waypoint, track, and route data from my damaged unit and load it to the replacement for me as well.

I must admit that the refurbished one I got did encounter that power problem you describe and when I called them about it they replaced it without charge despite the fact that I was already three months past the 90 day warranty on the refurbished unit. This is a couple examples of the quality service I have experienced.

Edit: To be honest, this is the first time I had heard of anyone else experiencing this power issue. My fishing partners all have used Garmin GPS units since 1997 including three that use GPSMap76, two that use GPSMap76CSx, one GPSMap60Csx, and one Etrex Legend.

[McGurk]

Wow, I thought I was the only one with the etrex shutoff issue. I just looked it up and thee are a couple of potential fixes, and I tried the foam battery tab fix. We'll see how it goes!

It's not that I have an issue with an ifinder H2O, it just seems a little dated. With all of the incar nav systems out there constantly being released and updated, I'd figure that some of that volume would leak over to our outdoors needs and at a lower price. Honestly; you can't go through 2 ads in all of Sunday's paper without finding multiple options under $100 for in-car navs. Where's the love for us?

Looked at Lowrance's HSOforum, and it looks like they are coming out with 3 new handheld units; the Endura series. Might be an option, but I couldn't find it they were compatible w/ LM maps.