Best GPS on the ice?

[wildmanp]

stay away from the oregon colorado the turn wheel on that unit is hard to use. To spell hotspotoutdoors, imagine how many time you would have to spin that wheel.....????? I'm getting dizzy!!!!!!!

[wildmanp]

so which oregon did you get then? model #?

any oregon model will do. You just have to get the garmin lake master chip.

[Dusty]

I have heard the Oregon is next to impossible to see the screen in sunlight conditions. I would like to buy one but this negative report is holding me back. Any comments from the Oregon folks?

[bigbad401]

It is not that bad, even though it is not the greatest. It takes some getting used to. Adjust the backlight level and it will be fine.

[dan z]

expedetionC the compass works great. the screen is big enough for me. it uses normal mapping chips.... cant say enough about it.

[jimmyjames76]

Garmin. One of the handhelds or the Nuvi 500/550 with the Lakemaster chip. I have an iFinder Expedition C and a Nuvi 550. I like them both, but if I were buying a new one no doubt it would be a Garmin. The Garmin Lakemaster chip is so much more complete than the Lowrance chip. Garmin - 3300+ lakes, Lowrance - 770 lakes. Garmin also plays much nicer with your PC which can be important. I think most of the newer Garmin's perform better too...faster processors, more memory, better GPS signal acquisition. My Nuvi picks up strong signals where my Lowrance won’t locate a single satellite. It’s not really a knock on the iFinders, but rather an indication of how much better the technology is getting. Hope it helps.

[DTro]

It always bothers me that fishing technology seems to lag a few years behind the rest of electronics.

Some of the entry level GPS automotive units are leaps and bounds better than something 3 times the price in the fishing/hunting world.

Seems like we are always paying a premium and getting less.

[Dusty]

I was looking at the lake master web site and noticed that their chip will work in many of the Garmin automotive street map gps. Has anyone tried that?

[fishersofmen]

I heard you can get a good GPS system on a cell phone now. Not sure which phone provides this. Does anyone have any info on this??

[leech~~]

It always bothers me that fishing technology seems to lag a few years behind the rest of electronics.

Some of the entry level GPS automotive units are leaps and bounds better than something 3 times the price in the fishing/hunting world.

Seems like we are always paying a premium and getting less.

It maybe because it's more important, or at least more people need to find the mall then the Blue Jug hump out in the middle of Milacs!

[jimmyjames76]

I was looking at the lake master web site and noticed that their chip will work in many of the Garmin automotive street map gps. Has anyone tried that?

I have one in a cross over (Nuvi 550), and it works really great. There's another thread about this topic too:

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2106009/Chip_and_Garmin_Nuvi#Post2106009

[dartsportsteve]

I heard you can get a good GPS system on a cell phone now. Not sure which phone provides this. Does anyone have any info on this??

This would be a great application for smartphones with built in GPS... I haven't seen any but would sure be interested if it becomes available...

[croixflats]

I believe the smart phones are not a true GPS. I think they work off triangulation with the help of satellites not very accurate. Tried the GPS on my Blackberry a couple of times and it was off by a mile. Maybe I didn't have the right app. or service

[dartsportsteve]

I believe the smart phones are not a true GPS. I think they work off triangulation with the help of satellites not very accurate. Tried the GPS on my Blackberry a couple of times and it was off by a mile. Maybe I didn't have the right app. or service

Some handsets use triangulation, but if the phone states it has GPS, it should use satellites to locate your position. I believe some carriers charge extra monthly fees to use the GPS feature. Mine doesn't have built-in GPS, so it uses triangulation as you mention and I have the same issues.

[leech~~]

I believe the smart phones are not a true GPS. I think they work off triangulation with the help of satellites not very accurate. Tried the GPS on my Blackberry a couple of times and it was off by a mile. Maybe I didn't have the right app. or service

I think if I heard right. That they figure out your location from the towers you are hooked into, not satellites?

[eyebjim]

My cell phone has the gps function. I used a trial of the navigation software and it was very accurate. As good as the H2O. If you could only get the lake map on it.

[dartsportsteve]

Originally Posted By: croixflats

I believe the smart phones are not a true GPS. I think they work off triangulation with the help of satellites not very accurate. Tried the GPS on my Blackberry a couple of times and it was off by a mile. Maybe I didn't have the right app. or service

I think if I heard right. That they figure out your location from the towers you are hooked into, not satellites?

Some use triangulation, some use satellites. Depends on your phone and what you subscribe to I believe.

[croixflats]

A good GPS on a phone would be great but my Garmin Floats and I don't get charged a fee.

[vikingmeatwad]

Originally Posted By: vikingmeatwad

I liked my H2Oc until it died after about 3 years of use. Lowrance will do nothing to help me fix besides try to charge me $162.45 to fix a defect?

Sure I have an axe to grind but I will now never purchase another Lowrance product. The boat will be getting a Humminbird in the spring.

What's the defect that took 3 years to show up?

Lowrance said it was a bad board. I'm done with them. Garmin/Humminbird for me from here out.

Thanks everyone for the input, I will be checking out the Garmin Oregon this week.

[croixflats]

Welcome aboard!

[wildmanp]

Originally Posted By: Dusty

I was looking at the lake master web site and noticed that their chip will work in many of the Garmin automotive street map gps. Has anyone tried that?

I have one in a cross over (Nuvi 550), and it works really great. There's another thread about this topic too:

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2106009/Chip_and_Garmin_Nuvi#Post2106009

is the battery hold it's charge in the cross-over????

i HEARD THAT is the reason why they are being discontinued and discounted at retailers????

[wildmanp]

on the navigation systems such as nuvii you can't change to batteries. I'd stick with a GPS that I can change the battery anytime.

[bigbad401]

on the navigation systems such as nuvii you can't change to batteries. I'd stick with a GPS that I can change the battery anytime.

That is why I went with the Oregon.

[MN Mike]

The Garmin Nuvi 500 and 550 have user replacable batteries so if your battery dies in the field, you can slip in another fully charge one and be on your way again.

As far as I know, the Nuvi 500 and 550 are the only ones that offer this in Garmins lineup of Nav systems. They are a proprietary battery though but have a respectable battery life.

Mike

[bigbad401]

The Garmin Nuvi 500 and 550 have user replacable batteries so if your battery dies in the field, you can slip in another fully charge one and be on your way again.

As far as I know, the Nuvi 500 and 550 are the only ones that offer this in Garmins lineup of Nav systems. They are a proprietary battery though but have a respectable battery life.

I know this, but it is so nice to have AA batteries in every gas station if you need them. No need to worry about charging any batteries if you don't want to.