GPS question

[usmtsrocks]

I've wanted a GPS for years and tomorrow I'm planning on going and getting one with a little Christmas money and gift cards. My question is what to buy. I'm a very serious fisherman, however I dont hunt at all. I was thinking of the Lowrance H20c but when I was at Gander and Scheels last weekend they told me they are discontinued. So now I might have my eye on the Expedition. I just want something easy to use, that i can put a lakemaster chip, and be able to mark my spots and find the depths and structure I want. I know they make some now that will work for driving directions in your car for every road and be able to have the lake chip in there as well, but I dont think I need the stuff for the vehicle.

Anyone have any opinions to lead me in the right direction for my situation... Thanks guys!

[smurf]

I have the H2Oc with the Lakemaster chip and I like it. Works pretty good on the lakes that have contours. I believe that the Expedition is just a newer model and maybe a few more options then the H2Oc. I also use it for 4 wheeling with a RAM mount on the handlebars this way can drive across lake and look for my spot at the saame time. I think that it is pretty easy to use also after just playing around with it when the fish are not biting.

[Brad B]

the H2O is discontinued but I believe that Cabelas in rogers may still have some and they where the colored verision for $189.99 instead of the normal $269.00. this may have been just a sales price or it could of been a clearance price to make room for the new models that will replace the H2O.

[Riich]

Check out the Lowrance Endura Out&Back, it's $199 and a fine instrument. You get the touch screen and you also have the buttons. It's very easy to use. I just gave mine the last two updates (keep checking the Lowrance site for them) and can't wait to get back out with mine.

Once you use a touch screen you'll never go back.

[usmtsrocks]

Does the Endura work with the Lakemaster chip? Is it a color screen? thanks

[KG243]

No lake maps YET for the Endura series.

[Riich]

The Lakemaster chip is due out any day supposedly. No rush for me, the unit is perfectly usable without the chip.

And yes the unit is color.

[usmtsrocks]

Took a look at the Endura OutNback in the store today. Looks fairly simple and liked the touch screen. The guy in there told me that a lakemaster micro chip has been made and will be available this coming week? Anyone else heard this or is he blowing smoke?

[Riich]

I have been hearing it will be out and available in Jan. So that info is probably correct.

[walleyewild]

The new Lakemaster insight chip was released as of 12/31/09.

Looks pretty good as far as the press release goes.

I hope to pick up an 09 chip on clearance somewhere as I don't have a Locator that runs the hd/3d imaging.

WW

[KG243]

I would think if lake master had a chip out on the 31st they would have it on there web site. When I googled lake master insight chip it came up with insight is the pre-loaded maps on the new HD lowrance graphs. I might be more willing to look at the endura series if I knew for sure there was a chip out for it.

[Team Endura]

I wanted to let you guys know that Lowrance is working to get the Navionics microSD cards for the Endura GPS units released later this month. As soon as I have a firm date I will post if on this forum. Please let me know if you have any questions about these GPS units.

[usmtsrocks]

I was told at Scheels that they would be in late this week or early next week. Guess that was a lie.

[gregg52]

i'll tell what not to buy lol

520c lowrance

the gps works fine but not the locator

it just quits reading for no reason

i have 2 of the dam things on my boat

1000$$$$$ i'm not to happy bout that

i use to swear by lowrance

but no more

i had a garmin gps on my old boat very user friendly

no locater just gps

i think i'll be doing some re rigging come spring

[walleyemaniac]

I have an Expedition and love it. I think they are easy to figure out even for someone new. If you have any problems working with it just post. There will be someone on here who can lend a hand, they've always helped me when I've had questions.

[pulleye16]

Also don't buy a Magellan, had horrible customer service with them and their software only works on current models so after a few years you can't do anything with your "old" model. Just purchased the Garmin dakota 10 series and love it. Touch screen, easy to use, has 850 MB of storage which is a lot for downloading maps. No Chip though but dakota 20 series does. I got mine for $100 of retail price which also include a bundle package which is why I really love this unit!

[jimmyjames76]

Don't forget Garmin either. Worth a look if you're interested in lake mapping capabilities, expecially if you fish a lot of smaller lakes. The Garmin lakemaster chip has 3300+ lakes vs 770 on the Lowrance lakemaster chip. They make a lot of great handheld units, cross over units, and automotive units, and the lakemaster chip works in most of them. I have an iFinder Expedition that I like very much too, but my Garmin gets used a lot more because it's faster, acquires signals faster and better, and has a lot more lake coverage.

[hotrod1]

Jimmyjames, what Garmin hand held do you have?

I need to get something to replace my P.O.S. Lowrance HuntC.

[pulleye16]

Don't forget Garmin either. Worth a look if you're interested in lake mapping capabilities, expecially if you fish a lot of smaller lakes. The Garmin lakemaster chip has 3300+ lakes vs 770 on the Lowrance lakemaster chip. They make a lot of great handheld units, cross over units, and automotive units, and the lakemaster chip works in most of them. I have an iFinder Expedition that I like very much too, but my Garmin gets used a lot more because it's faster, acquires signals faster and better, and has a lot more lake coverage.

of those 3300 lakes, how many show lake contour's of at least 5 feet??? looking at buy the lakemaster chip but would like to get more info on it.

[jimmyjames76]

I actually have a crossover Garmin, the Nuvi 550. I like it a lot, but eventually I'll get a handheld for trips a little further off the beaten path (probably a 76csx or 60csx). I have a friend that has the 60csx, and I was very impressed with that model. It seems to pick up signals everywhere, including his basement. Lots of people talk about the Colorado and Oregon touch screen models on these forums too. Everyone that has them seems to like them from what I've seen.

[jimmyjames76]

of those 3300 lakes, how many show lake contour's of at least 5 feet??? looking at buy the lakemaster chip but would like to get more info on it.

I honestly can't say, but you can run a demo version of the lakemaster software on Garmin's HSOforum. Most of the small lakes I fish have 5 foot or better contours, and they are definitely not included on the lowrance chip. Probably lots that don't have 5 foot contours, but I haven't encoutered many yet. As an example, I wanted to try Orchard lake in Lakeville last year, and realized it wasn't included on the lakemaster chip for my expedition C. It is included on the Garmin chip, and has 5 foot contours. There are tons of small lakes I fish up north like that too.

[jimmyjames76]

Marion is another one down in Lakeville, same deal as Orchard. Check out the interactive map, it's a handy tool to evaluate the chip. Here's how you find it:

On Garmin's HSOforum go to Maps -> Buy Maps -> Enter a garmin model (Nuvi 550), select "North America", and Select "On the Water". In the results, scroll to "Lakemaster Minnesota". Select the "View Map" tab, and click "Click to view detailed, interactive map".

[bigbad401]

The Garmin Lakemaster has almost 3500 lakes and 99% of them are at least 5 ft increments. There are a few that only show detailed shoreline definition (Lower Red Lake). There are 180 or so that are 1 ft increments. I have the Oregon 200 and love the unit. My father-in-law has the H2O Lowrance and it does not come close to the Garmin Oregon that I have.