Handheld GPS in the boat?

[traveler]

I'm looking for a good handheld GPS unit for the boat...actually 2 boats, one of the reasons I want to use a handheld instead of getting 2 units. Also so I can use it ice fishing, hunting, etc...

Ideally I'd like a unit with as large a screen as you can get on a handheld, but don't need one that uses software or takes lakemaps, unless that comes with the territory for a high end handheld.

Is there a unit available that will run off an external power source; say, the boats 12 volt? Finally, one that has some sort of mount available would be cool...thanks all

[Northlander]

All hand held GPS's can be mounted on a boat and use a 12 volt system on your boat. At least all I have seen. I really like my Lowrance H2Oc but any hand held is very hard to read in a boat. The screens just arent big enough.

If you can afford it I would get a nice GPS/Sonar combo and get 2 mounts and 2 transducers and just move the puck(antenna) back and forth from boat to boat. Bit more expensive but you will be happy. I dont think you would be happy using a hand held as your primary boat unit.

[traveler]

Thanks Steve...you can see I'm not much on the electronics front:) I'm buying the cabin on Red, a lake that I figure the GPS will be indespensible on. I'll probably pony up for the combo unit, it's just that I have perfectly good, if somewhat basic, sonar units on both boats already. And I lost my handheld in the woods, so I do need a new one of those anyway. Sigh...

[croixflats]

Garmin makes a large hand held with a 5inch diagonal screen( the sise of an average sonar/GPS) mount also available. Sweet unit but it will cost you $1000 to $1200 according to their HSOforum. The GPSmap 620 or 640 touch screen its like the oregon and Nuvi in one. It has the capability for the car or for as a GPS chartplotter.Can be powered off the boat battery. Has a lithium 9 hr rechargeable for power. Its also XM weather satellite and radio capable.

The Nuvi 550 a bit smaller(4.8 inch diag) at way less of a cost at around $300 according to the HSOforum.

Give Dave from ProFishingSupply.com a call for your needs and great pricing.

[jwmiller33]

i use my h2o in my boat all the time and i love it. i have a gps/sonar humminbird combo too but i love the handheld cuz i can take it with me in other peoples boats

[PierBridge]

Sounds like all you really need is a cheap hand-held. In order if I were you I'd look at the Garmins, Magellans and lastly the Lowrance's. You could probably pick something up used real cheap that would get you buy also.

As far used units go I would go with Garmin only based on their proven quality and long term reliability.

[Walleye Guy]

A Lowrance i-Finder with a Ram mount work great in a boat. Mount a Ram mount mounting ball by the counsel/tiller and one up front and you can see the GPS from a couple fishing chairs without holding on to the GPS. The Ram mount can be moved to other boats and to vehicles with a suction cup adapter.

[jwmiller33]

the h2o's are getting discontinued by lowrance, so if you can find one somewhere, you will get a great deal on one.. call around and try to find one if you are interested

i just got a new one at xmas time from the big C store... got a GREAT deal on it

[BobT]

I mount my Garmin Rino120 in my boat and that works for me and it has a small screen compared to the H2O.

Maybe it's just time for an eye check for Northlander.

[solbes]

I had an H2Oc in my boat for 3 years until I bought a combo unit. I'm still keeping it, but moving it to the bow. Has worked flawlessly for me and resulted in a much higher success rate . It's true that the screen is kinda small. When sitting at the console it was plenty big enough. The down side is you won't be at the stern or the port and be able to see where you're at clearly. But it works just as well as the larger screens.

I know you can pick these up for under $200 now. Downside is I don't know how long Lowrance will support it for service, given the fact that it's being discontinued.

[harvey lee]

I personally would purchase any unit except the H20. Yes, I own onwe but have had many issues with the power cord and the unit.

Now that Linda Colt is gone from Lowrance, I would be very concerned with any CS issues or warranty with Lowrance.

A great unit as long as they work. If one has issues, good luck.

[deadeye]

I guess I'm still pretty happy with my H2Oc. I'm not saying its any better than any other handhelds but I like the display on it quite a bit. With the lakemaster card it has helped me be much more efficient in finding a spot while on the lake. I know a lot of people have had problems with them but given the number of them on the market there are bound to be a few bad apples. I am one of the people who have had no problems at all.

Knowing what I know now about the whole lowrance situation I would be looking into a Garmin if I needed a new handheld. I think that a GPS60CSx is what I would be looking at. It has a excellent antena/reciever setup. Much better than a lot of the brand new touchscreen handhelds.

I do have a Nuvi 500 for the car and I'm thinking that it will be taking over for the h20 when it dies. Its waterproof and it did well grouse hunting so it should do good in the boat. I have been very pleased at the level of customer service I have gotten from Garmin. They walked me through every question I have had with ease and have been timely too.

[ole matty]

I use my h20 for everything and I dropped it millions of time, it still work really good like it just came out of box.

Why are they discountiited??

[AaronM]

I have the Expedition C and love it, no problems with this unit what so ever. I've had a few problems with Lowrance depthfinders, but those seem to be more of transducer issues. Anyway, Expedition C here for two years, no problems.

[Walleye Guy]

I have never had an issue with my i-Finder. Its one of the most reliable electronic devices I own.

[Walleye Guy]

I have never had an issue with my i-Finder. Its one of the most reliable electronic devices I own.

[Walleye Guy]

I have never had an issue with my i-Finder. Its one of the most reliable electronic devices I own.

[MarkAlm]

I agree with Harvey as far as the h20. Take the time and look at all the units you can. when I did buy my h20c I was going to buy the black and white but when I was at the store I had both side by side, then turned on the backlight feature, that was the deciding factor as it was so much easier to see. Also how good are your eyes. I'm not sure if mine was on any mount whether I would be able to see it. TOO OLD?

[elkrivermn]

I have The Lowrance Expedtion C also I use mine with a ram mount on my Outlander Quad, My Lund boat ( mounted on the council ), in my car or truck and I like the fact I can use it when I am hiking in The Canadien rockes Ect. It has worked out very well for me. Also I have the lakemaster sd card for it.

I have the Expedition C and love it, no problems with this unit what so ever. I've had a few problems with Lowrance depthfinders, but those seem to be more of transducer issues. Anyway, Expedition C here for two years, no problems.