Your suggestion on a new GPS

[STORE500]

Hello, I am in the market for a new handheld GPS. I will mainly be using it for ice and open water fishing. Was wondering if anyone has some suggestions on what to get, would like to know the correct one to get before I spend the money. Thank you.

[geonicg]

I have the Dakota 20. I do not have any complaints. The important factors for me are the size of the unit for portability, weather proof and the accuracy of the map software. I don't need a special aerial photo, just the depths/contours below me and since the software is key here, I'm very happy with my unit and lakemaster.

[jimmyjames76]

lol...i cant see why anyone would want lesser quality for the $$$ check out the post 2 above with the cartoon and the images links...there is no comparing the 2

Not trying to be a smart a$$, but why are aerial images an advantage? If I were fishing I would want depth contours, not a picture of the lake. If I were hunting/hiking I would want topo maps, not a picture of the tops of the trees. It's cool and all, but it doesn't seem useful. I guess if you wanted to know what a lake/forest/building looked like from a plane?

[olbaidhh]

It has all that... TOPO built in and the Navonics depths, contours etc.

Plus the detailed HD ariel images... Its basically google earth for your gps. And no one ever gets use out of that...

[olbaidhh]

It is coming out in March. Delorme had the aerial imaging first, but Garmin is not getting anything from Delorme.

Sweet I hope its on the 400i or a new one with the touch screen... that means I will have to upgrade again. Anyone want to buy my PN-40 in March...

[herefish101]

the only problem with DeLorme is that it's not mainstream yet, if your going mountain climbing DeLorme is the right unit to have. As far as recreational use lowrance got passed up by garmin. Garmin has the market cornered they have all the companies that currently make any kind of mapping chip making them for garmin. DeLorme accepts navionics chips but thats it. You can get ATV and snowmobile trail map chips for lowrance or garmin, but not delorme. Right now Garmin has the best GPS units on the market, delorme is awsome but they need to be around a little longer and find there way into the mainstream.

[bobbymalone]

it's a slow day at work, just havin a little fun oldbaidhh

[bigbad401]

Originally Posted By: olbaidhh

lol...i cant see why anyone would want lesser quality for the $$$ check out the post 2 above with the cartoon and the images links...there is no comparing the 2

Not trying to be a smart a$$, but why are aerial images an advantage? If I were fishing I would want depth contours, not a picture of the lake. If I were hunting/hiking I would want topo maps, not a picture of the tops of the trees. It's cool and all, but it doesn't seem useful. I guess if you wanted to know what a lake/forest/building looked like from a plane?

Yeah, the aerial does NOTHING for underwater contours. It is a neat feature, one that I will probably get for my Oregon, but if I am on the lake it really does nothing.

[jimmyjames76]

It has all that... TOPO built in and the Navonics depths, contours etc.

Plus the detailed HD ariel images... Its basically google earth for your gps. And no one ever gets use out of that...

I get your point about having the aerial maps on your GPS, but I've never seen anyone scouting a lake for fishing spots with an aerial map. I guess what I'm saying is that if your primary use is fishing, aerial maps probably wouldn't be one of the primary features a person would focus on. Still looks great with the Navionics chip though.

[SimilarIsland]

Garmin 60c was my first GPS. Then I bought an h2Oc. I like the H2Oc. Now I use my birds. The Garmin had the best build quality. Garmin is also very, very, good customer service. For a handheld, Garmin is very tough to beat.

[fishnowworknever]

So going from an h20c to a Garmin 76CSx, is there a noticeable difference in screen size? Any harder to read?

[mn_bowhunter]

Aerial photos on GPS would be awesome for hunting. you could identify the cover type before walking there. I have a lowrance expedition and am disappointed. It works in the woods and locks on quick enough, but navionics chips take forever to load. My biggest complaint is the extremely poor battery life. I get 4 hours at most when on power save (10 second updates, no WAAS) with new lithiums. They rated it at 12-13 hours. It is built pretty tough, a few weeks ago I had it on the snowmobile and forgot about it... needless to say it flew off at about 60mph. When I went and looked for it I ran it over with the ski and put a decent scratch on the screen, but it fired right up..with new batteries of course.

[jimmyjames76]

So going from an h20c to a Garmin 76CSx, is there a noticeable difference in screen size? Any harder to read?

Lowrance H20c: 2.83"

Garmin 76csx: 2.6"

I don't know how noticeable the difference would be. I never noticed much of a difference between the two, but everyone is different.

[fishnowworknever]

Originally Posted By: jhall555

So going from an h20c to a Garmin 76CSx, is there a noticeable difference in screen size? Any harder to read?

Lowrance H20c: 2.83"

Garmin 76csx: 2.6"

I don't know how noticeable the difference would be. I never noticed much of a difference between the two, but everyone is different.

Oh that's nothing, for some reason I was reading the specs wrong then. Thanks

[Ed Carlson]

The one honest unbiased concern I have with the guys rushing to buy greatly discounted H20's is...there is a good reason they are marked down so low right now...the H20 line is going into the "Lowrance Legacy Unit Program"...and that means the model and line is done...and therefore, I personally have some serious concerns about warranty issues. Ask somebody who has dealt with a marine sonar/gps unit warranty on a model now deemed by Lowrance as a "Legacy Unit", see how that went for them once.

So if you do jump for one, I recommend you spend some of that perceived savings on a good extended warranty plan...you may likely need it.

[KG243]

I just got a garmin 530 Hcx for $250 from cabelas bargin cave just didnt come with the charger. I am in love with this GPS already!

[BUCKSNMUSKYS]

I have had the H20C for many years and it has not let me down. Easy to use and navigate. I use it mainly for ice fishing and hunting. Love it. I am not impressed with the lakemaster chip however as it seems to be off and it does not have my favorite lakes in High Res. No problems with the H2OC besides the battery life....but what do we expect for color?

Good luck