Should I buy a lowrance H2Oc gps?

[Slob_Samurai]

I just bought a used boat and the prior owner used a lowrance H2Oc gps. There are ram mounts at the bow and console already setup for me to just pop one on.

After reading the problems people are having with them is it in my best interest to buy one? Are there comparable ones available at their price ($200)?

Are the handheld gps's and their small screens with a lake chip a decent alternative to replacing the X-71 at the console with a HDS-7 gps?

H2Oc+lakechip= around $300 vs hds-7=$900

I guess my main question is whether the handheld's with a lake chip are a decent readable option?

[solbes]

I have both, an H20c and a HDS 7. I too have a ram mount for the H20c, and I bought an extra ball to mount in the bow area. Since getting the 7, the H2Oc will spend most of it's time up there. Someday if I get structure scan, I may use the handheld GPS on the console and split the HDS with SI and traditional sonar.

Your screen size will be about 50-60% of what's shown on an HDS7 in split screen. It's plenty big enough if you are sitting down at the console to see where you are at. I ran a small sonar with the H20c as my GPS for many years, and my fishing improved quite a bit because of the GPS functionality. About the only thing the 7 will give me that the handheld did not is the ability to see it from further distances in the stern of the boat.

I never had 1 issue with my H20c and it's at least 3 years old. Also I saw many places had them for the $160-170 range.

[pulleye16]

No-time to move out of the past. There are better units with more functions that won't cost too much more. Garmin has been having some pretty sweet deals on some of there units...just keep searching them from time to time.

[Slob_Samurai]

garmin suggestions?

[Esox_Magnum]

We use our Expeditions alot on the boats, we have had them since they came out and no issues yet. There might be better out there but for me these work fine for now. We also run big screen finder/GPS combos on the dash or up front depending on what the boats used for. Expeditions used where the other isn't again depending on what boat it's on that day.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Mine works good in the Ram mount on the console.

I tend to lag a few years in tech to hold down the price of my addiction. You can always sell the H2Oc later if you want something bigger.

[sturgeonator]

You might have a tough time finding a H2Oc as lowrance quit making them and most are sold out.

[BFJ]

I have used my H2O several seasons. Have mounts on the bow and console of the boat. Use it on the 4 wheeler and truck for winter. Very versitile unit. Down side is smaller screen, but love the portable factor.

[fasternu]

I use the H20, not the color version. Mine is at least 3 years old and I NEVER have had a problem with it. This thing gets used hard year round, hunting, fishing, ice fishing, even driving down the road. To me it is well worth it over a $900 fish finder that can only be used in the boat. If you hunt or ice fish, get a portable unit. The only drawback is the chip I have only gets you close to the spot, not exactly on it, so I have to either drill extra holes or troll the area untill I find the exact spot.

I do know that Lowrance has discontinued these models, but when I have found them, they are under $130 for the regular H20.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Reeds had them at the Sportshow, however I would see if perchjerker has any first.

[Slob_Samurai]

There are a few on hsolist for sale,I might have to pull the trigger.