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GPS Necessary?

Torgesom

By Torgesom
in Ice Fishing

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Torgesom Apprentice

Torgesom

Posted
Posted

How much do you guys use GPS/chart plotting? I generally tend to fish 2-3 lakes a moderate amount in MN and am likely going to this winter in IA this year. I don't have a sled and tend to walk out (or drive if ice is good). I'm looking at the new Humminbird Ice 385 to replace my flasher (Marcum VX-1) and be Lakemaster capable while allowing the easy switch to summer (most of the time fishing a BIG lake with lots of contour/structure). I fish from a pleasure boat (not mine) or my canoe in the summer which makes the unit that much more attractive--(maybe even take it to the BWCA if it's light enough).

I've messed around with a 385 open water model in demo mode at my local big box and like the features (of course it's in demo mode). But my main concern with the 385 is the main beam (20 degrees) runs at 200hz which is the same frequency as Marcum and Vex and may get interference. Also, the dead-zone will be large with a 20 degree cone as one of the lakes I fish has HUGE breaks on it (hence a dual beam with a small cone would be ideal) The other cone is 60 degrees which I hardly imagine would be of much use for hard water.

I guess my question is--should I blow 450$+85$ on the 385 or invest my money in a better flasher (ICE-55)? Is the GPS going to change my life when it comes to ice fishing?

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rugbymn Collaborator

rugbymn

Posted
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The handheld is absolutely invaluable. It's just like a flasher. Sure you can get by without one, but once you get one, you don't know how you ever fished without it. It lets you know where you're fishing without having to poke a gajillion holes to find the spot you're looking for.

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Chode2235 Veteran

Chode2235

Posted
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I have a lowrance with a built in GPS. I love having the map chip in mine and everyone else is right the GPS is really nice to have on the ice.

I love having the graph on the ice and use the unit in my boat in the summer. Works great for both applications, and I would really like to see what HB does with this ice line.

On the other hand, I have an iPhone and use my navionics app on that much more than the GPS in my unit. it fits nicely in my hand, gets signal instantaneously, and was only $9.99.

If you have a smart phone (as the app is also available on android) that might be an even better option. But in summary, having a GPS with map contours is a major benefit.

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tsande00 Experienced

tsande00

Posted
Posted

I have a lowrance with a built in GPS. I love having the map chip in mine and everyone else is right the GPS is really nice to have on the ice.

I love having the graph on the ice and use the unit in my boat in the summer. Works great for both applications, and I would really like to see what HB does with this ice line.

On the other hand, I have an iPhone and use my navionics app on that much more than the GPS in my unit. it fits nicely in my hand, gets signal instantaneously, and was only $9.99.

If you have a smart phone (as the app is also available on android) that might be an even better option. But in summary, having a GPS with map contours is a major benefit.

I am planning on buying that navionics app for the iphone. I have heard it doesn't zoom very well and I guess I can live with that...but how accurate does it seem to be?

I've had mixed results with the iPhone's GPS. In some apps it seems great (Geocaching app) and in others...not so much. Is buying a real handheld GPS a waste of money if you already have an iPhone?

(I apologize if this is a thread highjack...seemed to be along the same subject matter)

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herefish101 Proficient

herefish101

Posted
Posted

Handheld gps + flasher = perfect setup. With the handheld it is alot easier to use the gps while drilling your holes, if you have the graph/gps combo you have to haul that whole unit with you while your tryin to drill a grid on top of a sharp breaking point or the inside turn in a large flat, the handheld fits right in your pocket, and then when your done with it you just turn it off. Then your flasher will tell you the rest.

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Ed Carlson Grand Master

Ed Carlson

Posted
Posted

A portable hand held GPS unit is useful year around, and cost effective.

A Nuvi is also year around friendly and multiple application friendly, and reads lake maps. I recommend you look at the Nuvi 500 (Waterproof) as a possible option while comparing units.

Either is a good cost effective start that will serve you well in the field, boat, or vehicle. And they will work well to share data with a larger GPS unit if you decide you need one latter on down the line.

My vote is also look into a portable GPS option to start.

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Bottle Fish Rising Star

Bottle Fish

Posted
Posted

Sure you can get by without one, but once you get one, you don't know how you ever fished without it. It lets you know where you're fishing without having to poke a gajillion holes to find the spot you're looking for.

I could not agree more.

I bought a Lowrance H2O and a Navionics chip and have only had it for about a year now and it is absolutley the best purchase I have made since...well I don't know. However, like previously mentioned, couldn't imagine fishing without it either now that I actually own one. The sheer number of less holes you have to drill to get where you want to be is worth the purchase alone IMO. I also use it in the summer as well and it is incredibley accurate.

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MN BassFisher Veteran

MN BassFisher

Posted
Posted

Have you had problems with your Lowrance H20? I have hear countless number of people who had one loved it, and then after a short amount of use the handheld would not lock into any satelites. Then Lowrance says to either send in $150.00 or wait til a new version comes out.

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herefish101 Proficient

herefish101

Posted
Posted

Have you had problems with your Lowrance H20? I have hear countless number of people who had one loved it, and then after a short amount of use the handheld would not lock into any satelites. Then Lowrance says to either send in $150.00 or wait til a new version comes out.

I'v had my H2Oc for three or four years now, heck maybe it's been longer, I bought it right when the color version came out, the darn thing still works great, sometimes it can take a while(like a minute or two) to aquire satelites, but all in all it's been a very reliable unit. I know if I was buying a new GPS I would buy Garmin, their stuff is top of the line right now.

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Rippinlip Veteran

Rippinlip

Posted
Posted

I agree with the Flasher/Handheld option.

I have the H2O and it is great, like mentioned before the portability of the unit to mount to the truck or ATV then unclip and put in your pocket while walking is worth so much.

I have mine in the truck to get to get me to new waters, then if running the wheeler, I simply take it out of the truck, mount it to my wheeler and away I go, narrows the search down fast, almost like driving the boat around, get to the structure you want, remove it off the wheeler, continue to define the area while walking around, then punch a few holes and turn it off and grab the Flasher and put some fish on ice...

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Chode2235 Veteran

Chode2235

Posted
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I am planning on buying that navionics app for the iphone. I have heard it doesn't zoom very well and I guess I can live with that...but how accurate does it seem to be?

I've had mixed results with the iPhone's GPS. In some apps it seems great (Geocaching app) and in others...not so much. Is buying a real handheld GPS a waste of money if you already have an iPhone?

(I apologize if this is a thread highjack...seemed to be along the same subject matter)

The only real downfall is that the navionics contours dont seem to be as 'accurate' as the Lakemaster chip in my GPS. Other than that the GPS is very accurate. And I have had no issues wanting to zoom in further. I use the little + and - buttons on the app rather than fidgeting around with using my fingers to do it.

If you have an iPhone and are considering a hand held GPS download the Navionics app and try it out. it is 10 bucks compared to 300. If it doesnt work out for you (and I would be very surprised if it didnt) you aren't out a whole lot more money.

The Navionics app is the best value in lake contour mapping.

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tsande00 Experienced

tsande00

Posted
Posted

The only real downfall is that the navionics contours dont seem to be as 'accurate' as the Lakemaster chip in my GPS. Other than that the GPS is very accurate. And I have had no issues wanting to zoom in further. I use the little + and - buttons on the app rather than fidgeting around with using my fingers to do it.

If you have an iPhone and are considering a hand held GPS download the Navionics app and try it out. it is 10 bucks compared to 300. If it doesnt work out for you (and I would be very surprised if it didnt) you aren't out a whole lot more money.

The Navionics app is the best value in lake contour mapping.

Thanks for the reply. This is kind of what I was thinking. I saw the app last spring but there were so few reviews I was skeptical. After reading a bit on this site, I'm confident I'm not just throwing my money down the toilet for some "garbage app".

I am excited to try fishing with a GPS. Sounds like it's the best thing since the flasher.

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