H20C replacement

[Iceseeker]

I have enjoyed the usage of my H2O but it is now time to replce it. What are you using as a replacement that will be used primarily for ice fishing. I have the lakemaster chip that will also be replaced due to age but I did like the features.

Thanks for the input.

Iceseeker

[bigbad401]

I have a Garmin Oregon and love it. I have the Lakemaster with it and it does me well.

[OnAFly]

I've heard a lot of good things about the Garmin Oregon series.

[speedbump]

Iceseeker...could you shoot me an email? jonstutelberg@hotmail(dot)com

[snoozebutton]

I've been leaning towards the Oregon. Any problems with it Bigbad?

[snoozebutton]

Oh, and which model do you have?

[bigbad401]

I have had no issues with it. I use it for a lot of stuff too. I have gone hunting with it, geocaching, ice fishing and open water fishing, hiking, and for driving. Some people may say the screen is too dark, but I find it very readable. It finds the satellites very fast, the menu system is very easy to learn ( a lot easier than the H2Oc ), and I like the touch screen. For those who may not like the touch screen the 62 or 78 series Garmin would be nice.

[bigbad401]

I have the Oregon 200. There are good deals for the 450 right now and that is the one I would recommend.

[NCLaker]

Can you use the Lakemaster & Navionics SD cards from your Lowrance H2O/Explorer with the Garmin's? Also, can you transfer your way points and trails?

Biggest frustration I have with the Lowarance hand helds is that you can't zoom in as close with the Navionics chip compared to lakemaster. Does anyone know if this is the same problem with the Garmin's?

Thanks!

[TV BOY]

Just an idea...

if you have a phone with gps you can get the navionics app for $10. 1 foot contours. I have not compared it to my new Lowrance endura yet for accuracy.

I wish i new about that app before I bought the GPS and lakemaster. My iphone screen seems bigger and you see more contours when zoomed out vs the Lowrance with lake master.

but for ice fishing it it impossible to work an iphone with gloves!!!

[PerchJerker]

NCLaker - you cannot use Navionics cards in Garmin units, Garmin does not support the Navionics data. And you cannot use Lowrance cards in Garmin --- it needs to be a Garmin card in the Garmin format, even though it is still using LakeMaster data.

[Tom7227]

I have the Garmin 78s and love it. A great feature is the ability to overlay other maps onto it. ND and CD both have all of their public land set up so you can do it. I haven't come close to using all the features but from what I've seen it is the cutting edge on advanced features. In the past I've bought units that have been out for a couple of years and this time I am really glad that I have something that's out front on new features. I bought the Lakemaster CD for it and it allows me to download some smaller areas and so it's quicker. Check it out.

[BassFisherman]

Perch Jerker- so how do you get the maps on it? Do you use the usb and download it on, or does Garmin just have there seperate cards?

[deadeye]

I have got a Nuvi 500 that I got for the car and its going to be taking over for the H2oC when it dies.

There is a lot of sweet stuff out there now.

[PerchJerker]

Perch Jerker- so how do you get the maps on it? Do you use the usb and download it on, or does Garmin just have there seperate cards?

Both --- you can get a Garmin LakeMaster card, which will work in Garmin units and only in Garmin units --- or you can get a LakeMaster CD like Tom did and download the maps you want from your computer to your GPS.

[NCLaker]

NCLaker - you cannot use Navionics cards in Garmin units, Garmin does not support the Navionics data. And you cannot use Lowrance cards in Garmin --- it needs to be a Garmin card in the Garmin format, even though it is still using LakeMaster data.

Thanks PJ

[tip_upclyma]

I have the Garmin Oregon 300...and it is AWESOME!

And I had an H2Oc before this one.

Lakemaster makes a Garmin MN chip that is compatable with it.

If you are gonna spend the money on a handheld GPS...this Oregon series is LEGIT

[augernaut]

I have a Colorado 400T - this GPS is identical to the Oregon, but the Oregon has a touch screen, the Colorado has a 'rock-n-reel' (no, not T-Bone's rock-n-reel!) Had an H20 before this, an old one. This GPS is my first mapping unit. I've used buddy's H2OC's and Expeditions before - the garmin absolutely ROCKS compared to them. Another buddy bought the new Endura - it's honestly, well, a piece of junk. Definitely a step backwards for them.

Anyways - the Colorado and Oregon both support custom maps - in other words, I can scan in a contour map of a lake, bring it into Google Earth, georeference it there, and upload it to my Colorado. This is awesome for lakes that aren't on the Lakemaster chip yet. Also can download satellite imagery directly onto the unit, and if you are technically saavy enough, you can make other custom maps. It came pre-loaded with the US Topo in 100k scale. The Oregon is identical to the Colorado. They don't make the Colorado anymore, but I searched one out on 'the bay' for $199 brand new, as I didn't want the touch screen, I prefer buttons and knobs :-)

Seriously - go with a Garmin, they are easily the best unit on the market.