GPS

[TyGuy02]

I'm going to be getting some big winnings for my Fantasy Football leagues (already $200 for winning divisions in two leagues) and am thinking of a GPS device. My researching has only turned up the fact that there are a ton of options, but what really is the difference? Is there any list of Minnesota lakes for the Minnesota "chip" so I will know that they will work for my little Northern MN lakes? I already have a Garmin for my wife's vehicle, do they work, with the right software? I'm not too worried about price since I'll be using "FUN" money/winnings, so what's a device that I could get the best lake contours/usability?

Thanks

-I forgot to ask, are they really worth it? Is it one of those things that (for people that have a GPS with lake contour) you would never go fishing without?

[Esox_Magnum]

I always have my GPS along summer or winter. I mark alot of spots late muskie season for checking out come ice season. Look on the companies web sites what lakes are offered on their chips, I prefer the Navionics over the Lakemaster for a few reasons, it has all the lakes I fish in 3 states on 1 chip, shadings better and 1 chips cheaper than 3 different ones. For a GPS I run a Lowrance Expedition C thats no longer made but I love it. Thinking about putting my HDS in my truck for when I can drive out. Not sure on the new hand helds whats good and whats compatible whith who's chips.

Summer time I'll fish without my finder before fishing without GPS and a lake chip. Winter almost the same but rarley use a flasher so being in the weed edge or pockets important or on that small sandy gravel spot thats known to put out nice eyes.

[hunter322]

i suggest spending your money on something else and getting an app for your phone if ya have a smart phone. thats what im going to do!

[FrontenacPike]

i suggest spending your money on something else and getting an app for your phone if ya have a smart phone. thats what im going to do!

I kind of agree but with all due respect disagree. I have downloaded the Navionics for my droid, and I also own a H2Oc with a Lakemaster chip. I have played around with the app and as for showing your exact location it isn't near the accuracy of a hand held GPS. With the app you are able to get with in 0.4 miles fully zoomed. With a H2Oc you are able to zoom to 0.2. That doesn't sound like that big of a difference but when you are trying to find a spot that has a lot of contour is when you notice it. With my H2Oc if I take 3 steps in any direction it will update my movement and display that I have moved. With the app at 0.4 I have to take about 15-20 steps to update a change in my location. Just like everything else you get what you pay for.

[FrontenacPike]

Is there any list of Minnesota lakes for the Minnesota "chip" so I will know that they will work for my little Northern MN lakes?

Go to the Lakemaster HSOforum and click "Digital GPS Maps" on the left side. Then click on "Lowrance" from there you will see all locations chips, click on "Minnesota version 7". From there scroll down till you see the PDF file download labeled "Download the MN Version 7 Product Lake List (HD Lakes in BOLD". That will open up all the lakes for that particular chip. I haven't played around with the Navionics HSOforum but willing to bet they also have a list.

As for which unit is the best, I can't answer that one. I only have experience on the Lowrance H2Oc. Good luck in your search but which ever unit you get you see the lake in a whole new perspective.

By the way take a look at the latest technology called Contour Elite...since you have fun money to spend. It looks pretty intriguing. Here is the link Contour Elite

[Ed Carlson]

I'm going to be getting some big winnings for my Fantasy Football leagues (already $200 for winning divisions in two leagues) and am thinking of a GPS device. My researching has only turned up the fact that there are a ton of options, but what really is the difference? Is there any list of Minnesota lakes for the Minnesota "chip" so I will know that they will work for my little Northern MN lakes? I already have a Garmin for my wife's vehicle, do they work, with the right software? I'm not too worried about price since I'll be using "FUN" money/winnings, so what's a device that I could get the best lake contours/usability?

Thanks

-I forgot to ask, are they really worth it? Is it one of those things that (for people that have a GPS with lake contour) you would never go fishing without?

I suggest you look at a Garmin Oregon 450, the Garmin Dakota 20, another great all around Garmin Nuvi the Sportsman 500/550 (100% waterproof), or the Garmin new 78. (Floats)

All will run LakeMaster and Garmin Vision data cards and MNTRAX software.

As you already have a dash mount Garmin, the data cards or direct CD downloads will work in both units, as long as your Garmin in the car is a Nuvi. This way will maximize your overall utility.

Yes, they are really worth it. And Garmin is by far the easiest to use and has the most useful integration option for the web and other software applications, like Google Earth. Garmin had exceptional costumer service, and on-line support.

[Lund79]

I would have to throw in the Gramin 68 series as well. Earlier I picked up the 78S because it floats. After further thought, I returned it for a 68S. The main differences between these 2 units are this: 78 series will float, keypad on top with screen on bottom, no external antenna and this unit is a little wider so you'll have to buy a separate holder if you wish. The 68 series does not float, keypad on bottom with screen on top and has the external antenna. All other features are the same. I wanted to make sure I got coverage in the woods (external antenna edges out the internal antenna) as this will be an outdoor unit for me. I also liked the keypad on bottom (personal preference).

I forgot to mention both units are priced the same.

[Ed Carlson]

Agreed, the 68S is a fine unit too.

There are some deals now on the 78's, so I mentioned it. The flotation factor makes this unit ideal for many users.

That was a good call Lund79. I should have also added the 68S, it is a great option as well.

The quad helix antenna system is a well proven accurate antenna in tough conditions. I have that on my Garmin Rhino 530 Hcx Rhino's, also a very good tough as steel sportsman's unit. The Rhino does not have all the newest features, like touchscreen and wireless sharing of data, but I love that unit. It will not go anywhere tell they come up with another with like unit with similar features, I would really miss the GMRS radio in it and the NOAH weather.

[joneshat11]

I just got the Garmin 78s for my bday and ordered the lakemaster chip. It's been awsome so far. The biggest advantage with going with the 78s is the internal compass. What a lot of people don't tell you is that without the internal compass when you stop moving the screen will spin off axis. GPS units without this feature are only accurate if you are moving. Stop and you'll spin off axis. With the internal compass you can stop, point the GPS the direction you want to go and the screen will move with that movement.

The key to the internal compass is if your trying to find a spot on the lakemap and need to stop to see exactly where you want to be and with the internal compass it won't spin off axis. Also, if you have to walk through the woods you can't keep your eyes on the unit because you'll walk into a tree. The internal compass will allow you to stop and point the unit to where you want to go.

[TyGuy02]

Great responses! In reply to my smartphone, I was trying last week to get it on my phone, but I have a Palm pre. There are MANY great things about my phone, buy when it comes to Apps it is HORRIBLE! I love my mobile wi-fi to run my laptop when I'm doing nursing homework, but I don't have the newest flash-player and cannot run many of the great apps that Droid can.

The Garmin I have is a Nuvi, but I don't know the model # off the top of my head and the wife is at work for the day, but I like they way that works when driving. We only use it when going to Vikings games like last Sunday! ARRGH! Don't get me started on last weekend!

So I'm going to check the lakes (on the Navionics and Lakemaster sites) and see if that makes my decision for me. One guy said that Nav is better, is that the common thought, or not? I do really like the idea to take 2-3 steps and be updated, not 15-20 steps.

[TooTallTom]

Hey TyGuy02,

I don't know if you ever said what your intended use for the GPS is? If you only want to have something for the car/ boat, I'd go with either a Lowrance or Humminbird with an internal GPS receiver. That way you'll have a bigger screen, no worries about batteries, and a fishfinder built right in. If you want something to take into the woods with you, neither the Humminbird nor the Lowrance (boat) units would be appropriate. I know it's not tons of fun, but you might just find the user manuals for the different units online and read through them to see what you think, and whether you'll get what you're looking for out of them.

My impression is that Lowrance might have a couple more technological whistles and bells, but that the interface is more difficult to learn. Also, my best friend's dad has had nothing but problems from his Lowrance unit. (It might just be bad luck for him, but I think he's had two replacement units so far.) Like most people, I don't have experience with both Lowrance and Humminbird, so I can only tell you about mine. I have the Humminbird 788ci.

Pros:

--With the Lakemaster chips, you can actually highlight a range of depths on the GPS (say everything from 11-14 FOW, and everything under 2 FOW). ---You can also offset the depths (Again, Lakemaster chips only as far as I know.) if the water level changes. That feature actually updates the depth readings, so instead of still reading 6 FOW when the lake level has fallen 2 feet, the map now reads 4 FOW after you update it.

--There are 1-foot contours available for many lakes in MN, and 3- or 5-foot contours for a whole bunch more.

--Humminbird's user interface is really intuitive. Reading the book isn't really necessary (Still do it though!) to be able to get the unit to function.

--There are ice ducers available for many of the Humminbird units to extend the useability.

--My 788 has three preset buttons for the three displays I use the most. It's a small thing maybe, but it's nice to just be able to punch a button to go from the map to the sonar readout and back.

Cons:

--Lakemaster split LOW/ Rainy/ Kabetogema (and maybe a couple others) off onto a different chip, so you really have to buy two in order to cover MN completely.

--Like I said before, I think Lowrance units might have a little more funtionality. So far, I don't think I'm missing anything.

Overall, I'm really happy with my unit. It does kind of chafe on me that MN is basically split up into two SD cards. Also, I think you can buy Navionics chips for the Humminbirds, but I really like the depth highlighting/ offset feature that you get with the Lakemaster chips.

Something else to think about is that Humminbird is going with more detailed displays for next year, so you might be able to get an "obsolete" unit (like the one I have now) for a discount. I recently saw a couple of retailers selling mine for $500 instead of the $650 they would normally charge.

Sorry for the book, if you have any more specific questions feel free to post them up.

[huskie0302]

So what kind of chips do you use if you already have a Nuvi? I have a nuvi 1300. Thanks for the help, I have been looking at GPS;s for a while

[Lund79]

As far as chips you can look at Lakemaster, Navionics and the MNTRAX (NDTRAX and MTTRAX also available). I have been looking at a GPS unit seriously for the past 2-3 years (almost bought a H20C) and what chips would be available and work the best for me. I have ruled out Lakemaster because it does not have a few lakes I fish by the in-laws so this leaves me with Navionics and MNTRAX. I will be going with the MNTRAX chip after following the past reviews and the options it has for finding public land to hunt as well. It is more versatile than just a fishing chip albeit the lake contours might not be in HD like some lakes with Nav or LM. The updates for the MNTRAX chip is considerably less than Navionics and Lakemaster. In the end, research the lakes on all chips and choose the one that has the most lakes you fish.

[croixflats]

So what kind of chips do you use if you already have a Nuvi? I have a nuvi 1300. Thanks for the help, I have been looking at GPS;s for a while

Garmin/Lakemaster micro sd, Garmin Vision maps and MnTrax

[Ed Carlson]

LakeMaster Dakota's, MN, and LOTW Rainy.

NDTRAX, MNTRAX.

Garmin Northern Central Vision Inland Lakes and Rivers.

[MN Mike]

Just so there is no confusion, Navionics chips do NOT work in Garmins, pretty much everything else that has been discussed will.

On the Garmin Nuvi's, unless you have a 500 series GPS/Nav unit you will be missing one critical screen, in my opinion

It's nice because it will count down from miles to feet with this screen, when you don't have this, you can still get to a waypoint if need be but it's not as easy to do without this screen. I have a Nuvi 250 and it does not have this compass screen but it sure is nice to use with the bigger screen and the Lakemaster chip.

I'm only about 14 miles from TyGuy and I can say the detail to the local lakes is nothing great, probably not much more than you find on the Lake Finder page on the DNR's site but it does give some reference, just don't expect the detail you see on Lake of the Woods, Winni or Leech for instance. I have both a Navionics ( for my Humminbird ) and a Lakemaster chip ( for my Garmin Handheld & Nuvi ).

Lots of good units from Garmin out there these days, you almost have to go look at them and decide for yourself what you would like, buttons, touchscreen's or the Nuvi Nav units. When I have been at Gander Mtn or Cabelas, I have asked them to see the Lakemaster and Navionics chips so I could look at the detail of the lakes I want to fish and they have always let me look at the GPS device with the chip in it.

Mike

[TyGuy02]

Thanks MN Mike from "wanger". I'm not expecting GREAT info for the tiny lakes up here, but at least a reference. Looking at my Garmin Nuvi 200w, I'm leaning towards using this unit, to save a few bucks, even though it won't be the greatest. So I'm going to buy the microchip I need and call it good. Thanks for all the info guys!