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Whats the best handheld gps?

WallyGader

By WallyGader
in Ice Fishing

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bigbad401 Rising Star

bigbad401

Posted
Posted

Not true. The phones use GPS to acquire position just like a handheld unit. You do NOT need cell coverage to use one. I have confirmed this countless times where I was on the lake with no ability to call, but it was locked on where my position was because of the satellites.

They are not as durable as a GPS or waterproof, but for the cost they will more than do the job every bit as good as a handheld GPS.

I guess I am wrong. For those that have a smartphone and are careful with it the app is a good way to go. I still like to have the handheld myself. Being more rugged and waterproof are selling points for me. I do think that with more smartphones out there and as cheap as the apps are the handheld GPS units may need to come down in price to be competitive in the market. Who wants to pay $100 for a handheld GPS map when their smartphone app is $10.

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CaptainMusky Grand Master

CaptainMusky

Posted
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I guess I am wrong. For those that have a smartphone and are careful with it the app is a good way to go. I still like to have the handheld myself. Being more rugged and waterproof are selling points for me. I do think that with more smartphones out there and as cheap as the apps are the handheld GPS units may need to come down in price to be competitive in the market. Who wants to pay $100 for a handheld GPS map when their smartphone app is $10.
100% accurate comment! You nailed it. This is precisely why when the Droid line of phones came out and it was announced they would feature google maps, etc the stock prices for the larger GPS companies plumeted. I believe they ended at 25% of where they started or some ridiculous number like that.

They will need to do something to remain competitive, but they definitely still have their place. Lakemaster does not have an app YET for these phones so there is definitely those that prefer that mapping solution the smart phone isnt an option. I now use Navionics and LakeMaster (in my Lowrance in the boat) and have noticed differences good and bad for each. Definitely nice to have both. So far I havent found anything that both had wrong.

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TravP Proficient

TravP

Posted
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I really like my garmin colorado 400t. Super bright colors and easy to read at all times of the day, great battery life, water proof, and super quick scrolling in and out on structure(my favorite feature!)$200 range

+1

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croixflats Grand Master

croixflats

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Do not see an extra charge on my TMobile bill. Still the same rate as when I started with TMobile before I had a smart phone. So I dont know what your talking about as for a required charge. And I sure not going to ask them why they are not charging me. grinwink

Glad your having good service with your phone.If that is the way to go for you go for it.

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leech~~ Grand Master

leech~~

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I have never used an 60CSx, but they are good units from what I have read. Mind you, they are an obsoleted item from Garmin and I don't think they are getting anymore firmware updates.

It looks like Newalleye back a few posts talks about then.

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Trump34 Contributor

Trump34

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I have never used an 60CSx, but they are good units from what I have read. Mind you, they are an obsoleted item from Garmin and I don't think they are getting anymore firmware updates.

I just ordered one with the Lakemaster software for the Dakotas.

I'm just getting back into ice fishing so I hope this works well enough for me to get started. What does not getting firmware updates do to the unit?

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CaptainMusky Grand Master

CaptainMusky

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Do not see an extra charge on my TMobile bill. Still the same rate as when I started with TMobile before I had a smart phone. So I dont know what your talking about as for a required charge. And I sure not going to ask them why they are not charging me. grinwink

Glad your having good service with your phone.If that is the way to go for you go for it.

I wouldnt ask either. LOL

What kind of phone do you have? I was wondering if you even had a phone that could run this stuff.

BTW, I dont think TMobile is a "major carrier" LOL

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bigbad401 Rising Star

bigbad401

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I just ordered one with the Lakemaster software for the Dakotas. I'm just getting back into ice fishing so I hope this works well enough for me to get started. What does not getting firmware updates do to the unit?

All I am saying is that if there is a bug in the software for the GPS Garmin will not be fixing it. That unit has been out for a long time and it used by a lot of people. It is called the 'standard' in the handheld GPS world because of its popularity and performance. It should do you good.

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croixflats Grand Master

croixflats

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Just a blackbery 8220 flip. Doubt if it will run this stuff. Been a decent phone for what I need. I did the internet thing when I first got it but it was just a pain in the but to type let a lone read the durn thing and dont get me started on trying to get hooked up to the net and figure out why I could not load some web pages and not others, maybe things have change since then. Heck I just got this PC internet thing down just a while back you know that copy and paste thing and something called you tube.

laugh

TMobile looks like its trying for the big time. Sure like that 4G commercial with the pink and white Bike suit. grin

I see my phone does have GPS capability but I dont know if it be the same as the newer models

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lovebigbluegills Veteran

lovebigbluegills

Posted
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I'm a fan of my Garmin 76CSX. It does go through batteries a little faster than the black and white model though.

But it's plenty good enough for me out on Lake of the Woods--the batteries will last me about 8-9 trips. Have it on until I get to where I want to fish, and shut it off again.

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CaptSpike Collaborator

CaptSpike

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I have the H2O and would have tossed it out the truck window the last two weekends if it didn't have my lake chip in it. They $uck in cold weather. Lose signal, never get signal, nada. In the warm weather I have had no issues but in the cold forget it. You will waste more time trying to get the device to lock postition than if you just drilled a bunch of holes and manually figured out where you are on the lake, lol. I guess that is why they call it the H2O instead of the Frozen H2O. My primary use is cold weather ice fishing so it really does me no good. I will be looking to upgrade to something that uses the same chip. Preferably not lowrance.

Spike

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leech~~ Grand Master

leech~~

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I have the H2O and would have tossed it out the truck window the last two weekends if it didn't have my lake chip in it. They $uck in cold weather. Lose signal, never get signal, nada. In the warm weather I have had no issues but in the cold forget it. You will waste more time trying to get the device to lock postition than if you just drilled a bunch of holes and manually figured out where you are on the lake, lol. I guess that is why they call it the H2O instead of the Frozen H2O. My primary use is cold weather ice fishing so it really does me no good. I will be looking to upgrade to something that uses the same chip. Preferably not lowrance.

Spike

Cspike, were you on battery power then or have it plugged into the cig lighter with the cord? I have lots of trouble with mine when running on batteries in the cold but not when it is plugged into the 12V with the cord. wink
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buzbunni Experienced

buzbunni

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FOR ME, (who already has a phone contract and a smartphone) the choice is a no brainer.

Heck I'd even argue it would be worth buying a new smartphone instead of a handheld if you don't already have one, but that is just my opinion. smile

I'm sure it will be a no brainer for me too...in a year or so.

My old Black & White H20 just crapped out on me, and while I'm looking (perhaps) for a used H20 (btw, all you H20 sellers out there are asking WAYYY too much for these old and outdated units), I may just jump right in and purchase a new Garmin Oregon 450/550.

I like the thought of a dedicated, waterproof, durable, more battery efficient GPS for when I am out in the field.

Currently I am on a basic mobile phone plan. No bells and whistles.

I figure that if I can hold off for a year or so in purchasing a smartphone (with the additional monthly fees, etc. that go along with it), I will have mostly, if not completely, have paid for a new GPS with included lake chips.

Still, I agree that the "all-in-one" unit (don't even want to call it a "smartphone" as it is so much more than that) is the wave of the future...errr..present smile. Still, I'd like to see the units beefed up in terms of durability and battery economy b4 I'm willing to give up on the dedicated GPS unit.

Great discussion everybody.

Learned a ton.

Thx.

P.S. Old Lowrance H20c for sale? Anyone? Buehler? Anyone?

Come On! You KNOW you need to upgrade! grin

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CaptainMusky Grand Master

CaptainMusky

Posted
Posted

Can you use your Droid phone in Airplane mode? What if you're in Canada? Can it be used there?
Yes, in airplane mode the GPS still functions I tested that this morning to confirm.

Regarding will it work in Canada, it should work anywhere you have ability to lock into a satellite just like any GPS.

I know the battery life is a concern and it does chug through the battery relatively quickly but this is what I do and it works for me.

I use it to find spots, drill holes and when I set up I turn off the application. I made it an entire day this way. I also have a cigarette adapter that I just plug into my ATV and charge it while driving around find the next spot.

If you can keep yourself from using all the other features of these phones while you are on the lake, internet, games, texting, etc to a minimum (tough, I know LOL) and just use the mapping aspect of it like I described you should be able to make it an entire day without too much trouble.

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CaptainMusky Grand Master

CaptainMusky

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Has anyone tested the accuracy of these smartphone GPS receivers? I would like to know how they compare to the dedicated GPS receivers.

I compared mine to a Lowrance 522 and it was easily as accurate at least at that time.

I mentioned earlier that I can sit on my couch with a Coors Light watching my TV, turn on my Google Map on my phone and it pinpoints me in the right side of the house (based on the Satellite overlay).

My favorite thing is how fast it acquires position. A couple seconds is all it takes.

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CaptSpike Collaborator

CaptSpike

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Quote:
Cspike, were you on battery power then or have it plugged into the cig lighter with the cord? I have lots of trouble with mine when running on batteries in the cold but not when it is plugged into the 12V with the cord. wink

Doesn't matter. In the cold it craps out. I run it off the ATV and still goes out.

Spike

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Ride_Red Enthusiast

Ride_Red

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the garmin gpsmap 76csx and the garmin 60scx are about the same unit minus the looks, I have the 76csx and use it all the time, it is a great unit, one advantage of the new version the 78 over the 62 is that the 78 floats, as does the 76, not sure about the 60 though

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