GPS????

[ROOOOSTERFISH]

My Lowrance died on me last year and it is getting time to start looking at the brands out on the market. Obviously for good reason I will not be buying another Lowrance. I really do not know much about the brands out there other then that what I have learned that Garmin is the most likely.Does anyone have any info or use one? Thinking of getting the eTrex Venture but not sure about the maps or what chips that can go in it. I have a old lakemasters chip now but know that I can not use it in a Garmin. Looking to spend around $300 to $400 with chip included. Any information would be greatly appreciated! , Thanks.....

[bobbymalone]

I'm a Garmin man, will not go any other way.

I have GPSmap 60CX that has served me well for a number of years. I use a Lakemaster chip in there.

I would avoid the eTrex Venture, simply because it doesn't have a microSD card slot so you could have a tough time fitting maps and whatnot on the 24mb internal memory. To tell you the truth, I would avoid the eTrex altogether. They are nice units for casual users, but not as rugged as what I want (mine gets beat to death on the lake, on the ice, and on the trail) and the screens tend to run a little small. Great units for the price though, just get one with a SD card slot and you'll thank me later.

The features I was wanting when I bought my 60CS were screen size, color, having several buttons rather than selecting functions from a menu (deal breaker for some of the basic eTrex models), microSD card slot, waterproof.

Good luck.

[cps420us]

I bought the Garmin GPSMap 78 last year for ice fishing. The selling point for me was the fact that it floats with batteries in it.

[toughguy]

I use my Droid phone with a $20 Navionics ap. If you have a smart phone I would go that route. big savings and works great!

[Steelhead Chaser]

I also have a the Garmin 60CX and have the Lakemaster chip in it. It's worked great for me. Great handheld GPS.

[KG243]

Garmin all the way. They have so many options for diffrent styles of GPS.

[IcerRon2010]

Look into a Humminbird 385ci. You can load a lakemaster or navionics chip in it. Save waypoints easy, ice fish with it, and use it in open water. Good value for the price. Can't wait to use it this winter.

[dfeste]

Another fan of the GPSMap 78 here. I use mine during all four seasons. I also like the fact that it runs on AA batteries. Easy to stuff a few extras in a pocket or tackle box and never have to worry about running out of juice.

[ROOOOSTERFISH]

Thanks for all the information. Really like to hear about the app for the phone? A really good idea that I did not think of. How close does it get you , does it get you with in 15 to 20 feet of where it says you are ? I will deffinetly look into that and also look into the Garmins and Birds.

Thanks again,

[Bobberboy]

I just bought a Garmin GPSMAP 78s and have been playing with it for about a week.

It has some good features that I like better than my old H2OC. It's much faster in bringing up positions and zooms in much closer on the map. It seems to be much easier on batteries and locks in on your position much faster than my H2OC.

I'm purchased the Lakemaster Minnesota chip and the Garmin Ontario chip is on the way. One of the main reasons I went to Garmin was so I could get a Ontario lake maps chip.

Some of the down sides to this model is it's a slow process to get your info in with the buttons. I'm told the touch screen models are faster but I don't really like touch screens in any format so I'll deal with it. The screens a bit smaller than the H2OC as well.

With the ram mount system and the cord for my cig lighter I was into the deal for just under 500.00.

Time will tell on how it really performs.

[pooly_31]

I've got the app on my Droid2 and as far as i can tell it is spot on. That being said i've heard there has been some difficulty in finding the app now, some problems with canadian licensing or something.

Thanks for all the information. Really like to hear about the app for the phone? A really good idea that I did not think of. How close does it get you , does it get you with in 15 to 20 feet of where it says you are ? I will deffinetly look into that and also look into the Garmins and Birds.

Thanks again,

[joneshat11]

I run the Garmin GPS78s, also. I Love it, so far. The biggest selling point to me is getting one with the electronic compass. Therefore, when you stop moving it doesn't spin off access. Your able to point the GPS in a direction and the map will move with you. Therefore, spend the extra money for a gps with an electronic compass.

[Lund79]

I have the Garmin 62S (electronic compass). No complaints here with the unit. I originally purchased the 78S but returned it for the 62S as I liked the button position better (top vs bottom).

[bigbad401]

I have a Garmin Oregon and love it. Smartphones are nice, but it is very nice to have a rugged unit that takes AA batteries and that is why I would vote for a Garmin unit. I have dropped, gotten wet, dropped things on, and almost anything else bad with my Garmin and it still works awesome. I would have broken a smartphone with the abuse that my Garmin has taken. Plus, battery life is much better.

[toughguy]

Thanks for all the information. Really like to hear about the app for the phone? A really good idea that I did not think of. How close does it get you , does it get you with in 15 to 20 feet of where it says you are ? I will deffinetly look into that and also look into the Garmins and Birds.

Thanks again,

I agree with Pooly mine is just as accurate as my H20C handheld is. What you need is the Navionics US North ap. There are several of them in the droid ap store but I don't see the US North either. Maybe they are updating it?

Here is a link to a thread on the ap.

smartphone GPS ap thread

[bobbymalone]

I don't have the money for one of those smartphones, given my track record of cell phones + water.

I am a bit confused how mapping software for a gps unit runs around $100-150 bucks but the smartphone app runs for $15 and it's apparently just as good.

[toughguy]

I totally agree. I can understand that there is a price to manufacture, package, ship, and a mark up for the store but an $80-$100 difference is a little extreme.

[ROOOOSTERFISH]

I have sent in a email asking if they are working on a US North app but have not heard anything yet. Does anyone have any info as to why they do not have a North app? I agree they must be working on one because why would they not have one for the land of 10,000 lakes ....keep you all informed if I hear anything....

[Hardyboy]

The following is the response i received from Navionics. Those that have it already can still use it but unfortunately in my case i had a technical problem with my phone and had to get a new one so i no longer have it. so if you have it still hang on to it or you cant get it back.

Due to recent agreements with the Canadian Hydrographic Service, Navionics is currently conducting updates for Canadian cartography. This app is currently not available through the Android Market. We hope to have this coverage area available for purchase in the near future.

If you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to ask.

Best regards,

Navionics Mobile Team

[hotrod1]

The World's Foremost Outfitter has the Garmin Oregon 450T on sale rite now for $299.99. That is #150 off. Very nice unit with preloaded topo maps. You do have to purchase a lakemap chip.

[Hardyboy]

Hey with information i gained on another thread i was able to track down and put the Navionics lakes North app back on my phone even though its not available in the market.

[Sutty]

With Humminbird buying out lakemaster will the cards still work in the Garmin's?

[Jarrid Houston]

I have had my Lawrence GPS H2O for i dont know how many years now? Since they came out?, anyway, has never failed me...Got the navionics chip in it too

[Sutty]

I don't think the H20 is sold or supported any more so I think if you want to get one you are looking at a used one. I have had an H20c for several years now and mine started to go flaky this past winter.

[schweady]

I'd find it pretty interesting to know just how many Lowrance iFinder units (mine was the ExpeditionC ) guys have had fail in the past couple of years. Seemed like every forum here has somebody telling about theirs performing flawlessly for a good 5-6 years and then suddenly beginning to flake out on them.

Shame on Lowrance for turning their backs on a solid product line.

The up side: I am really enjoying my new Garmin 62st and LakeMaster chip.