Looking for handheld GPS for Ice and open water....any suggestions

[Diesel D]

I have decided to break down and get a handheld GPS (mainly for ice fishing but for use on open water as well). I was always a big fan of the Lawrance Ifinder H2OC but I guess they don't make it anymore. Looked at the Lawrance Sierra and it is getting terrible reviews at best. Looking for something compatible with Lakemaster chips or whatever they are using now for lakes. Oh yeah, and easy to use. Any help will be appreciated!

Thanks,

D

[Hardyboy]

I have decided to break down and get a handheld GPS (mainly for ice fishing but for use on open water as well). I was always a big fan of the Lawrance Ifinder H2OC but I guess they don't make it anymore. Looked at the Lawrance Sierra and it is getting terrible reviews at best. Looking for something compatible with Lakemaster chips or whatever they are using now for lakes. Oh yeah, and easy to use. Any help will be appreciated!

Thanks,

D

If you have an android phone or an iphone you should seriously consider the Navionics app!! A lot cheaper than the GPS and lake chips. Yes its worth it!! there are a few different threads on the subject in here.

[bigbad401]

My vote is for Garmin. You may still be able to get a Lakemaster for it as Lakemaster is no longer selling for Lowrance or Garmin.

GPS

Click the link and you will find a good thread on this subject. There are actually lots of good threads on this subject, just look around here.

[OnAFly]

My Garmin Oregon 450 is pretty nice. I got the LM chip for $50, which is really nice.

Also, it takes 2AA batteries instead of three. My lithium batteries lasted over 24 hours of use. That is far more than my H2Oc ever did.

Also consider this. How often will you be ice fishing in a place where you might not get a chance to charge your phone everyday? A handheld takes easy to find batteries which you can easily carry extras of.

[usmcjsy]

I have a Garmin 60CSx I love it. Its about 5 yrs old but still works awesome. I dont know if they sell this model anymore. I also bought the lakemaster chip for it.

[PaulZ]

I've been thinking about the same thing this year. I have been doing a lot online searching. I think I am going to run to Gander or Cabela's and see what they have on the shelf. But Lake Master apparently still makes chips for other devices other then humminbird. They only sell the chips/software for humminbird through the HSOforum. I guess after they got bought out they can only sell for hummingbird online, but they say you cans till get chips for other handhelds through a retailer. ie. Cabela's, Gander.

The phone app is a good alternative too, I have few friends that have it for iphone and they think it's ok, but the android app is good too just need to have a new android phone for best results.

[MJBaldwin]

If you get that app on your phone does it use data everytime you use it? Also what happens if you don't get cell reception? Happens every summer where I go fishing can you stil use the app or could you not use it what about a handheld like the h20c could you use that still

[MJBaldwin]

If you get that app on your phone does it use data everytime you use it? Also what happens if you don't get cell reception? Happens every summer where I go fishing can you stil use the app or could you not use it what about a handheld like the h20c could you use that still

[bigbad401]

But Lake Master apparently still makes chips for other devices other then humminbird. They only sell the chips/software for humminbird through the HSOforum. I guess after they got bought out they can only sell for hummingbird online, but they say you cans till get chips for other handhelds through a retailer. ie. Cabela's, Gander.

They maybe selling them but Lakemaster is not producing them. The retailers are selling off their stock; once it is gone it is gone.

[fishwater]

I've had an endura for a couple weeks and think it is pretty decent, been out on the ice 3 times with it so far without any problems. I read lots of poor reviews too, but took them with a grain of salt. Most of the reviews out there were before the 1.4 update was released, the newest update 1.5 released in Oct. made some good improvement over version 1.4 too.

It will lock to satellites inside my house rather quickly (which neither my older garmin or HDS unit will do), uses lakemaster chips that also work in lowrance HDS graphs and gets great battery life. The menu's can be optimize and tailored for your specific use also.

I really like garmins, but if you want to buy Lakemaster chips while you can and use them in a lowrance, I wouldn't be too scared off by some bad reviews. The endura was released too early, many folks got turned off well before it had any capabilities at all.

[bigbad401]

If you get that app on your phone does it use data everytime you use it? Also what happens if you don't get cell reception? Happens every summer where I go fishing can you stil use the app or could you not use it what about a handheld like the h20c could you use that still

Most all smart phones now have a GPS chip inside it. The thing that sucks about cell phones is the battery usage. I like to have a couple extra AA's for my Garmin even though I can use it for a very long time anyways.

[ice-man/vexilar-king]

Quote:

LM chip for $50

Where was that at? I want one

[ice-man/vexilar-king]

Garmin Dakota 20 thegpsstore had them for $199 on sale cheepest Ive found

Best all around for fishing/hunting. waterproof and chip capable

[Steelhead Chaser]

I have a Garmin 60CSx I love it. Its about 5 yrs old but still works awesome. I dont know if they sell this model anymore. I also bought the lakemaster chip for it.

+1

[bigbad401]

LM chip for $50

Where was that at? I want one

Garmins HSOforum has the CDROM for $50.

[MJBaldwin]

I was thinking of doing the navionics on my phone but ended up finding a low dance h20c on CList for 50 bucks and then an 09 lakemaster chip on the e bay store for 30 so don't have to much invested I hope I like it everyone that has or had one said they have liked them.

[Diesel D]

Thanks for all the good information guys!

I appreciate it!

D

[Hardyboy]

once you have downlaoded the app your done. you then can select the map data you want to download whether its individual lakes or the state of minnesota (I recommend individual lakes) then your off. The app then runs solely on your standalone GPS in the phone so you do not need to have cell service or a signal. As far as battery life on your phone i just took a cigarete adapter and wired and put spades on the end of the wires and you can plug it right to your vexilar battery and you have an instant phone charger with your car charger cord. I take mine to lake of the woods and can keep my phone charged easily without even coming close to draining a battery.