Best Hand-held GPS unit for ice fishing

[braves57]

I have a hand held H2O that is failing. I have a Lakemaster chip that I would like to reuse.

Any opinions on the best GPS out there?

[fishwater]

Personally I would say the garmin GPSmap62s or GPSmap78. You likely won't be able to re-use a lakemaster in any handheld GPS unless it is very recent on a microSD card, or a garmin chip.

I have a lowrance endura and have been happy with it running the new software and new lakemaster chips.

[braves57]

Or how about Android aps that are as good as a lakemaster chip? If there are any?

[Lund79]

I purchased a Garmin 62S last year. Very happy with it.

[schweady]

Garmin 62st with Upper Midwest Fishing Guide microchip here. Heaven.

[rivercat]

Navionics who makes chips similar to lake master has a Android app. You can get it in the Android market for 12 bux.

[Rick]

I have the Garmin Etrex 20 with Upper Midwest Fishing Guide SD microchip.

The screen is a little small coming from the H2Oc, but...

Works nice and priced right as well.

[HNTNBUX]

I just updated after my Lowrance handheld fried. I went with the Garmin Oregon 450 and Upper Midwest chip as well. So far it has been spot on and very easy to use. Just over 350 for everything ordering it off the internet.

[OnAFly]

I've got the same setup. I love it. Be careful, those things sink like a rock and unless you keep the clip on them, you have no chance at hooking it back up.

I put a big floating rope lanyard on my 2nd one. If nothing else, it gives me something to hook onto.

[Ishikawa]

I've been thinking about getting a handheld GPS unit with a chip that I can use in my new HDS-7 for open water fishing. I do have the Navionics app for Android but, I'm not sure if the GPS is that accurate. Trying to find some of the smaller humps and holes are a pain so thinking of trying out the Lowrance Out&Back personally myself. Anybody ever use both the handheld GPS and compare to phone GPS accuracy?

[TKOGWEE]

I stopped using my Garmin 78 with the Lake Master chip because the navionics app on my phone is just as good (tried side by side), and I can't call any one on my Garmin not to mention all the other things (weather radar) I can do with my phone. And at 9.99 (navionics app)for my particular smart phone, it was a no brainer. I think that smart phones are going to eventually phase out the stand alone GPS unit. Technology is great. A good thing though about the Garmin, the wife can't call me on it and tell me to come home.

[braves57]

Thanks for the posts!

The 62ST looks real nice but the price looks a little better for the etrex and oregon.

One downside of the phone app is the battery life of the phones stink! So I think the handheld will be bought real soon.

I wonder how my grandfather fished for all those years without a gps to tell him where he is...

Thanks again! Keep 'em coming... love to hear the reviews!

[OnAFly]

My Oregon with Lithium batteries lasts 24 hours...plus I don't need a charger when it's out. Honestly, I don't want a smart phone...ever. My plan costs $45 a month, so I'll pay off the cost of a Garmin in 10 months vs a smart phone with a data plan

[griff321]

What would you guys suggest for a person that does not have a smart phone or a wish to ever get one? I would only use a smart phone for a navionics app and I'm sure the internet costs associated with it would cost more than a gps and lakemaster chip in about a year.

[castmaster]

I guess I just dont get the smart phone app being a really viable tool. For me the screen on a handheld is too small let alone going down in size even further.

[Random guy]

I just "test drove" a Garmin 62S after recommendations on this site and it is ALL it was cracked up to be. I even took it to places I had signal trouble before and it worked great. Granted no leaves on the hardwood canopy, but the cedar swamps I stumbled around in last year with a Lowrance Expedition and no signal the 62 locked on. It even gave me a good compass reading while on the run. No stopping to level the unit. Just hit my bearing and moved out.

Very cool unit.

[Stringerless!]

Just got a garmin nuvi 1300.Could not pass it up for the price . Looks like I can get a chip for it. Anybody try one of these ?

[Notcho]

I use a Garmin 450T and a Nuvi for in the vehicle, both with my lake master chip. The nuvi works awesome with the chip. I would recommend both.

[Stringerless!]

Thanks notcho !

[annasu]

I'll be getting the Garmin eTrex Venture HC...pulling the trigger today. Not all the bells and whistles but talking with a couple of soft water/ tech guys said it's a good .

[mainbutter]

My wonderful girlfriend bought me a garmin eTrex 20 for x-mas, and using it with the new upper midwest fishing guide chip and a few tips from members here, I've found where drop-offs are and caught fish. It fits nicely in pockets, but the only downside is that I'd keep it off if it's in my blue jeans pocket. It uses a mini joystick for input and menu navigation, so be careful you're not accidentally bumping the joystick and pressing buttons while walking around. I like to keep it in my jacket pockets though!