GPS/Sonar Questions

[Bushwacker]

Does anybody have a Lowrance LCX-17M or a LMS 480? I am planning on buying a gps/sonar unit this year and want to get the most bang for my buck. What features should I be looking for? I want to be able to use it to mark structure and fish, record my routes, and be able to upgrade it when possible. I plan on adding a Navionics program or similar to the system. I have had a Garmin handheld GPS for 5 years, but I am a complete rookie when it comes to GPS/Sonar combos. Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Fish Head]

I purchased a Lowrance 18c last year. I was toying with getting the 15m, but decided to pay a little more and go with color. Now I’m happy I did. I absolutely love it!! In my opinion, getting a unit with a screen large enough to have a split screen between GPS and Sonar is a must. I also like having the color a lot more than I thought I would.

I purchased the Navionics map for MN and IA and I’m very happy with that also. I know that Lakemaster and Navionics are now talking, so there are some new maps available that were not on the market last year. I think Lakemaster might have the best GPS chip for a group of MN lakes. It will depend on where and how you fish, but someone here should know more about that than I do.

There is a seminar on fish electronics on Friday night at the Bass and Walleye expo if you can make it. Good luck and happy fishing!

Fish Head