Lowrance H2O & Hot Maps?

[cliffy]

I was out looking at GPS units at the local sporting goods store when I came across the Lowrance H2O. The clerk also told me the unit was compatible with the Premium/gold & classic Hotmaps chips. Does anyone own this unit…and used the Hotmaps chips? Are there any pros and cons to this unit? How good are the lake maps?

I also forgot to ask the clerk one question..and I hope some one could help me. Is a person able to enter GPS coordinates into the unit? The reason I ask is because I currently own a low grade Garmin E-trex and I do not have this capability….I have to set waypoints when I find a spot and then I can return. I would like the capability to enter coordinates without having to already have been to the spot to mark it. Make sense?

Thanks for your help.

[f1sh1nfool]

I bought the h2o about two months ago. I like this unit. it is fairly user friendly. I bought it for the capability of using navionics maps since my graph on my boat can use this chip also, but have yet to spring for the 200 dollar chip. I will let someone else comment on how good the maps are, but from what i've heard and read they are excellent. the unit is somewhat larger than units that i have had in the past, that is good and bad i guess, a good size display. it does seem to eat batteries fairly fast, as with any new technology. and yes you can input coordinates. I like the fact that it somewhat waterproof (to ipx7 standards, whatever that means) this is a good unit! good luck

[Catfish John]

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I was out looking at GPS units at the local sporting goods store when I came across the Lowrance H2O. The clerk also told me the unit was compatible with the Premium/gold & classic Hotmaps chips. Does anyone own this unit…and used the Hotmaps chips? Are there any pros and cons to this unit? How good are the lake maps?

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I own the ifinderPro (same unit w/o waterproof). I think it's the best thing since sliced cheese. I would suggest the Hotmaps Premium (from $179-$199) over the Hotmaps Classic ($99-119) or Gold.

HotMaps Premium -

Over 3,000 Lake Maps including many exclusive high-definition lake maps to 1' contours for select lakes throughout the US. The best compilation of lake maps available.

HotMaps Gold - Over 1,000 Lake Maps featuring a paper chart appearance and user-selectable shaded bottom contours providing depth safety information at a glance.

HotMaps Classic - Over 1,000 Lakes with the same level of detail as our newer HotMaps Gold, but with fewer user-selectable features. Compatible with a wide-range of plotters.

If you never fish the extra and/or high def lakes provided on the Premium chip it may not be worth the extra money to you.

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Is a person able to enter GPS coordinates into the unit?

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Yes, you can move the cursor to the desired coordinates and create a waypoint.

[bkft]

I bought the H2O last fall as my first GPS unit and love it. Very user-friendly and easy to learn. I do not have the Navionics chips, but plan on getting the premium chip this summer. The only problem I've had is finding ram-mounts for it. I found one unit at GM a while ago, but would like to have two (car & boat). I guess I could always order another direct from ram-mount or lowrance, but I'm pretty lazy...

[ChuckN]

Cliffy,

An etrex doesn't allow coords to be entered??? I have a Garmin that is 8 years old and it can be done. If you want to know how, I can try to help you if you are interested.

H2O definitely has that capability. My friend has one, he likes it.

[walleyehawk]

Lowrance is coming out with a map card any day now. If you get the H20, wait to buy the map card until more is known about the Lowrance Lakemaster card.

I was down at Cabela's today and they did not have it yet. From what I hear it is to be around $99, so cheaper than the others and may even be better.

[happyfish]

I also purchased the H2O ifinder last fall and could not be happier. I used it this fall on rainy and since I had put my boat away for the year, all I had was a friends iceducer and the H2O. It put us right on the spot I wanted almost to the exact depth. I used it Saturday on Bald Eagle Lake. With my chip in, we found a 27 foot hole that was not on the other map we had along and also had a fast and furious crappies bite. This is my first GPS unit and I am glad I purchased this one. My research paid off!

[ScottND]

Just got the new H20 and the new North, Fishing Hotspots Elite card (896 lakes). First impression....WAY COOL!

No more setting up waypoints in Lake Master, then transfering them to my Garmin GPS V.

Now where's the other 9,704 Minnesota lakes?

[cliffy]

Hey thanks guys for all the replies....sorry it took me so long to get back to this forum.

I bought the H20 last weekend and love it...pretty cool stuff...I got a demo unit from scheels in Fargo for less than 200.00 They used the unit as a demo at the sportsmans show...but it seems to be in perfect shape.

I was also going to pick up the 200.00 dollar lake map chip but the salesperson said there was a problem with these chips and all needed to be sent back to the company. I guess some lake info would disappear if zoomed in too much. He mentioned the problem with the LOTW map....so if any one has these chips...I would suggest double checking to make sure it works.

ChuckN: I guess my old e-trax would allow me to do that...just had to move the X until you found the right spot and then enter it as a way-point. Just seemed to be a pain if you had to move the pointer all over the screen...BUT thanks for the offer.

[steel24]

Cliffy, I have the ifinder also, and sent my old chip(hot maps classic in to be upgraded to the premium) The maps are great and Navionics will give you credit in the future if they come out with a new map.

PS- On the Lowrance chip, I saw it at Cabealas in East Grand Forks, it is less money(99.99) But does not have as many lakes per state as the Navionics but does have MN,ND,SD on the same chip. In my opinion I did not like the maps as well as the Navionics. Not as much detail. But like I said if you fish both States it is better than spending $400

PS- I did